Lion's Mane - Not Just an Animal Apparently

Phylogenetically more closely related to humans than plants, mushrooms are incredibly diverse and have resurged in popularity in recent decades for their nutritional and supplemental benefits.

Disclaimer: This article is not an exhaustive review but is intended to spark curiosity for those interested in researching Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane) and its potential benefits. The following examples may have both supporting and conflicting evidence. Unlike medications, supplements are not subject to the same rigorous FDA approval process or clinical trial requirements before reaching the market.

While my personal favorite might be shiitake mushrooms for the rich woodsy/umami flavor they add to ramen, mushrooms offer far more than just their flavor. Among the most talked-about is Hericium erinaceus, or lion’s mane, which has gained attention for its purported cognitive-enhancing and neuroprotective effects.

Here are are few provided study links for anyone curious!

• A study on isolated aromatic compounds from lion’s mane indicated potential anticancer effects.
• A cell study using PC12 cells found neuroprotective effects through free radical scavenging and beta-amyloid-induced cell shrinkage prevention

Lion's Mane: A Long History of Traditional Use

Hericium erinaceus has a deep history, dating back at least to the Tang dynasty in China (618–907 AD). Historical records suggest its use for boosting cognitive function and overall vitality. While traditional usage provides an interesting context, modern clinical trials are needed to validate these claims. Unfortunately, we don't have any large-scale clinical trials with lion's mane to dissect, but we do have a few small-scale pilot studies for now.

1. A randomized, double-blind, parallel-group pilot study in 2023 was performed in a small cohort of 41 healthy young adults in which the treatment group was administered 1.8g of Hericium erinaceus. A statistically significant difference was found between groups favoring the treatment arm with a Stroop analysis at 60 minutes post-dose compared to baseline assessment. Click HERE to see how you would perform on a Stroop analysis!

The investigators also assessed "chronic" effects on stress reduction after 28 days of treatment and found a TREND (not statistically significant) toward a difference in Stress visual analog scale (VAS) was observed in the treatment arm compared to the control group.

• The study found a statistically significant reduction in subjective stress on Day 29 in the Lion’s Mane group compared to placebo (p=0.033).
• However, the overall treatment effect (p=0.051) and within-group change (p=0.055) only trended toward significance.

Unfortunately, the treatment arm also performed more poorly in other assessments including:

• Worse memory performance in some areas: Participants taking Lion’s Mane performed worse on immediate word recall, and the placebo group outperformed them on delayed word recall after chronic use.
• There were no overall cognitive benefits: There were no significant improvements in any other cognitive tasks or global cognitive scores, contradicting prior findings in animals and cognitively impaired individuals.

2. A different randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 2009 investigated the effects of Hericium erinaceus on cognitive function in a small cohort of 30 older adults (ages 50–80) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Participants were randomly assigned to either the treatment group, which received 3 grams of lion’s mane extract daily for 16 weeks, or a placebo group.

The lion’s mane group showed progressive cognitive improvements over time, with a statistically significant difference in cognitive function compared to the placebo at weeks 8, 12, and 16, particularly in memory and recall tasks.

After discontinuation, cognitive benefits declined within four weeks, suggesting that continued use may be necessary to maintain effects.

Lion’s mane has shown some promise in supporting cognitive function, particularly in older adults with mild cognitive impairment, and may offer potential stress-reducing benefits. Current research suggests it is generally well tolerated with minimal reported side effects, making it an appealing supplement for those interested in brain health. However, findings from small-scale studies have been mixed, with some trials showing benefits while others report no significant cognitive improvements or even minor memory drawbacks. To better understand its broader impact, larger, well-designed clinical trials with diverse populations are needed to confirm its efficacy and long-term effects.

*Information presented on RxTeach does not represent the opinion of any specific company, organization, or team other than the authors themselves. No patient-provider relationship is created.