Reishi Mushroom to Support Better Sleep: How It Works

February 1, 2025 | by Silvana Jakupovic, ND

Quality sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being. Sleep deprivation or sleep problems can make individuals susceptible to many infectious organisms as it weakens the immune system [1]. Studies have also found a dose-response relationship in which improved sleep quality has improved mental health [2]. Alongside this, sleep and stress have an intricate relationship in which impairments of either can lead to disruptions in each other, causing a vicious, never-ending cycle without any intervention [3]. 

Inadequate sleep can also cause impaired concentration, memory difficulties, and even difficulty processing information [4]. Most importantly, studies have found an association between short sleep durations and an increased risk of developing chronic diseases, such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes [5]. Sleep can impact almost every aspect of our health in one way or another, so optimizing this crucial foundation of health can be the first step to healing for many. 

What Causes Difficulties in Sleeping?

Many factors can cause difficulties in sleeping; some common ones include:

Stress and Anxiety: Stress and anxiety can make falling or staying asleep difficult. Worries about work, family, finances, or other issues can keep your mind racing for hours, making it difficult to achieve deep sleep.

Poor Sleep Habits: Poor sleep habits, such as an irregular sleep schedule, poor sleep hygiene, consuming caffeine or alcohol close to bedtime, and using electronic devices before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns.

Medical Conditions: Medical conditions such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, or gastrointestinal problems can affect sleep quality, especially if the conditions are left untreated.

Environmental Factors: Environmental factors such as noise, light, temperature, and an uncomfortable bed or pillows can make it difficult to fall or stay asleep.

Medications: Certain medications can interfere with sleep.

Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes during pregnancy, menopause, and menstruation can disrupt sleep patterns.

What Are Reishi Mushrooms?

In Eastern medicine, Ganoderma lucidum, commonly known as Reishi, has been used as a functional mushroom for thousands of years to prevent and treat various human conditions. In traditional medicine, it is known as the mushroom of immortality. They are well known for their many health benefits, including boosting the immune system, reducing inflammation, providing adaptogenic support for stress, improving mental health, and increasing sleep quality. 

What Are the Reishi Mushroom Benefits for Sleep?

Reishi has many potential benefits that can improve overall health and well-being, but using Reishi for sleep is one of the most common ways this mushroom is used. A mushroom extract of Reishi was studied for its effects on sleep, both clinically and physiologically [6]. The results illustrated that Reishi improved sleep time, sleep quality, and sleep latency and acted in a benzodiazepine-like fashion [6]. 

Benzodiazepines are the most common pharmaceuticals used to provide insomnia relief, but long-term use can lead to tolerance and dependency, not to mention a bounty of adverse effects. Reishi produces its anti-insomnia action without the harmful effects or dependence seen in pharmaceutical usage [7].

Another study found that Reishi increased sleep-promoting neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers used by the nervous system to transmit signals to different body parts [8]. Reishi was also able to improve the gut microbiota, which is essential as recent studies have suggested that alterations in the bacterial environment of the gut might be associated with sleep quality due to the function of the gut-brain axis [8]. 

Overall, the study illustrated that the mushroom extract of Reishi improved sleep through microbiota-dependent and serotonin-associated pathways [8]. 

Lastly, a study that used the fruiting body extract of Reishi exhibited that a 3-day administration of the mushroom supplement has the potential to increase total sleep time and the length of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, which would result in a more restful sleep [9]. The mechanism underlying this decisive action of Reishi may lie in its ability to modulate cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, which are involved in sleep regulation and the promotion of NREM sleep [9]. 

Ways to Incorporate Reishi Mushrooms into Your Sleep Routine

Reishi Mushroom Tea: You can make a tea using dried Reishi mushrooms by simply simmering a few slices of dried Reishi mushroom in water for 15-20 minutes, then straining and drinking before bedtime.

Reishi Mushroom Tincture: Reishi mushroom tincture is a concentrated form of Reishi mushrooms that is easy to incorporate into your daily routine. Mix a few drops of Reishi mushroom tincture into a cup of warm water or tea before bedtime.

Reishi Mushroom Capsules: The most convenient way is to take Reishi mushroom extract capsules alongside your usual cup of tea or drink before bedtime.

Reishi Mushroom Powder: You can add Reishi mushroom powder to smoothies, soups, or other recipes to incorporate into your diet. 

When to Take Reishi Mushroom Products?

The best time to take Reishi mushrooms to improve sleep quality would be before bedtime. Aiming for an hour before bedtime would be ideal as it allows the mushroom to take effect and decrease sleep onset time. If you enjoy reading in bed or journaling with a cup of tea, pairing the Reishi with this practice would be a match made in heaven. While the ideal routine differs for everyone, try to find what works best for you and how to fall asleep on mushrooms. 

What is the Right Dosage of Reishi Mushrooms?

Eversio Wellness advises customers not to consume more than 15,000 mg of the dried fruiting body daily, although most individuals find therapeutic benefits with half this dose. The appropriate dose of Reishi depends on the mushroom product you have purchased, so it is best to advise the label and follow the recommended dose and instructions. 

How to Choose the Best Reishi Mushroom Products?

Although the market for functional mushrooms is broad, it is essential to be mindful of what is inside the products you are buying. If a mushroom supplement contains grain products, this should be listed in their “other ingredients.” Suppose you find the words “full spectrum,” “mycelial biomass,” or “extracellular compounds” on the label. In that case, the product is made from the grain substrate the mushrooms are grown on, and potentially the primordia and fruiting body, all combined and often not in extract form. 

Eversio Wellness carries 100% fruiting body-only mushroom extracts, and they consistently practice transparency to their consumers by sharing the COAs (Certificate of Analysis) of each product. The COAs reassure consumers that the percentage of compounds claimed to be in the products is scientifically confirmed through lab testing. Not only does the COA guarantee the percentages of the beneficial constituents, but it also tests the heavy metal and microbial contents so you can be sure you’re getting the best mushroom supplements possible. 

If you want to use Reishi mushrooms to support your sleep, Eversio Wellness offers Reishi mushroom extract capsules here.

What are Mushroom Alternatives to Reishi for Better Sleep?

While Reishi is the most recognized mushroom for improving sleep quality, there are other potential alternatives if you are looking for support in different aspects of health. For example, Lion’s Mane mushrooms may be the right choice if you are looking for cognitive support besides sleep. 

A study was completed assessing whether Lion’s Mane could improve depression, anxiety, sleep, and binge eating disorders after eight weeks of supplementation by evaluating the serum balances of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its precursor pro-BDNF before and after supplementation of Lion’s Mane [10]. The treatment groups presented with increased serum levels of pro-BDNF and overall improvements in depression, anxiety, and sleep quality [10]. 

We hope you have found this article informative. If you have any questions or comments, please leave them in the comment section below!