Adaptogenic Effects of Mushroom Blend Supplementation on Stress, Fatigue, and Sleep: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Trial 

Authors: Ahmad Safiyyu’d-din Hisamuddin, Faiqah Ramli, Teik Kee Leo, Mohamad Shazeli Che Zain, Mei Szin Wong, Mohd Raili Suhaili, Le Jie Lee, and Tze Yan Lee 

Journal: Brain and Behavior 

Study Design: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial conducted over 12 weeks. Participants attended visits at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.

Participants: 50 healthy adults (25 in the supplement group, 25 in the placebo group) aged 22–55 years who reported experiencing at least three stress-related symptoms (e.g., headaches, exhaustion, sleep disturbances).

Intervention: * Supplement: Daily consumption of two 500 mg capsules of “Restake,” a proprietary mushroom blend.

• Material Utilized: A proprietary blend extract of five medicinal mushrooms standardized to contain >30% β-glucan and >30% total polysaccharides. The blend includes:
  • Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) 
  • Cordyceps militaris 
  • Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) 
  • Lentinula edodes (Shiitake) 
  • Grifola frondosa (Maitake) 
• Plant Part (Fruiting Body/Mycelium): Not explicitly specified in the paper (referred to as “mushroom blend extract”).
• Placebo: Identical-looking capsules containing only excipients (beta-cyclodextrin and Arabic gum).

Outcome Measures:

• Psychological/Subjective: Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Visual Analog Scale for Fatigue (VAS-F), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
• Physiological/Biomarkers: Serum levels of cortisol, adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), norepinephrine (NE), melatonin, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Summary: The study evaluated the adaptogenic effects of a 500 mg daily mushroom blend (Restake) on stress, fatigue, and sleep quality. After 6 and 12 weeks, the mushroom group showed significantly greater reductions in anxiety (STAI-S, HAM-A), depression (BDI), and perceived stress (PSS) compared to the placebo group. These improvements were mirrored by significant decreases in the stress biomarkers cortisol and ACTH. Additionally, the supplement group experienced significant improvements in sleep quality (PSQI) and physical fatigue, along with a decrease in the inflammatory marker CRP. The study concluded that the mushroom blend is a well-tolerated and effective natural intervention for managing psychological stress and fatigue while improving sleep.