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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 helps prevent and treat nerve damage in the brain. Once past the blood-brain barrier, Lion’s Mane stimulates the production of enzymes 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 affect 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.
What is Lion’s Mane Mushroom?
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. It is native to North America, 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 is a special protein that helps 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, contains high amounts of the antioxidant beta-glucoxylan, as well as 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 for its potential to reduce amyloid plaques. These clumps of beta-amyloid proteins block signals between neurons. They 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 act as an antidepressant.
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 were randomly assigned to receive 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 the NGF-enhancing action of H. erinaceus”. [iii]
How things go bad
Science once believed that the brain could not grow new brain cells. Once our brains develop during childhood and we reach adulthood, we have all the brain cells we’ll 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 the first to identify the properties of Nerve Growth Factor 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% dry powder of Yamabushitake (Lion’s Mane) three times a day for 16 weeks. The men and women were tested at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks.
In each testing period, subjects who had used Lion’s Mane showed significant improvements in cognitive scores. And their scores increased while supplementing with Lion’s Mane. 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 Lion’s Mane Mushroom supplementation immediately. But many users report a boost in mood and mental energy with continued use of Lion’s Mane.
Some report that it increases depth perception. And an improvement in the sense of smell.
Others testify to improved decision-making, problem-solving, and learning. Likely due to Lion’s Mane’s ability to improve neuroplasticity.
The consensus is that Lion’s Mane Mushroom can 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 scientific research has reported that Lion’s Mane promotes Nerve Growth Factor in petri dishes, 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. The amyloid β(25-35) peptide is implicated in diseases such as 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 for 23 days of the experiment. The results showed that Lion’s Mane prevented the short-term and visual recognition memory reductions normally induced by the 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 rat study, Lion’s Mane extract promoted neuronal 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 that the rats went from being totally disabled to walking again.[ix]
Lion’s Mane Dosage
Wondering how much Lion’s Mane to take? Dosing Lion’s Mane Mushroom depends on the extract’s strength.
For Lion’s Mane 10:1 extract (30% polysaccharide), the 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 extracts of Lion’s Mane range 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, very few side effects have been 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, with no side effects or toxicity even at doses up to 5 grams per kilogram.
Best type of Lion’s Mane to buy
Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), when used 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 the higher-quality pre-formulated nootropic stacks. For example, Click for 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, and promotes brain repair and maintenance.
This premium nootropic stack is designed to influence neurotransmitter levels, 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 extraction method to achieve the mushroom’s full medicinal benefits. 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 a science.
Much more important is choosing a supplement that includes Lion’s Mane Mushroom mycelium. In this mushroom, the fruiting body does not contain erinacines, which are compounds that boost Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
The nootropic benefits of hericenones, found only in the mushroom’s fruiting body or top, help support your immune system and eliminate the 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 on 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 reviews on shopping sites and 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 Click for 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 mushroom is popular in the kitchen, the taste is acceptable. But it’s hard to get a handle on how much of the active ingredient you’re actually getting.
- Amycenone®/PLM-Fraction: This “branded” product is standardized to 0.5% Hericenones and 6% Amyloban. 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 that 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 mycelium and fruiting bodies grown in a liquid medium.
You can buy individual Lion’s Mane supplements. Or you could try my favorite pre-formulated nootropic stack, Click for 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 complement to a nootropic stack that includes Aniracetam, CDP-Choline, and Omega-3s for an immediate cognitive boost.
Join The Discussion - 408 comments
Joe
November 3, 2020
Considering taking Lion’s Mane and I was doing some research. My biggest concern is does it have any side-effects on males? Particularly related to sex health, ie sperm cell and etc. I’m a male in my early 30s and no kids yet, but planning on it in the near future, so would not want anything to potentially risk that.
David Tomen
November 4, 2020
Joe, I am not aware of any negative consequences for human males using Lion’s Mane. Have you seen some research that I may have missed? I’m not talking about hearsay from some blogger. I mean real, peer-reviewed science published in a journal.
Vadim
October 29, 2020
Hello
Relatively recently, I learned about the fact that the lion’s mane, combined with niacin, can help restore the peripheral nervous system (I need this because of the Charcot Mari tut disease) and of course I immediately started taking it. Later, I thought it was a cool idea to start another methylene blue, at that time I already took about 1.5 months a lion’s mane. It seemed to me that they should work cool in combination. I already had experience taking methylene blue, about 500 mcg per day may 1 mg. But despite this, I decided to try a very small dosage, I diluted with water such a small part of methylene blue that it was transparent, and after that I tried with the tip of my tongue. I don’t know what dosage I received, but as you know, it was very small.
Five minutes later, my pulse rose sharply to 150 beats. My pressure then rose too much (I don’t remember the exact numbers anymore). My mouth was dry and I constantly wanted to drink a strong odor of acetone in my mouth. This evening I drank incredibly a lot of water and at about 23:00 the pulse began to decline and returned to normal, and at about 24:00 I might fall asleep later.
Waking up in the morning, I felt good about yesterday. However, by 3-4 o’clock in the evening I felt sick I felt cold I felt weak. After an hour and a half, the sensation began to pass and it became easier for me. Later I checked my heart rate (130) and blood pressure (150 to 90). Also, I could not eat anything because I immediately began to feel sick and a ringing appeared in my head.
The next day I felt better again but was still ill. In the evening my kidneys started to hurt.
I don’t know why why I got so many negative effects, but I decided to write this post to warn against experiments with such a combination. I have a feeling that if I received a dosage of at least 2 times that I could die.
David Tomen
October 29, 2020
Vadim, a couple of things. Are you using the same Methylene Blue as you were before? Because it could be a toxic batch. MG is known for being high in heavy metals to begin with.
The other thing is Methylene Blue is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) which means it boosts all of the catecholamines and even serotonin to certain extent. That could upset the balance of what you had going on in your brain.
Vadim
November 22, 2020
It was the same methylene blue and from the same bottle.
With my message I would like to warn about such a potentially dangerous combination. I don’t know, maybe it’s just for me she’s dangerous.
And of course it would be great if you could guess why it worked this way at all.
David Tomen
November 23, 2020
Vadim, Lion’s Mane modulates choline receptors. And Methylene Blue is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Your acetylcholine levels must have spiked.
That is the only thing I can think of that may have caused this reaction in you.
Vadim
November 29, 2020
Thanks for the answer! Initially, I suspected that this was due to the fact that they are both MAO inhibitors, but now I think you are right with the assumption about acetylcholine.
Denise Kimberly
October 23, 2020
I purchased today and the recommended dosage is 1 tablet a day containing 300mg of Lion’s Mane.
David Tomen
October 23, 2020
Denise, don’t pay attention to dosage recommended on bottles from the manufacturer. Use the dosage recommended here because these were taken from clinical studies on what actually works.
300 mg of Lion’s Mane is such a low dose it would take a long time before you experienced any benefit.
Alex
October 20, 2020
Hello David, Ive started taking the 8:1 powdered extract from Nootropicdepot and I started having insufferable headaches from it. I really dont want to stop taking it, what should I do?
David Tomen
October 20, 2020
Alex, switch brands. There is no reason Lion’s Mane should cause headaches.
Servo
December 25, 2020
Apparently, for some people, potentially high AcH levels cause migraine type symptoms, including tension headaches.
David Tomen
December 26, 2020
Servo, too much acetylcholine will cause issues possibly including headaches. But Lion’s Mane does not increase acetylcholine levels. So that’s that the problem here.
Ron
December 18, 2020
Alex, have you tried another brand ye? I am taking the same brand 8:1 and have experienced terrible headaches. I want to know if it’s worth spending money on another brand of powder.
Karen Story
October 10, 2020
Lions mane can be dangerous. I had an experience where on the first night of taking it, I had a bit of A-fib (the first ever). The second day, I took less but again my heart rate went all over the place and I was hospitalized and had to do cardio-conversion. I have read others have experienced very rapid heart rates and heart rhythm issues using lions mane. Please be careful
David Tomen
October 11, 2020
Karen, I don’t doubt what you are saying. But in all of my research into Lion’s Mane I never came across anything like what you describe. And looking at the mechanism of action for Lion’s Mane I still don’t see how it can cause what happened to you. This sounds more like an adulterated supplement. And not pure Lion’s Mane.
Sarah
September 28, 2020
Hi! I have been searching for so long for an answer to this question… Using the alcohol jar method of extraction, If I left my lion’s mane in the alcohol for a year, is it ok to use and continue to the water extraction method? What happens to the mushrooms and the alcohol it if it sits that long? The only thing about it i can find says to let sit up to a month. one site said 3 months is ok. But i can’t find a site that tells me why only that long and what happens if its forgotten. I can’t imagine im the only person who has forgotten about something like this, right? or maybe i am. who knows. I would love to gain some insight on this! much appreciated!
David Tomen
September 29, 2020
Sarah, anything left in alcohol for a year is likely safe to use but I can’t imagine any benefit to doing it. And I’ve never seen any value in trying to create my own extract from something like Lion’s Mane when it is so readily available to buy.
The sites that you mention are likely bloggers doing their own experiments. So please be careful what you use from sites like that. Safer to leave it to the professionals who have figured extracts out and sell it as a supplement.
Sonya Bartley
September 16, 2020
I am desperately looking for a supplement that will help with focus and concentration, without the caffeine jitters! I love to read, but cannot stay focused without my mind wondering away! Please, please any recommendations?
David Tomen
September 17, 2020
Sonya, you’ve six choices near the top of this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-improve-memory-and-concentration/.
But chances are one supplement won’t do it for you. It will take a combo of 3 – 4 supplements to get the quickest and best result.
I suggest trying; CDP-Choline, NALT or L-Tyrosine, and Phosphatidylserine (PS) to start. Or get them for less and in one capsule with Performance Lab Mind: https://www.performancelab.com/products/mind
dave
August 14, 2020
Is it possible and effective to sublingual administer lion’s mane extract?
David Tomen
August 15, 2020
Dave, that’s not the way Lion’s Mane works. The minimum dose of Lion’s Mane is 500 mg and your body needs to digest it to extract the active compounds. That would be impossible if you injected it directly into your bloodstream.