What is Lion’s Mane? The Health Benefits of Lion's Mane

Lion’s mane mushroom is packed with exciting health benefits. Many of us are turning to this medicinal mushroom for its brain health support, anti-inflammatory properties, immune protection, and overall wellness.

Lion’s mane, also known as Hericium erinaceus to us geeks, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for its health benefits. Here’s a look at what lion’s mane is, the effects of lion’s mane on the body, and how to take it safely.

What Are Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?

Lion’s mane mushrooms are large, white, shaggy mushrooms that look like a lion’s mane as they grow. You can find them on hardwood trees in North America, Europe, and Asia.

These mushrooms are both food and medicine that can be eaten raw, cooked, or taken as dietary supplements like lion’s mane extract or lion’s mane mushroom powder.

A 2025 study published in Nutrients identified several bioactive compounds in lion’s mane that may benefit the brain and body. Two of these compounds, hericenones and erinacines, were shown to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) in animal studies. This means it could support your brain cells and may help regenerate brain cells damaged by age or injury if proven in human studies.

Many people describe the flavour of fresh lion’s mane mushrooms as similar to seafood, like crab or lobster. They’re also popular as meat substitutes for people looking for plant-based protein options.

Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane

Here are the upsides of including this fishy-flavoured mushroom in your daily regimen.

Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are linked to diseases such as:

• Heart disease
  
• Autoimmune disorders
  
• Kidney and liver disease
  
• Inflammatory bowel disease
  

Lion’s mane mushrooms help the body neutralise reactive oxygen species, which can damage cells. A study published in Food & Function showed that lion’s mane extracts lowered markers of oxidative stress in animal models.

Lion’s mane is awesome because it can support:

• Chronic inflammation reduction (published in Nutrients in 2025)
  
• Protects tissues
  
• Improves overall brain health
  
• Supports healthy ageing
  
• May prevent degeneration in organs, especially the brain
  

Helps Improve Mood

Mental health can be affected by inflammation in the brain and reduced nerve growth. Lion’s mane may help relieve anxious behaviours and improve mood by stimulating NGF and reducing inflammation.

In a clinical trial published in Biomedical Research, women who ate lion’s mane cookies daily for four weeks reported significant improvements in mood compared to a placebo group. They experienced less anxiety and irritability, and their mood elevated.

This shows lion’s mane’s potential for supporting emotional balance and cognitive health without the harsh side effects.

Boosts the Immune System

A weak immune system puts your body at risk of infectious diseases, but a strong immune system depends on balance and proper immune function.

Lion’s mane enhances the intestinal immune system, which forms the first line of defence against pathogens. A 2025 study published in Nutrients showed that lion’s mane extract boosted immune activity in the gut, suggesting it may help strengthen immune defence.

People with a weak immune system or people with high stress may benefit from taking lion’s mane supplements daily.

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Protects Against Ulcers in the Digestive Tract

Stomach ulcers can result from alcohol, smoking, bacterial infections, or using long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

A study published in the Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine found that lion’s mane extract protected the stomach lining of rats from damage and helped prevent ulcer formation.

This protection occurs because lion’s mane helps regulate inflammation and supports the repair of the stomach lining. For people with digestive discomfort, lion’s mane offers a natural approach to gut health.

May Speed Recovery From Nervous System Injuries

The nervous system controls communication between the brain, spinal cord, and body. When injuries occur, recovery can take time.

Lion’s mane supports nerve regeneration by stimulating nerve growth factor (NGF). A 2003 animal study showed faster recovery from nerve injuries when lion’s mane extract was given to rats. This suggests lion’s mane can help support people who’ve had a stroke or spinal cord injury, where nerve growth is vital for recovery.

Could Protect Against Cognitive Decline

A major concern as we age is mild cognitive impairment and degenerative brain disease. As mental functioning worsens, daily life becomes difficult.

Lion’s mane supports brain health by promoting nerve growth factor (NGF) and helping regenerate brain cells. The same study as above (published in Phytotherapy Research) found that adults taking lion’s mane powder for 16 weeks experienced better cognitive function than a placebo group.

Once participants stopped taking lion’s mane, mental functioning worsened, showing that consistent intake may be needed for ongoing cognitive health. These findings make lion’s mane a promising supplement for people concerned about mild Alzheimer’s disease and age-related memory decline.

Lion’s Mane Supplements

Dosage for Lion’s Mane: How Much Should You Take?

Safety and Side Effects

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Lion’s Mane Mushrooms Good for You?

Can I Cook With Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?

Is Lion’s Mane Good for ADHD?

What Does Lion’s Mane Do for the Brain?

What Are the Negative Effects of Lion’s Mane?

Is Lion’s Mane Legal?

Conclusion

References

• Blagodatski, A., Yatsunskaya, M., Mikhailova, V., Tiasto, V., Kagansky, A., & Katanaev, V. L. (2018). Medicinal mushrooms as an attractive new source of natural compounds for future cancer therapy. Oncotarget, 9(49).
  
• Contato, A. G., & Conte-Junior, C. A. (2025). Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential—A Narrative Review. Nutrients, 17(8), 1307–1307.
  
• Kim, S. P., Nam, S. H., & Friedman, M. (2013). Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Extracts Inhibit Metastasis of Cancer Cells to the Lung in CT-26 Colon Cancer-Tansplanted Mice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61(20), 4898–4904.
  
• Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367–372.
  
• Nagano, M., Shimizu, K., Kondo, R., Hayashi, C., Sato, D., Kitagawa, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2010). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research (Tokyo, Japan), 31(4), 231–237.
  
• Wong, J.-Y., Abdulla, M. A., Raman, J., Phan, C.-W., Kuppusamy, U. R., Golbabapour, S., & Sabaratnam, V. (2013). Gastroprotective Effects of Lion’s Mane MushroomHericium erinaceus(Bull.:Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract against Ethanol-Induced Ulcer in Rats. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 1–9.