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Reishi illustration

Reishi

Ganoderma lucidum

A traditional medicinal mushroom for immune support. Sleep-quality evidence is preliminary, mostly murine; no large RCT in healthy adults with primary insomnia.

Mushrooms Last verified 2026-05-06
sleep stress and mood

What it does

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) at 1 to 2 g/day of dual-extracted fruiting body has shown immune-modulation effects in human RCTs (NK cell activity, IgA). Sleep evidence is preliminary and inferred from cancer-survivor and fibromyalgia trials, not primary insomnia.

Top picks

  1. 1

    Real Mushrooms

    Reishi 415 Extract Capsules

    ConsumerLab Top Pick; 264.5 mg beta-glucan/serving; organic fruiting body, dual extract.

    Check on Amazon
  2. 2

    Nootropics Depot

    Red Reishi 8:1 Whole Fruiting Body Extract (500 mg)

    Ethanol + water dual extract; third-party tested.

    Check on Amazon
  3. 3

    Host Defense

    Reishi Capsules

    Standardized beta-glucan; organic.

    Check on Amazon

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How to use it

Dosage
1 to 2 g/day dual-extracted fruiting body (clinical range 1.44 to 5.4 g/day).
Timing
Evening for sleep/stress benefit; split AM/PM for immune.
With food
Not required
Onset
4 to 8 weeks minimum; assess at 8 weeks.

What to look for

  • Fruiting body, NOT mycelium-on-grain (myceliated rice often >50% starch / alpha-glucan).
  • DUAL extract (water + ethanol). Water-only misses the bitter triterpene fraction.
  • Beta-glucan disclosure on the label (target >=25% by weight, 1,3/1,6-beta-D-glucan).
  • Third-party COA: beta-glucan %, triterpene %, heavy metals (reishi bioaccumulates).
  • Wood-grown substrate (grain-grown lacks meaningful triterpenes).

Formats: capsules, powder, tincture.

Skip if:
  • Anticoagulants, DOACs, or antiplatelets (case report of INR spike to 6.92 to 8.22 in hemodialysis patient).
  • Pregnancy or lactation (insufficient safety data).
  • Pre-surgery within 7 days (bleeding risk).
  • Thrombocytopenia or bleeding disorders.

FAQ

How does it compare to Ashwagandha for sleep?
Ashwagandha has stronger trial data. Reishi sleep evidence is mostly preliminary or inferred from cancer-survivor populations. Pick Ashwagandha first if you want the proven option for primary sleep complaints.

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