Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
Lion's mane is an edible mushroom promoted for memory and mood. In lab studies it boosts nerve growth factor, but human evidence is limited to a few small trials.
Lion's mane is an edible mushroom, found mostly in East Asia, that grows on dead hardwood trees. It's used in East Asian cooking and has a long history of use in East Asian and Native American medicine. It's sold as capsules, powders and liquid extracts. It has recently been promoted to improve thinking and relieve anxiety and depression. Most of the benefits claimed for it in traditional medicine, such as antioxidant and neuroprotective effects, have been shown in cell or animal studies but not in humans.
Research & evidence
Strong support Some support Weak or no supportColours show how well the sources back each point. The reason is next to each one.
Lion's mane extract improved mild cognitive impairment scores in a small trial of older adults during the supplementation period, with scores declining again after stopping.
Limited evidenceSome support. Based on one or a few small trials
Study details
A single small trial. Mori et al. (published online 10 Oct 2008, print issue Phytother Res 2009;23(3):367-372): 30 people with mild cognitive impairment, 16 weeks of supplementation, cognitive test scores improved at weeks 8/12/16 but declined again at 4-week follow-up after treatment cessation — suggesting the benefit doesn't persist once supplementation stops.
Source: Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. "Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial." Phytother Res. 2009;23(3):367-372. View source
Lion's mane stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in preclinical models.
Preclinical onlyWeak or no support. Mostly lab or animal studies
Study details
Ma et al. 2010 (comprehensive review): "hericenones and erinacines... most of the compounds promote NGF biosynthesis in rodent cultured astrocytes." A separate study (Mori et al. 2008, Biol Pharm Bull) found H. erinaceus extract stimulates NGF synthesis via JNK-pathway activation in human astrocytoma cells, but that three specific isolated hericenone compounds (C, D, E) "failed to promote NGF gene expression" in that same human cell line, despite being identified as NGF-stimulators in a different (rat astrocyte) assay.
Source: Ma BJ, Shen JW, Yu HY, et al. "Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus." Mycology. 2010;1(2):92-98; Mori K, et al. "Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells." Biol Pharm Bull. 2008. View source
Small human trials suggest lion's mane may reduce mild anxiety and depressive symptoms in specific populations — one trial found this in overweight/obese adults pre-screened for an existing mood, sleep, or binge-eating disorder (with anyone already on antidepressants or anxiolytics excluded). The mechanism is often described as possibly related to anti-inflammatory and NGF-supporting effects, but this specific trial actually measured pro-BDNF and BDNF, not NGF.
Limited evidenceSome support. Based on one or a few small trials
Study details
Vigna et al. 2019 (77 overweight/obese adults, pre-screened for a diagnosed mood/sleep/binge-eating disorder, antidepressant/anxiolytic users excluded, 8 weeks): "decreased depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders... increased circulating pro-BDNF levels without any significant change in BDNF circulating levels." Funding: Italian government/university sources, no industry ties.
Source: Vigna L, Morelli F, Agnelli GM, et al. "Hericium erinaceus Improves Mood and Sleep Disorders in Patients Affected by Overweight or Obesity: Could Circulating Pro-BDNF and BDNF Be Potential Biomarkers?" Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2019;2019:7861297. View source
Dosage
| Form | Amount |
|---|---|
| Any form | No standard dose is listed by our sources. |
Side effects
Side effects in trials were mostly mild stomach upset, usually in fewer than 10% of people. Stop and get help if you get a rash or other signs of an allergy.
Well documented Reported (case reports, anecdotal or one study) None reportedThe circle shows how well documented an effect is, not how serious it is. A rarely reported effect can still be serious, so always read ‘When to stop’.
| Effect | Frequency | When to stop |
|---|---|---|
| Stomach discomfort or nauseaWell documentedListed plainly by NIH, MSK or LiverTox | Usually in fewer than 10% of people in trials | Stop and talk to a doctor if it persists. |
| Skin rash or other allergic reactionReportedReported in one study and in case reports | Not stated; rash reported in a clinical study, and at least one acute allergic reaction described | Stop immediately and see a doctor. |
Safety & interactions
Safety
In clinical trials of long-term use, mild digestive complaints (stomach discomfort, nausea or diarrhea) were reported, usually in fewer than 10% of people, and generally didn't require stopping. Lion's mane hasn't been linked to liver enzyme rises or to liver injury; LiverTox rates it an unlikely cause of liver damage. At least one acute allergic reaction to lion's mane taken by mouth has been described.
Contraindications
MSK lists no contraindications for lion's mane, and neither MSK nor LiverTox covers use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Stop taking it and get medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction.
Drug interactions
MSK lists no drug interactions for lion's mane. It notes that herbal supplements in general can interact with some medications, so talk with your healthcare provider before taking it if you take any medication.