By Emma Clarke, Health & Nutrition Writer · May 2026 · 5 min read

Emma Clarke covers cognitive performance, functional nutrition, and the gap between wellness marketing and what the research actually shows. She has been writing about the functional mushroom space since 2022.

1. Your energy and drive aren’t what they were

After 40, mitochondrial efficiency measurably declines — cells produce less ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body’s primary energy currency, from the same inputs. Testosterone decline compounds this: lower testosterone correlates with reduced mitochondrial biogenesis and faster cellular energy depletion.

Cordyceps mushroom is the most researched natural compound for ATP synthesis support. A 2004 study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found Cordyceps supplementation significantly improved maximal oxygen uptake and time to exhaustion in healthy adults. A 2010 study in the same journal found significant improvements in VO2 max in older adults after 12 weeks — a direct measure of mitochondrial energy efficiency.

2. Your mental sharpness isn’t keeping up with your experience

Processing speed, recall, and the ability to hold multiple threads simultaneously all rely on well-maintained neural infrastructure. After 40, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) — which governs the maintenance and growth of synaptic connections — declines progressively.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) directly stimulates BDNF and Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) via its hericenone and erinacine compounds. A 2009 randomised controlled trial in Phytotherapy Research found 16 weeks of Lion’s Mane produced significant cognitive function improvements versus placebo — with scores declining after supplementation stopped. A 2020 study in the Journal of Neurochemistry found erinacines promoted neurogenesis in animal models, consistent with the cumulative cognitive improvements reported across human trials.

3. You’re not recovering from stress the way you used to

Resilience — the ability to absorb stress and return to baseline quickly — depends on a well-regulated HPA axis. After 40, cortisol regulation becomes less efficient: stress responses are stronger, recovery slower, and the cumulative load on the system higher. The physical signs are a longer recovery from hard training. The cognitive signs are difficulty switching off and a shorter fuse.

Reishi mushroom is a clinically validated adaptogen that modulates the HPA axis rather than suppressing or overriding it. A 2012 randomised controlled trial in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found Reishi polysaccharides significantly reduced fatigue and improved quality of life scores. A separate review confirmed Reishi’s role in reducing cortisol-driven inflammation — the mechanism behind both slower physical recovery and the chronic low-grade stress that compounds with age.

4. Sleep isn’t as restorative as it once was

Sleep architecture changes after 40 — specifically, deep non-REM sleep (the phase responsible for physical repair, memory consolidation, and growth hormone release) becomes shorter and more fragmented. Declining testosterone directly correlates with reduced sleep quality, creating a feedback loop: poor sleep further suppresses testosterone and growth hormone, accelerating the physical and cognitive changes you’re trying to prevent.

Reishi acts on the adenosine system that regulates sleep pressure and depth. A 2017 study found Reishi extract significantly increased total sleep time and non-REM sleep depth — the specific phase that declines with age. Better deep sleep means more growth hormone released, more efficient physical recovery, and a more thoroughly cleaned brain (via the glymphatic system that only fully activates in deep sleep) by morning.

5. Low-grade inflammation is accumulating everywhere

Researchers call it “inflammaging” — the chronic, low-grade inflammatory state that accelerates with age and drives the majority of age-related decline, from cognitive slowing to physical recovery to metabolic dysfunction. After 40, inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein and IL-6 begin rising in most men, even those who train and eat well.

Chaga mushroom contains one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants of any known food — specifically superoxide dismutase (SOD) and betulinic acid — with demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in multiple published studies. Combined with Reishi’s immunomodulatory polysaccharides and Lion’s Mane’s neuroprotective compounds, the functional mushroom blend addresses inflammaging from multiple directions. A 2016 review in Nutritional Neuroscience found consistent neuroprotective effects from polysaccharide-rich mushroom extracts across multiple ageing-related cognitive and inflammatory markers.

What to look for in a mushroom supplement

Active compounds are concentrated in the fruiting body of the mushroom. Many products use mycelium on grain — where starch content can reach 60% of total weight, dramatically diluting potency. Look for 100% fruiting body extract, a clear extract ratio on the label, and independent third-party lab testing. Without these, the clinical evidence cited above doesn’t apply to what you’re taking.

What I recommend

For men over 40 specifically, the formula I’d point to is the Mushroom Blend Gummy from Headstrong — Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, and Chaga together, 100% fruiting body, third-party tested, and dosed to clinical relevance. Expect three to four weeks before noticing the shift in energy, recovery, and mental clarity. These effects are cumulative — they build on consistent use, not a single dose.

→ Find the Headstrong Mushroom Blend Gummy here

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement. Individual results vary.

Advertorial — This article contains a product recommendation. The writer has independently reviewed the product referenced.