In a 2023 review on dietary ingredients for mental energy, Lion’s Mane (along with dark chocolate, Ginseng and Ashwagandha) is highlighted for its potential to enhance cognitive function. The researchers share that supplementation with Lion’s Mane (up to 3.2 grams a day) has resulted in the “improvement of 50% of the cognitive function outcomes” in three different studies.
More specifically, a 2023 double-blind, parallel group study on Lion’s Mane revealed that supplementation may improve cognitive function and reduce stress both in the short and long term. A group of 41 adults took three capsules of either 600 milligrams of Lion’s Mane or a placebo each day for 28 days. Those who received the supplement showed improvements in cognition within just one hour.
A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial in Japan revealed that supplementation may improve cognitive function – only if taken consistently. A group of people ages 50 to 80 with mild cognitive impairment took 3 grams of Lion’s Mane supplements each day for 16 weeks. Improvement in cognitive function was noted at eight, 12 and 16 weeks. Researchers did not record any positive effects at the follow-up observation. In fact, the group’s scores dropped significantly four weeks after stopping the supplements.
A 2019 randomized control trial on Lion’s Mane examined its potential effect on mood and sleep disorders. A group of 77 overweight and obese participants ate a low-calorie diet while taking three 400 milligram capsules of Lion’s Mane each day for eight weeks. They experienced a “significant” improvement in depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. The researchers explain the supplement led to a change in a biomarker called brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which may be a link between obesity and these disorders.
In a 2018 animal study on Hericium erinaceus extract for anxiety and depression, researchers gave adult mice 20 or 60 milligrams of Lion’s Mane once a day for four weeks. Another group of mice was given saline as a control. The researchers observed “antidepressant-like” effects when watching the mice do different tasks, like swimming. They concluded that Lion’s Mane may be a “valuable” addition to treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) because the extract has an anti-inflammatory effect on the hippocampus and may help to restore levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.
A review on Lion’s Mane for peripheral nerve injury focused on a group of female rats. The rats endured crush injuries to the peroneal nerves (below the knee) and were given daily supplementation with Lion’s Mane or nothing (control). The supplementation group saw regeneration in the nerve as evidenced by their hind limb function and toe spreading while walking.
Researchers explain that many of the purported properties of Lion’s Mane have been studied in cell cultures or on animals. More larger-scale study on humans is needed to understand the ingredient’s impact on human health, proper dosage guidelines and other considerations.
