Alice Mushrooms Party Trick Chocolate
Functional Mushroom + Botanical Chocolate Supplement
Alice Mushrooms Party Trick is a 72% dark chocolate supplement formulated with functional mushrooms, botanical extracts, and amino acids. It's marketed as an alcohol-free option for supporting mood, energy, and social connection, with popping candy mixed into the chocolate.
Unlike a traditional mushroom supplement, Party Trick combines Cordyceps with ingredients that influence brain chemicals involved in mood and alertness.
Ingredients
Active ingredients: Cordyceps mushroom extract, velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), kanna (Sceletium tortuosum), gotu kola, L-taurine, guayusa, and the brand's adaptogenic blend.
Other ingredients: Organic semi-sweet 72% dark chocolate (organic unsweetened chocolate, organic cane sugar, organic cocoa butter), carbonated popping rocks (cane sugar, lactose [milk], corn syrup solids, cocoa butter, and powdered sugar [non-GMO]).
What Stands Out
Organic Cordyceps: Alice uses mushroom extracts from the fruiting body rather than relying on mycelium grown on grain.
Organic dark chocolate: Made with 72% dark chocolate and organic cane sugar.
Third-party testing: Alice states that its ingredients are independently tested for safety and stability, with additional potency testing for its mushrooms.
Gluten-free: The product is labeled gluten-free and OU-D kosher certified.
Key Ingredients Explained
Cordyceps: A functional mushroom traditionally used to support energy and physical endurance. Human research on its benefits is still developing, and results depend on the specific extract and amount used.
Kanna: A South African botanical containing compounds that influence serotonin signaling, which plays a role in mood. Because of this activity, kanna may interact with antidepressants and other medications affecting serotonin.
Velvet Bean: Also called Mucuna pruriens, this plant naturally contains L-DOPA, a substance the body converts into dopamine. Dopamine is involved in motivation, movement, and mood. The amount of L-DOPA matters because it can have significant biological effects and medication interactions.
Gotu Kola: An herb traditionally used for cognitive function and relaxation. Research into its effects on mood and brain function is limited.
L-Taurine: An amino acid involved in nervous system function and several other processes throughout the body.
Guayusa: A botanical source of caffeine and other naturally occurring compounds. Alice describes the caffeine content as very low, although the exact amount per square should be confirmed.
Things to Keep in Mind
Party Trick contains more than functional mushrooms. Kanna and velvet bean have effects on brain chemistry and deserve additional consideration, particularly for anyone taking prescription medications.
Kanna may interact with antidepressants or other substances that affect serotonin. Velvet bean naturally contains L-DOPA, which can interact with certain medications and may cause unwanted effects depending on the amount consumed.
Although Alice markets Party Trick as a sober-friendly supplement, that doesn't mean its effects on mood, alertness, or judgment have been fully evaluated. Claims about improved sociability, confidence, or specific results within minutes have not been independently established for the finished product.
The popping candy contains milk and corn syrup solids. The product is not dairy-free or vegan, and it is manufactured on shared equipment that may also handle peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and soy.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding because of the botanical ingredients, particularly kanna and velvet bean.
Children: Not recommended for children.
Brand Notes
Alice Mushrooms states that its mushrooms are organically grown, harvested from the fruiting body, and extracted without starch fillers. The company also reports third-party ingredient testing and mushroom potency testing.
These are useful quality considerations, but publicly available product information does not establish the specific test results for each finished batch or confirm every active ingredient's individual dose.
Final Thoughts
Party Trick has some appealing sourcing features, particularly its organic dark chocolate, fruiting-body Cordyceps, and stated third-party testing practices.
However, this is a more complex supplement than a basic functional mushroom chocolate. The inclusion of kanna and velvet bean makes the exact dosage, medication interactions, and individual health considerations especially important.