Lion's Mane
Hericium erinaceus
An edible mushroom studied for memory and mood. Small trials suggest it may help thinking in older adults with mild memory problems.
What is Lion's Mane?
- Plant family
- Hericiaceae, a family of tooth fungi (mushrooms with hanging spines)
- Parts used
- The mushroom (fruiting body) and its mycelium
- Genus
- Hericium
- Species
- erinaceus
Also called
Lion's Mane Mushroom, Lions Mane
Traditionally used for
- Memory
- Focus
- Mood
- Sleep
Traditionally described as
- Brain support (under study)
Health topics
Where Lion's Mane appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Anxiety
Reduced anxiety and depression signs in animals; human research on mood is limited.
- Memory and Thinking
A small trial found it improved memory scores in older adults with mild memory problems.
Safety
Side effects
Side effects are rarely reported, but can include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, headache and allergic reactions.[1]
What does the research say?
Laboratory & animal research
Lab and animal results show what might be worth studying in people. They don't show that the herb has these effects in humans.
In lab and animal studies, lion's mane increased a brain growth factor (BDNF), helped new nerve cells form in the brain's memory center, and reduced signs of depression, anxiety and sleep problems in animals. It also increased helpful gut bacteria, and a compound from it slowed stomach cancer cells.[1]
Research in people
A 2025 review found 5 randomized trials and 3 pilot trials of lion's mane, mostly on memory and thinking:
- 30 adults aged 50 to 80 with mild memory problems took lion's mane tablets for about 5 months and scored better on memory tests than with placebo.
- In people with and without dementia, scores on a memory screening test rose by about 1 point on average.
- A trial of 77 people looked at mood and sleep.
The trials were small (15 to 77 people). The authors concluded it may help thinking and mood, but more research is needed.[1]
Technical detail: Mori et al. 2009 (250 mg tablets, 4 tablets three times daily, 16 weeks, HDS-R); pooled MMSE weighted mean increase 1.17 from one RCT and one pilot trial.
In short
May cause stomach upset, headache or allergic reactions; research is limited.
Sources
- [1] Benefits, side effects, and uses of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement: a systematic review — Frontiers in Nutrition · DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1641246Review or clinical trial
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.