{"id":249552,"date":"2025-10-30T06:54:04","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T06:54:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/249552\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T06:54:04","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T06:54:04","slug":"what-the-science-really-says-about-lions-mane","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/249552\/","title":{"rendered":"What the science really says about lion’s mane"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of today\u2019s most popular supplements can trace their roots to Traditional Chinese Medicine<\/a> (TCM), where plants and fungi were used for healing long before modern wellness trends emerged. So if you\u2019ve ever taken ginseng for stamina, ginger to aid circulation or ginkgo biloba<\/a> to sharpen focus, you’re doing so thanks to a practice that was first developed thousands of years ago.<\/p>\n

The latest traditional remedy to gain modern attention is lion\u2019s mane \u2013\u00a0a snow-white mushroom celebrated for its purported ability to enhance brain function and immunity. \u201cVegans and vegetarians also enjoy lion\u2019s mane for its meaty texture and versatility,\u201d adds Jen Messer<\/a>, a registered dietitian and president of the New Hampshire Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what the science actually shows about this intriguing fungus \u2013 and why moderation and caution still matter.<\/p>\n

What is lion’s mane?<\/p>\n

Lion\u2019s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a distinctive white mushroom<\/a> \u201cthat has long, shaggy white tendrils resembling a lion\u2019s mane, which is how it got its name,\u201d explains Amy Goodson, a Texas-based nutritionist and registered dietitian at The Sports Nutrition Playbook<\/a>.\u00a0In the wild, it has grown traditionally on hardwood trees throughout North America, Europe and parts of Asia, “but these days, it\u2019s also cultivated worldwide and can even be grown at home using spores, log inoculation or simple grow kits,\u201d says Messer.<\/p>\n

When cooked, lion\u2019s mane doesn\u2019t taste like most mushrooms, but instead has a firm, meaty texture and a mild, seafood-like flavor that’s often compared to crab or lobster<\/a>. Beyond the kitchen, Goodson says the mushroom is sold as a dietary supplement in capsule or pill form, as a liquid extract or tincture “and as powder that can be mixed into coffee, smoothies or shakes.”<\/p>\n

Behind its surging popularity, she adds, lion’s mane “is part of the functional food and \u2018mushroom coffee\u2019 trend.”<\/p>\n

Yes, mushrooms are good for you. But don’t eat them every day.<\/a><\/p>\n

Is lion’s mane good for you?<\/p>\n

In traditional medicine, lion\u2019s mane has long been prized for supporting digestion<\/a>, circulation and the nervous system \u2013 uses that modern researchers are revisiting with growing interest.<\/p>\n

One of the most consistent findings of such research is associated with the mushroom containing bioactive compounds called hericenones and erinacines. \u201cThese compounds may stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF),\u201d says Messer, which is a protein critical for the growth and maintenance of neurons. \u201cSmall human studies<\/a> also suggest improvements in memory and focus, but the research is still limited,\u201d she adds. Goodson notes that other research<\/a> hints at possible benefits for mild anxiety and depression as well.<\/p>\n

Beyond cognitive benefits, lion\u2019s mane also appears to have antioxidant<\/a> and anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce oxidative stress \u2013 an underlying contributor to many chronic diseases.<\/p>\n

Other findings<\/a> suggest the fungi or its supplement could promote beneficial gut bacteria and modulate immune function, says Goodson. And it may also influence blood-sugar control<\/a>, lipid metabolism and even show anti-tumor activity.<\/p>\n

Still, most associated findings come from animal or small-scale human studies. \u201cLarger, longer-term trials are needed before we can say anything with certainty,\u201d cautions Messer.<\/p>\n

In case you missed: Glucose, insulin and why levels are important to manage. Here’s why.<\/a><\/p>\n

How much lion’s mane is too much?<\/p>\n

Lion\u2019s mane is generally considered safe as a food, but less is known about the long-term effects of high-dose supplementation. Most human studies have used around 1 gram daily for up to 16 weeks, with only mild side effects emerging such as upset stomach<\/a>, bloating or other digestive discomfort. Other reported reactions include nausea and a skin rash. \u201cPeople with mushroom allergies should also avoid it,\u201d says Goodson.<\/p>\n

The mushroom may also interact with certain medications or medical conditions. \u201cFor example, it could pose risks for those taking blood thinners<\/a> or immune-modulating prescriptions,\u201d Messer says. Goodson adds that there’s also insufficient research on its safety during pregnancy, breastfeeding or for people with autoimmune diseases.<\/p>\n

For everyone else, it’s best to start out with low doses of the supplement and to always choose third party\u2013tested options. \u201cAs with any supplement<\/a>, quality varies greatly,\u201d says Messer. \u201cAnd you can\u2019t always be sure what you\u2019re getting since supplements aren\u2019t regulated the same way food and drugs are by the FDA.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs with any supplement,\u201d she adds, \u201cit\u2019s always best to talk with your healthcare provider before taking it.”<\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is lion’s mane? Follow the science.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Many of today\u2019s most popular supplements can trace their roots to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), where plants and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":249553,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[116719,49,48,116721,116720,116718,116722,66,323],"class_list":["post-249552","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wildlife","tag-amy-goodson","tag-ca","tag-canada","tag-goodson","tag-jen-messer","tag-lions-mane","tag-messer","tag-science","tag-wildlife"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249552","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=249552"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249552\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/249553"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=249552"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=249552"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=249552"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}