Bestseller

Animate

  • Focus
  • Energy
  • Mood

4.8 (259 customer reviews)

Clearer thinking and steady energy. Rigorously tested for purity and strength.

60 capsules · 30 days supply

How would you like it?

Why most customers choose regular shipments:

Pause, swap or cancel any time
No contract or minimum order
  • Delivery on us every 30 days
  • Starter kit worth £62.99
  • Home-compostable refills thereafter

Included in your kit

  • Animate, 30-day supply £47.00£32.90
  • Refillable borosilicate glass jar £14.00Free
  • Pocket Mushroom Guide Free
  • Royal Mail delivery £1.99Free

What’s included

  • Compostable capsule pack
  • One month supply

  • Ships same day
  • Delivery on us
  • 60-day guarantee

It took me about 5 weeks to feel the effects but this is the real deal. My focus and creativity is so much better and my job is reliant on it.

Tom Reviewed Mar 2026

I’ve tried a LOT of mushroom supplements over the last few years (my bathroom cabinet is a graveyard) and Animate is the first one I’ve finished and immediately wanted more of.

Hayley D Reviewed Aug 2024

I’ve incorporated Animate into my morning routine and I can’t imagine starting my day without it now. It’s helped me cut down on coffee and tea while giving me the energy I need…

Nick T Customer since Dec 2023

I’ll be straight, I thought it was a load of rubbish. Been on them 2 months and I’m more awake on the afternoon runs and not reaching for energy drinks…

Baz Lorry driver · Aug 2025

Independently certified

Soil Association Organic
B-Corp pending
Third-party lab tested

Ingredients Full product spec

  • Lion's ManeOrganic · 8:1 extract
  • CordycepsOrganic · 8:1 extract
  • >1%Hericenones*
  • >0.5%Cordycepin

Independent testing

Third-party lab reports.

The full results for the batch shipping now — measured actives, contaminant panels, and the lab that ran them.

Batch dossier

Latest results

01 · Potency

  • Hericenones* Cognition

    2.985%

    Lion's Mane · lab reference 1 %

    Reference+199% over
    Structure and notes: Hericenones
    Hericenones structure

    C35H54O6 · HPLC

    Hericenone C is one of a family of aromatic compounds — benzyl alcohol and chroman derivatives — concentrated in the fruiting body of Lion's Mane, and first described by Kawagishi and colleagues in 1991. Hericenones are studied as potentiators of nerve growth factor rather than substitutes for it: in cultured glial cells they raise the amount of NGF the cells make and release. Hericenone C is the marker assayed here because it can be measured properly: the most abundant of the family, and the one with a certified reference standard — so the figure above is an HPLC measurement against a known quantity, not an estimate. Erinacines, usually quoted alongside, are a different family, found mainly in mycelium.

  • Cordycepin Energy

    1.029%

    Cordyceps · lab reference 0.50 %

    Reference+106% over
    Structure and notes: Cordycepin
    Cordycepin structure

    C10H13N5O3 · HPLC

    Cordycepin is 3′-deoxyadenosine — adenosine with the 3′ hydroxyl replaced by a hydrogen. That one missing group is the whole compound: it is close enough to adenosine that cells take it in through the same transporters and convert it into a nucleotide the AMP-activated pathway reads as the real thing, and different enough that once it's built into an RNA chain, the chain can't be extended. Cordycepin content varies enormously between Cordyceps sources — wild material can carry under a hundredth of a percent by weight — so a Cordyceps extract with no figure beside it is telling you nothing.

Lab noteAltitude Consulting
These are by and far the highest potency samples we have seen for each species… [They] set a new bar for what we have seen across our hundreds, if not thousands, of functional mushroom tests.

Chase · Microbiologist & Lab Manager

02 · Purity

Contaminant panels

Heavy metals
Clean
Pesticides
Clean
Microbials
Clean
Solvents
Trace remnants

Note: these contaminant results are from a combined sample.

Full test results — potency & purity PDF · 5.4 MB · Batch 26060025 Opens in a new window Latest organic certificatePDF · 230 KB · Licence DA31648 Opens in a new window

03 · Commitment

We're confident these are the highest quality mushroom extracts available anywhere in Europe. If you find a more potent product, we'll refund every order you've ever placed with us.

Every order · no time limitHow it works

* We measure hericenone C, a principal hericenone of the fruiting body, as our marker for hericenone content. Altitude quantifies it by HPLC against a ChromaDex certified reference standard, in the same lab as its accredited panels. The method awaits accreditation: the reference standard only became available in 2025.

Carbon-neutral shipping Method

In practice

What it's for.

Look out for the small day-to-day shifts that tell you it's working.

A person in low, warm side light with their eyes closed.
Focus ·Hericenones · NGF Read more Hide
  • Sitting down to work and starting straight away
  • Reading a long article without reaching for the phone
  • Staying in the conversation at the end of a long day
What's behind it

Hericenones are aromatic compounds concentrated in the fruiting body of Lion's Mane. They are studied as potentiators of nerve growth factor rather than substitutes for it: they prompt glial cells to synthesise and release more of the body's own. That work is in vitro, on cultured cells.

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) · marker compound hericenone C · beta-D-glucans >25%
A runner in silhouette against a low sun, motion drawn out into a streak of light.
Energy ·Cordycepin · ATP Read more Hide
  • Getting up with the first alarm
  • The 3pm meeting without a second coffee
  • Walking home instead of waiting for the bus
What's behind it

Cordycepin is 3′-deoxyadenosine: adenosine with one hydroxyl group missing. The resemblance is the point — it enters cells through the same transporters adenosine uses, and is converted into a nucleotide the AMP-activated pathway reads as the real thing. That pathway is the switch that decides how a cell spends energy.

Cordyceps · marker compound cordycepin · beta-D-glucans >20%
Two swimmers seen from above in bright green water.
Mood ·Lion's Mane · Cordyceps Read more Hide
  • Resilience when things don't go to plan
  • Seeing the funny side
  • The small annoyances staying small
What's behind it

There is no compound-level route from Lion's Mane or Cordyceps to mood in the research we hold. What there is: a 2023 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 41 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 took 1.8 g of Lion's Mane a day for 28 days. The researchers reported faster performance on a standard attention task an hour after a single dose, and a trend towards lower subjective stress at 28 days. They call it a pilot study and a trend rather than a finding. It used a different preparation and a different dose from ours.

Lion's Mane and Cordyceps · no marker compound is assayed for this pillar · Docherty et al., Nutrients, 2023

Us versus them

Why we’re different.

This is a hard product to make properly — months of cultivation, then extraction that takes real expertise — and a very easy one to fake: gummies, tinctures, ten-species blends at doses too small to matter. In one study, 74% of mushroom supplements didn't contain what the label claimed.

We publish the things that can be checked: what's in the capsule, who measured it, and what they found. Five of them are listed here. Run the same five on anyone else.

Bioactives
Measured Beta-glucans only
Hericenone C (focus) and cordycepin (energy) measured every batch

Tested for beta-glucans — also found in porridge

Authenticity
Fingerprinted Mislabelled
NMR-verified every batch — what's on the label is in the bottle

74% didn't match the label in one published test¹

Format
Capsules in glass Format varies
A fixed dose in capsules, in amber glass

Gummies, tinctures, loose powder

Dose
Meaningful dose Undisclosed
Full strength doses, disclosed in full

Weak doses in kitchen-sink blends

Contaminants
Four panels None published
Heavy metals, pesticides, microbials, solvents

Supplier paperwork (i.e. take their word for it), or nothing published

¹ Wu D. et al., Scientific Reports, 2017.

How to read a label

7 signs of a high quality mushroom extract

Mushroom supplements vary in quality more than almost any other category. Unlike creatine or magnesium — simple compounds, easy to standardise — mushrooms contain hundreds of bioactive compounds that demand the right growing conditions, careful extraction, and independent verification for each species.

Here's what to look for

Bioactive compounds

Know what you're buying

Look for species-specific markers: hericenones in Lion's Mane, ganoderic acids in Reishi, cordycepin in Cordyceps. These are what you're paying for. If a label doesn't specify, the product probably doesn't contain meaningful amounts.

See the hericenone C row

Species verification

DNA and NMR testing

A 2017 study of 19 commercial reishi products found 74% did not contain what the label claimed.¹ DNA or NMR testing confirms you're getting the actual species — not a cheaper substitute. Our Lion's Mane extract carries Purity-IQ's Certified Authentic mark, which covers identity, purity and batch-to-batch consistency.

Purity-IQ: our authenticated extracts(opens in a new tab)

Clear extraction method

Bioavailability starts here

Mushroom cell walls are made of chitin — the same substance that gives crab shells their hardness. Without proper extraction, your body can't absorb them. Many brands sell dried powder with no extraction at all. This ends up being very expensive fibre.

See cultivation & processing

Honest concentration ratio

High numbers aren't always better

Extraction concentrates mushroom — 8:1 means 8kg of raw mushroom reduced to 1kg of powder. How far a species can be concentrated and still hold as powder varies: Lion's Mane tops out around 8:1; Reishi is stable well beyond it. A ratio with no measured bioactive beside it is a number, not evidence.

See the batch dossier

Format matters

How it's delivered affects what you absorb

Gummies require heat and additives that degrade sensitive compounds. Tinctures are mostly water and alcohol, so deliver small doses. Capsules protect compounds from degradation and deliver measurable, consistent amounts.

See the materials catalogue

Third-party tested

Potency, purity, heavy metals, microbial

Independent lab verification of potency, purity, heavy metals, and microbial contamination. If a company won't share their batch reports, ask why.

Download the test results

Certified organic

The substrate is audited, the result is tested

Mushrooms hyperaccumulate compounds from their environment — good and bad. Organic certification audits the growing medium; independent testing checks the result. Look for an established certifying body like the Soil Association.

See the organic certificate

Cultivation & processing

Two species, two protocols.

Grown to parameters we publish, harvested pre-sporulation, extracted 8:1 in hot water and ethanol.

Protocol sheet · rev. 08 · two species

HE-01 01 / 02
Lion’s Mane fruiting body
Lion's Mane
Hericium erinaceus

Fruiting body only. Two flushes, harvested pre-sporulation, 8:1 dual extract — hot water and ethanol.

Substrate
Organic oak sawdust + 20% wheat bran
Spawn run
21–24°C · dark · 14–28 days
Induction
14–16°C · 95% RH · 3–5 days
Fruit room
18–20°C · 90% RH
CO₂
≤1,000 ppm in fruit
Harvest
Spines 1–2 cm · pure white
Learn more about Lion's Mane
CS-01 02 / 02
Cordyceps stromata
Cordyceps
Cordyceps sinensis

Single 60-day harvest. Deep-orange stromata, freeze-dried for cordycepin retention, 8:1 dual extract.

Medium
Liquid fermentation
Colonisation
20°C · dark · 7–14 days
Induction
Light on + 3–6°C drop
Fruit room
18–20°C · 90% RH
Light
500–1,000 lux · 12 h photoperiod
Cycle
~60 days · single harvest
Learn more about Cordyceps

FAQ

Common questions.

These are the questions we get asked most.

Where are your mushrooms sourced?

Our mushrooms are sourced from the pristine, remote mountain regions of Southeast China, an area celebrated for its rich heritage and long-standing expertise in cultivating medicinal mushrooms.

This location, far removed from industrial areas, allows us to harvest organic certified mushrooms of the highest quality. Emphasising purity and potency, we select only the finest mushroom fruiting bodies, grown and wild-harvested in carefully protected environments.

Are your mushroom extracts made from mycelium or fruiting body?

We’ve chosen to focus exclusively on utilising the fruiting bodies of mushrooms for our extracts. While mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, does possess beneficial properties, the industry-wide practice of growing mycelium on grain substrates (known as myceliated grain) often results in products with high starch content and significantly diluted levels of active mushroom compounds. This dilution potentially compromises the health benefits that these compounds can offer.

To avoid any ambiguity in the potency and purity of our products, we therefore opt for mushroom fruiting bodies. These parts of the mushroom are not only the most recognised and studied but are also rich in crucial bioactive compounds such as beta-glucans and triterpenes.

What is the recommended dose?

Our standard recommended dose is 1000 mg(about 1/2 teaspoon or 2 capsules) per day for general health and immune support. This dosage can be adjusted according to individual health needs and goals. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice, especially if you have specific health conditions or are taking other medications.

Should I take functional mushroom supplements with food or on an empty stomach?

It is generally recommended to take mushroom supplements on an empty stomach for optimal absorption of the active compounds. However, individual responses can vary, and some people may prefer or require taking them with a small amount of food. Listening to your body and making adjustments as needed is key, and consulting with a healthcare professional can provide additional guidance tailored to your specific needs.

How long should I take mushroom supplements?

Mushroom supplements are best taken consistently over an extended period — as part of a daily routine, rather than as a quick fix.

I'm not feeling anything, are they working?

Medicinal mushrooms, as adaptogens, generally show their effects over time with consistent use. The body’s response to these compounds varies from person to person; some may experience benefits within weeks, while for others it might take longer. Consistent, long-term use is key to experiencing the full range of benefits these mushrooms offer.

I'm nervous to start using mushrooms. Are there any side effects or safety considerations?

Medicinal mushrooms have been used safely for thousands of years. While allergic reactions or sensitivities are rare, they can occur. We recommend individuals who are taking medication or have preexisting health conditions consult with a healthcare practitioner before starting mushroom supplements.

What are the capsules made from?

Our capsules are made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose(HPMC), a plant-derived material. This choice is in line with our commitment to natural, environmentally friendly, and health-conscious practices. HPMC is suitable for a variety of dietary preferences, including vegan, kosher, and halal diets, and is free from animal products, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer or require plant-based supplements.

Where can I download your lab reports?
Why don't you sell liquid extracts/tinctures?

The decision not to sell liquid extracts or tinctures is grounded in our commitment to offering the most potent and effective mushroom products. Most liquid tinctures on the market are predominantly composed of alcohol and water, with active mushroom compounds comprising only a small fraction of the total product. This means that customers are often paying for a product where the majority is water and alcohol, not the beneficial mushroom compounds. 

Additionally, the vast majority of scientific research on the benefits of medicinal mushrooms is based on studies using hot water or dual extracts in powdered form. This body of research supports the efficacy of powdered extracts over liquid forms in delivering health benefits. By focusing on powdered extracts, we ensure that our products are aligned with scientific evidence and provide a higher concentration of active compounds, offering greater efficacy and value to our customers.

What is the shelf-life of your products?

Our products have a shelf life of 36 months after opening. To ensure optimal preservation, they should be stored away from intense heat and light. 

Do you accept returns?

We accept returns within 30 days of delivery, provided the items are unused and in their original condition. Please note that we cannot accept returns of opened packages. While customers are responsible for the return shipping costs, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and fair return process. In cases of damaged or defective items, we request customers to contact us immediately for resolution, including replacement or refund as appropriate.

I have so many more questions, where do I find the answers?

You can find a comprehensive FAQ section on our website that addresses a wide range of common inquiries.

More questions Show fewer

TFMC

The power of mushrooms, advanced by mycologists.

The company manifesto, in seventy-four seconds. Filmed at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, near Penzance in west Cornwall.

1:14
Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, Cornwall16:9 · Sound on

The company manifesto, in seventy-four seconds. Filmed at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens, near Penzance in west Cornwall.

Component by component

Materials catalogue

The four things in the box, what each one is made of, and what to do with it when it is empty.

Reviews

Customer reviews

Taking Animate? Share how it's going.

Photo of Animate sent by Geoff Hartley
Photo 1 of 4

Highlight

A present from my daughter

I am 61 and work as a surveyor, so a lot of driving and then reports in the evening. My daughter bought me the Animate for Father's Day as I had been complaining about flagging. I was sceptical. A month on I will admit I am getting the reports done the same day more often than not. Whether that is the capsules or simply being nagged I could not say, but I have asked her for the link. Well packaged and prompt.

Geoff Hartley24 Jul 2026

Photo 1 of 4

255 displayed reviews

28 Jun 2024

5.0

Fruiting body, properly tested

Did a fair bit of digging before buying. Most of the high street lion's mane is mycelium grown on grain, which is mostly starch, and the labels are vague about extract ratios. These are fruiting body extracts, organic, and the lab reports are on the site for anyone who wants to read them. That was enough for me to try a month. I'm now on month four. Focus is noticeably better on long coding sessions and I've dropped from four coffees to two without trying. Not cheap, but you're paying for what's in the capsule and not for marketing.

Vikram S

3 Oct 2026

5.0

A useful change

I keep a lot of numbers in my head at work. Less muddled.

Corinne

28 Sep 2026

5.0

FIVE stars from me. Very pleased!

JOCELYN

Showing 4 of 255

Ratings include all collected reviews. Testimonials making medical treatment claims are not displayed.

Product details

The full panel.

Dose, allergens, certifications and sourcing, spelled out in full.

Description

Animate pairs two of the most-researched functional mushrooms — 8:1 organic Lion's Mane and 8:1 organic Cordyceps — chosen for the way their bioactive compounds appear in different parts of the body.

What's in the capsule

  • Lion's Mane and the brain. The fruiting body of Lion's Mane contains hericenones  — small molecules that have been shown in research to cross the blood-brain barrier and to be present in tissues where nerve growth factor (NGF) is synthesised. Our extract is third-party verified for hericenone C at >1%.
  • Cordyceps and cellular energy. Cordyceps is the source of cordycepin, a nucleoside structurally similar to adenosine — the molecule that sits at the centre of ATP, the cell's energy currency. Our extract is third-party verified for cordycepin at >0.5%.
  • Beta-D-glucans, present at >25%. Both species are characterised by high beta-D-glucan content — the polysaccharide fraction researchers use as a quality marker in published mushroom-extract studies.

Each two-capsule serving provides the dry-weight equivalent of 3,600 mg Lion's Mane and 3,600 mg Cordyceps, reflecting the 8:1 concentration of the extract. Certified organic by the Soil Association.

Full ingredient panel

Each Capsule Contains:

  • Organic Lion's Mane 8:1 Mushroom Extract (Hericium erinaceus) 225mg (1800mg equivalent)
    Beta-D-glucans >25%
    Hericenone C >1%
  • Organic Cordyceps 8:1 Mushroom Extract (Cordyceps sinensis) 225mg (1800mg equivalent)
    Beta-D-glucans >20%
    Cordycepin >0.5%
Dosing guidance

Take 2 capsules each morning before breakfast.

Store in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Not to be taken as an alternative to a balanced diet. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Seek advice from a health professional if pregnant or nursing.

Shelf life: 36 months after opening at room temperature

Cultivation & extraction

Our Lion's Mane, Reishi, Maitake and Shiitake extracts are made from fruiting bodies, grown on wood with natural light, fresh air and spring water. Our Chaga is wild-harvested as conks from living birch trees. Our Cordyceps is liquid-fermented mycelium — the form used in the published research.

We use temperature-controlled extraction and vacuum-drying to condense the mushrooms into a high-concentration powder extract. Maitake and Shiitake are extracted in hot water; our other extracts use hot water and ethanol.

Allergens

Contains none of the 14 allergens regulated under UK food law.

The capsule shell is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), a plant-derived material. It is free from animal products and suitable for vegan, kosher and halal diets.

Certifications

Certified organic by the Soil Association, licence DA31648.

Lion's Mane extract carries Purity-IQ's Certified Authentic mark, which verifies identity, purity and batch-to-batch consistency.

Extraction is carried out in a facility certified to cGMP and ISO 22000.

Potency and contaminant testing by Altitude Consulting. B Corp certification pending.

Recycling

Our supplements are packaged in eco friendly mycelium packaging, a material made from mushrooms and straw.

To properly dispose of the packaging, simply break apart and place it in your organics bin or compost heap.

Also true of every batch

Standards we hold ourselves to.

Beyond the assay: how the company is run, what the pack is made of, and what the formula leaves out.

Certified organic
Species authenticated
B Corp pending
Registered vegan
Compostable packaging
Plastic-free packaging
Living wage employer

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