Five formulas, one design language, very different jobs. Here's the side-by-side breakdown of what each MYKO formula contains, who it's for, and how to choose between them.
Short answer
MYKO makes five formulas, all built on the same four-role architecture (signal · growth · fuel · delivery) and all carrying Shilajit at 60% fulvic acid as the delivery layer. ADAPT is the only formula without an Active Botanical — it's the five-mushroom daily foundation, designed for indefinite use. The other four are protocol formulas with a 100 mg Active Botanical at the signal layer, designed for 4–8 week arcs on a Stamets (4 ON / 3 OFF) or Fadiman (1 ON / 2 OFF) cadence:
— NEUROGENESIS — cognitive-pathway protocol formula (Lion's Mane + Cordyceps)
— CORTEX — stress-pathway protocol formula (Cordyceps + Reishi)
— EMBODY — recovery-and-immune protocol formula (Chaga + Reishi + Turkey Tail)
— EUPHORIA — premium-tier protocol formula with rare-species Active Botanical (Reishi 12:1 + Chaga 9:1)
Most practitioners run ADAPT daily as the foundation and layer one protocol formula per quarter, choosing the formula that matches the season they're in.
The shared architecture
Every MYKO formula is built on the same four roles, even when one of the roles is empty (as it is for ADAPT, which has no Active Botanical):
| Role | What it does | What carries it across the line |
|---|---|---|
| Signal | Sub-perceptual input that supports pathways associated with cognitive flexibility and neuroplasticity | Active Botanical, 100 mg (in protocol formulas only; ADAPT has none) |
| Growth | Structural support for the pathway the formula targets | Pathway-specific mushroom (Lion's Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Turkey Tail, depending on formula) |
| Fuel | Energy metabolism layer | Cordyceps militaris in most formulas; carried by the growth layer in EMBODY/EUPHORIA |
| Delivery | Mineral foundation + nutrient transport | Shilajit at 60% fulvic acid (every formula; ADAPT has the line's highest dose at 150 mg) |
The architecture explainer is in The Four-Role Architecture: How MYKO Formulas Are Built.
The full side-by-side
| ADAPT | NEUROGENESIS | CORTEX | EMBODY | EUPHORIA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Daily foundation | Cognitive protocol | Stress protocol | Recovery protocol | Premium tier protocol |
| Active Botanical | None | 100 mg (standard) | 100 mg (standard) | 100 mg (standard) | 100 mg (rare-species) |
| Mushroom inputs | Lion's Mane 8:1 (100mg), Reishi 10:1 (80mg), Chaga 8:1 (80mg), Cordyceps 8:1 (70mg), Turkey Tail 8:1 (70mg) | Lion's Mane 7:1 (200mg), Cordyceps militaris 8:1 (150mg) | Cordyceps 8:1 (200mg), Reishi 10:1 (150mg) | Chaga 8:1 (125mg), Reishi 10:1 (125mg), Turkey Tail 8:1 (100mg) | Reishi 12:1 (200mg), Chaga 9:1 (150mg) |
| Shilajit | 150 mg (line's highest) | 100 mg | 100 mg | 100 mg | 100 mg |
| Total active fill | 550 mg | 550 mg | 550 mg | 550 mg | 550 mg |
| Serving size | 2 capsules | 1 capsule | 1 capsule | 1 capsule | 1 capsule |
| SKU sizes | 30 / 60 caps | 16 / 33 / 66 / 132 | 16 / 33 / 66 / 132 | 16 / 33 / 66 / 132 | 16 / 33 |
| Use pattern | Daily, indefinite | Protocol arc, 4–8 weeks | Protocol arc, 4–8 weeks | Protocol arc, 4–8 weeks | Protocol arc, occasion-led |
| Safety profile | Standard daily-foundation | Active formula (see safety block) | Active formula (see safety block) | Active formula (see safety block) | Active formula (see safety block) |
The "Active formula safety block" referenced above: no combination with lithium, consult professional if on SSRIs/SNRIs/MAOIs or with psychosis/Bipolar I history, not for pregnancy/nursing/under 18. The longer label-literacy version is in How to Read a MYKO Label.
Which formula is for what season
| Season / situation | Recommended formula | Why |
|---|---|---|
| New to MYKO / starting out | ADAPT | The daily foundation. Build a baseline before layering any protocol formula. |
| Heavy work quarter, deep cognitive demand, intensive study | NEUROGENESIS (over ADAPT) | Cognitive-pathway architecture: Lion's Mane growth + Cordyceps fuel + Active Botanical signal. |
| High-pressure quarter, stress without space for sedation | CORTEX (over ADAPT) | Calm vigilance: Reishi calm anchor + Cordyceps fuel for steady energy under load. |
| Recovery phase, post-injury, immune-aware season | EMBODY (over ADAPT) | Body-led restoration: Chaga + Reishi + Turkey Tail for recovery and immune intelligence. |
| Occasion-led use, premium experience, intentional setting | EUPHORIA (over ADAPT) | Premium tier: rare-species Active Botanical + Reishi 12:1 for a warmer signature. |
| Daily routine you don't want to think about | ADAPT alone | The five-mushroom daily foundation, no protocol cadence required. |
| Active-formula safety considerations apply to you | ADAPT only | ADAPT has no Active Botanical and a lighter safety profile suited for broader use. |
The full pricing grid
| Formula | SKU | Price | Per capsule |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADAPT | 30 caps (15 servings) | $33 | $1.10 |
| ADAPT | 60 caps (30 servings) | $55 | $0.92 |
| NEUROGENESIS / CORTEX / EMBODY | 16 caps | $44 | $2.75 |
| NEUROGENESIS / CORTEX / EMBODY | 33 caps | $77 | $2.33 |
| NEUROGENESIS / CORTEX / EMBODY | 66 caps | $132 | $2.00 |
| NEUROGENESIS / CORTEX / EMBODY | 132 caps | $248 | $1.88 |
| EUPHORIA | 16 caps | $55 | $3.44 |
| EUPHORIA | 33 caps | $88 | $2.67 |
Subscribe & Save adds 10% off across the line with delivery every 30, 45, or 60 days. EUPHORIA carries the premium-tier markup for the rare-species Active Botanical and the 12:1 Reishi.
The practical layered protocol
Most MYKO practitioners don't choose between formulas — they layer:
| Phase | Daily foundation | Protocol formula on top |
|---|---|---|
| Onboarding (month 1–2) | ADAPT daily | None |
| Active arc (month 3–4) | ADAPT daily | One protocol formula, Stamets or Fadiman cadence, 4–8 week arc |
| Reset (month 5) | ADAPT daily | None — reset period |
| Next arc (month 6–7) | ADAPT daily | One protocol formula (same or different), 4–8 week arc |
| Continued cycling | ADAPT daily, indefinite | One protocol arc per quarter, on the formula the season calls for |
The longer NEUROGENESIS vs ADAPT decision frame is in NEUROGENESIS vs ADAPT: Which MYKO Formula Should You Take First?
FAQ — common comparison questions
Can I take more than one protocol formula at the same time?
Not recommended. Running two Active Botanical formulas simultaneously goes outside the framework — the cumulative Active Botanical exposure exceeds what the protocol literature is built around. Run one protocol arc on one active formula at a time, on top of ADAPT.
Which formula has the strongest immune support?
EMBODY carries the broadest immune-aware mushroom subset (Chaga + Reishi + Turkey Tail). ADAPT also covers immune support as part of the five-mushroom daily complex. For specifically immune-supportive seasons, EMBODY layered over ADAPT is the combination.
Which formula has the most Lion's Mane?
NEUROGENESIS, at 200 mg of Hericium erinaceus 7:1 fruiting body extract per capsule. ADAPT contains Lion's Mane 8:1 at 100 mg per 2-capsule serving. The other formulas (CORTEX, EMBODY, EUPHORIA) do not contain Lion's Mane.
Which formula has the most Reishi?
EUPHORIA, at 200 mg of Ganoderma lucidum 12:1 (the line's highest extract ratio). CORTEX has 150 mg at 10:1; EMBODY has 125 mg at 10:1; ADAPT has 80 mg at 10:1. NEUROGENESIS does not contain Reishi.
Which formula has the most Shilajit?
ADAPT, at 150 mg per 2-capsule serving — the highest in the line. The active formulas (NEUROGENESIS, CORTEX, EMBODY, EUPHORIA) all use 100 mg of Shilajit per 1-capsule serving. All MYKO Shilajit is 60% fulvic acid. The longer version is in Shilajit: The Delivery Layer in Every MYKO Formula.
Why doesn't every formula contain Cordyceps?
EMBODY and EUPHORIA don't contain Cordyceps because the recovery-and-restoration architecture of EMBODY and the warmer-signature architecture of EUPHORIA don't lean on the energy-metabolism layer the way NEUROGENESIS and CORTEX do. Cordyceps appears in NEUROGENESIS (150 mg), CORTEX (200 mg, the line's highest), and ADAPT (70 mg). The longer mechanism version is in Cordyceps: Energy Metabolism and Modern Performance.
What about EUPHORIA specifically?
EUPHORIA is the premium tier. It uses a rare-species Active Botanical chosen for a warmer felt signature than the standard variant in NEUROGENESIS, CORTEX, and EMBODY. It pairs that with the line's most concentrated Reishi (12:1, standardized to ≥4% triterpenes / ≥30% polysaccharides) and dual-extracted Chaga at 9:1. EUPHORIA is sold in 16- and 33-capsule sizes only, designed for occasion-led use rather than continuous protocol cycling.
Which formula should I buy first?
ADAPT. The daily foundation is the more load-bearing of any first purchase. Once you have a baseline established (30–60 days on ADAPT), layer the protocol formula that matches the season you're going into. The longer first-formula guide is in NEUROGENESIS vs ADAPT: Which MYKO Formula Should You Take First?
Are MYKO formulas safe to combine with my current supplements?
Generally yes, with two specific safety considerations. First, for any active formula (NEUROGENESIS, CORTEX, EMBODY, EUPHORIA): don't combine with lithium; consult a healthcare professional if you're taking SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or psychiatric medications, or if you have a personal or family history of psychosis or Bipolar I; not for pregnancy, nursing, or anyone under 18. Second, magnesium glycinate and a daily B-complex are companion-stack recommendations meant to be taken alongside MYKO formulas as separate inputs — the longer version is in The Companion Stack: What to Pair with MYKO Formulas.
A closing reflection
The five MYKO formulas aren't five different brands' interpretations of the same problem. They're five applications of one design language, tuned to five different pathways. The architecture (signal, growth, fuel, delivery) is the same across all of them; the mushroom subset and dose ratios differ to match what each pathway actually needs.
The cleanest mental model is: ADAPT is the floor, the other four are the protocol arcs. Run ADAPT continuously, layer one protocol formula per quarter, choose the protocol formula by season, take the companion stack underneath everything.
If you've made it this far in the comparison, you understand the MYKO system better than most customers buying their first bottle. Start with ADAPT if you're new; add the protocol formula that matches the season you're going into; build the practice from there. Continue with The Four-Role Architecture: How MYKO Formulas Are Built if you want the design-language deep dive next.