Written by Kim Painter, Venkat S.R.

Medically Reviewed by Christine Mikstas, RD, LD on June 06, 2026

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What Are Lion's Mane Mushrooms?

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Lion’s mane mushrooms are big, white mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane. Although they’re generally thought of as a single type of mushroom, there are three different species. Hericium erinaceus is the one that’s most widely available.

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Lion’s mane mushrooms usually look like white pom-poms and are used as both food and medicine. They are extensively used in Asian countries such as Korea, Japan, India, and China. You can find lion’s mane mushrooms in grocery stores, restaurants, and supplement shops.

 

VITAMINS AND MINERALS

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Lion’s mane mushrooms have a flavor that many describe as similar to seafood. They can be eaten raw, dried, or cooked. As a supplement, the mushroom comes in powders, liquids, and capsules.

Lion’s mane mushrooms are rich in vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. They are also a good source of essential minerals such as manganese, zinc, and potassium.

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Research suggests that lion's mane may have several health benefits.

Lion's mane mushrooms grow on trees and logs, but you don't have to harvest them yourself. They are in many grocery stores and used in supplements. 

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Lion's Mane health benefits 

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Lion's mane mushrooms have been used for centuries in Chinese medicine. Lab and animal studies suggest this traditional medicine may help with many conditions. But there's limited research in humans, and no product made from the mushrooms has been approved for the treatment of any condition. 

The preliminary evidence suggests lion's mane mushrooms might help in these ways. 

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Fighting inflammation and free radicals 
 

Many health conditions, including heart disease, arthritis, and cancer, involve chronic inflammation and the effects of unstable molecules in our bodies called free radicals. Lion’s mane mushrooms contain potentially potent antioxidants, which are substances that limit the damage of free radicals. They also contain anti-inflammatory substances that show promise in animal studies. ​

 

DEMENTIA

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The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections typically declines with age, which may explain why mental functioning worsens in many older adults.
 

Researchers have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines.
 

Additionally, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss.
 

In fact, lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice, as well as prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease.
 

A 2020 study of people with “mild” Alzheimer’s disease found that supplementation with 1 gram of lion’s mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores compared with a placebo.
 

The ability of lion’s mane mushroom to promote nerve growth and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s-related damage may explain some of its beneficial effects on brain health.
 

However, it’s important to note that most of the research has been conducted on animals or in test tubes. Therefore, more human studies are needed.

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Some studies in animals and small, preliminary studies in people suggest lion's mane mushrooms might have a role in the prevention or treatment of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease. 

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For example, in one study of 30 older adults with mild cognitive impairment, those who took tablets containing Hericium erinaceus powder for 4 months showed a temporary improvement on cognitive tests. The mushrooms have also been shown to slow Alzheimer's symptoms and brain changes linked to the disease in mice. 

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FOCUS​

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In another small human study, younger adults who took capsules of lion's mane mushroom powder showed improved mental performance speed.

Lab studies show the mushrooms are a good source of hericenones and erinacines, two chemicals that accelerate the growth of brain cells.

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ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION
 

Helps relieve “mild” symptoms of depression and anxiety

Anxiety and depression are common mental health conditions.

While there are many causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation could be a contributing factor. However, further research into the relationship between inflammation and these mental health conditions is necessary.
 

Animal research from 2018 Trusted Source has found that lion’s mane mushroom extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice.
 

Other mouse studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate Trusted Source brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses.
 

Researchers believe that improved hippocampus functioning may explain the reductions in behaviors associated with anxiety and depression in mice receiving these extracts.
 

While these animal studies are promising, there is very little research involving humans.

One small 2010 study Trusted Source of menopausal females found that eating cookies containing lion’s mane mushrooms daily for 1 month helped reduce self-reported feelings of irritation and anxiety.
 

Lion’s mane extracts could help treat some mental health conditions. To test this possibility, a study was carried out on Japanese women with many health conditions, including menopausal symptoms and poor sleep. Some were given cookies made with lion’s mane extracts while others were given placebo cookies for 4 weeks. 
 

The women who got the lion’s mane cookies reported lower levels of depressive symptoms and stress compared to the placebo group. 
 

Hericenones and erinacines, two kinds of chemicals in lion's mane mushrooms, may be responsible for any antidepressant effect, researchers believe. These chemicals affect the release of nerve growth factor (NGF), a substance that regulates the growth and survival of brain cells. Conventional antidepressant drugs may work by changing NGF levels.

 

But lion's mane mushroom treatments have not been tested head to head with such antidepressant drugs. 
 

RECOVERY FROM NERVOUS SYSTEM INJURIES
 

May speed recovery from nervous system injuries

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves that travel throughout the body. These components work together to send and transmit signals that control almost every bodily function.

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Brain or spinal cord injuries can cause various symptoms. They often cause paralysis or loss of mental functions and can take a long time to heal.

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However, in vitro research Trusted Source and research on ratsTrusted Source has found that lion’s mane mushroom extract may help speed recovery from these types of injuries by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells. 

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However, no studies have been conducted involving humans to determine if lion’s mane would have the same therapeutic effect on nervous system injuries as animal and in vitro research has suggested.

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Lion’s mane mushrooms contain chemicals that  might promote the growth, survival, and function of both new and mature nerve cells in the brain and elsewhere. Animal studies suggest that these compounds, unlike some experimental treatments, are able to get from the bloodstream into the brain, crossing the so-called blood-brain barrier. 
 

For those reasons, there's growing interest in trying the mushrooms in a long list of conditions, including:
 

• Stroke

• Parkinson’s disease

• Huntington’s disease

• Multiple sclerosis

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

• Nerve injuries 

 

PROTECTS AGAINST ULCERS IN DIGESTIVE TRACT​
 

Ulcers can form anywhere along the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
 

Two major factors Trusted Source typically cause stomach ulcers: overgrowth of the bacteria H. pylori and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach that’s often due to long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
 

Lion’s mane extract may protect against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growthTrusted Source of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage.
 

Several older studies Trusted Source have found that lion’s mane extract can prevent the growth Trusted Source of H. pylori in a test tube, but no studies have tested whether the extract has the same effects inside the stomach.
 

A 2013 animal study Trusted Source found that lion’s mane extract was more effective at preventing alcohol-induced stomach ulcers than traditional acid-lowering drugs — and without any negative side effects.
 

Lion’s mane extract can also reduce inflammation and prevent tissue damage in other intestinal areas. In fact, they may help treat inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.
 

A 2016 study Trusted Source of people with ulcerative colitis found that taking a mushroom supplement containing 14% lion’s mane extract significantly reduced symptoms and improved quality of life after 3 weeks.
 

However, when the same study was repeated in people with Crohn’s disease, the benefits were roughly the same as with placebo.
 

It’s important to note that the herbal supplement used in these studies included several types of mushrooms, so it’s difficult to conclude about the effects of lion’s mane specifically.
 

Overall, research suggests that lion’s mane extract may help inhibit the development of ulcers, but more research involving humans is needed.

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Mushrooms, including lion's mane mushrooms, are often used as stomach remedies in traditional medicine. In one rat study, extracts from lion's mane mushrooms protected the animals from ulcers, partly by thickening mucus in the stomach lining. The researchers found that rats getting the highest doses of the extracts got the most protection.
 

Lab and animal studies also suggest the mushrooms can slow the growth of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a type of bacteria linked with many stomach ulcers.
 

 

REDUCES RISK OF HEART DESEASE

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Major risk factors for heart disease include the following: 
 

• obesity

• high triglycerides

• large amounts of oxidized cholesterol

• an increased tendency to get blood clots
   

Research shows that lion’s mane extract can influence some of these factors and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
 

Studies of rats and mice have found that lion’s mane mushroom extract improves fat metabolism and lowers triglyceride levels.
 

One 2010 study of miceTrusted Source fed a high fat diet and given daily doses of lion’s mane extract showed 27% lower triglyceride levels and 42% less weight gain after 28 days.
 

Since obesity and high triglycerides are both considered risk factors for heart disease, this is one way that lion’s mane mushrooms may contribute to heart health.
 

Test-tube studies have also found that lion’s mane extract can help prevent the oxidation of cholesterolTrusted Source in the bloodstream.
 

Oxidized cholesterol molecules tend to attach to artery walls, causing them to harden and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Reducing oxidation is beneficial for heart health.
 

What’s more, lion’s mane mushrooms contain a compound called hericenone B, which can decrease the rate of blood clotting and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Lion’s mane mushrooms appear to benefit the heart and blood vessels in multiple ways, but studies involving humans are needed to support this.

 

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HELPS MANAGE DIABETES SYMPTOMS
 

Lion's mane mushrooms have been shown to lower blood sugar and raise insulin levels in lab rats with diabetes. Researchers think antioxidants in the mushrooms may explain these possible effects.
 

Research in animals also suggests the mushrooms might help with diabetic nerve pain.

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Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels is impaired. As a result, levels are consistently elevated.
 

Chronically high blood sugar levels eventually cause complications like kidney disease, nerve damage in the hands and feet, and vision loss.
 

Lion’s mane mushroom may be beneficial for diabetes management by improving blood sugar management and reducing some of these side effects.
 

A 2017 animal study showed that lion’s mane can cause significantly lower blood sugar levels in mice with diabetes.
 

One way that lion’s mane lowers blood sugars is by blocking the activityTrusted Source of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which breaks down carbs in the small intestine.
 

When this enzyme is blocked, the body is unable to digest and absorb carbs as effectively, which results in lower blood sugar levels.
 

In addition to lowering blood sugars, lion’s mane extract may reduce diabetic nerve pain in the hands and feet.
 

In mice with diabetic nerve damage, 6 weeks of daily lion’s mushroom extract significantly reduced pain, lowered blood sugar levels, and even increased antioxidant levels.
 

Lion’s mane mushroom shows potential as a therapeutic diabetes supplement, but more research is needed to determine exactly how it might be used in humans.

HELP FIGHT CANCER
 

Cancer occurs when your DNA becomes damaged, causing your cells to divide and replicate out of control.
 

Some research suggests that lion’s mane mushroom may have cancer-fighting abilitiesTrusted Source thanks to several of its unique compounds.Trusted Source.
 

In fact, when lion’s mane extract is mixed with human cancer cells in a test tube, they cause the cancer cells to die faster. This has been demonstrated with several types of cancer cells, including liver, colon, stomach, and blood cancer cellsTrusted Source. However, the results of these types of studies are not always replicable in humans, such as in a clinical trial setting.
 

In addition to killing cancer cells, lion’s mane extract has also been shown to slow the spread of cancer in mice.
 

A 2013 study of mice with colon cancerTrusted Source found that taking lion’s mane extract reduced the spread of cancer to the lungs by 69%.
 

Another 2014 studyTrusted Source found that lion’s mane extract was more effective than traditional cancer medications at slowing tumor growth in mice, in addition to having fewer side effects.
 

However, the anticancer effects of lion’s mane mushroom have never been tested in humans, so more research is needed.

 

REDUCES INFLAMMATION AND OXIDATIVE STRESS
 

Researchers have hypothesized that chronic inflammation and oxidative stress may be the root causes of many modern illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
 

Research shows that lion’s mane mushrooms contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help reduce the impact of these illnesses.
 

Several animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in rodents and may be especially useful in managing inflammatory bowel diseaseTrusted Source and liver damageTrusted Source.
 

Lion’s mane mushrooms may also help reduce some of the health risks associated with obesity, as they have been shown to decrease the amount of inflammationTrusted Source fat tissue releases.
 

More studies are needed to determine the potential health benefits in humans, but the results from lab and animal studies are promising.

 

BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
 

Typically, the immune system protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens.
 

However, a weak immune system puts the body at a higher risk of developing infectious diseases.
 

A 2017 study on miceTrusted Source found that lion’s mane mushroom may boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which protects the body from pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose.
 

These effects may partly be due to beneficial changesTrusted Source in gut bacteria that stimulate the immune system.
 

A 2012 studyTrusted Source even found that supplementing with lion’s mane extract daily nearly quadrupled the lifespan of mice injected with a lethal dose of salmonella bacteria.
 

The immune-boosting effects of lion’s mane mushrooms are very promising, but this area of research is still developing.

 

DOSAGE
 

Because lion's mane mushrooms haven't undergone extensive human studies, there's no standard dose. Different amounts have been used in different studies. For example, in one trial, older adults with mild cognitive impairment took 250 milligrams of mushroom powder three times a day, a total of less than 1 gram. In another trial, women with menopause symptoms took 2 grams a day. A study on mood and sleep in people with obesity used doses of 500 milligrams, three times a day, a total of 1.5 grams.
 

Products sold in stores and online can differ not only from those used in scientific studies, but from each other, in terms of ingredients and potency. Always read the label and use as directed. And check with your doctor about what's safe for you.
 

 

SAFETY AND SIDE EFFECTS
 

There’s not much research on whether it’s safe to eat or take supplements of lion’s mane for a prolonged period or about their side effects. 

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Possible allergic reactions to lion's mane mushrooms have been reported. In one case, a man developed breathing problems. In another, a man developed an extensive rash that went away when he stopped eating the mushrooms. If you have a history of allergies, asthma, or any other medical condition, check with your doctor before using  lion’s mane mushrooms in your food or as a supplement.
 

Some mushroom supplement labels carry warnings that they shouldn't be used if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning surgery.  Reported side effects from various types of mushrooms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, skin sensitivity, headache, gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, and allergic reactions.
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Takeaways
 

Lion's mane mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine for centuries. Modern science suggests the mushrooms may have health benefits, including fighting dementia, treating nerve damage, managing diabetes, and preventing ulcers. But research in humans is still too limited to say whether those benefits are real.

 

Lion's Mane frequent questions and answers
 

Is lion's mane mushroom a drug?

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Lion's mane mushroom is not a drug. It's available as a food or a dietary supplement. Any health claims on dietary supplements have not been reviewed by the FDA.
 

Is lion's mane illegal?

Lion's mane mushrooms should not be confused with psilocybin "magic" mushrooms, which can can cause hallucinations and are considered illegal controlled substances in the United States. Lion's mane mushrooms and products made from them are generally legal -- but if you plan to harvest your own wild mushrooms, check your state laws on which species can be picked and where such harvesting is legal. In some countries, including the United Kingdom, it's illegal to harvest lion's mane mushroom because they are so rare.
 

Are lion's mane mushrooms good for you?

Yes, they can be. Lion’s mane appears to be safe to use, as long as you speak with a doctor before you start using it and follow the instructions carefully.
 

What are the benefits of taking lion's mane?

As discussed in detail in this article, the benefits of taking lion’s mane may include:

• potential improvement of mild cognitive impairment 

• support for depression and anxiety symptoms

• speed recovery from nerve injuries

• protection against stomach ulcers

• improved heart health

• management of diabetes symptoms

• cancer prevention

• lower inflammation markers

• improved immune function

However, most studies on the benefits of lion’s mane have been on animals. More research in humans is needed to validate these findings.
 

What does lion's mane do for the brain?

Lion’s mane contains substances that may contribute to nerve growth. Some studies have suggested that taking lion’s mane may boost thinking and memory processes. It may also help protect against Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. However, more research is needed.
 

What are the negative effects of lion's mane?

Lion’s mane mushrooms are considered safe in general, unless you’re allergic to mushrooms. No significant side effects have been reported in research, but if you experience any adverse symptoms after consuming lion’s mane, seek prompt medical attention.
 

Is lion's mane good for ADHD?

Some people use lion’s mane for ADHD because of its potential to protect and enhance brain function. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this use.