LEADING THE FUTURE OF FUNCTIONAL MUSHROOMS
We grow premium full-spectrum mushrooms for the world’s most innovative brands.
FULL SPECTRUM WHOLE FOOD ORGANIC MUSHROOM POWDERS
Whole mushrooms offer a more complete spectrum of beneficial compounds.
NORTH AMERICA'S LARGEST GROWER OF FUNCTIONAL MUSHROOMS.
We supply the world’s most innovative brands with the highest quality functional mushrooms.
SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION
Our team of mycologists, chemists, and food scientists are at the forefront of research, uncovering the benefits of mushrooms, how to best grow them and how to best formulate with them.
STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY
Our 155,000 sq ft facility allows us to meet the growing demand for premium mushroom ingredients.
COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
We are proud to hold the following certifications: USDA organic, Regenerative Organic, BRCGS AA+, Non-GMO, Kosher, Vegan.
QUALITY PROMISES
THE M2 DIFFERENCE – WHOLE MUSHROOM POWDERS
FULL LIFE CYCLE MATTERS
-
SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS
The combination of bioactive compounds from both mycelium and fruiting body have synergistic effects, enhancing their overall health benefits.
-
MYCELIUM + FRUITING BODY = BENEFITS
Mycelium is a significant source of bioactive compounds that may not be as abundant in the fruiting body whereas the fruiting body also contributes unique bioactive compounds that may not be found in the mycelium.
-
COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS
By utilizing the entire organism, full-spectrum powders offer a more complete and more potent source of medicinal compounds.
SCIENCE-BACKED
ORGANIC WHOLE MUSHROOMS
Unlock the power of the full life cycle
Derived from the entire organism (mycelium and fruiting body), whole mushroom products offer superior benefits compared to extracts or powders solely from the fruiting body. This is because the mycelium contains a diverse array of bioactive compounds. By utilizing the entire organism, whole mushroom powders provide a more comprehensive and potent source of functional compounds, maximizing the potential health benefits for functional applications.
EXPERIENCE THE M2 DIFFERENCE
WHOLE MUSHROOMS MEANS EFFICACIOUS
SCIENCE-BACKED BENEFITS
COGNITIVE HEALTH
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum s.l.) have a rich history of traditional use spanning millennia, where they are revered for their health benefits properties. Modern clinical research is increasingly validating these historical applications. Lion’s Mane has demonstrated potential in stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production, crucial for neuronal health and cognitive function, while Reishi’s exhibit adaptogenic and immunomodulatory effects.
When consumed regularly in as whole mushrooms encompassing the complete range of bioactive compounds, these organisms have shown promise in supporting various aspects of cognition, including memory, focus, mood and overall brain health. M2 leverages this scientific understanding, offering both individual species and custom, proprietary blends designed to optimize cognitive health .
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
Whole mushrooms are a rich source of both soluble and insoluble fiber and both beta glucans and chitin, 2 major carbohydrates found in all mushrooms are known as prebiotics. Clinical evidence of the benefits of functional mushrooms on digestive health is mounting and led M2 to invest in this area of research. M2’s collaboration with Prodigest has provided scientific evidence supporting the prebiotic potential of full-spectrum whole mushroom products. Utilizing microbiome samples from healthy adults in an artificial gut model, the studies demonstrated that M2’s proprietary mushrooms significantly fostered the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, leading to a cascade of positive effects. Notably, the mushrooms effectively lowered colonic pH, indicative of lactate production by Bifidobacteria, and avoided adverse effects like bloating. Furthermore, they significantly elevated short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, particularly butyrate, crucial for cognitive function, gut health, and immunity, suggesting a diverse and active microbiota through cross-feeding. This was accompanied by a measurable increase in overall microbiota biomass and a positive shift in microbial species diversity. Beyond these core prebiotic effects, the study also revealed metabolic outcomes linked to the mushrooms, indicating modulation of various neuroactive metabolites, suggesting a potential connection between gut health and neurological function.
IMMUNE SUPPORT
M2’s whole mushroom products influence immune function through the activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. Traditional use of species like Reishi, Turkey Tail, and the Royal Sun mushroom has demonstrated their immunomodulatory capabilities. These mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that stimulate the body’s initial immune defenses (innate immunity), such as inflammation and cellular defenses. Simultaneously, they also enhance the development of targeted immune responses (adaptive immunity), including antibody production. This combined effect strengthens overall immune system function, contributing to improved health.
ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE
M2’s whole mushroom Cordyceps can positively impact athletic performance by enhancing the body’s ability to utilize oxygen. A study published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition demonstrated that consistent intake of a mushroom blend containing Cordyceps significantly increased maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and time to exhaustion during high-intensity exercise.
Athletes using Cordyceps may experience improved endurance and delayed fatigue. Our mushrooms help the body more efficiently deliver oxygen to muscles, allowing for sustained and potentially more powerful physical activity. While not all results reached statistical significance, there was also a trend toward increased ventilatory threshold and peak power output, further suggesting that Cordyceps can be a valuable natural supplement for enhancing athletic performance.
GROWN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
US GROWN + VERTICALLY INTEGRATED
M2 Ingredients maintains complete control over quality and consistency by cultivating all our mushrooms within our expansive, 155,000 sq ft., Organic and BRCGS Certified facility in Southern California. From strain development to final shipment, every stage – substrate storage and hydration, cultivation of the full lifecycle, drying and milling– occurs in a meticulously controlled environment, controlling for contaminants and ensuring quality. Our comprehensive, on-site operations in Vista, CA, include harvesting, drying, and storage, guaranteeing a seamless chain of custody. We offer unparalleled customer support, providing direct access to our expert mycologists, FSQA professionals, and food scientists, empowering your team every step of the way. As a fully domestic operation, we are also immune to import tariffs, ensuring a reliable and transparent supply chain for our customers, while our expansive facility allows us to meet the growing demands of the industry.
AS FEATURED IN
BORN OF SHARED VISION & COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
OUR JOURNEY
M2 Ingredients was born from a powerful combination: a passion for mycology, expertise for mushroom cultivation, and a commitment to preventative health. This unique blend of expertise has propelled us to become North America’s largest grower of functional mushrooms, setting a standard for the industry. We’ve stayed true to our founding principles, building state-of-the-art, certified organic facilities and investing in rigorous scientific research. Our commitment to uncompromising quality is evident in our adherence to the highest standards within the sector. At M2 Ingredients, we deliver the highest quality, most effective mushroom ingredients, backed by both deep-rooted knowledge and cutting-edge science.
M2 Ingredients, originally founded as Mushroom Matrix by Dr. Sandra Carter and mycologist Steve Farrar, was built on a foundation of quality, science, and with the promise of growing the best and most efficacious mushrooms.
As pioneers in the functional mushroom space, M2 Ingredients was among the first to achieve USDA Organic Certification. We believe that producing products that are both beneficial for consumers and sustainable for the planet is fundamental to our mission.
We rebranded from Mushroom Matrix to ‘M2 Ingredients’ to represent our expansion and leadership in the functional ingredient space. Mushroom Matrix now lives on as a fantastic pet and equine care brand, created by our original founders.
Our mushrooms were first used in a large multinational supplement brand, putting functional mushrooms on the map for supplement, food, and beverage brands.
Moved into a new growing location – quadrupling our capacity.
We published our first clinical trial on Cordyceps, which demonstrated that a 4-gram daily dose of a blend containing Cordyceps militaris for three weeks significantly improved physiological markers of aerobic performance.
A BRCGS AA rating, which M2 Ingredients achieved in 2020, signifies top-tier quality and rigorous food safety standards, crucial for customer confidence in our functional mushrooms.
We opened our new, high-capacity, 155,000 sq ft facility in Vista, CA – making us the LARGEST FUNCTIONAL MUSHROOM GROWER IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. This cutting-edge facility operates around the clock with multiple shifts, ensuring consistent production and rapid order fulfillment, delivering greater capacity and quality than ever before.
M2 Ingredients has expanded its product line to include Regenerative Organic Certified SKUs. This certification signifies a commitment beyond traditional organic standards, requiring products to meet the highest benchmarks for organic production while prioritizing environmental regeneration and social fairness.
