Lion’s Mane is the newest health craze on the block. This unique looking mushroom, named after its shaggy, lion’s mane-like appearance, is becoming a superstar in the health and wellness space, packed full of brain-boosting abilities and other incredible perks. But Lion’s Mane isn’t just another trendy superfood. It’s been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and now science is backing up what ancient healers already knew: this mushroom really could be magic.
Want to know what all the hype is about? Let’s dive into the amazing benefits of Lion’s Mane, and why you might want to add it to your wellness routine.
The benefits of Lion’s Mane
Enhances your cognitive function
Struggling with focus, memory, or just feeling foggy? Lion’s Mane could be your ticket to a clearer head. It’s packed with compounds called hericenones and erinacines, which help your body produce more Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). NGF helps your neurons grow, stay healthy, and repair themselves, giving you a great boost in cognitive function.
This can mean sharper memory, improved focus, and even the prevention of diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Supports your mental health
If anxiety and stress are common for you, Lion’s Mane might help calm those nerves. Studies show it can reduce anxiety and even lift your mood. How? Chronic inflammation has been shown to be a contributing factor to anxiety and depression, and this mushroom helps reduce this in every area of your body – including your brain – and supports new cell growth in areas linked to emotional balance.
This research has mainly been done on animals, so we’re still looking out for more human-based findings to back this up.
Boosts your immune system health
Your immune system works hard to keep you healthy, and Lion’s Mane could help it work even harder. Thanks to its antioxidants and compounds, it helps your body fight off infections and reduces inflammation, strengthening your immune system.
Its compounds work by boosting the activity of the ‘immune cells’ in your body, like macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, as well as reducing oxidative stress, which can weaken immunity over time.
Again, though, most of this research is based on animal trials, so while the findings are promising, they’re very much still in development.
Promotes your digestive health
Also linked to a thriving immune system, Lion’s Mane may improve gut health. This is a cornerstone of overall well-being, and a big focus in the wellness industry right now. This mushroom’s bioactive compounds have been shown to protect the stomach lining, reduce the risk of ulcers, and also support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria: essential for digestion and immunity.
So if you’re suffering from gastrointestinal issues or just looking to optimise your digestive system, you might benefit from adding Lion’s Mane into your routine.
Lowers your risk of heart disease
For a healthier heart, Lion’s Mane may make a big difference. Research suggests it improves cardiovascular health by lowering LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, preventing blood clot formation, reducing the risk of stroke, and improving overall blood circulation.
It’s also anti-inflammatory and packed with antioxidants, further supporting your heart health by protecting against damage to blood vessels. Translation? A healthier heart and happier you.
Manages your blood sugar
Managing blood sugar isn’t just for people with diabetes: it’s something we can all benefit from. Lion’s Mane might help by improving insulin sensitivity and keeping blood sugar levels in check. And if you do have diabetes, this is an even bigger benefit when it comes to managing your symptoms.
Plus, if you’re worried about diabetic nerve pain, this mushroom has shown potential for protecting your nerves from damage caused by high blood sugar.
Potential cancer fighting power
It may sound far-fetched, but this mushroom might even have cancer-fighting properties. Thanks to unique compounds in it, Lion’s Mane may speed up the death of cancer cells and slow their spread. Studies in test tubes and mice have shown it works against liver, colon, stomach, and blood cancers.
One study even found it reduced cancer spread to the lungs by 69% in mice, and another suggested it might outperform some cancer meds with fewer side effects.
This research is still in its infancy, and no human studies have confirmed these findings just yet. But for now, the signs are looking positive, so we’ll keep our eyes peeled for more trials looking into this.
How to incorporate it
There are various ways to add Lion’s Mane to your routine so you can start reaping in the potential benefits. From fresh mushrooms and powders, to capsules and extracts, just choose the form that works best for your lifestyle.
Some research has shown that fresh mushrooms have the greatest health benefits, and you can eat these raw, cooked, dried, or steeped in tea. If you’re cooking with them, they work well in pastas, risottos or soups, and have a slightly seafood-like flavour.
You can also buy powdered lion’s mane, which you can mix into beverages or soups, or simply sprinkle over your food.
For a more convenient option, there are capsules that contain freeze-dried Lion’s Mane which you can buy from many health and wellness companies. Just make sure you get them from a reputable source, and that they are using 100% fresh Lion’s Mane in the capsules – there’s currently no regulation on them, so just double check the ingredients before you buy.
What’s the dosage?
There’s no one-size-fits-all dosage for Lion’s Mane, but most studies suggest the following ranges:
Supplements: 250–1,000 mg of Lion’s Mane extract, taken 1–3 times daily.
Powder: 1–3 grams daily, mixed into drinks or food.
Fresh mushrooms: About 50–100 grams per serving if you’re cooking with them.
As with anything new you’re introducing to your wellness routine, start with a smaller dose and gradually increase it to see how your body responds. Always follow the instructions on whatever product you’ve bought, and check with your GP if you’re unsure about the right amount for you.
And remember, consistency is key – regular use is more likely to bring long-term benefits!
If you’re in the market for learning more about mushrooms in general and their health benefits, we’ve explored the top 10 health benefits of adding more mushrooms into your diet.
References
9 Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Plus Side Effects) | Healthline
Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms | WebMD
Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom | Kissed Earth
Docherty, Sarah et al. “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.” Nutrients vol. 15,22 4842. 20 Nov. 2023.
Lee, Seoung Rak et al. “A new cerebroside from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus and its applicability to cancer treatment.” Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters vol. 25,24 (2015.
Kim, Sung Phil et al. “Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) mushroom extracts inhibit metastasis of cancer cells to the lung in CT-26 colon cancer-tansplanted mice.” Journal of agricultural and food chemistry vol. 61,20 (2013).
Li, Guang et al. “Anticancer potential of Hericium erinaceus extracts against human gastrointestinal cancers.” Journal of ethnopharmacology vol. 153,2 (2014).