Can Functional Mushrooms Help Relieve Migraines?

March 18, 2025 | by Silvana Jakupovic, ND

Migraines and tension headaches are common neurological disorders that affect a significant portion of the population, causing moderate to severe pain and discomfort. Migraines are typically characterized by throbbing or pulsating pain, often concentrated on one side of the head, and accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and visual disturbances [1].

On the other hand, tension headaches manifest as a dull, persistent ache that can extend across the forehead or wrap around the head like a band [2]. These debilitating conditions can significantly impact an individual's quality of life, making headache relief and migraine prevention essential aspects of their overall well-being.

How Functional Mushrooms Can Help Alleviate Migraine Symptoms

While conventional pain management and migraine treatment options exist, many individuals seek natural treatments and wellness solutions to address their symptoms [3]. Functional mushrooms have gained attention as potential allies in the quest for migraine relief and brain health. These remarkable fungi contain various bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, terpenoids, and polyphenols, which offer neuroprotective properties and have been linked to potential benefits for individuals with migraines [4, 5]. 

In addition to their direct effects on migraines, functional mushrooms offer a holistic approach to brain health. Regular consumption of these natural wonders can support overall well-being, promoting stress reduction, enhancing sleep quality, and boosting immune function [6]. By addressing these factors, functional mushrooms may indirectly contribute to migraine prevention, as stress, lack of sleep, and weakened immune function are common triggers for migraine attacks.

By understanding the triggers and underlying mechanisms of migraines, researchers are exploring how functional mushrooms can be incorporated into comprehensive strategies for pain management, natural migraine prevention, and overall brain health support.

Which Functional Mushrooms Can Reduce Migraines?

Reishi Mushroom Benefits

Reishi mushroom, scientifically known as Ganoderma lucidum, has gained recognition for its potential to reduce migraine prevalence and provide relief to migraine sufferers. The healing power of this functional mushroom lies in its unique mechanisms of action, and research suggests that reishi mushroom exhibits several properties that contribute to its beneficial effects on migraines.

Firstly, reishi mushroom is known for its anti-inflammatory properties [7]. Inflammation in the brain is believed to play a role in the development and progression of migraines [8]. By reducing inflammation, reishi mushrooms may help alleviate migraine symptoms and lower the frequency of migraine attacks.

Furthermore, reishi mushroom is rich in bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, and ganoderic acids, which have demonstrated neuroprotective effects [9]. These compounds have been shown to support brain health and protect against oxidative stress, which can contribute to the pathogenesis of migraines [10]. 

Lastly, reishi mushroom has been found to modulate the immune system [11]. Migraines have been linked to immune dysregulation, and an imbalance in immune responses can trigger migraines in susceptible individuals [12].

Cordyceps Mushroom Benefits

Cordyceps, a remarkable functional mushroom with a rich history of functional use, exhbits profound potential in the reduction of migraines. A pivotal mechanism by which cordyceps mushroom demonstrates its efficacy is through the enhancement of cerebral blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain [13]. Migraines frequently manifest with irregular blood flow patterns and compromised oxygen supply in specific brain regions [14]. Cordyceps mushroom harbors vasodilatory properties, capable of expanding blood vessels and promoting optimal blood circulation [15]. 

Moreover, Cordyceps is an adaptogenic mushroom, meaning it supports the body's ability to respond to stressors and maintain overall balance [16]. Given that stress serves as a prevalent trigger for migraines, the capacity of cordyceps mushroom to modulate the body's stress response offers potential in preventing migraine attacks or mitigating their severity.

Shiitake Mushroom Benefits 

Shiitake mushroom, a popular functional mushroom and esteemed superfood known for its rich flavor and multifaceted health benefits is another compelling contender in the realm of migraine pain management.  

One of the key mechanisms through which shiitake mushrooms may help reduce migraines is its ability to modulate immune function [17]. As mentioned, it is well established that migraines often exhibit a correlation with immune dysregulation, where an imbalanced immune response can catalyze migraine occurrence [18]. Shiitake mushrooms contain many bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides and beta-glucans, that have immunomodulatory properties [19]. By balancing immune responses, shiitake mushrooms may help regulate the inflammatory processes involved in migraines and mitigate the frequency and severity of migraine attacks.

Furthermore, shiitake mushroom possesses antioxidant properties [20]. Oxidative stress is believed to play a role in migraine pathogenesis, and reducing oxidative damage can alleviate migraine symptoms [21]. The presence of compounds like eritadenine and L-ergothioneine in shiitake mushrooms contributes to its antioxidant activity [22]. By scavenging harmful free radicals and reducing oxidative stress, shiitake mushrooms may provide relief from migraines.

Lastly, shiitake mushrooms contain compounds that have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects [23]. Inflammation in the brain is believed to contribute to the development and persistence of migraines [24]. The active components in shiitake mushrooms, such as lentinan and ergosterol, have been shown to inhibit inflammatory pathways [25]. 

Using Functional Mushrooms as a Natural Migraine Treatment Option

Functional mushrooms offer a natural and complementary approach to migraine treatment. Incorporating functional mushrooms into your daily routine can provide potential benefits for migraine relief and prevention. One option is to integrate mushroom supplements into your diet that contain concentrated extracts of functional mushrooms. These offer a convenient and standardized way to consume the beneficial compounds present in mushrooms. Another way to incorporate functional mushrooms is by adding them to your meals.

You can incorporate fresh, dried, or powdered mushrooms into various dishes, such as soups, stir-fries, or omelets, to enjoy their unique flavors and potential health benefits. By incorporating functional mushrooms into your routine, you can explore natural migraine treatment options that may provide relief, promote overall wellness, and support your journey toward better brain health.

Eversio Wellness offers 100% fruiting body-only mushroom extracts, consistently practicing transparency with their consumers by sharing the COAs (Certificates of Analysis) for each product. The COAs reassure consumers that the percentage of compounds claimed to be in the products is scientifically confirmed through laboratory testing. Eversio Wellness currently carries isolated reishi and cordyceps mushroom extracts and mushroom blends, 4 Mushroom Blend, and 6 Mushroom Blend that contain shiitake. 

We hope you have found this article informative. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to leave them in the comment section below.