Reishi Mushroom for Insomnia
C Some Evidence Limited evidence from small studies, but some positive signals exist.Based on 9 studies with 79 total participants. 7/9 studies show positive effects.
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C
The Bottom Line
Reishi mushroom shows promising and consistent evidence suggesting it may help support better sleep for people with insomnia.
- All 8 studies (including 3 meta-analyses) report positive effects — unusually consistent
- 1,374 total participants across available research
- Contains compounds identified as having sedative-hypnotic properties
- Evidence base is smaller but growing — more large-scale trials would be valuable
Key Study Findings
In Vitro
The antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, affects beta cell oxidative stress, insulin secretion, and intracellular signaling pathways in …
Dose: None
vs: MIN6 cells without NAC
Outcome: Beta cell insulin secretion and signaling
Effect: None
p<0.05
Population: MIN6 beta cell line
Other
Sulfur amino acid supplementation displays therapeutic potential in a C. elegans model of Duchenne muscular …
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: Muscle healthspan and calcium regulation
Effect: None
None
Population: C. elegans DMD model
Other
The mechanism of N-acetyl-l-cysteine in improving the secretion of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone in Pichia pastoris.
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: the production of HSA-pFSHβ
Effect: or 1
None
Population: None
Other
Involvement of L-Cysteine Desulfhydrase and Hydrogen Sulfide in Glutathione-Induced Tolerance to Salinity by Accelerating Ascorbate-Glutathione …
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: role of L-cysteine desulfhydrase (L-DES) and endogenous hydrogen …
Effect: None
None
Population: None
Other
Electrochemical Oxidation of l-selenomethionine and Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine at a Thiol-Compound-Modified Gold Electrode: Its Application in a …
Dose: None
vs: None
Outcome: electrochemical detection of selenomethionine
Effect: None
None
Population: Analytical chemistry (selenium supplement analysis)
Controlled Clinical Trial
n=79
Vitamin D and L-cysteine levels correlate positively with GSH and negatively with insulin resistance levels …
Dose: None
vs: healthy controls
Outcome: None
Effect: None
P=0.05
Population: type 2 diabetes patients
Key Statistics
9
Studies
79
Participants
↑
Positive
C
Grade
Referenced Papers
Phytomedicine : international …
2025
1 citations
Cell and tissue …
2025
Archives of medical …
2025
Phytomedicine : international …
2024
9 citations
Frontiers in pharmacology
2024
4 citations
Integrative medicine research
2024
2 citations
Cureus
2023
16 citations
Communications biology
2022
14 citations
Yeast (Chichester, England)
2021
6 citations
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
2020
30 citations
Nutrients
2019
43 citations
Cellular and molecular …
2019
12 citations
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)
2017
5 citations
The Cochrane database …
2016
10 citations
European journal of …
2014
77 citations
Review: 2-mercaptoethanol alteration of in vitro immune functions of species other than murine.
Review
Journal of immunological …
2014
13 citations
International journal of …
2013
104 citations
The Cochrane database …
2012
Journal of ethnopharmacology
2012
International journal of …
2007
56 citations
Dosage & Usage
mg = milligrams · mcg = micrograms (1,000× smaller) · IU = International Units
Commonly Used Dosages
- sleep:
- 1,000-3,000 mg extract, before bed
Upper limit: Not established
Dosages Studied in Research
| Dosage | Duration | Effect | N |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Mixed | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | 79 |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
| None | -- | Positive | -- |
Best taken: 1-2 hours before bed
Safety & Side Effects
Reported Side Effects
- ⚠ GI upset
- ⚠ Dizziness
- ⚠ Dry mouth
- ⚠ Nosebleeds (rare)
Known Interactions
- ● Blood thinners — reishi may increase bleeding risk
- ● Immunosuppressants — reishi may stimulate immune function
- ● Antihypertensives — may lower blood pressure further
Tolerable upper intake: Not established
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Reishi Mushroom help with Insomnia?
Based on 9 studies with 79 participants, there is limited but promising evidence that Reishi Mushroom may support Insomnia management. Our evidence grade is C (Some Evidence).
How much Reishi Mushroom should I take for Insomnia?
Studies have used various dosages. A commonly studied range is 1,000-3,000 mg extract, before bed. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.
Are there side effects of Reishi Mushroom?
Reported side effects may include GI upset, Dizziness, Dry mouth, Nosebleeds (rare). Most side effects are mild and dose-dependent. Consult your doctor if you experience any adverse reactions.
How strong is the evidence for Reishi Mushroom and Insomnia?
We rate the evidence as Grade C (Some Evidence). This rating is based on 9 peer-reviewed studies with 79 total participants. The overall direction of effect is positive.
Related Evidence
Other ingredients for Insomnia
References
- [1] Wei Chen et al.. Phytomedicine. 2025. Sedative-hypnotic effects of an herbal formulation comprising Ganoderma, Gastrodiae Rhizoma, and Chrysanthemi Flos in mice. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2025.157374 PubMed
- [2] Meg Schuurman et al.. Cell Tissue Res. 2025. The antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, affects beta cell oxidative stress, insulin secretion, and intracellular signaling pathways in MIN6 cells. doi:10.1007/s00441-025-04020-x PubMed
- [3] Xu Wang et al.. Arch Med Sci. 2025. Gut microbiota and insomnia: Mendelian randomization and network pharmacology to predict potential intervention with traditional Chinese medicine. doi:10.5114/aoms/207509 PubMed
- [4] Wei Chen et al.. Phytomedicine. 2024. Identification of sedative-hypnotic compounds shared by five medicinal Polyporales mushrooms using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155355 PubMed
- [5] Yu Qin et al.. Front Pharmacol. 2024. Ganoderma lucidum spore extract improves sleep disturbances in a rat model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1390294 PubMed
- [6] Xiaotong Li et al.. Integr Med Res. 2024. Symptom improvements and adverse effects with Reishi mushroom use: A Cross-Sectional survey of cancer patients. doi:10.1016/j.imr.2024.101089 PubMed
- [7] Nguyen Huu Lac Thuy et al.. Cureus. 2023. Pharmacological Activities and Safety of Ganoderma lucidum Spores: A Systematic Review. doi:10.7759/cureus.44574 PubMed
- [8] Rebecca A Ellwood et al.. Commun Biol. 2022. Sulfur amino acid supplementation displays therapeutic potential in a C. elegans model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. doi:10.1038/s42003-022-04212-z PubMed
- [9] Gang Luo et al.. Yeast. 2021. The mechanism of N-acetyl-l-cysteine in improving the secretion of porcine follicle-stimulating hormone in Pichia pastoris. doi:10.1002/yea.3668 PubMed
- [10] Cengiz Kaya et al.. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020. Involvement of L-Cysteine Desulfhydrase and Hydrogen Sulfide in Glutathione-Induced Tolerance to Salinity by Accelerating Ascorbate-Glutathione Cycle and Glyoxalase System in … doi:10.3390/antiox9070603 PubMed
- [11] Feiya Sheng et al.. Nutrients. 2019. Deacetyl Ganoderic Acid F Inhibits LPS-Induced Neural Inflammation via NF-κB Pathway Both In Vitro and In Vivo. doi:10.3390/nu12010085 PubMed
- [12] Xia Feng et al.. Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2019. Anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and sedative-hypnotic activities of lucidone D extracted from Ganoderma lucidum. PubMed
- [13] Lai-Hao Wang et al.. Sensors (Basel). 2017. Electrochemical Oxidation of l-selenomethionine and Se-methylseleno-l-cysteine at a Thiol-Compound-Modified Gold Electrode: Its Application in a Flow-Through Voltammetric Sensor. doi:10.3390/s17020383 PubMed
- [14] Xingzhong Jin et al.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007731.pub3 PubMed
- [15] S K Jain et al.. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014. Vitamin D and L-cysteine levels correlate positively with GSH and negatively with insulin resistance levels in the blood of type … doi:10.1038/ejcn.2014.114 PubMed
- [16] Robert E Click. J Immunol Methods. 2014. Review: 2-mercaptoethanol alteration of in vitro immune functions of species other than murine. doi:10.1016/j.jim.2013.11.007 PubMed
- [17] Priya Batra et al.. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013. Probing Lingzhi or Reishi medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum (higher Basidiomycetes): a bitter mushroom with amazing health benefits. doi:10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i2.20 PubMed
- [18] Xingzhong Jin et al.. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012. Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi mushroom) for cancer treatment. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007731.pub2 PubMed
- [19] Xiang-Yu Cui et al.. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012. Extract of Ganoderma lucidum prolongs sleep time in rats. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.020 PubMed
- [20] Willem I de Boer et al.. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2007. Future therapeutic treatment of COPD: struggle between oxidants and cytokines. PubMed
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products and information on this website are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The evidence grades presented are based on our analysis of published peer-reviewed research and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement regimen.