5 Most Impactful Lion’s Mane Studies to Date: A Simplified Summary
The interest in nootropics like Lion’s Mane has caused a frenzy among researchers and the public alike. Today, researchers are using science and modern medicine to conduct accurate, thorough, and eye-opening research studies on Lion’s Mane.
The result is a wide range of studies that back Lion’s Mane’s positive effects on humans and animals, highlighting its role in whole-body healing.
For those interested in starting nootropics, these research studies along with real-life testimonials give peace of mind in knowing that Lion’s Mane is safe, effective, and trusted.
Here’s a look at the top 5 research studies you can find on Lion’s Mane to give you the confidence you need to trust in its potency. I've broken them down for you so that you can easily understand their results.
1. Unlocking the Potential of Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus)
Published in the Journal of Applied and Natural Science, Unlocking the Potential of Lion's Mane Mushroom is one of the newer review studies on this renowned mushroom. This high-quality review by the Applied and Natural Science Foundation highlights key takeaways from more recent studies on H. erinaceus.
The authors have done a great job of summarizing the benefits of Lion's Mane and breaking down the studies that support the use of this nootropic.
Some of the key findings in this scientific review include Lion's Mane's ability to:
- Improve Brain Function
- Support Digestive Health
- Relieve Depression and Anxiety
- Boost Immune Health
- Prevent Cancer
- Manage Diabetes
- Reduce Heart Risk
Of note, this review has extracted perhaps the most important pieces of information, which include specific diseases that Lion's Mane shows promise for improving.
This scientific review notes that Lion's Mane contains bioactive compounds including hericerins, alkaloids, steroids, polysaccharides and erinacines that make it effective.
Its compounds like hericenones, found in the mushroom's fruiting, and erinacines, found in cultured parts of the mushroom, stimulate synthesis (or creation) of Nerve growth factor (NGF).
NGF is a vital protein that has been shown to have positive results in slowing down neurodegeneration. Moreover, the authors of these reviews show that Lion's Mane's true power might lie in treating Parkinson’s and Alzheimer's disease.
On top of its antitumor, antidiabetic, and anticancerous properties, this study truly shows that Lion's Mane is a versatile and powerful medicinal mushroom...backed by science no less!
Unlike single studies on Lion's Mane, this review has taken into account multiple studies and their results to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the mushroom's potential benefits.
This means readers, like you and me, have a wealth of resources at our disposal to help determine for ourselves if Lion's Mane is the right nootropic for our individual needs.
In this sense, this scientific review serves as a guide and starting point for anyone interested in learning more about Lion's Mane and its potential benefits.
Additionally, this review also highlights the importance of proper cultivation of Lion's Mane. Not only is it a popular mushroom renowned for its health benefits, but also for its seafood-like taste and creamy texture when eaten.
I wholeheartedly agree with these researchers, who highlight how vital it is for proper cultivation practices to be used now that Lion's Mane is growing in popularity.
That's why it's essential to use only high quality Lion's Mane products like our Mushroom Extract Gummies, which have 100% natural ingredients that are created in licensed facilities to ensure safety and efficacy.
2. 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
With so many researchers raving about Lion's Mane's impact on cognitive decline, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's, it can be difficult for young adults to find Lion's Mane studies specific to benefits for them.
Fortunately, one study has opened the floodgates into research of Lion's Mane use on healthy adults. This study, published in the Journal of Nutrients, looked at the effects of Lion's Mane use on healthy adults in both acute and chronic settings.
Instead of focusing solely on cognitive function, this study also looked at the effects of Lion's Mane on mood and stress. The researchers recruited 43 participants aged 18–45 years (with a mean age of 26 years), to participate in this double-blind study. In a double-blind study, the participants ingest either Lion's Mane or a placebo supplement.
The results of this study showed that chronic use of Lion's Mane (after 28 days) had a positive impact on perceived stress. Amazingly, the study also found that in the hour immediately after ingesting a single dose of Lion's Mane, participants also did better on what's known as the Stroop Task.
The Stroop Task, which appears simple, involves stating the color of a word that has an unrelated color name. For example, the word “red” is written in blue ink, and the participant must say “blue.”
Performing better on this task immediately after ingesting only 600mg of Lion's Mane is promising, as it suggests a potential for acute cognitive benefits in young adults.
Do Lion's Mane Studies Show How Much is Needed for Benefits?
This study in particular found effects when using only one dose (for acute effects) or 3 daily doses (for chronic effects) of Lion's Mane using 600mg capsules. That means a total of 1.8g of Lion's Mane produces perceived reduction in stress.
This low dose is great news for those interested in incorporating Lion's Mane into their wellness routine. It suggests that even a single dose of 600mg can have immediate effects on cognitive function and stress levels. Different gummies, capsules, and nootropics have different recommended dosages, so it's important to follow the instructions on your specific supplement.
3. Hericerin derivatives activate a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling enhancing spatial memory and rule learning
The benefits of Lion's Mane don't just stop at stress reduction and cognitive enhancement. In fact, there is a growing body of research that suggests Lion's Mane may have neuroprotective properties as well.
One recent and exciting study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry found that compounds derived from Lion's Mane (known as hericerin) activated a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons.
Essentially, these compounds were found to help stimulate neurite outgrowth. The brain is composed of billions of neurons, all connected by hair-like structures known as neurites. Neurite outgrowth, therefore, can be thought of as helping connect these neurons together, helping to promote healthy brain function.
What's amazing about this study is that the effects of the compound responsible for neurite outgrowth, hericerin, was previously unknown to researchers, who only found its effects in this 2023 study. This study suggests that Lion's Mane boosts memory by helping grow neurites and connecting Neurons.
It makes sense, considering avid users of Lion's Mane, like myself, know how positive of an impact Lion's Mane can have in combating brain fog and confusion. The proof of this (and Lion's Mane's effect on the brain itself) can now be seen in this hallmark study!
Still, this study is pre-clinical with mice models. So, while it is definitely a remarkable discovery and suggests potential benefits for humans as well, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of Lion's Mane in promoting brain health.
Try our delicious & potent mushroom gummies infused with Lion's Mane!
4. Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder
In addition to its effects of Lion's Mane on the physical body, most people, like myself, know how beneficial even routine doses of Lion's Mane can be in reducing anxiety and depression.
With mental health issues at an all-time high, studies like this one published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, show that Lion's Mane can provide a natural and effective alternative to traditional pharmaceutical treatments for depression and anxiety.
This scientific review gathered several studies, both pre-clinical and clinical, and examined the effects of Lion's Mane on various aspects of mental health, including anxiety and depression.
The results were promising, with seven studies altogether showing Lion's Mane had:
- Anti-inflammatory and antidepressant-like effects
- Improved neurocognitive impairment
- Alleviated sleep disorders
In addition to examining the effect of Lion's Mane on mood, this review also covers the basics of the neuropathology of depression.
Researchers now know that depression is closely linked to possible deficits in levels of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. A possible theory is that Lion's Mane restores these levels, therefore improving depressive symptoms.
While mental health studies only touch the tip of the iceberg with these complex disorders, research on nootropics like Lion's Mane shows promising results. With the push toward more natural and holistic treatments, Lion's Mane has become a heavy hitter in the world of alternative medicine and health supplements for mood.
5. Neurological Activity of Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
This study published in the Journal of Restorative Medicine 2017, is by far one of the best resources examining the research behind Lion's Mane and its effect on neurological activity and cognitive impairment.
This scientific review looked at 2 research studies published in 2009 and 2010, both of which were well-tolerated by patients, and their findings on people with mild cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety.
In short, these studies found significant improvement in cognitive function scales and significant improvements in symptoms of anxiety and depression.
This scientific review examines the most well-researched effects of Lion's Mane and cognition, breaking down what studies support, and what needs further research.
There are detailed findings highlighted all throughout this report, which is good news if you're looking for specifics on how Lion's Mane works!
You can read about:
- Toxicology information and safe Lion's Mane dosages (no adverse effects found)
- How much Lion's Mane to take to improve NGF production and cognition (3-5g per day)
- The chemistry of Lion's Mane, including effective extracts and methods of administration
- The cognitive benefits, including nerve-growth factor (NGF) production, mild cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease
If you're like me and obsessed with learning about the science behind things that go into your body, this article is worth a read!
Use These Lion's Mane Studies and Try It Yourself!
Research Lion's Mane studies can only do so much - you need to try it for yourself to truly see why researchers and health fanatics alike are flocking to this medicinal mushroom.
Whether you're looking to improve your cognitive function, relieve stress and anxiety, or just boost your overall brain health, Lion's Mane may be the natural solution you've been searching for.
Our potent Mushroom Extract Gummies, which provide 10 extracts of high-quality, all-natural nootropics including Lion's Mane, are the perfect way to introduce Lion's Mane into your daily routine.
Try our delicious & potent mushroom gummies infused with Lion's Mane!
Our customers rave about the cognitive and mood-boosting effects of these powerful gummies, and we're confident you will too.
Try them today and see for yourself how Lion's Mane can enhance your brain health and overall wellness!