Best Mushroom for Chronic Headaches? Benefits & Possible Side Effects

What Is a Chronic Headache?

A chronic daily headache is generally defined as a headache occurring on 15 or more days per month for at least three months . It is not one specific diagnosis. Instead, it is an umbrella term that can include:

• Chronic migraine
• Chronic tension-type headache
• Medication-overuse headache
• Hemicrania continua
• New daily persistent headache

Chronic migraine and chronic tension-type headache are among the most common forms. Medication overuse should also be considered in anyone experiencing frequent or worsening headaches.

Because headaches can have many different causes, anyone experiencing frequent, disabling, worsening or unusual headaches should speak to a GP or another qualified healthcare professional.

How Chronic Headaches Affect Everyday Life

The effects of chronic headaches often extend well beyond the pain itself.

A person may also experience:

• Poor or disrupted sleep
• Fatigue and low energy
• Brain fog
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
• Nausea or dizziness
• Irritability
• Anxiety about the next headache
• Reduced productivity
• Missed work or social plans

This is why chronic headaches can feel so exhausting. It is not simply a matter of managing pain. It is the way repeated headaches can interrupt routines, relationships, exercise, rest and confidence.

Headache disorders are among the most common neurological conditions worldwide and can cause considerable disruption to work, education and everyday activities.

Chronic Headaches and Migraines: What Is the Difference?

The words headache and migraine are often used interchangeably, but they do not always mean the same thing.

A headache generally refers to pain or pressure in the head or face. Depending on the type, it might feel dull, tight, sharp, constant or throbbing.

Migraine is a complex neurological disorder that can involve much more than head pain. A migraine attack may include:

• Throbbing or pulsating pain
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light, sound or smells
• Visual disturbances
• Dizziness
• Neck stiffness
• Fatigue
• Difficulty thinking clearly

The International Classification of Headache Disorders defines chronic migraine as a headache occurring on at least 15 days per month for more than three months, with migraine features present on at least eight of those days.

Understanding which type of headache you experience matters because different headache disorders can require very different approaches.

Can Reishi Help With Chronic Headaches?

There is not currently enough clinical evidence to say that Reishi reduces the frequency, duration or severity of chronic headaches. However, what makes Reishi interesting is its wider range of naturally occurring compounds and the early research into their biological activity.

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi , also known as Ganoderma lucidum , contains several groups of bioactive compounds, including:

• Triterpenes
• Polysaccharides
• Sterols
• Proteins
• Nucleotides
• Fatty acids
• Organic acids

Laboratory and animal research has investigated the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity of some of these compounds, particularly Reishi triterpenes. A 2026 systematic review found that Reishi triterpenes reduced several inflammatory markers in cell and animal models.

The research is very promising and justifies further investigation. That said, further clinical studies are required to support a medicinal claim.

Learn more about Reishi and its health benefits here!

How Reishi Supports Headache Management

Although Reishi is not an immediate headache remedy, it can still fit into a broader routine focused on consistency, rest and general wellbeing.

Headache patterns can be influenced by many factors, including:

• Stress
• Dehydration
• Irregular meals
• Poor sleep
• Alcohol
• Hormonal changes
• Eyesight problems
• Changes in caffeine intake
• Overuse of pain medication

This is where Reishi is a valuable addition to a headache-conscious routine by mitigating common triggers. Acting as an adaptogen it helps stabilise the nervous system and manage cortisol levels, making it a natural daily support in building resilience.

Stress Modulation

Chronic stress is a primary culprit for tension headaches. Reishi contains compounds that regulate the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, the body’s central stress response system.

Sleep Improvement

Poor sleep hygiene is heavily linked to headache recurrence. Reishi is well-known for its calming properties that promote deeper, more restorative sleep without making you feel groggy the next day.

Inflammation & Antioxidant Support

Ganoderic acids and polysaccharides found in Reishi help reduce neuroinflammation and scavenge free radicals, minimizing the oxidative stress that can accompany recurring headaches.

What Reishi Does Not Do

It is just as important to understand what Reishi cannot do.

Reishi:

• Does not work like paracetamol or ibuprofen
• Is not an immediate pain reliever
• Is not a proven migraine treatment
• Should not replace prescribed medication
• Should not delay a medical assessment
• Should not be expected to stop a headache immediately

Functional mushroom supplements are to be used consistently rather than as an emergency response to symptoms.

Anyone promising an instant or guaranteed result from a mushroom supplement is making a claim that is not supported by reliable clinical evidence.

Medication-Overuse Headaches

Medication-overuse headache is an important consideration for anyone frequently using painkillers or migraine medication.

It can develop when medicines used to manage acute headache symptoms are taken too frequently over a period of more than three months. The precise threshold varies depending on the medication, but it may be 10 or 15 days of use per month.

This does not mean that someone should suddenly stop prescribed medication without support.

A GP, pharmacist or headache specialist can help assess medication use and create a safe treatment plan. Supplements such as Reishi should not be used to replace necessary medication or to manage withdrawal from it.

Reishi Side Effects and Interactions

Reishi is generally well tolerated. Possible reactions can vary depending on the person, everyone is different and although not very common, minor side effects are possible.

Reishi may interact with certain medications. In particular, people taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines should seek medical advice because Reishi may thin blood. People taking immunosuppressants, chemotherapy or medicines affected by liver enzymes should also speak to their healthcare provider before using it.

Rare case reports involving powdered Reishi products have included liver toxicity and prolonged digestive symptoms. These reports do not mean that everyone taking Reishi will experience a serious reaction, but they demonstrate why supplement quality, responsible dosing and professional advice matter.

Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified professional before taking Reishi if you:

• Take regular medication
• Take blood thinners
• Have a bleeding disorder
• Use immunosuppressant medication
• Are receiving cancer treatment
• Have liver or kidney problems
• Have an autoimmune condition
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Are preparing for surgery
• Are buying a supplement for a child

Stop taking the product and seek advice if you develop an unexpected or persistent reaction.

What About Other Functional Mushrooms?

Different functional mushrooms are chosen for different wellness goals, but none has been clinically established as a treatment for chronic headaches.

For a headache-conscious routine, Reishi is the most natural starting point because its traditional positioning is more closely connected with calm, rest and balance.

Why Choose a Mushroom Tincture?

Functional mushrooms are available as powders, capsules, teas, gummies and tinctures. A mushroom tincture is a concentrated liquid extract. This is why it is considered to be the best way to take functional mushrooms.

Many people switch to mushroom tinctures because they are:

• Quick to take
• Easy to measure
• Convenient when travelling
• Simple to add to an existing routine
• Easy to take directly or mix into a drink
• Considered more effective and fast acting

Mogo Farm mushroom tinctures also use a complicated multi-phase dual extraction process utilising purified water and alcohol at different stages of extraction. These liquids draw out different groups of naturally occurring mushroom compounds that once combined the final product is far superior to any other form of mushroom supplement.

How to Choose a Quality Reishi Product

The mushroom supplement market can vary considerably in transparency and consistency. It’s important to note that liquid mushroom extracts (tinctures) cannot be compared like for like with other forms such as powders or capsules.

To learn more about mushroom extracts, their forms and finding the most effective one – click on the useful links below:

Why Mogo Farm?

We are a mushroom farm based in the Derbyshire countryside. Our mission is simple: Make the best mushroom tinctures possible.

Trusted by 50,000+ Customers

More than 50,000 happy customers have chosen Mogo Farm for simple, reliable mushroom support. (As of July 2026)

Gold Standard Liquid Extractions

Our multi-stage, ultrasound-assisted dual-extraction process is designed to access a broader range of these naturally occurring compounds.

The result is a super strength concentrated 1:3 liquid mushroom extract.

Pure, UK Ingredients

Our tinctures are made using UK grown mushroom fruiting bodies, purified water and alcohol, without unnecessary additives or preservatives.

Third Party Tested

We always seek independent verification. Every batch is sent to a UK laboratory for chemical analysis and confirmation of active compound presence.

Dedicated Team

Run by a small dedicated team of mycologists and mushroom enthusiasts.

What Mogo Farm Customers Say

Check out all our reviews here!

Final Thoughts: What Is the Best Mushroom for Chronic Headaches?

No mushroom has been clinically proven to treat chronic headaches or migraines.

However, for adults looking to add a functional mushroom to a broader wellness routine, Reishi is the most relevant option to consider .

Its triterpenes and other compounds have demonstrated interesting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity in laboratory research. The limitation is that these findings have not yet established a direct benefit for people with migraines or chronic headaches.

Reishi is therefore best viewed as:

• A general wellness supplement
• A consistent addition to an established routine
• A mushroom associated with balance and recovery
• A complement to healthy habits and appropriate medical care

It is not a painkiller, a migraine medicine or a cure.

The most effective approach to recurring headaches begins with identifying the type of headache, seeking professional guidance, monitoring possible triggers and building dependable everyday habits.

References

1. Ahmad, R., Riaz, M., Khan, A., Aljamea, A., Algheryafi, M., Sewaket, D. and Alqathama, A. (2021) ‘Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) an edible mushroom; a comprehensive and critical review of its nutritional, cosmeceutical, mycochemical, pharmacological, clinical, and toxicological properties’, Phytotherapy Research , 35(11), pp. 6030–6062. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7215
2. Dudhgaonkar, S., Thyagarajan, A. and Sliva, D. (2009) ‘Suppression of the inflammatory response by triterpenes isolated from the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum’, International Immunopharmacology , 9(11), pp. 1272–1280. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intimp.2009.07.011
3. Feng, X. and Wang, Y. (2019) ‘Anti-inflammatory, anti-nociceptive and sedative-hypnotic activities of lucidone D extracted from Ganoderma lucidum’, Cellular and Molecular Biology , 65(4), pp. 37–42. Available at: https://doi.org/10.14715/cmb/2019.65.4.6
4. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2018a) ‘1.3 Chronic migraine’, The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition . Available at: https://ichd-3.org/1-migraine/1-3-chronic-migraine/ (Accessed: 18 July 2026).
5. Headache Classification Committee of the International Headache Society (IHS) (2018b) ‘8.2 Medication-overuse headache’, The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition . Available at: https://ichd-3.org/8-headache-attributed-to-a-substance-or-its-withdrawal/8-2-medication-overuse-headache-moh/ (Accessed: 18 July 2026).
6. Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (n.d.) ‘Reishi mushroom’. Available at: https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/integrative-medicine/herbs/reishi-mushroom (Accessed: 18 July 2026).
7. NHS (2024) ‘Headaches’. Last reviewed 17 April 2024. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/headaches/ (Accessed: 18 July 2026).
8. Pozzobon, R.G., Rutckeviski, R., de Lima, L.S., Oliveira, C.S. and Smiderle, F.R. (2026) ‘Anti-inflammatory potential of Ganoderma lucidum triterpenes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence’, Pharmaceuticals , 19(1), article 188. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010188
9. World Health Organization (2025) ‘Migraine and other headache disorders’. 24 October. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/headache-disorders (Accessed: 18 July 2026).
10. Wu, D-T., Deng, Y., Chen, L-X., Zhao, J., Bzhelyansky, A. and Li, S-P. (2017) ‘Evaluation on quality consistency of Ganoderma lucidum dietary supplements collected in the United States’, Scientific Reports , 7, article 7792. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-06336-3
11. Wu, P., Zhang, C., Yin, Y., Zhang, X., Li, Q., Yuan, L., Sun, Y., Zhou, S., Ying, S. and Wu, J. (2024) ‘Bioactivities and industrial standardization status of Ganoderma lucidum: A comprehensive review’, Heliyon , 10(19), article e36987. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36987
12. Yancey, J.R., Sheridan, R. and Koren, K.G. (2014) ‘Chronic daily headache: Diagnosis and management’, American Family Physician , 89(8), pp. 642–648. Available at: https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2014/0415/p642.html (Accessed: 18 July 2026).
13. Zheng, S., Zhang, W. and Liu, S. (2020) ‘Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of polysaccharides and triterpenoids from the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum and evaluation of their in vitro antioxidant capacities’, PLOS ONE , 15(12), article e0244749. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244749