Lucid vs MUD\WTR: Which Mushroom Coffee Delivers More? - Lucid™

Lucid vs MUD\WTR: Which Mushroom Coffee Delivers More?

Written by: Kat Austin

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Time to read 6 min

Lucid and MUD\WTR are both leaders in the mushroom coffee space, but they cater to very different needs. One is a nootropic-fueled coffee alternative built for focus and energy. The other? A spice-forward, earthy blend designed to replace your morning ritual—with less emphasis on performance.


If you’re deciding between Lucid and MUD\WTR, here’s what you need to know before choosing your cup.

Quick Comparison: Lucid vs MUD\WTR

Feature

Lucid

MUD\WTR :rise Cacao

Base

100% organic Arabica coffee

Organic cacao + chai spice blend

Caffeine

50mg (from coffee)

~35mg (from black tea)

Mushrooms

Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, Chaga (fruiting body extracts)

Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, Chaga (mycelium blend)

Nootropics

Yes (L-Theanine, Alpha-GPC, L-tyrosine, Gingko, Creatine)

None

Taste

Tastes like real coffee

Earthy, mildly sweet, spiced

Purpose

Mental clarity, calm energy, productivity

Ritual replacement, light boost, immune support

Sweeteners or Creamers?

Unsweetened, black coffee

Add your own milk, creamer, or honey

Daily Serving

1 tbsp (2000mg mushrooms + 3000mg nootropics)

1 tbsp


Ingredients Breakdown

Lucid 

Lucid is a functional mushroom coffee that prioritizes both performance and transparency. 


Each scoop contains:


  • 2,000mg of fruiting body mushroom extracts: Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Tremella, Chaga

  • 3,000mg of nootropics: L-Theanine, Alpha-GPC, Creatine, Ginkgo biloba, and L-Tyrosine

  • 100% organic coffee (50mg caffeine per serving)

Everything is lab-tested and third-party verified—no filler mycelium, no artificial flavors, and no fluff.


MUD\WTR :rise Cacao 

MUD\WTR leans heavily into ritual and wellness. It includes:


  • Mushrooms: Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, Chaga
    (Note: Uses mycelium grown on oats, not fruiting body extracts)

  • Adaptogens and spices: Turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, black pepper

  • Organic cacao and black tea for a mild caffeine kick

  • Himalayan pink salt

There are no added nootropics, and the caffeine comes from black tea (~35mg per serving).


How They Feel: Energy, Focus, and Mood

Lucid

Lucid delivers clean focus and a subtle mood lift. You’ll feel a mild wave of energy within 20 minutes, thanks to fast-acting nootropics like creatine, Alpha-GPC, and L-Theanine. These ingredients support clarity, mood regulation, and sharper thinking—right away.


But the real transformation comes with consistent use. Medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Cordyceps work in the background to improve circulation, endurance, and neurogenesis over time. The result? Sharper thinking, balanced energy, and calm motivation—without the crash.


MUD\WTR

MUD\WTR provides a mild energy lift—closer to tea than coffee. The combination of black tea, cacao, and warming spices makes it a great choice for people who want to reduce caffeine or build a mindfulness ritual. That said, it lacks targeted nootropics or clinically dosed mushroom extracts, so performance benefits are more limited.

Lucid Nootropic Mushroom Coffee

Dosage: Is One Cup Enough?

Lucid delivers a full functional dose in one scoop:


  • 2,000mg of fruiting body mushroom extracts

  • 3,000mg of nootropics


One cup a day is designed to be effective on its own.


MUD\WTR recommends using one tablespoon of their :rise Cacao blend mixed with hot water. While they don’t publish exact dosages for each mushroom or functional ingredient, the blend includes both fruiting bodies and mycelium. That makes it harder to gauge the amount of active compounds like beta-glucans per serving.


A Note About Mycelium vs Fruiting Bodies: Why Lucid Packs a Stronger Punch

Lucid uses 100% fruiting body extracts from functional mushrooms—meaning you're getting the most potent, bioavailable part of the fungi in every scoop. The fruiting body is where the highest concentration of active compounds like beta-glucans are found, often exceeding 30%. In contrast, mycelium (the root-like structure grown on grain) typically contains around 5% beta-glucans—sometimes less.


Since MUD\WTR uses mushrooms "cultured on oats," it’s likely their blend includes a high proportion of mycelium rather than pure fruiting body. If that’s the case, Lucid could deliver up to 6 times more beta-glucans per serving —not to mention greater clarity and cognitive support.


So while both drinks feature adaptogenic mushrooms, Lucid is formulated for people who want noticeable, functional results—not just a sprinkle of wellness buzzwords.


Read “Mycelium vs Fruiting Body: Which Makes the Best Mushroom Supplements?” to learn more.

Taste & Preparation

Lucid

Tastes like smooth, bold coffee. Just stir with hot water or your favorite milk. No need for sweeteners—unless that’s your style.

MUD\WTR

Think hot cocoa meets chai. It’s earthy, slightly bitter, and spiced. Most people mix it with milk, honey, or creamer. Preparation requires a good stir or frother to fully dissolve the powder.

Transparency & Sourcing

Lucid openly discloses mushroom dosage and uses only fruiting body extracts —the part of the mushroom with the highest concentration of beta-glucans (the compounds tied to brain and immune benefits). These extracts are third-party tested for quality and purity.


MUD\WTR uses mycelium grown on oats, which may contain less active compounds. They do not list mushroom dosages or beta-glucan content.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?


  • Choose Lucid if you want a mushroom coffee that actually delivers on focus, mental clarity, and mood support—without compromising on taste or transparency.

  • Choose MUD\WTR if you’re looking for a caffeine-light wellness drink that replaces your morning ritual and has more of a tea-like, spiced flavor profile.


Both brands offer a healthier alternative to traditional coffee. But if you’re chasing real performance benefits and clinically relevant ingredients, Lucid pulls ahead.

What Lucid Drinkers Are Saying


⭐ Stewart S.
“Best out there”
After trying many of the competitors’ mushroom coffee and now this one for several months, this is our only choice going forward.


⭐ Erin
Lucid mushroom coffee does exactly what it says. I have more energy, clarity, and overall it’s been a great addition to my mornings.


⭐ Toni S.
“I’ve tried the others and Lucid tastes the best”
I tried other mushroom coffees. They all have a strange aftertaste. Not Lucid! It is my favorite because it just tastes like coffee.

FAQs: Lucid vs MUD\WTR and Mushroom Coffee Basics

What’s the biggest difference between Lucid and MUD\WTR?

Lucid is designed for immediate and long-term brain performance. It blends potent mushroom fruiting body extracts with nootropics like Alpha-GPC and L-Theanine for clean energy and sharp focus. MUD\WTR is more of a wellness drink with basic adaptogens and minimal cognitive support.

Does Lucid contain more mushrooms than MUD\WTR?

Yes. Lucid includes 8 functional mushrooms sourced from fruiting bodies—the most potent part of the mushroom. MUD\WTR lists fewer mushrooms and uses “mycelium on oats,” which often means weaker, grain-heavy extracts.

Can Lucid replace my morning coffee?

Yes. With 50 mg of natural caffeine from green tea extract, Lucid provides smooth energy without jitters or crashes. It’s a great choice for those wanting focus and clarity without overstimulation.

Which is better—Lucid or MUD\WTR?

If you're looking for mental performance, clean energy, and long-term cognitive benefits, Lucid is the better choice. MUD\WTR leans more into mindfulness and ritual without the nootropic edge.

What’s the downside of mushroom coffee?

For most people, mushroom coffee is well-tolerated. But blends that use mostly mycelium or underdosed extracts may offer minimal benefits. Always check for fruiting body sourcing and transparent ingredient lists—like Lucid provides.

Who shouldn’t drink MUD\WTR or Lucid?

Anyone with mushroom allergies or who is pregnant, nursing, or taking certain medications should consult a healthcare provider before using functional mushroom blends. Lucid also contains caffeine and nootropics, so it's best avoided late in the day if you're sensitive.

Try Lucid Today

If you want to take full advantage of the "functional" side of functional mushrooms, consider a mushroom super-blend like our Lucid Coffee, Chai, or Matcha powders. 


It harnesses the maximum benefits of these superfood mushrooms by pairing Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, Tremella, and Lion's Mane, plus powerful nootropics, like BCAA's, L-Theanine, Alpha-GPC, and more to boost brain power and bring you back into focus. Ready to become lucid? 

 
Kat Austin Author Profile Photo

Kat Austin

Kat is a Senior Writer at Lucid with over a decade of experience crafting engaging health and lifestyle content. When she's not sharing health hacks, you can find her foraging nearby her own backyard or backpacking somewhere bobcats roam.