Lions Mane

Lion's Mane is a unique white, shaggy mushroom native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Unlike most mushrooms, it grows in cascading white tendrils resembling a lion's mane — hence the name. It has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries, both as a culinary delicacy and a medicinal tonic for the brain and digestive system.

Today Lion's Mane is one of the most studied functional mushrooms in the world, with a growing body of research supporting its ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) — a protein essential for the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons in the brain.

Lion's Mane contains two unique groups of active compounds — hericenones (found in the fruiting body) and erinacines (found in the mycelium) — that have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).

NGF is critical for neuroplasticity — the brain's ability to form new connections, adapt, and repair itself. By supporting NGF production, Lion's Mane may help maintain and improve cognitive function, support mood, and potentially slow age-related cognitive decline. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that contribute to overall brain health.

Lion's Mane is generally considered very safe and well-tolerated by most people. It has a long history of use as both a food and supplement with few reported adverse effects.

Possible considerations:
- Those with mushroom allergies should use caution and consult a healthcare provider before use
- Some users report mild digestive discomfort when first starting supplementation — typically resolved by taking with food
- May interact with blood-thinning medications — consult your doctor if you are on anticoagulant therapy
- Pregnant or nursing women should consult a healthcare provider before use
- As with any supplement, start with a lower dose and assess your individual tolerance

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

- Mori et al. (2009) — Double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in Phytotherapy Research found significant improvement in cognitive function scores in adults with mild cognitive impairment after 16 weeks of Lion's Mane supplementation (3g/day).

- Nagano et al. (2010) — Study published in Biomedical Research found Lion's Mane supplementation reduced depression and anxiety scores and improved sleep quality in a group of women over a 4-week period.

- Lai et al. (2013) — Research published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine demonstrated that erinacines in Lion's Mane mycelium significantly promoted NGF synthesis in nerve cells.

- Zhang et al. (2016) — Animal study showing Lion's Mane extract improved recognition memory and reduced amyloid plaque formation associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology.

For a full list of published research visit: PubMed search — Hericium erinaceus cognitive