Lion’s Mane Health Benefits
Background
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an unusual looking mushroom that grows in white snowball-like formations. It releases spores from cascading spines which elongate as the mushroom matures. In the wild, Lion's Mane can be found across North America and Eurasia where it grows on old beech and oak trees and on dead-wood, helping to recycle nutrients in forests. This mushroom is on the red-list of threatened species in many European countries including the UK where it has been given the highest level of protection under the wildlife and countryside act 1981. Therefore, wild foraging of these mushrooms is not recommended.
What are the main health benefits of taking Lion’s Mane?
Extensive research has been carried out on Lion’s Mane. The main health benefits include:
Brain health - including memory, focus and learning
Improved mood and sleep
Blood glucose regulation
Microbiome support
These benefits are explained further below, along with the relevant studies.
Brain Health
The most widely discussed potential benefit of Lion’s Mane is that of its protective/enhancing effects on the brain. The compounds responsible for these effects are hericenones (found in fruit bodies) and erinacines (found in mycelium) which are both very small and able to cross the blood brain barrier. Lion’s Mane improves brain health in a number of different ways:
Lion’s Mane promotes the release of Nerve Growth Factor in the brain (NGF) - stimulating growth and repair of neurons
Lion’s Mane thickens the insulating layer of myelin that surrounds connections between neurons
Increases levels of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)
Reduces inflammation in the brain
One possible mode of action is through an enhancing effect on Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF plays an important role in the development and maintenance of neurons in the brain and peripheral nervous system. NGF also influences the immune system and hormonal system (1). A study found that treatment of human astrocyte cells (a type of brain cell) with Lion’s Mane fruit body extract increased the amount of nerve growth factor in a dose dependent manner. The Lion’s Mane extract also increased neurite outgrowth from these cells (2). Other human studies have found compounds from Lion’s Mane fruit body to significantly induce the synthesis of Nerve Growth Factor (3).
Lion’s Mane supplementation may also improve brain health by influencing myelin. Myelin is an insulating layer that surrounds the long projections between neurons (axons). Thicker myelin results in electrical impulses being conducted faster between neurons and may improve cognition. Cell based studies showed Lion’s Mane extract helped to increased myelin sheath formation (4).
Lion’s Mane has also been shown to promote production of Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)(5). A lack of BDNF can play a role in mood disorders and those experiencing chronic stress commonly have reduced levels of BDNF. BDNF is also increased as we exercise, demonstrating there may be overlap between the benefits of functional mushrooms and exercise.
Lion’s Mane extract also demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects and is particularly effective at targeting neuro-inflammation in the brain (6).
The fact that Lion’s Mane extracts improve brain health in multiple ways means it has great potential to improve brain functioning and also treat more specific conditions. In this human clinical trial using a rigorous double-blind method (neither researchers or participants knew who was getting placebo vs Lion’s Mane treatment) comparisons were made between two groups experiencing mild cognitive impairment. The group given Lion’s Mane fruiting body each day demonstrated significant improvements on a cognitive function scale. This study concluded that Lion’s Mane is effective in improving mild cognitive impairment (7). Lion’s Mane is a natural remedy with promising potential to help treat dementia. Preliminary clinical trials using Lion’s Mane to treat dementia demonstrate it is effective, with improvements on Functional Independence Measure scores and reduced disease progression (3).
Mood & Sleep
Improvements in anxiety and sleep quality have been reported when using Lion’s Mane extracts. A Japanese study using a patented extract of Lion’s Mane found significant improvements in undergraduates with sleep disorders. This was measured using a survey as well as detecting a compound in their saliva (MHPG) which is regarded as an accurate index for chronic stress and depressive symptoms (8).
Blood Glucose Regulation
Another potential benefit of Lion’s Mane supplementation is in its ability to help regulate blood glucose levels. In diabetic rats given Lion’s Mane fruit body extract, those that took the extract had significantly lower elevations of blood glucose levels compared to the control group. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were also significantly reduced in rats fed extract compared to control (9). This hypoglycemic effect has been credited to a polysaccharide found in the fruit body of Lion’s Mane (10). Lion’s Mane mushroom extract shows potential to help treat diabetes and maintain more consistent blood glucose levels. You should seek advice from a healthcare professional if you are currently taking anti-diabetes medication and want to take Lions Mane as, they both work to lower blood glucose levels.
Microbiome
A healthy functioning gut microbiome is important for many aspects of health, from digestion, immunity and metabolic function to mood regulation. A study in mice found, those given Lion’s Mane extract demonstrated significantly greater species richness and diversity of bacterial species which is in indicator of microbiome health (11). The Lion’s Mane extract improves intestinal health by increasing the number of probiotics which promote the synthesis of short-chain fatty acids needed as fuel for beneficial gut microbes.
How can Lion’s Mane help with ADHD?
Currently, there are no direct studies looking at Lion’s Mane and its impact on ADHD. However, there are several ways in which Lion’s Mane may be good for those with ADHD. There are many people who take Lion’s Mane and find it improves ADHD symptoms.
Lions mane mushrooms are a great source of L-tryptophan, which is the precursor to serotonin (13). Regularly consuming Lion’s Mane extract will make the body better able to produce serotonin. Serotonin imbalance/deficit may play a role in ADHD (14). It has been found that directly consuming L-tryptophan significantly alleviates ADHD (15) symptoms. Lions Mane extract is a great natural source of L-tryptophan. L-tryptophan is an exogenous amino acid, meaning the body cannot produce this and it must come from the diet.
Due to Lion’s Mane’s high antioxidant content and compounds which can cross the blood brain barrier, Lion’s mane extract has an anti-inflammatory effect, particularly targeting neuroinflammation (16) . High inflammation caused by oxidative stress can predispose people to ADHD (17),(18) and exacerbate symptoms. Therefore, the anti-inflammatory effect of Lion’s Mane may help to reduce ADHD symptoms.
Lion’s Mane supplementation promotes the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain (3). The release of Nerve Growth factor supports cognitive function, focus and memory as NGF promotes the growth and survival of nerve cells. Increased NGF due to Lion’s Mane supplementation may help with ADHD symptoms.
Unlike current interventions for ADHD such as Adderall, Lion’s Mane is not a stimulant and so has a less dramatic effect on mood, behaviour and energy levels. Lion’s Mane is also completely natural and evidence suggests it could be a safe, useful tool in treating ADHD.
Before starting a new protocol of Lion’s Mane supplementation, it is advised to consult your GP.
How can Lion’s Mane help with Menopause?
Lion’s Mane extract may be effective at improving menopausal symptoms due to it’s ability to improve mood, energy, sleep, anxiety and depressive disorders.
The potential brain health benefits of Lion’s Mane extract discussed earlier e.g increased BDNF may help improve brain fog and other cognitive symptoms of menopause. Other qualities of Lion’s Mane such as it’s high levels of antioxidants, vitamins (e.g. thiamine, riboflavin, niacin) and minerals (e.g. manganese, zinc and potassium) may contribute to overall health and energy levels, thereby improving menopause symptoms. Lion’s Mane has been shown to regulate blood glucose levels (9) – this may be helpful as insulin sensitivity tends to decrease with menopause.
In a study of menopausal women, researchers observed that 4-week supplementation with 2 g/day of Lion’s Mane fruiting bodies caused a significant reduction in self-reported depression (19) symptoms. Other studies have found Lion’s Mane as well as Reishi mushroom to be useful in treating depressive disorder (14).
This animal study found that Lion’s Mane extract may be effective in treating menopausal depression by targeting estrogen receptor beta (20) (in the brain). Unlike some pharmacological interventions such as estradiol, Lion’s Mane does not carry as many health risks as medications that target estrogen receptor alpha.
Lion’s Mane extract may improve menopause symptoms via a number of mechanisms, it’s brain health improvements seems to play a key role in treating menopause symptoms. The overall health promoting properties of Lion’s Mane also play an important role.
Safety
The long historical record of use, it’s natural origin and a large amount of scientific research suggests Lion’s Mane is safe for regular consumption with little to no side effects. More specific studies demonstrate a “remarkable lack of cytotoxicity on cells” (12) and clinical studies reported no toxicity (7). Therefore, consumption of this mushroom and its extracts are reported to be safe. With any new supplement, it is best to start with smaller doses and always discuss with a healthcare professional, particularly if you are on other medications.
What is the extraction process?
In order to obtain the full health benefits of functional mushrooms, an extraction process is needed to make these compounds available for our bodies. We use a dual-extract process to extract the full range of beneficial compounds from our Lion’s Mane.
Conclusion
Evidence from the scientific literature supports the safe use of Lion’s Mane mushroom and its extracts to treat a number of ailments and in promoting general health and well-being. Research into this naturally functional mushroom is still growing, with more studies being published each year. However, using Lion’s Mane mushroom regularly appears to be a great way to improve focus, mood, memory, sleep, brain function, blood glucose regulation, antioxidant levels, inflammation and microbiome health. Check out our Lion’s Mane Capsules and enjoy the benefits!
References
L. Aloe, et al., Nerve growth factor: from early discoveries to the potential clinical use, Journal of Translational Medicine, 2012, 10, pp.213. https://translational-medicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1479-5876-10-239
K. Mori, et al, Nerve Growth Factor-Inducing Activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 Huma Astrocytoma Cells, Biological and Pharmaceutical bulletin, 2008, 31, pp.1727-1732.https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/bpb/31/9/31_9_1727/_article/-char/ja/
H. Kawagishi, C. Zhuang, Compounds for dementia from Hericium erinaceus, Drugs of the Future, 2008, 33, pp149-153. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Compounds-for-dementia-from-Hericium-erinaceum-Kawagishi-Zhuang/98c7bc506e370689bb86ef2e479e1f5eba679759
E.V. Kolotushkina, et al., The influence of Hericium erinaceus extract on myelination process in vitro, 2003, https://scispace.com/pdf/the-influence-of-hericium-erinaceus-extract-on-myelination-2cno8ekb43.pdf
S.H. Kim, et al., Standardized Hericium erinaceus Extract Powder improves scopolamine induced cognitive deficits via BDNF Mediated Neuroplasticity, Sci Pharmacy, 2026. https://www.mdpi.com/2218-0532/94/1/12
Alex Graça Contato, Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial potential - A narrative review, 2025. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12030463/
K. Mori et al, Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 2008, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ptr.2634
H. Okamura, et al., The effects of Hericium erinaceus (Amyloban 3399) on sleep quality and subjective well-being among female undergraduate students: A pilot study, Personalized Medicine Universe, 2015, 4, pp.76-78.
J.C Wang, Hypoglycemic effect of extract of Hericium erinaceus, Science of Food and Agriculture, 2004, 85, 4, pp.641-646.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jsfa.1928?casa_token=PbJKgCivB-0AAAAA:jaU7VlEUuEAtnOnM36unVyTA0z50LRu3vz4gXT06wGphiI3qLPgY8paFPSnRfl7EZFWr6KDb4_9tPFa9
W. Cai, et al., Hypoglycemic benefit and potential mechanism of a polysaccharide from Hericium erinaceus in streptozotoxin-induced diabetic rats, Process Biochemistry,2020, 88, 180-188. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359511319311183
Y. Yang, et al., Value added immunoregulatory polysaccharides of Hericium erinaceus and their effect on the gut microbiota, Carbohydrate Polymers, 2021, 262. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0144861721000564
Lai PL, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V, et al. Neurotrophic properties of the Lion’s mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013, 15(6) pp.539–54.
Discovering the Potential Mechanisms of Medicinal Mushrooms Antidepressant Activity: A Review, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10044934/
Edible Mushrooms as a potential component of dietary interventions for major depressive disorder, 2022. https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/11/10/148
Does serotonin deficit mediate susceptibility to ADHD?https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25684070/#:~:text=The%20onset%20of%20attention%2Ddeficit,may%20trigger%20symptoms%20of%20ADHD
Natural Compounds Such as Hericium erinaceus and Coriolus versicolor Modulate Neuroinflammation, Oxidative Stress and Lipoxin A4 Expression in Rotenone-Induced Parkinson’s Disease in Mice, 2022.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/10/10/2505#:~:text=Therefore%2C%20our%20idea%20is%20that,motor%20symptoms%20characteristic%20of%20PD
Inflammation, Anxiety, and Stress in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8533349/#:~:text=In%20fact%2C%20inflammation%20can%20negatively,of%20a%20dysregulated%20stress%20response
Role of Oxidative Stress and Neuroinflammation in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorderhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7690797/
Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake, 2010.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20834180/
Ameliorating Effect of the Edible Mushroom Hericium erinaceus on Depressive-Like Behavior in Ovariectomized Rats, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36184501/