The Power of Mushrooms with Gemma Ogston

How did you discover functional mushrooms?

I first discovered functional mushrooms when I was working as a retreat chef in Ibiza about nine years ago. A close friend and fellow chef made me a chaga broth after a long night of dancing, and I loved how grounded and nourished it made me feel. When I came back home, I became completely fascinated and started researching them more deeply.

I've taken them ever since because I genuinely resonated with how they made me feel. I noticed I stopped getting ill so often, and my overall wellbeing improved. Back then, hardly anyone was talking about functional mushrooms — people genuinely thought I meant magic mushrooms! But I gave them to my kids too, and our whole family benefited. That's really where my passion began.

Mama Shrooms has gone from strength to strength — what's been the most rewarding feedback?

The most meaningful feedback is always the personal messages from customers. When someone tells me they've had the best night's sleep in years, that means everything.

Sleep struggles affect so many people, and reishi is incredibly supportive for calming the nervous system and improving sleep quality. Some customers even notice deeper REM on their sleep trackers. When sleep improves, mental health and quality of life improve too — and that ripple effect is huge.

It was also very special to be recognised by The Independent as the best functional mushroom for sleep. But honestly, the direct messages from real people are what matter most to me. That's exactly why I started this — I want others to feel the benefits I felt.

How has the transition from chef to business owner been? Any transferable skills?

When I started Mama Shrooms, I truly had no idea what I was doing from a business perspective. I'd never built a brand before, and I've learned through challenges, mistakes and constant problem-solving. Every week brings something new — regulations, formulation, compliance, messaging — it's a lot.

Transferable skills definitely include community-building. I had a strong network from my food business, and many of those clients became customers. Brighton's small business community is also incredibly supportive.

Events are another crossover. I've always loved hosting supper clubs, and now mushroom events bring people together in a new way. And of course, being a chef teaches you stamina and resilience. Long hours and hard work are part of both worlds — even when results aren't immediate.

Are there other little-known benefits of mushrooms you find fascinating?

Every mushroom has something unique.

Lion's mane is known for focus, but it's also fantastic for gut health, which links directly to mood and mental wellbeing.

Cordyceps is incredible for stamina — not just for sport but for overall vitality.

Chaga feels very grounding to me and is brilliant for immune support.

Reishi can also affect dreaming. Some people who rarely remember dreams start noticing them more. I always tell people to keep a dream journal if that happens!

Apart from mushroom blends, how do you manage stress?

Sleep is my number one. I'm 47 now, and I prioritise it — I'm usually in bed before 10, and I know I can't function on less than six hours. Good sleep makes everything feel manageable.

I'm also lucky to live by the sea. Walking along the beach in any weather completely resets me.

Cooking is another form of therapy for me. Making nourishing food, listening to music, and feeding my family bring me back to centre.

What's the future for functional mushrooms?

It's a huge and growing space. There's already strong regulation around what brands can and can't say, and I think that will continue — which is a good thing for quality and trust.

We're going to see mushrooms in more foods, drinks and snacks. They're not a passing trend; people are recognising how powerful they are. It's an exciting space to be in.

My journey started as an addiction counsellor, working in places like the Priory and women's projects for the NHS. Later, I became a plant-based chef, ran my own business, and wrote two cookbooks: The Self Cookbook and The Healing Cookbook.

Over the years, I've studied the incredible benefits of functional mushrooms and their ability to support healing. 

Do you have a favourite recipe to share?

Yes — my salted caramel-style smoothie is a favourite because it feels like a dessert but is still nourishing:

Salted Caramel Mushroom Smoothie

• 1 banana
• 1 dessert spoon of tahini
• 1 dessert spoon of almond or peanut butter
• Handful of pitted dates
• Pinch of sea salt
• Milk of choice (I use almond)
• Ice
• Splash of vanilla
• Tiny pinch of cinnamon
• Mama Shrooms day blend

Blend until creamy and thick. It's indulgent, comforting and functional all at once.