Reishi and Zoloft Interaction
There is no evidence suggesting that Reishi and Zoloft interact. However, Zoloft may have negative interactions with certain substances. Therefore, although Reishi is just a supplement, in case you are thinking about using it while taking Zoloft, please consult it with your doctor. For example, combining Zoloft with St. John's Wort can be dangerous.
What Is Reishi?
Reishi is a type of mushroom also known as Ganoderma lucidum. Its use comes from traditional Chinese medicine where it has been used for centuries. There, they refer to Reishi as the “mushroom of immortality” [1, 2].
In Chinese medicine, it is believed that Reishi has therapeutic properties including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-anxiety, and antidepressant qualities [1, 2].
Reishi is full of bioactive compounds like polysaccharides, alkaloids, triterpenoids, sterols, proteins, nucleosides, and nucleotides which are thought to contribute to the medicinal benefits of Reishi [1].
Regarding the immune system, Reishi has been found to activate dendritic cells. These cells are important in the initiation of the immune response and also act to release IL-23 cytokine which plays a key role in the immune response to infections [3].
The anti-cancer properties of Reishi have been shown in studies where it helped to inhibit the growth and migration of certain cancer types, for example, breast cancer cells [4, 5, 6].
Reishi is also effective in the reduction of blood pressure in hypertensive rats, which suggests its function as a natural treatment for hypertension [7, 8].
In gut health, Reishi has been found to modulate secondary bile acids, intestinal microflora, and propionate, which are all important for colon health [9].
However, more research, especially in humans, needs to be conducted to understand the health benefits of Reishi.
What is Zoloft?
Zoloft, or sertraline, is a prescription medicine. Zoloft belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) [10, 11].
The active ingredient in Zoloft, making the drug effective, is called sertraline [10, 12, 13]. It works by increasing the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, in the brain [14].
Zoloft is taken orally either in the form of an oral tablet or an oral liquid solution [10].
The use of Zoloft is primarily for mental health conditions in adults, such as major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), social anxiety disorder, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder [10, 11, 12, 13].
Zoloft is also approved to be used in children to treat OCD [10, 13].
Can You Take Reishi and Zoloft Simultaneously?
Although there is no scientific evidence addressing this question, it is important to remember that the combination of an antidepressant like Zoloft with anything should be consulted with your healthcare provider. That is mainly because there might be potential negative interactions which may trigger adverse side effects or worsen the side effects of Zoloft. For instance, Zoloft may interact with Mucinex.
What are the side effects of Zoloft? Let’s use Medisearch to find out: