Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is unique in the mushroom family both in appearance and function. Lion’s Mane Mushroom is extremely effective at stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain.
Known for its powerful effects as a “brain tonic”, Lion’s Mane is said to have been used as a tea for thousands of years by Buddhist monks. To enhance brain power, and heighten their ability to focus during meditation.
Lion’s Mane as a nootropic, is a powerful catalyst for brain cell regeneration helping improve memory and cognition.
The primary active compounds in Lion’s Mane are hericenones and erinacines. Hericenones help your brain produce more Nerve Growth Factor. And erinacines easily cross the blood-brain barrier to boost the production of neurons.
Lion’s Mane helps:
- Nerve Growth Factor. Lion’s Mane Mushroom prevents and treats nerve damage in the brain. Once past the blood-brain barrier, Lion’s Mane stimulates enzyme production that release Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Nerve regeneration helps relieve neurodegenerative disease symptoms such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease.
- Neurogenesis. Lion’s Mane stimulates the repair and creation of neurons. Boosting neurotransmitters and signaling that effects memory, learning, recall, and mood.
- Brain Optimization. Lion’s Mane helps eliminate brain fog. Restoring memory and mental alertness. And improves anxiety and depression symptoms.
Table of Contents
Overview
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a medicinal mushroom proven to benefit the brain, nerves and immune system.
Unlike other mushrooms sporting a cap and stem, Lion’s Mane has long, flowing, white tendrils. Resembling a lion’s mane. Other names include Monkey’s Head, Bearded Tooth, Pom Pom Blanc, Hedgehog Mushroom and Satyr’s Beard.
This parasitic fungus grows hanging off logs and trees. And is native to North American, Europe and Southeast Asia. In Japan, it’s called yamabushitake or “those who sleep in mountains”. Referring to the Shugendo sect of hermit monks and their long, flowing robes.
As a nootropic, Lion’s Mane has been shown to be particularly effective in stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain.
NGF is produced in the hippocampus throughout life. Modulating cholinergic receptors and neuroplasticity.[i] And is essential for learning.
Nerve Growth Factor are special proteins that function to regenerate neurons. Lion’s Mane contains two unique classes of NGF’s – hericenones and erinacines which easily cross the blood-brain barrier.
Lion’s Mane, like other medicinal mushrooms, contain high amounts of the antioxidant beta-glucoxylan and four other polysaccharides and polypeptides. Having a significant impact on enhancing your immune system. And decreasing tumor growth.
Lion’s Mane has also been studied in reducing amyloid plaques. These clumps of beta-amyloid proteins block signals between neurons. And are implicated in Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Lions’ Mane is also used to treat Lyme’s Disease, and digestive tract issues.
Here we’re talking about Lion’s Mane Mushroom and its effects on brain health and chemistry.
How does Lion’s Mane Work in the Brain?
Lion’s Mane boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Lion’s Mane Mushroom stimulates the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that plays a major role in the maintenance, survival and regeneration of neurons.
NGF is required by your brain to keep neurons strong and healthy. When various neurological disorders occur, your brain is unable to produce its own internal source of NGF.
In a study done in Kuala Lumpur in 2013, scientists showed that Lion’s Mane extract induced NGF synthesis and promoted neurite outgrowth.[ii]
- Lion’s Mane is effective in reducing anxiety and depression. Some even call it the “smart mushroom” for its ability to improve cognition, memory and work as an anti-depressant.
A study by researchers in Japan worked with 30 women. The female subjects had been complaining about menopause, depression, sleep quality and other issues.
The women randomly received Lion’s Mane-laced cookies or a placebo for 4 weeks. The researchers found that Lion’s Mane “has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety, and these results suggest a different mechanism from NGF-enhancing action of H. erinaceus”. [iii]
How things go bad
Science once believed that the brain could not grow new brain cells. That once our brain developed during childhood, and we reached adulthood, we had all the brain cells we’d ever have.
Now we know that neurons can regenerate. But that doesn’t mean they will regenerate. A number of health issues can contribute to neurodegeneration.
↓ Decrease in Nerve Growth Factor = Decrease in Long-Term Potentiation affecting long-term memory[iv]
↓ Brain cells die and are not replaced
↓ Neuroplasticity declines resulting in poor memory
↓ Neurotransmitters decline resulting in anxiety, poor mood and depression
All of these age-related changes are contributing factors to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and others. And anxiety, depression and mood disorders that affect quality of life.
Lion’s Mane benefits
At least a dozen peer-reviewed studies have been published on Lion’s Mane benefits to brain health since 1991. Dr. Kawagishi of Japan was first to identify Nerve Growth Factor properties in Lion’s Mane Mushroom.[v]
In one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers in Japan worked with 50 – 80 year old men and women. All suffered from mild cognitive impairment.
The trial subjects received four 250 mg tablets containing 96% of Yamabushitake (Lion’s Mane) dry powder three times a day for 16 weeks. The men and women were tested at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks.
At each of the testing periods, the subjects who had used Lion’s Mane showed a significant improvement in cognitive scores. And their scores were increasing while on Lion’s Mane supplementation. But 4 weeks after stopping Lion’s mane supplementation, their cognitive scores decreased significantly.
The researchers concluded that Lion’s Mane Mushroom is effective in improving mild cognitive impairment.[vi]
How does Lion’s Mane feel?
You may not experience the effects of supplementing with Lion’s Mane Mushroom immediately. But many users report with continued use of Lion’s Mane, a boost in mood and mental energy.
Some report it increases depth perception. And an improvement in sense of smell.
Others testify to improved decision-making, the ability to solve problems and learning. Likely due to Lion’s Mane ability to improve neuroplasticity.
The overall consensus is Lion’s Mane Mushroom’s ability to lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration.
The Research
Lion’s Mane Mushroom has been used as a food and herbal medicine since ancient times in East Asia. And it has been reported in scientific research that Lion’s Mane promotes Nerve Growth Factor both in the petri dish as well as in animal and human test subjects.
Lion’s Mane Prevents Cognitive Dysfunction
In this study, researchers examined the effects of Lion’s Mane on amyloid β(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. Amyloid β(25-35) peptide is implicated in diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Mice were injected with the peptide on days 7 and 14 of the trial. And they were fed a diet containing Lion’s Mane over 23-days of the experiment. The results showed that Lion’s Mane prevented short-term and visual recognition memory reduction normally induced by amyloid β(25-35) peptide.
They concluded that Lion’s Mane Mushroom “may be useful in the prevention of cognitive dysfunction”.[vii]
Lion’s Mane Induces Nerve Growth Factor
In this trial, mice were fed Lion’s Mane 5% freeze-dried powdered extract for 7 days. Researchers found an increase in the level of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the hippocampus of the mice. Concluding that Lion’s Mane “contains active compounds that stimulate NGF synthesis”.[viii]
Lion’s Mane Repairs Nerves
In this study done with rats, Lion’s Mane extract was able to promote neuron regrowth after injury. Rats with gluteal nerve damage were able to walk again after consuming water containing Lion’s Mane extract.
The researchers concluded that Lion’s Mane regenerates damaged nerve cells. In this case, the reversal was so profound, the rats went from being totally disabled to walking again.[ix]
Lion’s Mane Dosage
Wondering how much Lion’s Mane to take? Dosing of Lion’s Mane Mushroom depends on the strength of the extract.
For Lion’s Mane 10:1 extract (30% polysaccharide), daily dosage is 500 – 1,000 mg taken 1 to 3 times per day. This means that if you choose a daily dose of 1,000 mg of Lion’s Mane extract, you should take 500 mg in the morning, and another 500 mg at noon.
Other retail extract dosage of Lion’s Mane ranges from 300 mg to 3000 mg dosed 1 – 3 times per day. Check the label and see what the manufacturer recommends. And when first using the supplement, start with the lowest dose and see how your body reacts.
Lion’s Mane Side Effects
Lion’s Mane Mushroom is non-toxic and considered very safe. So there are very few side effects reported.
Some neurohackers report itchy skin from higher doses. Likely attributable to a boost in Nerve Growth Factor.
Lion’s Mane has been tested in animals showing no side effects or toxicity even up to 5 grams per kilogram.
Best type of Lion’s Mane to buy
Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) as a nootropic supplement is usually offered as an extract. In powdered form, or in a capsule.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom can be found in some of higher quality pre-formulated nootropic stacks. For example, Mind Lab Pro® contains 11 brain enhancing nootropic compounds including Lion’s Mane with the full fruit spectrum including hericenones and erinacines.
I recommend Mind Lab Pro® because it addresses all aspects of anxiety resistance, memory and cognitive enhancement, stabilizes mood, brain repair, and maintenance.
This premium nootropic stack is designed to affect neurotransmitters, cognitive energy, brain waves, neuroprotection, and regeneration. See my Mind Lab Pro review for a detailed report.
When choosing a Lion’s Mane supplement, there’s debate over the best form of extraction to achieve the mushroom’s full medicinal benefit. Some say your best option is a hot water extraction. Another says alcohol extraction. Another claims both are necessary.
But when it comes to mushrooms, saying that one is “more potent” than another is just too simplified to be true. This is as much an art as it is science.
Much more important is choosing a supplement that uses the fruiting body of Lion’s Mane Mushroom. And NOT the mycelium. The nootropic benefits are only found in the fruiting body or top of the mushroom. You get zero nootropic benefit from using a supplement that contains the mycelium or root of the mushroom.
Look at the manufacturer’s literature and marketing material. And read the reviews on shopping sites as well as forums. And find out what works best for you.
Types of Lion’s Mane available:
- Plain Lion’s Mane: Pure, powdered mushroom. Often freeze-dried, and the cheapest form available. Can be added to water, juice or smoothies.
- Lion’s Mane Extracts: A more potent form of mushroom. Often presented as 14:1 or 10:1 extracts (14 pounds or 10 pounds reduced to 1 pound of extract).
- Standardized Lion’s Mane: Processed to provide exact levels of active ingredients. You can get Lion’s Mane standardized to 30% and 50% polysaccharides (including the active secondary metabolites hericenones and erinacines).
- Lion’s Mane tea: Since this is a popular mushroom in the kitchen, the taste is acceptable. But it’s hard to get a handle on how much actual active ingredient you’re getting.
- Amycenone®/PLM-Fraction: This “branded” product is standardized to Hericenones 0.5%, Amyloban 6%. It seems to target a lesser-known Lion’s Mane active ingredient–Amyloban–which is positioned as a mushroom compound that fights beta-amyloid proteins. Originating in Japan, it is extremely expensive, and may be found in a supplement called Amyloban®3399.
And if you decide to pick your own, before consuming any wild mushroom, make sure that it is accurately identified. Mushroom poisoning is a real problem if you pick the wrong one.
For a full list of Mycology societies that may be able to help you, go to the North American Mycological Association website (www.namyco.org).
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Lion’s Mane 500 mg per day
I recommend using Lion’s Mane as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does not make Lion’s Mane on its own. So you need to take it as a supplement.
Lion’s Mane is especially helpful for regenerating brain cells. It prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
And it boosts long-term potentiation for memory and mental sharpness. By stimulating Nerve Growth Factor.
Lion’s Mane also helps boost mood, tame anxiety and relieve depression. For a better quality of life.
We suggest starting with a dose of 500 mg daily. The best human study used 3000 mg per day. But another researcher found lower concentrations may stimulate NGF better than higher concentrations.[x]
Start at 500 mg per day and see how it works for you. If you don’t experience a benefit, boost Lion’s Mane in small increments of 250 mg per day until you notice an improvement. And make sure you are using a supplement containing the fruiting body. And NOT the mycelium.
You can buy individual Lion’s Mane supplements. Or you could try my favorite pre-formulated nootropic stack Mind Lab Pro® which includes the full fruit body spectrum including hericenones and erinacines found in Lion’s Mane Mushroom.
Mind Lab Pro contains a synergistic blend of 11 brain enhancing nootropics covering all aspects of cognition and brain health. See my full Mind Lab Pro review for more.
Lion’s Mane is a great compliment to a nootropic stack including Aniracetam, Alpha GPC and Omega-3’s for an immediate cognitive boost.
[i] Conner J.M. et. Al. “NGF Is Essential for Hippocampal Plasticity and Learning” The Journal of Neuroscience 2 September 2009, 29(35): 10883-10889 (source)
[ii] Lai P.L., Naidu M., Sabaratnam V., Wong K.H., David R.P., Kuppusamy U.R., Abdullah N., Malek S.N. “Neurotrophic properties of the Lion’s mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia.” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2013;15(6):539-54. (source)
[iii] Nagano M., Shimizu K., Kondo R., Hayashi C., Sato D., Kitagawa K., Ohnuki K. “Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake.” Biomedical Research. 2010 Aug;31(4):231-7. (source)
[iv] Kelly A., Conroy S., Lynch M.A. “Evidence that nerve growth factor plays a role in long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus.”Neuropharmacology. 1998 Apr-May;37(4-5):561-70. (source)
[v] Kawagishi H., et. Al. “Erinacines A, B and C, strong stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis, from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceum” Tetrahedron Letters Volume 35, Issue 10, 7 March 1994, Pages 1569–1572 (source)
[vi] Mori K., Inatomi S., Ouchi K., Azumi Y., Tuchida T. “Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.”Phytotherapy Research. 2009 Mar;23(3):367-72. (source)
[vii] Mori K., Obara Y., Moriya T., Inatomi S., Nakahata N. “Effects of Hericium erinaceus on amyloid β(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice.” Biomedical Research. 2011 Feb;32(1):67-72. (source)
[viii] Mori K., et. Al. “Nerve Growth Factor-Inducing Activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 Human Astrocytoma Cells” Biology Pharmaceutical Bulletin September 2008 31(9) 1727—1732 (2008) (source)
[ix] Wong K.H., Naidu M., David P., Abdulla M.A., Abdullah N., Kuppusamy U.R., Sabaratnam V. “Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Following Crush Injury to Rat Peroneal Nerve by Aqueous Extract of Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae).” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:580752. (source)
[x] Sabaratnam V., Kah-Hui W., Naidu M., David P.R. “Neuronal Health – Can Culinary and Medicinal Mushrooms Help?” Journal of Traditional and Complimentary Medicine 2013 Jan-Mar; 3(1): 62–68. (source)
What’s is the best time of day to take lion’s mane?
Morning and noon.
Hi David, I would like to know please if the “Lions Mane Mushroom” and the “PhosphatidylSerine” that I have attached are good enough?, (Mind lab pro is not available in my country)
Thank you for your time.
Mary, I want you to learn how to select quality supplements yourself. Which is why I wrote this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/7-tips-for-choosing-the-highest-quality-nootropic-supplements/.
The last section even has a checklist you can use as a reminder of what you learned in that article.
Hello David, I did what you recommended and I only have these questions, I beg for your help
– How much water do you drink per day?
– The branded form of PS made from soy lecithin called SerinAid®
is currently on Doctor’s Best Best Phosphatidyl Serine, does that make it good enough?
– The Double Wood supplement uses the fruit body of the lion’s mane mushroom. but they also use mycelium, they offer a cheaper price. I was wondering if it is effective enough?
Thanks,
Mary
Mary, the SerinAid® in Doctor’s Best PS is the best available in the USA. I can’t find Sharp PS Green as an individual supplement here. I like to avoid soy but sometimes you need to decide the “good enough is good enough” and move on.
While I love Double Wood and their supplements I refuse to buy their Lion’s Mane because as their label states, it’s a combo of mycelium and fruiting body. It should be fruiting body only because as it is that blend does not contain the same amount of beta glucans it should. In fact, we don’t know how much it does contain because of the presence of mycelium.
Thanks David, You just forgot to tell me how much water you drink per day? My stack is almost identical to yours and I’m afraid I’m not drinking enough water. if one day you have nowhere to go I swear that in my house you will always have a place just for you, I am in debt to everything you have done for me and my family
Mary, thanks for the offer! I’ll keep that in mind is the love of my life every kicks me out!
I have no idea how much water I drink per day. It’s at least 7 – 8 16 oz glasses per day.
If lion’s mane is effectively repairing nerves in the brain, why is it that the benefits are lost when the lion’s mane is discontinued? Shouldn’t benefits like those be sustained?
Milo, legitimate question but your brain is constantly under assault just from living. And neurogenesis continues until you die. You form new neural networks for each memory you encode. That all requires healthy Nerve Growth Factor and BDNF levels every day.
So you maintain the benefits you received while using Lion’s Mane. But your brain requires continuous support because of how it works.
Do i take it with food or without food? I read that this stuff kills sex drive is this true?
John, the hericenones and erinacines in Lion’s Mane are fat-soluble so it’s best to take this with food containing a healthy fat. Or unrefined coconut oil like I do every time I take my stack.
Is Lion’s Mane safe if you’re taking Sertraline, Ropinorole and Lyrica; mostly for restless legs.
Suzanne, Lion’s Mane is not contraindicated with any meds as far as I can tell. Nothing has been published.
Dear David, have you experienced the nootropic effect of sabroxy? I just got it and i feel more awake,less need for caffein.
I take 300mg of rodiola rosea,2 krill oil caps, 100mg sabroxy,500mg mag l-threonate, 350 mg of lions mane 30:1 extract and a B-complex with k2 in the morning with breakfast.
In the evening i take 300mg berberine and 2 caps of krill oil. My question is should i really avoid any of those supplements before knee surgery or should i stop them all together? And if so, how many days before surgery?
Best regards,
D
DAKA, I’ve not tried Sabroxy but it’s on my list of supplements to review.
It would be best to stop using most supplements at least a week before your knee surgery. But at the very least you should stop using Krill oil, B-Complex, and possibly Berberine because the may prevent blood coagulation during and after surgery. You don’t want to make your surgeon’s job any harder than it already is by bleeding all over the place. Not sure about Sabroxy because I haven’t done the research yet.
If we have access to the fresh fruiting body, how much would one need to consume to get the effective dose for NGF stimulation, memory, performance, etc?
Daniel, 500 – 1,000 mg of the fruiting body is effective. Extracts of course are even more effective. But what you have works too.
I have Lion’s made in powder form… what is the best way to take it?
Lisa, best thing is to make your own capsules.
hi ive got fatty liver and insulin resistance will this help in any way thanks billie
Lion’s Mane will not help for those two issues.
For insulin resistance use this: https://nootropicsexpert.com/berberine/
And for fatty liver use this: https://nootropicsexpert.com/phosphatidylcholine-pc/
I love lions mane! But how long can we take it for? Can we take it forever?
We do not have any long-term studies on the safety of Lion’s Mane. So I cannot advise you on how long you can safely take it.
But consider that Mind Lab Pro contains 500 mg of Lion’s Mane Mushroom extract and I’ve been using it daily for the last five years. My brain is better than it ever has been.
The best way to look at this is consider the mechanism of action for Lion’s Mane. We know that it increases Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Which we need to grow new neurons and repair old ones. Seems to me we need that ability for as long as we live. And a good way to boost NGF is with Lion’s Mane extract.
At what level of neurotransmitters does Serotonin work on Lion’s Mane. Mother of dopamine or Gaba
It doesn’t. Lion’s Mane is used to boost Nerve Growth Factor in your brain. Not serotonin, dopamine or GABA.
Does it negatively affect taking hormone replacement therapy?
Ally, nothing that I’ve ever come across. It certainly has not for me personally.
Peace be upon you, David. How are you? I want to ask you a question. I have bipolar disorder. Previously, I used this supplement at https://www.mindlabpro.com/ and it caused me a bit of anxiety and manic illness. Because it has Rhodiola Rosea and possible because it also has the Lion’s Mane, and I left it because it caused me to do so. Now I want to use this Lion’s Mane supplement alone. Does this supplement cause manic disease, what do you think about that?
Mohsen, I’ve not heard of anyone experiencing anxiety or a manic episode from using Lion’s Mane. But that’s not to say it can’t happen.
i had the same issue using lions mane panic attacks and anxiety increased .Also i have a concern of tolerance to lions mane .will it has any toleranace issue.
Fahim, you cannot develop tolerance to Lion’s Mane especially if you stay with recommended dosages. But if you experience negative reactions to Lion’s Mane why are you using it?
Hi,
I am looking for an expert opinion on Lions Mane. Can it cause heart palpitations? I have issues already with variable heart rate and don’t want to make matters worse.
Thank you for you time,
Billie
Billie, I’ve never heard of Lion’s Mane causing heart palpitations. Not saying that it won’t. Just that it’s not even listed as one of the side effects of using Lion’s Mane.
I never had heart palpitations in my life until I started taking lion’s mane mushroom capsules. If you already have heart problems, definitely stay away from lion’s mane.
Kolby and Billie, there hasn’t been a single recorded issue of Lion’s Mane Mushroom extract having detrimental effects of any kind on the human or animal heart.
Not saying it’s impossible but the mechanism of action of the compounds found in this mushroom make it highly unlikely that it was the cause of the heart palpitations you experienced.
Instead, it was more than likely something else in that supplement that you reacted to. It could have been any of the toxic additives manufacturers like to use when making these supplements. Or something not disclosed on the label.
Kolby, it is not my intention to discount your experience. But to publish your experience so that others are aware that some people simply cannot use certain supplements. And to be aware of the unscrupulous things that go on this industry during manufacturing and packaging.