Mushroom Supplements for Children and Teenagers

Children are not small adults, and the sources we read do not establish that medicinal mushroom supplements, including gummies, are safe or useful for children and teenagers. Before giving any mushroom product to a child, talk to a pediatrician or pharmacist who knows the child's health and medicines.

What the sources say

NCCIH points out that many dietary supplements have not been tested in children, and asks people to keep this in mind when considering giving a child a supplement. [1]

A 2026 case report describes a 9-year-old boy with prematurity, cerebral palsy and well-controlled epilepsy. He developed myoclonic seizures, hallucinations and altered mental status after taking several medicinal fungi supplements that included Ganoderma lucidum (reishi) and Cordyceps sinensis. [2] The authors linked the timing to a rise in the supplement amount, and symptoms resolved when it was stopped. [2] This is one child with underlying neurological disease and a multi-ingredient product, so it cannot show how common such reactions are, or which ingredient was responsible. The authors said that the safety profile of these supplements in children is not well characterized and that off-label use in children is increasing. [2] Memorial Sloan Kettering's reishi page also lists this case. [3]

Mushroom coffee, tea and caffeine

If a mushroom drink contains caffeine, the FDA notes that too much caffeine in children and teens can cause a faster heart rate, palpitations, high blood pressure and anxiety. [4] It also says that medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens, and that caffeinated drinks should be avoided for children younger than 2 under the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. [4] Whether a particular mushroom drink contains caffeine depends on the product, so check the label. See Mushroom Coffee Side Effects and Who Should Be Careful.

Gummies and accidental swallowing

Gummies are one product type among several; see Mushroom Gummies: Sugar, Amounts and What Labels Show. Keep all supplements out of children's reach. If a child may have swallowed a supplement or any mushroom, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222; call 911 if the child collapses, has a seizure, has trouble breathing or cannot be awakened. [5]

Food mushrooms are a different question

This page is about supplements. For cooking and storing food mushrooms, see Cooking Edible Mushrooms Safely. For wild mushrooms, do not let children eat any; call Poison Help after any exposure. See Plant and Mushroom Poisoning.

Teens

Teenagers are not covered separately in the sources we read. Teens who take supplements for sport, focus or mood should tell a clinician, as should anyone who takes prescription medicines. See Children and Teens: Why They Are Different, Mushroom Supplements and Medicine Interactions and Lion's Mane in Pregnancy, Breastfeeding and Children.