Lion's Mane: Cognition, Stress, Mood, Neurogenesis, Neuroplasticity, and Neuroprotective Factors
Lion's Mane Mushroom—also known in Japanese as yamabushitake, in Chinese as Hou Tou Gu, or as its Latin name Hericium erinaceus—is a species of mushroom that has been used for thousands of years in traditional medicine. It has been used extensively in traditional Chinese and Japanese Medicine, as well as in Naturopathic medicine.
In recent years, Lion’s Mane has made its way into the modern consciousness as a supplement for improving focus, boosting energy, and catalyzing neuroplasticity (the ability for the body to make new neural pathways). A growing body of extensive research is also beginning to support what traditional healers have long known: that Lion's Mane is a powerful substance that can revolutionize cognition and brain function.
Research on the Benefits of Lion's Mane
Neuroprotective Effects
Lion's Mane is found to have neuroprotective effects, especially against health- and age-related cognitive decline. One study investigated the effects of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) on cognitive function in participants over 50 years old. In a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants took either four supplements of Lion's Mane or a placebo daily. Cognitive assessments were conducted using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Benton visual retention test, and Standard verbal paired-associate learning test (S-PA). Results showed significant improvement in cognitive function, particularly in the MMSE scores for the Lion's Mane group.1 These results suggest that Lion's Mane may have potential benefits for cognitive health and dementia prevention.
Lions Mane, Nerve Growth Factor, and Neuroplasticity
Other studies examining the effects of Lion's Mane on mice models have also found positive neurological impacts from Lion's Mane consumption. One study examined the effects of Lion's Mane Mycelium (Hericium erinaceus mycelium [HEM])—as well as its compound erinacine A (EA)—on mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet. The study found that both Lion's Mane Mycelium (HEM) and EA improved spatial learning and memory deficits, reduced body weight and metabolic dysfunction, and decreased neuroinflammation markers.2 These results suggest Lion's Mane’s high affinity for improving physiological and psychological function, and suggest potential benefits for combating health-related and age-related neurodegenerative and metabolic disorders. Additionally, this study2 found that Lion's Mane Mycelium increased nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurogenesis. NGF is a protein that helps support the health and growth of nerves and neurons. These findings support the use of Lion's Mane Mycelium (Hericium erinaceus) to improve nerve health and augment neuron creation (neurogenesis), which is a core component of neuroplasticity.
Memory and Neurogenesis
Another study explored the effects of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) on cognitive decline and neurogenesis in aging mice. The study examined frail mice, which are a breed of mice who’s genetics act well as models for aging and cognitively declining individuals. In the study, the mice treated with Lion's Mane for two months showed significant improvement in recognition memory and increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus and cerebellum. The mushroom extract, standardized for erinacine A and hericenones C and D, reversed age-related memory decline and promoted the proliferation of neuronal cells.3 These results suggest that Hericium erinaceus supplementation may have potential therapeutic benefits for recognition memory and brain health, especially neurodegenerative conditions associated with aging. (See the full study.)
Much of the research has been done to evaluate the cognitive effects of Lion's Mane have been done on older or unhealthy individuals (humans and mice). However, one pilot study explored both the acute (60 minutes post-dose) and chronic (28-day+) effects of Lion's Mane supplementation on cognitive function, stress, and mood in healthy adults aged 18-45. A total of 41 participants were assigned to a placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Participants took either 1.8 g of lion’s mane or a placebo daily, with cognitive and mood assessments conducted before and after the intervention using tasks like the Stroop test, word recall, and stress scales. Short-term results showed significant improvement in the speed of performance on the Stroop task after a single dose of Lion’s Mane. However, a reduction in accuracy was observed in immediate word recall for the Lion’s Mane group. 4 These results suggest that Lion’s Mane short term cognitive potentiation effects may be stronger for specific tasks. In terms of long-term effects, participants showed a trend toward lower subjective stress after 28 days of supplementation, according to the Stress Visual Analogue Scales.4
This study was not the only research to have uncovered long-term psychological benefits with Lion's Mane supplementation, though. Another double-blind controlled study of 30 females aged ~35-45 years old found that Lion's Mane stimulated nerve growth factor (NGF) and helped reduce stress according to the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and the Indefinite Complaints Index (ICI). These findings suggest that Lion's Mane has the potential to reduce anxiety and depression when taken long-term.
Further Research for Lions Mane and Cognition, Neurogenesis, Neuroplasticity, Stress, Memory, and Mood
Although more research still needs to be done evaluating the efficacy of Lion's Mane, the trends in these studies demonstrate that Lion's Mane has the ability to improve cognition, stimulate neurogenesis and neuroplasticity, improve the stress response, and protect the brain from damage associated with poor health and aging.
Lions Mane Research References
(1) https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/40/4/40_125/_pdf/-char/en
(2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31084539/
(3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30934760/
(4) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10675414/
(5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20834180/