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Stamets 7

Host Defense Mushrooms
4.7
(4387 ratings)
Hericium mushroom 214 mg
Maitake Mushroom 214 mg
Cordyceps 214 mg
Product Image
Score 75.0

A popular and cost-effective blend of seven Host Defense mycelial mushrooms. While widely used, its efficacy is debated due to the use of mycelium on grain rather than fruiting body extracts.

Quantity: 100 Gram(s)Servings size: 2 Gram(s) (66 servings)
Selected goals:
Other goals:
Immunity
Stress Relief
Sleep Support
Brain Health
Cognitive Support

Score 75.0

A popular and cost-effective blend of seven Host Defense mycelial mushrooms. While widely used, its efficacy is debated due to the use of mycelium on grain rather than fruiting body extracts.

Analysis

Host Defense Stamets 7 powder provides a blend of seven popular mushrooms, each at 214mg per serving, totaling approximately 1.5 grams, along with a small amount of Vitamin D. Host Defense, founded by prominent mycologist Paul Stamets, is well-known for utilizing mycelium grown on organic brown rice. While Paul Stamets advocates for the unique benefits of mycelial biomass, this approach is controversial among many nutritionists and mushroom experts who argue that fruiting body extracts contain higher concentrations of active compounds like beta-glucans and fewer inactive starch fillers. Despite this debate, the brand enjoys widespread popularity and high review counts, with many users reporting perceived benefits. The product's notably low price per serving offers a cost-effective way to consume a variety of mushrooms, but the efficacy for specific, high-demand goals at these dosages and mycelial form remains a subject of ongoing discussion in the scientific and nutritional communities.

Pros
  • Excellent value for money with a very low price per serving for a mushroom blend.
  • Includes a broad spectrum of seven well-known beneficial mushrooms.
  • High brand recognition and a very large number of positive customer reviews.
  • Includes a small amount of Vitamin D.
Cons
  • Primarily uses mycelium grown on grain, which may contain significant starch filler and lower concentrations of certain beneficial compounds (e.g., beta-glucans) compared to fruiting body extracts.
  • Individual mushroom dosages (214mg) are relatively low, potentially limiting specific, targeted benefits.
Warnings
  • Consumers prioritizing high concentrations of beta-glucans should be aware of the mycelial biomass composition and its potential implications for potency.
  • Individuals with rice allergies or sensitivities should note the organic brown rice substrate used for mycelial growth.
$23.96($0.36 per serving)
Amazon
$ 23.96
iHerb
$ 23.97
iHerb
$ 23.97
Ingredients
IngredientAmount per serving
Calories 5 Calorie(s)
Total Carbohydrates 1 Gram(s)
Vitamin D 1 mcg
Royal Sun Blazei 214 mg
Cordyceps 214 mg
Reishi 214 mg
Maitake 214 mg
Lion's Mane 214 mg
Chaga 214 mg
Mesima 214 mg
Gluten Free Adults 18–50 Organic Vegetarian
Categories
Maitake Mushroom 70.0
Provides 214mg of Maitake mycelial biomass. Maitake is an excellent immune modulator, and its inclusion contributes well to the overall immune-boosting profile of the blend, despite the mycelial form.
Cordyceps 65.0
Contains 214mg of Cordyceps mycelial biomass. While popular, its efficacy for energy and fitness is often debated compared to concentrated fruiting body extracts, but it's a staple in many general mushroom blends.
Hericium mushroom 65.0
Contains 214mg of Lion's Mane (Hericium mushroom) mycelial biomass. While it's the key ingredient for cognitive benefits, many experts suggest higher dosages of fruiting body extract for optimal brain support.
Goals
Immunity 80.0
With a diverse array of immune-modulating mushrooms (Reishi, Turkey Tail, Chaga, Maitake, Mesima), this product offers comprehensive support for general immunity, even if the mycelial form might slightly reduce peak beta-glucan content compared to extracts.
General Health 80.0
The wide variety of adaptogenic and health-supportive mushrooms makes this a strong choice for general well-being, contributing broadly to systemic balance and antioxidant defense.
Energy 70.0
Contains Cordyceps, a known energy enhancer. While the mycelial form and dosage are not peak potency, many users report increased energy, possibly due to the blend's synergistic effects and adaptogenic nature.
85 Value

Genius Mushrooms

The Genius Brand
5.0
(12323 ratings)
At $73.27 per serving, this product provides 500mg each of three key mushroom extracts (Reishi, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps), offering better potency and a more concentrated dose of active compounds than the mycelium-based Stamets 7, making it a better overall value for a multi-mushroom blend.
90 Value

Lion's Mane Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.7
(8949 ratings)
For $39.33 per serving, you get 1000mg of high-quality Lion's Mane fruiting body extract, offering superior brain and cognitive support. This product provides a concentrated and effective dose of one of the key mushrooms in Stamets 7 at a competitive price for its quality.
75 Value

Fermented Mushroom Complete 600 mg

Solaray
4.6
(2567 ratings)
At $73.67 per serving, this Solaray product offers 8 fermented mushrooms at 150mg each, totaling 1200mg. While it also uses fermentation (which can imply mycelium on grain to some extent, often specified with 'Oats'), the fermentation process is a plus for bioavailability, offering a potentially more gut-friendly and broad-spectrum option than Stamets 7 for a similar price.
85 Performance

Genius Mushrooms

The Genius Brand
5.0
(12323 ratings)
This product explicitly uses 'extracts' of Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps Sinensis, with 500mg of each, which generally signifies a higher concentration of active compounds than Host Defense's mycelium on grain. This makes it a more potent and effective choice for general health, brain, and energy support.
90 Performance

Lion's Mane Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.7
(8949 ratings)
Real Mushrooms is highly respected for its pure fruiting body extracts, offering 1000mg of Lion's Mane extract per serving. This is a superior option for maximizing cognitive and brain health benefits compared to the mycelial Lion's Mane in Stamets 7, providing better efficacy and value for targeted benefits.
88 Performance

Cordyceps-M Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.5
(6739 ratings)
Providing 1000mg of Cordyceps militaris extract from the fruiting body, this product offers a much more potent dose of Cordyceps compared to the 214mg mycelial Cordyceps in Stamets 7. This makes it a significantly better choice for energy, stamina, and fitness-related goals.
70 Budget

Cordyceps

Paradise
4.7
(1076 ratings)
At $20 per serving for 400mg of Cordyceps mycelia CS-4 extract, this is significantly cheaper and offers a more focused dose of Cordyceps compared to the blend. It's a good alternative for those primarily seeking the energy and fitness benefits associated with Cordyceps.
75 Budget

Lion's Mane Mushroom 500 mg Full Spectrum

Swanson
4.6
(4657 ratings)
This alternative provides 500mg of Lion's Mane at a much lower price of $22.15 per serving. While 'full spectrum' can sometimes imply mycelium, it offers a higher dose and a considerably more affordable entry point for specific brain health benefits than the multi-mushroom blend.
70 Budget

Lion's Mane

Fungiology by California Gold Nutrition
4.7
(4785 ratings)
At $12.72 per serving for 600mg of Lion's Mane, this is an extremely cost-effective option for targeting cognitive and brain health. It offers a higher dose of Lion's Mane than Stamets 7 at a fraction of the cost, although it is a single-mushroom product.
85 Value

Genius Mushrooms

The Genius Brand
5.0
(12323 ratings)
At $73.27 per serving, this product provides 500mg each of three key mushroom extracts (Reishi, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps), offering better potency and a more concentrated dose of active compounds than the mycelium-based Stamets 7, making it a better overall value for a multi-mushroom blend.
90 Value

Lion's Mane Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.7
(8949 ratings)
For $39.33 per serving, you get 1000mg of high-quality Lion's Mane fruiting body extract, offering superior brain and cognitive support. This product provides a concentrated and effective dose of one of the key mushrooms in Stamets 7 at a competitive price for its quality.
75 Value

Fermented Mushroom Complete 600 mg

Solaray
4.6
(2567 ratings)
At $73.67 per serving, this Solaray product offers 8 fermented mushrooms at 150mg each, totaling 1200mg. While it also uses fermentation (which can imply mycelium on grain to some extent, often specified with 'Oats'), the fermentation process is a plus for bioavailability, offering a potentially more gut-friendly and broad-spectrum option than Stamets 7 for a similar price.
85 Performance

Genius Mushrooms

The Genius Brand
5.0
(12323 ratings)
This product explicitly uses 'extracts' of Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Cordyceps Sinensis, with 500mg of each, which generally signifies a higher concentration of active compounds than Host Defense's mycelium on grain. This makes it a more potent and effective choice for general health, brain, and energy support.
90 Performance

Lion's Mane Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.7
(8949 ratings)
Real Mushrooms is highly respected for its pure fruiting body extracts, offering 1000mg of Lion's Mane extract per serving. This is a superior option for maximizing cognitive and brain health benefits compared to the mycelial Lion's Mane in Stamets 7, providing better efficacy and value for targeted benefits.
88 Performance

Cordyceps-M Capsules

Real Mushrooms
4.5
(6739 ratings)
Providing 1000mg of Cordyceps militaris extract from the fruiting body, this product offers a much more potent dose of Cordyceps compared to the 214mg mycelial Cordyceps in Stamets 7. This makes it a significantly better choice for energy, stamina, and fitness-related goals.