Lion's Mane Mushroom
Medicinal mushroom that stimulates nerve growth factor and supports long-term brain health.
What is Lion's Mane Mushroom?
Lion's mane is an edible and medicinal mushroom native to North America, Europe, and Asia. It contains unique compounds called hericenones (in the fruiting body) and erinacines (in the mycelium) that have been shown to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein essential for the maintenance and growth of neurons.
What does the evidence say?
A 2009 double-blind, placebo-controlled trial by Mori et al. in Phytotherapy Research found lion's mane at 3g/day significantly improved cognitive function scores in adults with mild cognitive impairment after 16 weeks. A 2020 study by Ratto et al. showed hericenones promote neurite outgrowth in cell studies. The human evidence is growing but still limited compared to established nootropics.
Promising early research, but larger independent trials are needed before drawing firm conclusions.
Dosage guide
| Effective dose | 500mg–3g per day of fruiting body extract standardised to beta-glucans |
| Maximum dose | No established upper limit; studies use up to 3g/day without adverse effects |
| Timing | Morning or afternoon: some users report alertness that interferes with sleep if taken late. |
Best form to buy
Dual-extract (water and alcohol extraction) of the fruiting body, not mycelium-only products grown on grain (which are largely starch, not active compounds). Look for products standardised to beta-glucan content.
Who benefits most
Men looking to support long-term brain health, those noticing age-related cognitive changes, or anyone with a family history of dementia who wants a preventative approach.
Side effects and safety
Well tolerated. Rare cases of allergic reaction in people sensitive to mushrooms. Some users report itching at high doses.
“One of the more exciting emerging supplements. The NGF mechanism is genuinely novel and the human data, while limited, is encouraging. This is a long-game supplement: take it for months, not days, and look for fruiting body extract specifically.”