Reishi mushroom (also known as lingzhi) is a bracket fungus native to East Asia, primarily China. It has a fan-like structure with a reddish-brown appearance and a glossy surface. Traditionally known as the “mushroom of immortality,” reishi has long been used as an adaptogen to help manage stress, promote calm, support the immune system, and enhance overall wellness. But one of its most interesting benefits may be its ability to support natural sleep.
A study from 2021 reported that reishi mycelium promoted balanced sleep through a serotonin pathway (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34211003/). Mycelium is the part of the mushroom that grows below the soil and is different from the fruiting body that we associate with mushrooms. It is a like a fine root system below every mushroom whereas the fruiting body is the part we usually see and eat. At Brain Wave, we incorporate both the fruiting body and the mycelium from our mushrooms to provide full spectrum nutrition. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter in the brain that regulates mood and sleep. The study showed that reishi mycelium shortened sleep latency (the time it takes to get to sleep) and prolonged sleeping time in mice. It did this by regulating the serotenergic pathway in the brain (the way the brain uses serotonin). Let’s break down the key results:
Panel A showed that reishi mycelium did not affect body weight, a key indicator of health in animal studies. Panel B demonstrated no detectable toxicity in major organs. Panel C showed that the mice fell asleep faster when given reishi. Panel D is the most important. It shows a huge increase in total sleep time in mice when given reishi mycelium. It even shows a dose dependent response. So more reishi = more natural sleep. Panel E demonstrated increased levels of neurotransmitters associated with serotonin signaling, supporting the sleep findings observed in Panel D. Panels F and G further suggested that reishi positively influenced the gut microbiome, the beneficial bacteria living in the intestines, which is increasingly linked to sleep quality and brain health.
Moreover, reishi lowers cortisol levels (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38706837/). Cortisol is often referred to as the body’s primary stress hormone. Under chronic stress, cortisol levels can remain elevated, making it harder to relax or fall back asleep after waking during the night. The research suggests that compounds in reishi may help regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the body’s central stress response system, and the one controlling cortisol. This supports a healthier stress response and improved sleep quality.
Taken together, these studies show the science of how reishi promotes natural sleep and even promotes brain health. This is a key component of Brain Wave’s proprietary blend for these reasons.
Until next time,
Dr. Andy