Beyond the Buzzwords: Why Functional Mushrooms Need a Standardized Future

The functional mushroom market is booming—and murky. Over the past decade, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic, consumers have turned to functional mushrooms in record numbers, seeking immune support, cognitive enhancement, and alternatives to synthetic supplements. Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, and Chaga are now commonplace in pantries and pillboxes alike. But while demand has skyrocketed, quality control and industry transparency have not kept pace. We are in the midst of a global mushroom gold rush: the Shroom Boom—and the rush to market has outstripped the science.

Not All Mushrooms Are Created Equal

Take Hericium erinaceus, or Lion’s Mane. This species is prized for its neuro-regenerative properties, specifically due to compounds called erinacines, which stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). But there's a catch: erinacines are only produced in the mycelium, not the fruiting body. Moreover, they are fat-soluble, meaning they’re absent in standard water-based extracts—despite what many product labels claim.

Worse still, strain variation plays a massive role in bioactive production. Just because two producers grow Lion’s Mane doesn’t mean the biochemical payload is equivalent. Without strain verification and compound testing, any potency claim is speculative at best. This lack of standardization undermines the very efficacy the industry claims to deliver.

Doar, E., Meyer, K.W., Bair, Z.J. et al. Influences of substrate and tissue type on erinacine production and biosynthetic gene expression in Hericium erinaceus. Fungal Biol Biotechnol 12, 4 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40694-025-00194-9

The Marketing Mirage

"10,000mg per serving."

"100% fruiting body, no fillers."

"Dual-extracted."

"Triple-extracted."

"Bioavailable."

These claims sound impressive. But what do they mean in terms of actual bioactivity? The truth is: they don’t mean much without data. Most brands do not disclose which bioactive compounds are present, in what amounts, or if they’ve even been tested at all. And yet, these products are consumed by people hoping to manage inflammation, improve cognition, or support immune health—based on promises that may have no biochemical grounding.

The Counterargument: “Testing Is Too Expensive for Small Producers”

False equivalency. Requiring lab testing is not a pathway to pharmaceutical monopolies—it’s a baseline for consumer safety and scientific legitimacy. The goal isn’t to exclude small growers. It’s to elevate the entire category by aligning with scientific truth rather than commercial spin. In fact, verified quality could become the single greatest asset small-scale producers can offer!

We Don’t Need Hype. We Need Protocols.

There is precedent. In cannabis, industry chaos was reined in with clear testing requirements. THC and CBD content are now table stakes for consumer transparency. This didn’t kill the industry. It legitimized it. It gave consumers the ability to self-titrate. It separated the hype from the science.

Functional mushrooms need the same shift:

• Quantitative testing for bioactive compounds like erinacines, hericenones, cordycepin, ergothioneine, triterpenes, and many more

• Clear labeling standards that define terms like “full spectrum” or “extract” with precision, not marketing flair

• Education initiatives to help consumers understand potency, dosing, and efficacy

• Accountability systems for producers and brands alike

Why Testing Matters

Imagine if cannabis products were still sold without verified THC or CBD levels. That’s where functional mushrooms are today. Many companies are making dosage claims without verifying active compounds. The result? Consumers are flying blind. Some products may be highly effective; others may be little more than expensive filler.

Imagine walking into a dispensary where nothing is labeled—no THC percentage, no CBD ratio, no terpene profile. You’re told, vaguely, that everything on the shelf “gets you high” or “helps with sleep.” Would you trust it? Would you know how much to take? Would you come back?

That was cannabis 15 years ago.

Despite decades of scientific research on secondary metabolites like PSK, triterpenes, cordycepin, and erinacines, most mushroom supplement labels still rely on vague claims. These tell you nothing about what actually matters: the active compounds, their concentration, and their potential physiological effect. In cannabis, third-party testing changed everything. It allowed consumers to self-titrate. One person might thrive on 2.5mg of THC, while another prefers 50mg. With consistent data, each consumer could calibrate their own experience, dial in their ideal dose, and discover what works for their unique body chemistry.

We need that same level of personalization in functional mushrooms.

Consumers deserve to know if their Lion’s Mane contains erinacines—compounds linked to nerve growth. They should know whether their Cordyceps product actually contains cordycepin or is just dried biomass with a fancy label. Testing unlocks agency, efficacy, and education.

Without testing, we’re left with a supplement space full of promise but lacking proof. And that’s a recipe for consumer distrust, market saturation, and eventual disillusionment.

Transparency Is a Prerequisite for Sustainability

Sustainability isn’t just about growing mushrooms on agricultural waste or reducing carbon output—though those are critical. It’s also about building informational ecosystems that are honest, traceable, and evidence-based. Without transparency, we can’t build trust. And without trust, the entire market is vulnerable to collapse under the weight of its own hype.

Spore Growth Partners is committed to transforming the mushroom industry through scientific rigor, transparent education, and sustainable advocacy. If you're a brand, grower, or formulator looking to align your product with testing standards that matter—let's talk.