CBD or mushroom gummies - which gives you more for your money?

You’ve probably seen them both pop up on wellness shelves: sleek CBD oils promising calm and better sleep, and colourful mushroom gummies touting stress resilience and brain power. They sound similar, they both fall under the “natural remedies” umbrella, and, let’s be honest, they both look pretty appealing on Instagram.

But here’s the big question: if you’re only going to invest in one, which actually gives you more for your money?

Spoiler alert: while both have their place, CBD often comes out on top when it comes to versatility, speed, and overall cost per dose.

How they work in the body

Adaptogen Mushrooms

Adaptogens are plants or fungi that help your body adapt to stress and maintain balance. Functional mushrooms, like Reishi, Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Chaga, contain compounds such as beta-glucans and antioxidants that:

Modulate the immune system: keeping it balanced, not under- or over-reactive.

Regulate stress response: acting via the HPA axis to reduce the impact of stress hormones.

Support brain health: Lion’s Mane, for instance, is being studied for supporting nerve growth and cognitive clarity.

The catch? Mushroom benefits tend to build up gradually. You’re unlikely to notice an immediate effect, think weeks, not hours.

CBD (Cannabidiol)

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound from hemp that interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a network that helps regulate mood, sleep, pain, and immune function. It also works on serotonin receptors and reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.

What this means:

Faster onset: CBD oils or sprays can work within an hour.

Broader range of issues: there's plenty of evidence that supports CBD’s use for stress, anxiety, sleep, pain, and mood.

More flexible dosing: you can increase or fine-tune amounts more easily than with gummies or capsules.

Comparing efficacy: which works better for what?

Here’s how the two stack up for some common health concerns:

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Cost comparison: popular mushroom gummies vs The Tonic's CBD

Let’s put numbers to it. Here’s what it costs to take two Mushroom Gummies daily versus one spray of The Tonic’s 8 % Classic CBD Oil per day:

So despite CBD’s reputation for being pricier, in this case, the cost is virtually the same per day. That means you’re free to decide based on benefits, not just budget.

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Why CBD often delivers more for your money

1. Faster Relief
CBD’s effects can be felt in the same day, while mushrooms take time to build up.

2. Broader Applications
From stress and anxiety to pain, sleep, and mood, CBD covers a wider range of issues with stronger supporting research.

3. Comparable Cost
At roughly 75p a day, The Tonic’s CBD oil is priced almost identically to mushroom gummies,but with a potentially bigger impact for more people.

Where mushrooms still shine

That doesn’t mean mushrooms don’t have a place:

1. They’re good for long-term immune support and resilience.

2. Lion’s Mane, in particular, shows exciting potential for cognitive health.

3. They tend to be gentle, with fewer concerns about dosage overshoot.

For many, the best option may even be combining the two: mushrooms for slow-burn resilience, CBD for immediate, noticeable support.

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So which should you choose?

Here’s a quick cheat sheet for when to reach for mushrooms, CBD, or both:

Final thoughts...

Both adaptogen mushrooms and CBD can play a role in a wellness routine. But if you’re choosing just one supplement for daily use—something that covers stress, sleep, mood, and even aches, CBD often delivers more noticeable benefits, more quickly, without costing you more.

In other words: CBD certainly gives you more 'bang per buck'.