Read the research

The Science of Lion’s Mane

A selection of published research on Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), with plain-language notes on what each study did, and didn’t, show.

Human trials

Studies in people. The most relevant evidence, though most Lion’s Mane trials so far are small.

Animal studies

Show how Lion’s Mane acts in a living system. Results don’t always carry over to people.

Lab studies

Cells in a dish. Useful for understanding how it works; the earliest stage of evidence.

Part I

Studies in people

Randomized, placebo-controlled trials on memory, focus, and mood.

Human trial · 30 adultsMemory

Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Mori et al. · Phytotherapy Research · 2009

Adults aged 50–80 who took Lion’s Mane tablets for 16 weeks scored significantly higher on a cognitive scale than the placebo group. Scores fell again four weeks after they stopped.

Read on PubMed ↗
Human trial · fruiting bodyMemory

Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus

Saitsu et al. · Biomedical Research · 2019

Over 12 weeks, people taking fruiting-body supplements improved on one of the three cognitive tests used (the MMSE) compared with placebo.

Read on PubMed ↗
Human pilot trial · 41 adultsFocus & stress

The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults

Docherty et al. · Nutrients · 2023

In healthy adults aged 18–45, a single 1.8 g serving was linked to faster performance on a focus task an hour later. After 28 days, lower reported stress was a trend that didn’t quite reach significance.

Read on PubMed ↗
Human trial · 30 womenMood

Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake

Nagano et al. · Biomedical Research · 2010

Women who ate cookies containing Lion’s Mane for four weeks reported lower scores on mood questionnaires. The authors describe it as a possibility worth further study.

Read on PubMed ↗
Human pilot trial · 41 adultsMemory

Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study

Li et al. · Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience · 2020

Over 49 weeks, people with mild Alzheimer’s disease who took erinacine A-enriched Lion’s Mane mycelia improved on a cognitive screening test (the MMSE), while the placebo group declined on another cognitive measure.

Read on PubMed ↗

Part II

In the laboratory

Animal and cell research exploring how Lion’s Mane may work.

Lab & animal · miceMemory

Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling enhancing spatial memory

Martínez-Mármol et al. · Journal of Neurochemistry · 2023

Two compounds from Lion’s Mane promoted nerve-cell growth in the lab, and mice fed a Lion’s Mane extract or one of the compounds showed better memory.

Read the study ↗
Animal · miceMood

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) Exerts Anxiolytic Effects in the rTg4510 Tau Mouse Model

Rodriguez et al. · Behavioral Sciences · 2022

Mice fed Lion’s Mane for four and a half months showed less anxiety-like behavior. Memory measures did not change.

Read the study ↗
Animal · fruiting bodyNerve health

Neuroregenerative potential of lion’s mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury

Wong et al. · Int. J. of Medicinal Mushrooms · 2012

A daily water extract of fresh fruiting bodies sped up functional recovery and nerve regeneration after a nerve injury in rats.

Read on PubMed ↗
Lab · cellsNerve growth

Neurotrophic properties of the Lion’s mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, from Malaysia

Lai et al. · Int. J. of Medicinal Mushrooms · 2013

A Lion’s Mane extract encouraged nerve-cell growth and the release of nerve growth factor (NGF) in cultured cells.

Read on PubMed ↗
Lab · fruiting bodyBrain cells

Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, Suppresses H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-Induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia

Kushairi et al. · Antioxidants · 2019

An extract of the fruiting bodies protected brain cells from oxidative damage and lowered a marker of inflammation in the lab.

Read on PubMed ↗
Animal · miceAntioxidant

Evaluation of in vivo antioxidant activity of Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides

Han et al. · Int. J. of Biological Macromolecules · 2013

Lion’s Mane polysaccharides given beforehand reduced oxidative stress and markers of kidney damage in mice after a kidney injury.

Read on PubMed ↗
Lab & animal · miceCancer research

Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) mushroom extracts inhibit metastasis of cancer cells to the lung in CT-26 colon cancer-transplanted mice

Kim et al. · J. of Agricultural and Food Chemistry · 2013

Two Lion’s Mane extracts killed mouse colon cancer cells in the lab and cut the spread of tumors to the lungs in mice by about half.

Read on PubMed ↗
From our farm to your morning

The mushroom itself, fully disclosed.

100% Lion’s Mane fruiting body, grown in the Appalachian Mountains and third-party lab tested. No mycelium, grain, starch, or fillers.

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Studies are shared for educational purposes and do not describe Mushroom Maiden products specifically; many used different forms and amounts of Lion’s Mane. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a healthcare professional before use.