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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. Erinacines help your brain produce more Nerve Growth Factor. 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.
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.
Lion’s Mane Clinical 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 includes the mycelium of Lion’s Mane Mushroom. In this mushroom, the fruiting body does not contain erinacines which is the compound that boosts Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
The nootropic benefits of hericenones only found in the fruiting body or top of the mushroom help support your immune system and get rid of Amyloid β(25-35) peptide implicated in diseases like Alzheimer’s.
The challenge is getting a Lion’s Mane Mushroom extract that contains the full spectrum found in both the mycelium and fruiting body. But the mushroom must be grown in liquid and not a solid substrate like grain. Otherwise you’ll get ground up grain without the important erinacines needed for increased NGF.
Look at the manufacturer’s literature and marketing material and find out how their Lion’s Mane is grown. And read the reviews on shopping sites as well as forums.
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).
You will get 500 mg Lion’s Mane full spectrum extract in Mind Lab Pro®.
If you want a standalone Lion’s Mane Extract, I recommend Real Mushrooms organic Lion’s Mane 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 – 2,000 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 mycelium and fruiting body that is grown in a liquid medium.
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 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.
Join The Discussion - 391 comments
AT
August 13, 2021
Hi David,
What brand would you recommend for Lion’s mane?
David Tomen
August 13, 2021
AT, I get my Lion’s Mane from two supplements. Mind Lab Pro (https://bit.ly/3uAGRbk) contains 500 mg Lion’s Mane extract taken from the fruiting body. I also use a standalone Lion’s Mane extract supplement again made using the fruiting body of the mushroom made by these guys based in Vancouver: https://amzn.to/3g0NzlA
Yildaz
August 26, 2021
MindLab Pro claims the Lion’s Mane in their blend has erinacines but this is not possible.
Erinacines are only present in the mycelium. I sent them an email asking for clarification but did not receive a reply. Thought you would like to know
David Tomen
August 26, 2021
Yildaz, whomever told you the active compounds in any mushroom including Lion’s Mane is in the mycelium was lying to you.
Please see the section in this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/the-nootropic-benefits-of-medicinal-mushrooms/ on how to choose a quality mushroom supplement.
Avoid buying any mushroom supplement made from the mycelium because all you’ll get is a capsule of the grain substrate it was grown in. The beta glucans are in the fruiting body of the mushroom.
Yildaz
September 4, 2021
“Avoid buying any mushroom supplement made from the mycelium”
I’m very sorry David, with all due respect but you are wrong and mixing up things. First of all, the most interesting bioactives in Lion’s Mane are thought to be the erinacines. These are only found in the mycelium.
The chinese grow mycelium in bioreactors, in liquid. This is called ‘deep layer cultivation’. There’s no grain involved. Only US producers use this solid substrate made from sorghum, grain or rice. This is known as ‘solid state cultivation’. Indeed, products based on this are best avoided, it’s basically just rice powder with some mycelium.
But the Chinese products based on pure, liquid grown mycelium are the best you can get and in line with the latest clinical research (2019 / 2020) which used pure alcohol extracted lion’s Mane mycelium.
Beta-glucans have no direct effect on cognition. They are immune modulators. They are found in all mushrooms.
David Tomen
September 5, 2021
Yildaz, you are absolutely correct and this is I overlooked in my research. But I’m happy that you correctly pointed out to avoid Lion’s Mane extract of the mycelium when it is grown in a solid (i.e. grain) substrate. Which is difficult to asses for the average person. And getting to know the manufacturer and their process is critical in this case. Erinacines are only found in the mycelium of this mushroom and it is this compound that boosts Nerve Growth Factor.
I’ll correct my review above to reflect this. And thank you.
Anna
August 5, 2021
Dear David,
Can Lion’s Mane be combined with Alpha GPC ?
David Tomen
August 7, 2021
Yes
John Daniel
July 22, 2021
What’s is the best time of day to take lion’s mane?
David Tomen
July 25, 2021
Morning and noon.
Mary
July 13, 2021
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.
David Tomen
July 14, 2021
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.
Mary
July 14, 2021
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
David Tomen
July 21, 2021
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.
Mary
July 21, 2021
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
David Tomen
July 22, 2021
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.
milo
June 25, 2021
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?
David Tomen
June 25, 2021
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.
John
June 23, 2021
Do i take it with food or without food? I read that this stuff kills sex drive is this true?
David Tomen
June 24, 2021
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.
Suzanne
June 21, 2021
Is Lion’s Mane safe if you’re taking Sertraline, Ropinorole and Lyrica; mostly for restless legs.
David Tomen
June 21, 2021
Suzanne, Lion’s Mane is not contraindicated with any meds as far as I can tell. Nothing has been published.
DAKA
June 12, 2021
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
David Tomen
June 13, 2021
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.