Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) isn’t your average mushroom. With its shaggy, white tendrils resembling a lion’s mane, this fungus has roared into the spotlight of health and wellness circles - and for good reason. We have long celebrated its starring role in our teas, coffees, and cacao blends, but the science behind it truly excites us.
Research worldwide has been piling up, showing Lion’s Mane may boost brain health, ease stress, and even shield against neurodegenerative diseases. From ancient Chinese medicine to modern labs, this mushroom’s journey is one of magic backed by increasing evidence.
It doesn’t look like your typical mushroom, but it offers way more than its peculiar appearance gives off, and for many, it has become a darling of the wellness world.
Its popularity has surged because studies have shown benefits like improved memory, reduced anxiety, reduced inflammation and protection against brain decline.
Historically prized in East Asia for its medicinal effects, utilised by tech bros and biohackers in Silicon Valley, and now Lion’s Mane is a global sensation, popping up in supplements, foods, drinks and indeed, our own creations.
Every day people are regularly incorporating mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and finding improvements both physically and mentally, so let’s unpack the evidence behind the Lion’s Mane magic.
So, what makes Lion’s Mane special? It’s all about chemistry. This mushroom is packed with bioactive compounds like hericenones and erinacines, which are the secret sauce behind its brain-boosting potential. These compounds stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein vital for growing and repairing brain cells. More on that later. Together, they kickstart neurogenesis - the birth of new brain cells, making Lion’s Mane a standout for cognitive health. Along with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory perks, you’ve got a substance that’s as good for your body as it is for your mind.
The research on Lion’s Mane is a treasure trove of potential. Studies spotlight its ability to enhance cognition, protect nerves, and ease low mood. For example:
A 2023 pilot study in Nutrients found that Lion’s Mane’s bioactive properties show potential for boosting brain function and mood. A pilot study tested its effects on healthy young adults using 1.8 grams daily. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a single dose improved performance speed on a cognitive task within an hour. After 28 days, participants reported slightly less stress. The conclusion warranted larger studies in the future.
In this 2019 study, research from tests on rats showed that compounds in Lion’s Mane support the central nervous system, with preclinical studies suggesting benefits for ischemic stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and depression. This research highlights the neuro-health potential of erinacine-enriched Lion’s Mane and its safety for consumption.
From stress reduction to nerve repair, evidence is mounting that Lion’s Mane is more than folklore.
Lion’s Mane is most commonly used for sharpening the mind. A lot of research has been targeted at its cognitive perks, especially for memory and focus.
The 2023 study by Nutrients found that when healthy young adults were administered a dose of Lion’s Mane before they partook in something known as a ‘Stroop task’ - AKA a test of mental speed, the results were extremely positive.
We know that Lion’s Mane sparks Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). This is a protein that promotes the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons. It plays a key role in the nervous system’s development and repair, binding to specific receptors to support neuron function and plasticity.
This 2018 paper backs this up and explores how Lion’s Mane enriched with erinacines supports brain and nerve health. In simple terms, results showed it may reduce damage from stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and depression by protecting neurons, lowering inflammation, and improving behaviours like memory or movement. It also shows promise for easing neuropathic pain and age-related hearing loss. The mushroom appears safe, with no major side effects.
Could Lion’s Mane fend off Alzheimer’s? The research is exciting.
Dysregulation of NGF is linked to conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s. This tragic disease, marked by memory loss and brain cell death, involves a process where a type of plaque called ‘amyloid-beta plaque’ clogs the neural pathways in the brain.
Imagine your brain as a fraying tapestry, Alzheimer’s unravelling its threads. Lion’s Mane acts like a master weaver, reinforcing connections to sharpen thinking and daily tasks. This study suggests it could gently mend cognitive decline, showing participants demonstrated sharper thinking and stronger daily skills while keeping the brain’s delicate patterns, like memory pathways, more intact than the placebo. Trials are ongoing.
A 2020 Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience study gave enriched Lion’s Mane to mild Alzheimer’s patients for 49 weeks - three 350mg capsules daily. The results were very interesting. Patients gained better cognitive scores and were less dependent on help.
Lion’s Mane can reduce plaque damage and spur neuron regrowth, and may shield brain cells from Alzheimer’s devastating effects. While human trials are ongoing and need more time, findings suggest Lion’s Mane could be a natural ally alongside modern medicine and therapies.
This 2024 study in the ‘Journal of Functional Foods’ looked at how Lion’s Mane might help keep your brain sharp as you age. Over 8 weeks, 33 people were split into two groups: one took Lion’s Mane, the other a placebo, without knowing which. The researchers tested thinking skills with quick, non-verbal tasks and checked blood markers linked to brain health. They also looked at gut bacteria and enzymes. The Lion’s Mane group showed better thinking skills, especially when factoring in their starting scores, age, gender, and gut enzyme levels. Their gut bacteria also became more diverse, which seemed tied to higher levels of brain-supporting proteins. The researchers think Lion’s Mane works by helping your body absorb its active ingredients. Best of all, Lion’s Mane was safe and easy to take, suggesting it could be a great way to boost brain power.
At its core, Lion’s Mane nudges your brain to grow and repair itself. It contains natural goodies that boost nerve growth factor - a kind of fertiliser for brain cells. More NGF means your brain can sprout new cells and mend old ones, keeping your thinking sharp and your memory on point. These compounds slip into your brain easily, which is a rare trick for natural ingredients, and get to work fostering a healthier, happier mind.
But that’s not all, as Lion’s Mane is also a bit of a peacekeeper. It helps calm inflammation, like soothing a stormy sea, thanks to its antioxidants. These helpers tackle stress in your body, which can otherwise fog up your focus or mood. By keeping things balanced, Lion’s Mane supports clearer thoughts and an elevated mood.
Could Lion’s Mane help protect our brains from serious conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis (MS)?
This 2025 paper in Nutrients again shows how Lion’s Mane supports brain and nerve health and can reduce damage from stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and depression by protecting neurons, reducing inflammation, and improving behaviours like memory and movement.
For MS, where the protective coating around nerves gets damaged, Lion’s Mane might support rebuilding efforts, keeping signals flowing smoothly.
Most of this hope comes from animal studies, where Lion’s Mane has shown it can shield and repair brain cells. Human research is still catching up, so we don’t yet have the full picture. But the signs are promising.
When it comes to Lion’s Mane, research falls into two camps: animal studies and human trials. Both offer exciting clues about this mushroom’s potential, but they tell different stories. Animal studies, mostly with mice and rats, are the heavy hitters so far. They show Lion’s Mane boosting memory, repairing nerve cells, and even tackling brain damage linked to conditions like Alzheimer’s. But the catch is, that mice aren’t people, the doses they get don’t always line up with what humans might need, and their bodies work differently Human trials are newer and fewer, but scientists are taking knowledge from animal studies, and extrapolating this into human trials to see how it can help people.
Is Lion’s Mane safe to enjoy? The picture is broadly positive, with just a few caveats. Studies show it’s generally well-tolerated, even at higher doses.
In human trials, doses of 1–3 grams daily have shown no serious issues. That said, there’s a small chance of side effects. Some people might experience mild stomach discomfort, but it’s rare. Occasional allergic reactions are noted, like rashes or breathing trouble, though these are uncommon and usually tied to mushroom sensitivities. If you have allergies, check with your doctor first.
What’s next for Lion’s Mane research? The possibilities are exciting, and there’s so much more to uncover. Scientists need to explore how it affects brain health over the long haul – could it keep our minds sharp well into our later years?
There’s also curiosity around its potential for easing mood challenges, like anxiety or depression - might it one day stand alongside traditional treatments?
Beyond Alzheimer’s, could it help with conditions like Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis? And how does it team up with healthy habits, like a balanced diet?
Dosage can vary from person to person. Research points to 1 to 3 grams daily as a sweet spot for boosting focus, mood, or memory. Your physical size and goals might affect the dose, too - a smaller person might love 1 gram, while a larger one may lean toward 3 grams. Let’s break it down.
Consistency is key, like a daily brain vitamin. Studies show that 1 gram daily can lift memory over months, while 2 grams may ease stress in weeks. For a quick focus boost, 1.8 grams has worked fast in younger folks.
The quality of the product you buy is a factor. Extracts derived from fruiting bodies (the mushroom’s cap and stem) deliver the most power.
Efficacy depends on you. Stress relief builds slowly; focus might perk up sooner. Some feel clearer in days; others need weeks. The effects tend not to be instant, but rather, they compound -- like small workouts adding strength.
Drinking our own Lion’s Mane Tea, Coffee, and Cacao Bliss throughout the day will hit that 1–3-gram range with premium fruiting bodies for maximum potency. Start slowly and build up, and pair with a healthy diet and exercise for a winning combo.
Lion’s Mane shows an exciting potential for cognitive health, from sharpening focus and memory to supporting mood and possibly shielding against brain decline.
Human studies are catching up, and as more work is done, we will be able to fully grasp its long-term impact. We should stay curious and keep watching. The next wave of research using new technologies like AI could unlock even more of this mushroom’s magic.
Explore our products for ways you can tap into the many benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms.
Amyloid-Beta Plaques: Sticky protein clumps in the brain, disrupting cell function.
Bioavailable: How easily nutrients are absorbed and used by the body.
Erinacines: Compounds in Lion’s Mane that boost NGF & support brain cell growth.
Fruiting Body: The mushroom’s cap and stem, where most bioactive goodies hide.
Hericenones: Compounds that protect neurons & spark brain cell survival.
Neurodegenerative: Types of diseases where nerve cells progressively die off.
Neurogenesis: The process of growing new brain cells, key for learning and memory.
Nerve Growth Factor (NGF): A protein that helps brain cells grow, repair, and thrive.
Polysaccharides: Complex carbs with antioxidant & anti-inflammatory properties.
Stroop Task: A test measuring mental speed and focus.
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