Can Reishi improve Sleep?
Can Reishi improve Sleep? I believe so, and there seems to be a lot of research coming out to back this up. Even though Reishi is not a sedative, it has compounds that help the body relax and can help induce sleep.
How Does Reishi improve Sleep?
Reishi has shown good clinical outcomes in the treatment of insomnia and restlessness. It is an adaptogen and has properties that reduce stress. This, in turn, helps the body relax and has a calming effect. Stress is known to prevent sleep and affect how much sleep you get in one night. Recent studies showing how Ganoderma Lucidum (Reishi) affects our gut and how these alterations affect our sleep through the gut-brain axis. Even though most of these studies are done on mice, I have noticed that taking Reishi in the evenings reduces my latency and increases my deep sleep and REM sleep I have monitored this with an Oura ring over several months, and there are noticeable clear patterns.
Reishi Mushroom Extracts.
The best extracts I have tested have generally been EU-grown, UAE-assisted, and double-extracted with water and alcohol. This method seems to produce an extract truly rich in beneficial compounds. Many producers reference 10:1 or even higher ratios, however, when testing, I found that this didn’t mean a more concentrated extract. The best extract I tested was a 4:1 extract. You may be asking how this is possible. I believe it all depends on the actual grow/harvest not the quantity of mushrooms being extracted. For example, if you need 10kg of Reishi mushroom to produce 1kg of extract, this could mean that the Reishi used isn't the most potent in the first place. Additionally, 1kg of one extract differs greatly from 1kg of another Reishi extract. We found this when testing levels of Beta-glucans, polysaccharides, and triterpenes.
What Is the Best Way to Take Reishi?
There are many options out there, from capsules to tinctures. The most delicious format is in a gummy or chocolate. The extract used for edibles is a glycerin extract, generally a double extract added to glycerin as a carrier. This format works very well. Also, Reishi teas are a great option. I like a Reishi chia latte in the evenings, a version that doesn’t have any caffeine is preferable.
How Much and How Often Should You Take Reishi?
This depends on the strength of your extract and how you are taking it. 1-2ml of extract should do the trick, but this can vary between body types and the actual extract, etc. Start with the recommended dosage, and you can always increase from there. I take it every night and find that it can have a cumulative effect over a few weeks, meaning I feel more benefits the longer I take it.
What Other Benefits Do Reishi Extracts Have?
The most important one when it comes to sleep is a reduction in anxiety and stress. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect and boosts the immune system. Reishi is one of those adaptogens that you can take daily and helps me get better overall sleep and improve my immunity at the same time.
Read more about Reishi here: https://mycogenius.com/reishi-mushroom/
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8555286/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22207209/
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-92913-6
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874111008981