Lion's Mane Benefits: What the Science Says About This Functional Mushroom
Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible medicinal mushroom with a long history of use in traditional Asian medicine. It has become one of the most talked-about nootropic supplements in recent years, but what does science really say about it?
Why Are Researchers Interested in It?
According to the WHO, dementia is the seventh leading cause of death globally. At the moment, there is no medication that can treat neurodegenerative diseases, such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and medications can only slow down the progression of the disease. However, recent research has found growing evidence that lion’s mane can improve neuronal conditions in preclinical studies, which is why it is being studied.
According to research, functional deficiency of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is related to dementia-like diseases. Nerve Growth Factor is a protein that stimulates the differentiation and maintenance of sympathetic and embryonic sensory neurons. There is potential that natural compounds, which cause the NGF biosynthesis, can be effective against cognitive disturbances like dementia. In this context, the neuroprotective role of lion’s mane is essential because it has been found that erinacine A from Lion’s mane stimulates the NGF synthesis. However, nerve growth factor is still being studied, since the mechanism is not fully understood.
What Lion’s Mane Contains?
Mushrooms can be divided into edible, non-edible and medicinal mushrooms. In general, edible and medicinal mushrooms have essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and prebiotic fibres, which promote overall well-being. Lion’s mane is a medicinal mushroom, and rich in phytochemicals, vitamins (B1, B2, B3), minerals (manganese, zinc, potassium), and prebiotic fibres. Lion’s mane might possess anti-cancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties.
Lion’s mane has compounds like terpenoids and polysaccharides, and they are validated compounds in treating different neurodegenerative diseases. Bioactive polysaccharides have antimicrobial, antioxidant, and blood sugar-lowering effects. Polysaccharides also increase the beneficial gut microbiota because they can reach the colon and act as fermentable substrates for gut microbiota.
Lion’s mane mushroom also contains erinacines and hericenones, which have been shown to stimulate NGF synthesis. Erinacines can be found in the mycelium, and hericenones are found in the sporophores. Both can cross the blood-brain barrier and can promote the NGF synthesis.
What Do the Studies Show?
One study found that there was a significant improvement in the speed of performance on the Stroop task after one hour and a single dose of lion’s mane. The Stroop task is a cognitive test in which the subjects are presented with a colour word written in a conflicting colour, and are asked to name the colour of the word. For instance, the word ”red” can be printed in blue. The same study also researched the long-term effects, and after the use of lion’s mane for one month, the study showed a reduction in stress. However, it must be highlighted that more research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of lion’s mane.
One other study found that some bioactive compounds extracted from lion’s mane have ameliorated conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, depression, and Parkinson’s disease in preclinical studies.
Another clinical study found positive impacts on depression, sleep quality, and menopausal symptoms. After one month, the results showed that the group that got lion’s mane intake instead of a placebo was able to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. All of these studies have been small and limited, and additional research is needed to make validated conclusions.
Where Does Science Stand?
Preclinical studies have produced good results, and several studies have shown that lion’s mane as a dietary supplement can lead to positive impacts. However, the studies are still limited, and dosing is not standardised. In the future, larger and longer-duration trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lion’s mane. However, it is essential to note that all these trials have progressed the research of lion’s mane, and they show promising results. So far, what the research has found is worth watching.
References:
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation. 2025. Lion’s Mane Mushroom. Accessed 14.3.2026. https://www.alzdiscovery.org/uploads/cognitive_vitality_media/Lions-Mane-Cognitive-Vitality-For-Researchers.pdf
Brandalise F., Roda E., Ratto D., Goppa L., Gargano M., Cirlincione F., Priori E., Venuti M., Pastorelli E., Savino E., Rossi P. 2023. Hericium erinaceus in Neurodegenerative Disease: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, How Far from the Shoreline? Accessed 14.3.2026. https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/5/551
Docherty S., Doughty F., Smith E. 2023. The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Accessed 14.3.2026.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/22/4842
Kropotov J. 2016. Functional Neuromarkers for Psychiatry. Accessed 14.3.2026.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/stroop-task
Menon A., Jalal A., Arshad Z., Kashyap R. 2025. Benefits, side effects, and used of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement: a systematic review. Accessed 14.3.2026.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12434001/#sec5
Nagano M., Shimizu K., Kondo R., Hayashi C., Sato D., Kitagawa K., Ohnuki K. 2010. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Accessed 14.3.2026. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20834180/
Opanuga IO, Hossain MF. Exploring the Cognitive and Other Unique Health Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom: A Systematic Review. Am J Nat Med Facts. 2024;1(3):1-6. Accessed 14.3.2026. https://naturalmedfacts.com/articles/exploring-the-cognitive-and-other-unique-health-benefits-of-lions-mane-mushroom-a-systematic-review/
World Health Organization. 2025. Dementia. Accessed 14.3.2026. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia