Lion's Mane Mushroom
Lion's mane is studied for cognitive and nerve-related outcomes. Human evidence is still early and mixed.
Overview
What is lion's mane?
Lion's mane mushrooms are white and round fungi that are commonly used in traditional medicine. They can be cultivated indoors on artificial logs or in liquid substrates. Lion's mane contains bioactive compounds including polysaccharides (beta-glucans) and terpenoids, which are often extracted with solvents.
Dosage
A typical dose of lion's mane mushroom is 1,000-3,000 mg daily, divided into three or four doses.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
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Database Snapshot
Most lion's mane mushroom research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Cognitive performance accounts for 3 of 7 studies (43%).
- Alzheimer's disease accounts for 1 of 7 studies (14%).
- Depression accounts for 1 of 7 studies (14%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Alzheimer's disease, Depression, Gastritis.
Safety
Oral lion's mane is likely safe when ingested at the typical dosages. Side effects include diarrhea, skin irritation and nausea.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources7 references
SupplementDEX uses only high-quality sources to determine supplement effectiveness.
SupplementDEX Database · Alzheimer's disease
1 reference1.SupplementDEX Database: Alzheimer's disease — Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study2020
In mild Alzheimer's patients, 49 weeks of erinacine A-enriched Lion's Mane mycelia (1,050 mg/day) did not meet primary cognitive endpoints versus placebo in a pilot RCT.
SupplementDEX Database · Cognitive performance
3 references2.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study2023
In 41 healthy young adults, 28 days of 1.8 g/day Lion's Mane showed acute and chronic cognitive and mood benefits versus placebo.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion's Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance2023
In 40 adults, a single dose of 650 mg guayusa extract or 1 g Nordic Lion's Mane improved cognition on some neuropsychological tests versus placebo.
4.SupplementDEX Database: Cognitive performance — Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus2019
In adults taking Hericium erinaceus fruiting body for 12 weeks, MMSE scores improved versus placebo though other cognitive tests showed limited benefit.
SupplementDEX Database · Depression
1 reference5.SupplementDEX Database: Depression — Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake2010
In adults taking Hericium erinaceus for 4 weeks, depression, anxiety, and sleep quality improved on validated scales versus placebo.
SupplementDEX Database · Gastritis
1 reference6.SupplementDEX Database: Gastritis — A double-blind study of effectiveness of hericium erinaceus pers therapy on chronic atrophic gastritis. A preliminary report1985
A double-blind study of Hericium erinaceus therapy for chronic atrophic gastritis reported preliminary symptomatic benefit versus control.
7.SupplementDEX Database: Mild cognitive impairment — Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial2009
In 30 Japanese adults with mild cognitive impairment, 3 g/day Yamabushitake for 16 weeks improved HDS-R cognitive scores versus placebo.