We sat down with the team at Flow State to explore how functional mushrooms can fit into modern daily routines.
From Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps to focus, energy, stress and consistency, Flow State takes a practical approach to mushrooms - grounded in quality, transparency and everyday use. In this conversation, we unpack where functional mushrooms sit alongside the foundations of sleep, movement and nutrition, what people may notice with consistent use, and how to keep a mushroom routine simple enough to stick to.
Flow State is known for bringing functional mushrooms into modern routines. What's the story behind the brand, and what drew you to mushrooms as a focus?
When Flow State was started, mushroom supplements were pretty new. There weren’t many options and it was hard to find high-quality products that were transparent about what was actually in them. So, the original goal of Flow State was to make pure, potent mushrooms extracts more readily available in New Zealand. For us, it started with a general fascination with the world of mushrooms. Then a health issue in our family led us to research natural options more seriously, and that's when we discovered functional mushrooms and the many ways they can support one’s health. When the opportunity came up to take the reins of Flow State,
it felt like a natural fit, so we went for it.
Quality and transparency are still at the heart of what we do. Too often in the supplement world you just have to trust what's on the label, so every batch of ours is independently tested here in New Zealand, and we publish the results. Today we're a small family business based in Whakatāne, and the goal is simple: to give Kiwis access to high-quality mushroom extracts they can trust, and to share our love of
fungi with anyone who'll listen.
World Mushroom Day falls within Mental Health Awareness Week. From your perspective, where do mushrooms come into the mental health conversation?
Many functional mushrooms are known as adaptogens, meaning they contain compounds that help support the body's response to everyday stress, which makes them a natural part of any conversation about mental wellbeing. The one most closely linked to the brain is Lion's Mane. It contains unique compounds which researchers have been studying for their role in supporting nerve and brain health. Some early studies have also looked at Lion's Mane in relation to mood and the stress response, which is a really interesting area to watch. Mushrooms aren't a replacement for professional support, and looking after your mental health involves a lot of pieces. But as one part of a broader routine alongside sleep, movement, good food and connection, mushrooms are something more and more people are finding value in.
Functional mushrooms like Lion's Mane and Cordyceps have been used traditionally for generations. How do you see them fitting into modern life today?
They certainly have, and the history is pretty interesting. Reishi appears in one of China's oldest herbal texts, written around 2,000 years ago, where it was ranked among the most prized herbs of all. It was so highly regarded it became known as the "mushroom of immortality."
Cordyceps has a great origin story too. The story goes that Himalayan herders noticed their yaks became more energetic after grazing in high-altitude pastures where Cordyceps grew, and that's how its reputation for energy and stamina began. What's exciting now is that modern science is catching up. Thousands of studies on medicinal mushrooms have been published over the past few decades, exploring everything from brain health to immune function to energy. In modern life, we see them as a simple daily foundation. People add them to their morning coffee, a smoothie or an evening drink, small habits that bring centuries of traditional use into a daily routine.
Lion's Mane is often associated with cognitive support. In your experience, what might people actually notice when they use it consistently?
Lion's Mane is the mushroom we get asked about most. The changes people describe are usually subtle rather than dramatic, but they're very relatable. The most common things we hear are feeling clearer, finding it easier to focus, and having less of that afternoon brain fog. Others say they feel calmer and more on top of things when the day gets busy. Some people start to notice differences almost right away, while for others it's more of a gradual shift over several weeks.
Cordyceps is commonly linked to energy and stamina. How is this different from the kind of energy people get from stimulants like caffeine?
Caffeine works by stimulating your system. That's why you feel it quickly, and also why you can get the crash later, or the jitters if you've had one too many. Coffee works great for some people, but for others it can become a dependency where the downsides start to outweigh the benefits.
Cordyceps isn't a stimulant, and it's traditionally been used to support stamina and vitality in a steadier, more sustained way. Rather than peaks and dips, people tend to describe feeling more consistent energy through the day.
It's often thought of as a mushroom for athletes and active people, but it's broader than that. There's also interesting research into Cordyceps and its role in supporting hormonal balance, which is part of why it appeals to a wide range of people.
Many people feel like they're doing the right things for their health but still struggle with consistency. How can inputs like functional mushrooms help support this?
This is something we can definitely relate to – with young kids, a business and everything else going on, perfect routines aren't always realistic in our house. We think health is less about discipline and more about support. When life gets busy, complicated routines can be very hard to stick to. Mixing some mushroom powder into your morning drink or taking a couple of capsules is a simple habit that takes very little time. And small habits like this can make the bigger habits easier to stick to as well. When you’re well rested and feeling good, it tends to be easier to find time for things like daily exercise/movement, so the benefits can compound.
Your products are often used as part of a daily routine. What does a simple, realistic routine with mushrooms look like for you?
We always have a lot of mushroom products in the house, so our routine does change, but a couple of things are pretty constant. In the morning, we like to mix our Rise blend (Lion's Mane and Cordyceps) into coffee – it’s easy to do if you’re making a hot drink like coffee anyways, but into a smoothie or tea works as well. The taste of this blend is very mild so it is barely noticeable in coffee. We used to often feel the need for a second coffee as an afternoon pickup, but adding mushrooms seems to help make that first one last
longer, and so afternoon crashes are now rare. Then in the evening, we often have our Rest blend (Reishi, Turkey Tail and Chaga) mixed into cacao. The Reishi in it helps to wind down in the evenings and get a good night’s sleep. So together, these are great combo with complementary benefits that we find are easy to stick to.
At Mitchells, we often talk about "foundations": simple daily inputs that compound over time. Where do you see mushrooms sitting alongside things like nutrition, sleep, and movement?
The big foundations always come first: eating well, sleeping well, moving your body, and spending time with people you care about - nothing is going to replace those alone. Mushrooms can be used alongside them as a supportive layer. In many ways, mushrooms are a natural extension of good nutrition. Many have been eaten as food for thousands of years, and they contain interesting compounds like beta-glucans that can support health in many different ways. A quality extract is simply a convenient, concentrated way to include them in your day. Like any foundation, the biggest value tend to come from being consistent.
For someone new to functional mushrooms, where would you recommend they start?
It depends on how you like to take them. We have both powder blends and capsules, so there's an option for most routines. If you enjoy adding things to drinks, Rise and Rest are a great pairing. Rise (Lion's Mane and Cordyceps) is designed to support focus and energy, and is perfect in a morning drink or smoothie. Rest (Reishi, Turkey Tail and Chaga) is for the evening and is lovely in a cacao or hot drink. Together they cover a lot of ground. Maybe people prefer the ease and simplicity of capsule. Our Starter Set pairs Lion's Mane capsules with MyComplete, a blend of six mushrooms. Lion's Mane focuses on clarity and focus, while MyComplete adds broader support for energy, gut and immune health, and overall balance, so they are a great foundation. Whichever you choose, we recommend trying to stick to it daily for a few weeks, that's when most people start to notice the biggest difference.
Where can our community find Flow State and learn more?
You can find our full range at flowstate.nz, along with plenty of articles if you'd like to learn more about different mushrooms and how they work. We also share interesting mushroom facts and news in our email newsletter and social channels. And we are always happy to help with choosing a product that will best fit your health goals, or just chatting about mushrooms in general – we can be reached directly by email at hey@flowstate.nz
Instagram: @flowstate__nz
Facebook: @flowstatemushrooms
We share mushroom facts, routines and behind-the-scenes life on Instagram at
@flowstate__nz and on Facebook. And if you ever have a question, just get in touch.
We genuinely love talking about mushrooms, and our friends and family will be
relieved we have someone new to talk to.
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