4 Medicinal Mushrooms for Deep, Restorative Sleep
Getting a good night’s rest is crucial to keep your mind and body running smoothly, but when falling asleep seems nearly impossible, it can feel like you’re trapped in an endless loop of restless nights and sluggish days, with no relief in sight. With all the stress, anxiety, and overstimulation in this day and age, it’s no surprise that a third of Americans have trouble falling or staying asleep.
As frustrating as this nightly battle is, resorting to strong sleep medications can sometimes do more harm than good. While they might help you fall asleep faster, they tend to come with undesirable side effects like daytime drowsiness or dependence.
Functional mushrooms, on the other hand, are a natural alternative to pharmaceuticals without all the issues associated with them. By lowering stress and regulating the nervous system, evidence suggests that certain mushrooms can help you drift off naturally and stay asleep all night so you can wake up feeling well-rested and ready to take on whatever life throws at you.
The Best Functional Mushrooms for Sleep
Reishi
When it comes to sleep, reishi is a favorite among those seeking natural solutions. For over 2,000 years, reishi has been praised by traditional Chinese medicine for its ability to promote relaxation and improve sleep. Now that modern science has caught up to this ancient knowledge, we now know that this mushroom contains several powerful bioactive compounds, like polysaccharides and triterpenoids, which have been linked to anti-anxiety and sedative effects.
Studies show that these compounds in reishi can support our adrenal glands, therefore reducing and regulating the release of cortisol and epinephrine, which can otherwise lead to chronic stress and sleep disturbances.
Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane mushrooms are often celebrated for their cognitive-boosting effects, but did you know that they’re also excellent for supporting a good night’s rest? The specialized compounds in lion’s mane–hericenones and erinacines–have been shown to stimulate nerve regeneration and boost brain health. This support not only helps keep your brain functioning properly but also calms the nervous system, helping to reduce anxiety and stress—key factors that often lead to sleepless nights.
When your brain is supported by healthy neurons and your nervous system is balanced, falling asleep feels more natural. The stress-reducing effects of lion’s mane may help improve the body’s sleep patterns over time, ensuring that your body cycles through the necessary stages of deep, restorative sleep.
Chaga
Packed with loads of antioxidants, chaga can help regulate sleep patterns by improving the immune system. Antioxidants protect cells from harmful free radicals, a type of unstable molecule that can damage healthy cells, leading to inflammation and weakened immune function—two major contributors to poor sleep quality.
Chronic inflammation in the body can result in the overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are proteins that can trigger an immune response and disrupt normal sleep cycles in the process. Chaga’s antioxidants help fight off oxidative damage and support the body’s natural defenses, reducing inflammation, regulating the sleep-wake cycle, and ensuring you get the deep, restorative sleep your body needs to function properly and thrive.
Cordyceps
Although cordyceps mushrooms are known to provide energy and stamina, they can also support sleep by helping the body manage stress and fatigue. Cordyceps has been found to lower cortisol levels, helping the body remain calm and relaxed.
Furthermore, cordyceps contains a compound called cordycepin, which has been found to interact with adenosine receptors in the brain. These receptors control the sleep-wake cycle, increasing the natural urge to sleep by encouraging the brain to wind down for the night, especially in regards to NREM sleep, the deep stage of sleep essential for repair and recovery.
When To Take Functional Mushrooms for Sleep
The best time to take functional mushrooms for sleep depends on your personal needs and how your body responds to them. Mushrooms like lion’s mane and cordyceps are best taken at the beginning of your day since they can help boost focus and energy. On the other hand, reishi is rather relaxing and best taken when winding down. Chaga isn’t known to have any direct effects on energy levels, so it can be taken at any time of the day.
That being said, when it comes to adding mushrooms to your bedtime routine, consistency is going to matter so much more than anything else. Find a routine that works for you and stick with it. No matter the time of day, regular use is what makes the difference.
Health and Safety Considerations
Sleep is a major aspect of your health, so if you suspect you may have a sleep disorder, you should always seek advice from a medical professional. Mushrooms are an excellent natural remedy for supporting sleep, but as with starting any new supplement, it's best to discuss your options with your healthcare provider to ensure you’re getting all the support you need to get back on track to a better night’s rest.