From lion’s mane lattes to chaga gbmushrooms.net, mushroom coffee is all the rage. Touted as the brain-boosting, nootropic alternative to your morning cup of joe, these blends contain tried-and-true coffee beans and adaptogenic herbs like lion’s mane, chaga, cordyceps, and reishi. They promise to deliver a smoother shift from wakefulness to alertness and may even help prevent the caffeine-induced jitters, crashes, and headaches that many of us can experience.

Mushrooms are known for their health-boosting properties, and several of the mushrooms commonly found in these blends—like reishi and cordyceps—have been shown to have anti-aging effects, boost immunity, and regulate metabolism, among other things. However, most of the claims made by marketers for these fungi-infused brews have yet to be validated in well-designed clinical trials. It’s also not proven whether the medicinal mushrooms used in these brews retain their health benefits when dried, extracted, and blended into a drink.

Mushroom Coffee for Beginners: What You Need to Know

While mushroom-infused coffees may have a few health-boosting benefits, they’re not for everyone. For instance, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, have an underlying health condition, or are taking medication, it’s best to avoid them, as some of the ingredients in these drinks can interact with your medications. Additionally, the high cost of mushroom coffee can be prohibitive for some. To help you determine if these brain-boosting beverages are right for you, we spoke with Sheri Berger, a registered dietician who works on plant-forward, balanced, and sustainable nutrition. Read on to learn what she and other experts had to say about the sexy fungi craze.