How Much Reishi Do I Need For Better Sleep? The Science Behind Nature's Powerful Relaxant
Reishi is considered one of nature’s most powerful sleep and relaxation aids. This natural remedy to insomnia, anxiety, and fatigue can be incredibly beneficial for those looking for a good night’s sleep without ingesting harmful sedatives.
But how much reishi mushroom dosage do you need for sleep? The answer is that it depends on the person, but anywhere between 1-3 grams taken for more than 14 days can put you right where you need to be in terms of relaxation and rest.
Can you trust Reishi mushroom for sleep? Absolutely, and here’s why.
Research on Reishi Mushroom for Sleep
Reishi, scientifically known as G. lucidum, is one of nature’s natural sleep remedies and tonics used in ancient Chinese medicine for over 2000 years.
This mushroom continues to wow researchers and scientists who want to know what makes this mushroom highly sought after by traditional medicine practitioners.
Research on Reishi’s history shows that its many benefits described in ancient texts include:
- Enhancing vital energy
- Strengthening cardiac function
- Increasing memory
- Antiaging effects
- Improving Qi
- Easing the mind
- Improving insomnia
The last benefit, improving insomnia, might seem too good to be true for a rare mushroom that’s tough, fibrous, and woody.
On the contrary, it’s reishi’s many compounds and chemical structure that make it such an effective anti-insomnia and anti-fatigue remedy, and there’s science to back it up.
How Does Reishi Improve Sleep?
Both animal and human studies show that reishi improves sleep directly and indirectly. This means that reishi can potentially affect sleep through possible interactions in the hypothalamus of the brain, and also by allowing the mind and body to relax before sleep.
Studies Find Reishi Improves Sleep Latency and Total Sleep Time
Researchers who used reishi in an animal study using pentobarbital-treated rodents found that reishi vastly improved total sleep time and sleep latency.
Sleep latency is the time it takes to go to sleep. Reducing sleep latency is crucial if you’re someone who struggles to fall asleep and constantly tosses and turns.
This sleep study used 80mg/kg of body weight for rats. In addition to reducing sleep latency, rodents also showed improved total sleep time, non-REM sleep time, and light sleep time. This study is only one of several animal studies on reishi, which are a good indicator of how medicines like reishi impact the physical body.
Yet another study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology used the same extract of reishi mushroom dosage for sleep (80mg/kg) in rats. This 2012 study also showed that total sleep time improved by 97% and non-REM sleep improved by 98% after 3 days of administering reishi extract!
Studies Show Reishi Improves Fatigue
Have you ever heard of the expression, “Too tired to sleep?” It’s actually proven that being overly exhausted and fatigued can make it more difficult to fall asleep. That’s because an overtired mind filled with anxiety puts the body on high alert.
Fortunately, studies have also shown that reishi can help improve both anxiety and levels of fatigue. One study conducted on over 1,300 cancer patients showed several symptom improvements after taking reishi. These included improvements in:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Poor appetite
- Depression
Other animal studies, such as this one published in the International Journal of Medical Research and Health Sciences, found that reishi extracts in mice had anti-anxiety effects similar to the anti-anxiety drug diazepam.
These eye-opening studies show that reishi can help people unwind, relax, and ease their minds to help with sleep.
Dosages for Reishi
All of these studies give us a clue as to how much reishi is needed to improve sleep. For an average person weighing 150 lbs, 80mg/kg would equal to roughly 5,440 mg or around 5 g.
Of course, you might not find a dosage as reishi high as 5 g readily available. However, even smaller doses of 20 and 75 mg/kg have been studied and shown to improve anxiety and fatigue.
Perhaps the most important thing to remember when taking reishi is to follow the recommended dosage on the product label. Some reishi products might offer 300mg to 500mg, while other elixirs combine reishi with other powerful nootropic extracts in smaller amounts.
Either way, always follow the recommended dosage when first beginning your reishi intake.
Some of the many products that include reishi include:
- Capsules: These are a good option for people who want a convenient way to take a specific dosage, as they come in pre-measured amounts.
- Powder: Reishi powder can be added to smoothies, teas, or other drinks. This is a popular choice for people who want to add reishi into their daily routine without taking capsules or tablets.
- Gummies: Gummies like Zen Bites offer a convenient and tasty way to get your daily dose of reishi along with other powerful mushrooms.
- Tinctures: Tinctures are made by soaking reishi in alcohol, allowing its compounds to dissolve. This liquid can then be added to a drink or taken orally.
Try our delicious & potent mushroom gummies infused with Reishi & 9 other nootropic mushrooms!
When Should I Take Reishi?
There is no study that definitively shows whether taking reishi at night or in the morning impacts sleep more or less. You can easily take it during the morning to help calm your mind during the day or take it at night to unwind.
The best thing to do is incorporate reishi into your existing routine. If you have trouble sleeping, try taking a dose of Reishi before bed and see how it affects you. Some people may find that it helps them fall asleep faster, while others might feel more relaxed but still awake.
It's important to pay attention to your own body and adjust the timing and dosage accordingly.
How Long Should I Take Reishi For?
The length of time you take reishi also depends on your body, the form of reishi you're taking, and the dosage. Again, there is no solid length of time to take reishi. However, animal studies on reishi have ranged from 3 days to 14 days. At 14 days, studies show that reishi's effect on anti-fatigue is more readily seen in mice.
Overall, it's better to take reishi for the long term and make it a part of your daily routine. The benefits of reishi are cumulative, meaning the longer you take it, the more pronounced its effects will be.
Tips on Maximizing Reishi Benefits for Sleep
In addition to following the proper dosage of reishi, there are other ways you can maximize on reishi's calming impact. Here are just a few.
Create a routine
Proper sleep hygiene is crucial for getting a good night's rest. By incorporating reishi into your nightly routine, you can help your body and mind prepare for sleep. Shut off the lights, turn off electronics, and take a dose of reishi to signal to your body that it's time to unwind and relax.
Combine with other nootropics
If you're someone who likes to get the most benefit from different substances, gummies like Zen Bites combine the power of reishi with other nootropics like Lion's Mane and Chaga. Consider exploring different formulations and seeing what works best for you.
Start off small
Starting off small can be a great way to see how reishi affects your body. Begin by taking a lower dose and gradually increasing it over time. This can help you find the perfect dosage and minimize the risk of any adverse effects of reishi, no matter how small they might be.
Be consistent
As with any supplement, consistency is key when taking reishi. Make sure to incorporate it into your daily routine and stick with it for the bets results. Don't expect immediate or drastic changes, but rather, look for small improvements in sleep quality over time.
Relax and Feel Energized with Reishi and Zen Bites
Overall, reishi can be a powerful ally in promoting relaxation and improving sleep quality. If you're looking to improve sleep quality, feel energized, and boost mental clarity, Zen Bites is your go-to nootropic gummy!
Try our delicious & potent mushroom gummies infused with Reishi & 9 other nootropic mushrooms!
Our daily gummies are 100% vegan and made with high-quality extracts of mushrooms, including reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, and more. Earthy and sweet, Zen Bites is super easy to enjoy and incorporate into your night or morning routine.
Experience the benefits of reishi and other nootropics with Zen Bites today!