Lion’s Mane: What Science Really Says — and why we still love it anyway
Here at Growers of Mushroom, we are passionate about everything related to the world of mushrooms, especially when it comes to one of our favorites: Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus).
You’ve probably already seen the headlines:
Headlines circulating online“Lion’s Mane: improves memory!”
“Lion’s Mane regenerates nerves!”
“Hericium erinaceus, a treatment for anxiety!”
But what does science really say? And what is just exaggerated marketing?
We believe that being transparent, honest and basing ourselves on science is the best way to build a relationship of trust with our community.
So let’s take a look at what the scientific literature really says, including studies published in the last two years, and why Lion’s Mane remains one of our favorite mushrooms!
01What is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s Mane / Criniera di Leone is a remarkable white mushroom with long spines that resemble icicles or a lion’s mane. It has traditionally been used in Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine.
In recent years, modern research has discovered its unique ability to produce natural compounds called erinacines and hericenones. These compounds can stimulate a vital protein in our bodies, the nerve growth factor (NGF).
NGF is essential for brain health, memory, and even mood: this makes Lion’s Mane one of the most exciting natural (re)discoveries of recent decades.
02What does science say?
Studies are divided into three levels, from the laboratory to people. The higher you go, the more the results truly matter to you.
In vitro studies
In laboratory experiments (test tubes and cultured cells):
- Lion’s Mane extracts have been shown to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), an essential molecule for the growth, maintenance, and survival of brain cells (Mori et al., 2008);
- other studies have highlighted antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects at the cellular level.
Laboratory studies help scientists understand how Lion’s Mane might work, but its real effects on humans still need to be clinically confirmed.
Animal studies
In animal models, Lion’s Mane has shown very interesting effects:
- in mice with memory problems, Lion’s Mane supplementation improved learning and memory performance (Mori et al., 2011);
- in rat models, Lion’s Mane appears to promote nerve regeneration following injury (Wong et al., 2011).
These results suggest that Lion’s Mane may help protect nervous system health, but results in animals do not always translate directly to humans.
Human studies
Clinical research, including several published in the last two years, suggests that Lion’s Mane may support memory, mood, and sleep quality.
Memory and cognitive function
A small study in Japan tested 30 older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Those who took Lion’s Mane powder daily for 16 weeks achieved better cognitive scores compared to the placebo group. However, the improvements disappeared after discontinuation, suggesting that continuous use may be necessary.
Mood and sleep
Overweight and stressed adults who took Lion’s Mane for 8 weeks reported better sleep quality and a reduction in feelings of anxiety compared to those who took a placebo.
Cognitive function in healthy adults
A preliminary study observed improvements in cognitive functions after 12 weeks of taking Lion’s Mane.
Working memory, sleep, and mood in a larger sample
One of the most recent and robust studies available, currently a preprint and therefore not yet formally peer-reviewed. It involved 109 adults for 8 weeks, with 2 g per day of fruiting body and mycelial biomass.
The treated group showed a significant improvement in working memory and visual attention (p = 0.001), as well as a faster improvement in sleep quality, morning alertness, and mood, with no adverse events related to the mushroom.
Acute effects in healthy young adults
Not all recent studies are so clear, and that is fair to say. This research in Frontiers in Nutrition tested a single 3 g dose of extract on 18 healthy young adults. Ninety minutes later, participants improved only in a manual dexterity test, with no significant benefits on overall cognition or mood compared to the placebo.
This confirms that the most consistent benefits emerge with continuous use, not with a single dose.
Important. These human studies are largely small, short-term, and based on subjective results (such as questionnaires).
They are promising, and between 2025 and 2026 they are gradually becoming more robust and numerous, but they still need confirmation in larger, longer-term clinical studies. A 2025 systematic review, which analyzed 26 studies, confirms this trend: promising effects on neuroprotection, cognition, and mood, but still to be confirmed on a large scale.
03Is Lion’s Mane safe? Side effects
This is a question we are often asked, and it deserves an answer as honest as the one about its benefits.
According to LiverTox, a database from the U.S. NIH, Lion’s Mane is generally considered safe and has never been associated with clinically significant liver damage. The side effects reported in clinical studies are mild and affect less than 10% of the treated subjects: mainly abdominal discomfort, nausea, or diarrhea. There has also been one isolated case of an acute allergic reaction documented, which remains an exceptional event.
For most people, Lion’s Mane is well tolerated. However, as with any supplement, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have known mushroom allergies, or take medication, talk to your doctor first.
04So… is Lion’s Mane a miracle cure?
Not yet.
Lion’s Mane is not a medicine and cannot replace medical treatments for serious conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or depression.
But:
- it is a powerful natural ally for those who want to nourish their brain, support mental clarity, and take concrete steps toward long-term well-being;
- it is safe, natural, and supported by centuries of traditional use, which modern science is verifying step by step;
- it is a functional food with excellent nutritional properties, rich in beta-glucans and, most importantly… absolutely delicious to eat!
05Conclusion
…all that’s left is to try it! Try our 100% Lion’s Mane powder, or grow it at home with ease thanks to our growing kits and get huge harvests in less than 2 weeks!
Alternatively, stop by our facility to pick up your box of fresh Lion’s Mane, freshly harvested!
BibliographySources
- Mori et al., 2008 — Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells
- Mori et al., 2009 — Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
- Mori et al., 2011 — Effects of Hericium erinaceus on amyloid β(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice
- Saitsu et al., 2019 — Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
- Vigna et al., 2019 — Hericium erinaceus Improves Mood and Sleep Disorders in Patients Affected by Overweight or Obesity: Could Circulating Pro-BDNF and BDNF Be Potential Biomarkers?
- Wong et al., 2011 — Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Following Crush Injury to Rat Peroneal Nerve by Aqueous Extract of Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae)
- Surendran et al., 2025 — Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study, Frontiers in Nutrition
- Systematic review, 2025 — Benefits, side effects, and uses of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement: a systematic review, Frontiers in Nutrition
- Daoust et al., 2026 — A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the impact of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) on cognitive performance and subjective wellbeing, medRxiv (preprint, not yet peer-reviewed)
- LiverTox — Lion's Mane, NIH National Library of Medicine
