Controlling blood sugar levels is key to managing diabetes. In one study , blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes were lower after they received lion’s mane mushroom extract for 4 weeks.
9 Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Plus Side Effects)
Lion’s mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane as they grow. They contain bioactive substances that have many beneficial effects on the body, especially the brain, heart, and gut.
Lion’s mane mushrooms, also known as hou tou gu or yamabushitake, have both culinary and medicinal uses in Asian countries like China, India, Japan, and Korea ( 1 ).
Here are nine health benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms and their extracts, along with dosages, preparation, and side effects.
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 ( 2 ).
Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines ( 3 ).
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 ( 4 , 5 , 6 ).
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 ( 7 ).
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.
Summary
Lion’s mane mushrooms contain compounds that stimulate brain cell growth and protect them from damage caused by Alzheimer’s disease. However, more research involving humans is needed.
Up to one-third of people living in developed countries experience symptoms of anxiety and depression (8, 9).
While there are many causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation could be a major contributing factor.
Animal research has found that lion’s mane mushroom extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice ( 10 ).
Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses ( 11 , 12 ).
Researchers believe that improved hippocampus functioning may explain the reductions in anxious and depressive behaviors in mice receiving these extracts.
While these animal studies are promising, there is very little research involving humans.
One small 2010 study of menopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion’s mane mushrooms daily for 1 month helped reduce self-reported feelings of irritation and anxiety ( 13 , 14 ).
Summary
Studies suggest that lion’s mane mushrooms may help relieve mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, but more research involving humans is needed to better understand the correlation.
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.
Brain or spinal cord injuries can cause various adverse medical outcomes. They often cause paralysis or loss of mental functions and can take a long time to heal.
However, research 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 ( 15 , 16 ). It may also help reduce the severity of brain damage after a stroke.
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 research has suggested.
Summary
Rat studies have found that lion’s mane extract can speed up recovery from nervous system injuries, but research involving humans is lacking.
Ulcers can form anywhere along the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.
Two major factors 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) ( 17 ).
Lion’s mane extract may protect against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage ( 18 ).
Several older studies have found that lion’s mane extract can prevent the growth of H. pylori in a test tube, but no studies have tested whether the extract has the same effects inside the stomach ( 19 , 20 ).
Another 2013 animal study 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 ( 21 ).
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 ( 22 , 23 , 24 ).
A 2016 study 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 ( 25 ).
However, when the same study was repeated in patients with Crohn’s disease, the benefits were roughly the same as with placebo ( 26 ).
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.
Summary
Lion’s mane extract has been shown to protect against stomach and intestinal ulcers in rodents, but research involving humans has been conflicting.
What are the benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms?
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Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are white, globe-shaped fungi that have long, shaggy spines. People can eat them or take them in the form of supplements. Research suggests that they may offer a range of health benefits, including reduced inflammation and improved cognitive and heart health.
People in Asia use these mushrooms for both culinary and medicinal purposes. Health food stores sell lion’s mane extract in supplement form, and both the fungus and its extracts appear to be beneficial to health.
Here we discuss the potential benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms and consider the possible risks and side effects of their use.
Lion’s mane mushrooms may help with the following:
Inflammation and oxidation
Share on Pinterest Lion’s mane mushrooms may offer a number of health benefits.
Antioxidants may fight both inflammation and oxidation in the body.
Inflammation contributes to many medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune diseases.
A 2012 study evaluating the medicinal potential of 14 types of mushroom found that lion’s mane had the fourth highest antioxidant activity, which researchers described as “moderate to high.”
Immune function
Lion’s mane mushrooms may enhance the immune system, partly by reducing inflammation and preventing oxidation.
Research on mice suggests that lion’s mane mushrooms may boost the activity of the intestinal immune system.
The results of another study on mice indicate that a protein in lion’s mane mushrooms encourages the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that strengthen immunity.
Anxiety and depression
Extracts from lion’s mane mushrooms may be beneficial in the treatment of anxiety and depression.
In a 2015 study , mice that consumed lion’s mane mushroom extract displayed fewer depressive behaviors and had blood markers that indicated lower depression. The researchers suggest that this is due to the extract’s anti-inflammatory effects.
The findings of a 2018 animal study support this, with the authors concluding that these mushroom extracts may contain agents that are useful for treating depressive disorders.
In a small Japanese study, women with a variety of health complaints, including menopausal symptoms and poor sleep quality, ate cookies containing lion’s mane extracts or placebo cookies for 4 weeks. The participants who ate the extract reported lower levels of irritation and anxiety than those in the placebo group.
Cognitive health
It is possible that lion’s mane mushrooms might boost cognitive function, but the existing research is mainly on animals.
In one study , lion’s mane dietary supplements appeared to give mice better object recognition and recognition memory.
Other researchers have concluded that the mushrooms may have the potential to treat or prevent diseases that cause a decline in cognitive health, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
However, there is currently a lack of research on the effects of lion’s mane mushrooms in humans with Alzheimer’s disease.
An older Japanese study on adults aged between 50 and 80 years with mild cognitive impairment found that daily consumption of mushroom extract for 16 weeks led to higher scores on cognitive function scales compared with a placebo group. These scores decreased again once the participants stopped taking the extract.
Heart health
Lion’s mane extract may improve heart health, but the research to date has primarily used animal subjects.
Research on rats showed that the mushroom extracts might have a cholesterol-lowering effect.
Cancer
The antioxidant properties of lion’s mane mushrooms may play a role in cancer prevention or treatment.
The results of an in vitro study indicate that lion’s mane extracts have therapeutic potential against human leukemia.
A study using animal models found that these mushroom extracts may also fight liver, colon, and gastric cancer cells.
These findings are promising, but it is not currently possible to confirm that the same effects will apply in people.
Diabetes
Controlling blood sugar levels is key to managing diabetes. In one study , blood sugar levels in rats with diabetes were lower after they received lion’s mane mushroom extract for 4 weeks.
One of the complications of diabetes is nerve damage resulting from prolonged periods of high blood sugar. A 2015 study on rats, in which they ingested lion’s mane extract for 6 weeks, showed positive results, including lower blood sugar levels, reduced feelings of nerve pain, and improved antioxidant activity.
Digestive health
Lion’s mane may help digestive health by fighting inflammation, which could be beneficial for people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The mushroom may also boost immune function and encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
In vitro studies report that lion’s mane mushrooms can result in antibacterial activity that may improve digestion. Research in mice supports these findings by showing that extracts of lion’s mane may protect against stomach ulcers.
Wound healing
Extracts from lion’s mane mushrooms may provide healing benefits for skin wounds.
A study on rats with neck wounds found that topical application of lion’s mane extract led to faster healing.
However, more extensive research is necessary for the medical community to recommend lion’s mane mushrooms for topical use on humans.
Nervous system recovery
Damage to the nervous system can have significant effects on health.
Some research suggests that extracts of lion’s mane mushrooms may encourage nerve cells to grow and repair more quickly.
One study showed that rats with nerve damage receiving a daily extract of lion’s mane mushrooms had quicker nerve regeneration than control animals.
Most studies on lion’s mane mushrooms have used animals, but it appears to be safe to eat the mushrooms in moderate quantities, as people do in many countries in Asia.
The safety and effectiveness of lion’s mane supplements are less apparent because dietary supplements do not have the same regulations as food and drug products.
However, in the animal studies, even high doses did not produce adverse effects in the rodents.
Share on Pinterest People can take lion’s mane mushroom as a supplement.
People wishing to incorporate lion’s mane mushrooms into their diet should cook them until the outer layer is crispy as the taste can be bitter otherwise.
Supplements are available in stores and online in the following forms:
The dosages of these supplements vary, and people should follow the instructions on the label carefully. It is also advisable to discuss the use of any new supplement with a doctor.
People who experience adverse reactions to lion’s mane mushrooms should stop using them and seek immediate medical attention.
Lion’s mane mushrooms and their extracts show promise in animal and in vitro studies. However, there is not yet enough evidence to support their use for the treatment or prevention of any health condition in humans.
It should be safe for most people to enjoy lion’s mane mushrooms for culinary purposes. However, people who wish to take lion’s mane supplements should speak to a doctor first.
Last medically reviewed on October 22, 2018
- Nutrition / Diet
- Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
How we reviewed this article:
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