Ryze is a mushroom coffee blend that combines a small amount of regular coffee with six functional mushroom extracts and MCT oil. It works by delivering roughly half the caffeine of a standard cup of coffee while adding compounds from medicinal mushrooms that are associated with focus, energy, and gut health. Each serving contains about 48 milligrams of caffeine, compared to around 95 milligrams in a typical 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee.
The Mushroom Blend and What Each Does
Ryze includes six mushroom extracts: lion’s mane, cordyceps, reishi, shiitake, turkey tail, and king trumpet (also called king oyster). Each one brings something different to the blend, though the amounts per serving are relatively small compared to standalone mushroom supplements.
Lion’s mane is the ingredient most tied to Ryze’s cognitive claims. It contains two groups of compounds, hericenones from the mushroom’s fruiting body and erinacines from its root-like mycelium. Lab studies show these compounds can increase expression of nerve growth factor, a protein your brain uses to maintain and grow neurons. In cell studies, lion’s mane constituents stimulated the growth of nerve cell extensions and helped protect cells when nerve growth factor was removed. The translation from lab dish to daily coffee cup is still an open question, but lion’s mane is the most studied “nootropic” mushroom in the mix.
Cordyceps is included for energy. It’s thought to support how your body uses oxygen during physical activity and may stimulate the nervous system. Turkey tail contributes to the gut health angle. It contains two well-studied compounds, polysaccharopeptide (PSP) and polysaccharide-K (PSK), along with fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. A 2017 review found turkey tail can alter a person’s microbiome and may help the body regulate its own bacterial balance. Reishi is traditionally associated with stress relief and immune support, while shiitake and king trumpet round out the blend with additional fiber and micronutrients.
How MCT Oil Fits In
Ryze also contains MCT oil, a fat derived from coconut oil. Medium-chain triglycerides are shorter molecules than most dietary fats, so your body digests them faster. Your liver can convert MCTs directly into ketones, which serve as a quick fuel source for the brain and body, especially when you haven’t eaten many carbohydrates. This is part of why some people report feeling sustained energy from Ryze without the crash they get from regular coffee.
MCTs may also help with appetite. Research suggests they promote the release of two satiety hormones, peptide YY and leptin, which signal to your brain that you’re full. For people who use Ryze as a morning drink, the MCT oil (along with a small amount of coconut milk in the blend) can take the edge off hunger without a full breakfast.
The Lower-Caffeine Approach
At about 48 milligrams of caffeine per serving, Ryze delivers less than half the stimulant punch of regular coffee. The idea is that you still get enough caffeine to feel alert, but the mushroom extracts and MCT oil provide complementary energy so you don’t need a heavy caffeine dose. People who are sensitive to caffeine or who experience jitters and afternoon crashes from regular coffee are the core audience for this trade-off.
That said, 48 milligrams is roughly equivalent to a cup of green tea. If you’re used to two or three cups of strong coffee, switching to Ryze cold turkey may leave you feeling under-caffeinated for the first few days. Some users ease the transition by mixing Ryze with a half-serving of their regular coffee before fully switching over.
How to Prepare It
One tablespoon of Ryze powder goes into 6 to 8 ounces of hot water. The water should be around 175 to 185°F, which is hot but not boiling. Boiling water can make the taste more bitter and may degrade some of the mushroom compounds. Stir it well with a spoon, or use a handheld frother for a smoother, latte-like texture. The frother makes a noticeable difference because it activates the natural creaminess from the coconut milk and MCTs in the powder.
For iced versions, mix the powder into a small amount of warm water first to dissolve it, then pour over ice and add milk. If you’re blending it cold, add cold milk to the cup first, then the powder. Some people prefer a bolder cup with 1.5 scoops, while others go lighter and add more milk.
What It Costs
A single bag of Ryze contains 30 servings and costs $27 on subscription (40% off the listed $45 retail price), which works out to about $0.90 per serving. Larger bundles bring the price down further. The 60-serving starter kit runs $49.50 ($0.82 per serving), and the ritual set drops to $0.64 per serving. Compared to a daily coffee shop habit, it’s cheaper. Compared to brewing your own regular coffee at home, it’s a noticeable premium.
Potential Side Effects
Most people tolerate Ryze without issues, but the mushroom extracts can cause digestive discomfort in some individuals. Bloating, nausea, or diarrhea are the most common complaints, particularly for people with sensitive stomachs or irritable bowel syndrome. Lion’s mane and reishi extracts have both been specifically linked to stomach upset in some cases.
Cordyceps can occasionally cause dizziness or a racing heartbeat because of its stimulating effects on the nervous system. Pairing it with caffeine, even the modest amount in Ryze, may amplify this for sensitive individuals, especially on an empty stomach. People with mushroom or mold allergies should be cautious, as mushroom-based products can trigger itching, skin rashes, or, very rarely, more serious allergic reactions.
There are also some important medication interactions to be aware of. Reishi mushrooms can influence blood clotting, which raises bleeding risk for anyone on blood-thinning medications. Cordyceps may lower blood sugar, potentially interfering with diabetes medications. Chaga, while not in the Ryze blend, is worth mentioning because it appears in many competing mushroom coffees and is very high in oxalates, which can stress the kidneys over time. People with chronic kidney or liver disease and those who are pregnant or breastfeeding should be especially careful with daily mushroom coffee use.