Cognitive effects with Lion’s mane have been mixed based on small and short-duration clinical trials. Preclinical studies suggest that Lion’s mane may be able to increase levels of a molecule called nerve growth factor (NGF), which increases the length of nerve cell processes.

April 9, 2025 - Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as lion’s mane mushroom, has gained increasing scientific interest due to its rich composition of bioactive compounds and diverse health-promoting properties. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional and therapeutic potential ...

July 9, 2026 - Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is a medicinal fungus containing two unique compounds—hericenones and erinacines—that stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production, which supports brain and nerve health.

1 week ago - Four weeks after stopping, the cognitive scores in the Lion's Mane group declined, suggesting the effect requires continued dosing. **Nagano 2010**, 30 menopausal women received Lion's Mane cookies or placebo for 4 weeks. The Lion's Mane group showed reduced scores on anxiety and depression scales. **Mori 2008** demonstrated NGF synthesis in vitro from human-relevant Lion's Mane fractions.

February 28, 2025 - Preclinical studies have demonstrated that bioactive compounds in lion’s mane, such as hericenones and erinacines, can promote nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis and potentially support neuroplasticity (1).

April 25, 2026 - The neuroscience research on Lion's Mane focuses on two core mechanisms: stimulating NGF and BDNF production (the growth factors that drive neuroplasticity), and promoting neurite outgrowth (the physical extension of neural connections).

May 26, 2026 - Also Known As: Hericium erinaceus, Yamabushitake, monkey head mushroom, bearded tooth mushroom, hou tou gu · Supplement Class: Medicinal mushroom (Basidiomycota) / NGF and BDNF stimulator / neurotrophic adjunct · Evidence Tier: Moderate — Mori 2009 foundational MCI trial (16 weeks, 750 mg/day); Docherty 2023 acute + chronic effects in healthy young adults; Nagano 2010 + Vigna 2019 anxiety/depression evidence; Wong 2012 nerve regeneration in animal models; novel NGF/BDNF mechanism but smaller human RCT base than established nootropics (Bacopa, Alpha-GPC)

Neuroprotective Benefit: Although there are some effects in preclinical models, clinical trials in ... native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Consumption or supplementation of Lion’s mane is reported · to increase nerve growth factor (NGF). Lion’s mane contains hericenones (derived from the fruiting body · of the mushroom) and erinacines (derived from the mycelia of the mushroom).

November 3, 2023 - Hericium erinaceus is a valuable mushroom known for its strong bioactive properties. It shows promising potential as an excellent neuroprotective agent, capable of stimulating nerve growth factor release, regulating inflammatory processes, reducing oxidative stress, and safeguarding nerve cells ...

Neuroprotective benefit: Cognitive effects with lion’s mane have been mixed based on a few clinical · trials; these trials had small numbers of participants and short durations of treatment. Well-designed · larger and longer clinical trials are needed to evaluate efficacy. ... cognitive impairment, lion’s mane mushroom treatment (4x250 mg tablets, 3 times daily, total of 3 g

While much research has focused ... bioactive compounds in lion’s mane, such as hericenones and erinacines, can promote nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis and potentially support neuroplasticity (1)....

April 17, 2026 - Preclinical studies have demonstrated that these compounds can stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain□derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) synthesis, promote neurite outgrowth, and activate intracellular signaling pathways relevant to neuroplasticity, including ERK1/2 signaling (Martínez-Mármol et al., 2023; Qiu et al., 2024). These mechanisms provide a biological rationale for preliminary effects on cognition, mood, and sleep. In animal models, supplementation with H. erinaceus has been shown to improve recognition and to induce hippocampal and cerebellar neurogenesis during aging (Ratto et al., 2019).

July 6, 2026 - Erinacine A has also been shown in laboratory research to cross the blood-brain barrier, the shield that keeps most substances in the bloodstream from ever reaching brain tissue, and to stimulate BDNF and NGF, two proteins that help brain cells ...

Among all culinary mushrooms, Hericium erinaceus (most commonly known as lion's mane) has been widely reported to have therapeutic activities related to the promotion of nerve and brain health. Different compounds isolated from this mushroom inducing the expression of neurotrophic factors such ...

May 10, 2023 - The bulk collected evidence underlies the urgent need to carry out further/wider clinical trials to prove the safety and efficacy of H. erinaceus supplementation, offering significant neuroprotective applications in brain pathologies. Keywords: Hericium erinaceus; erinacines; hericenones; ergothioneine; NGF; BDNF; depression; aging; Alzheimer; mild cognitive impairment

November 20, 2023 - The medicinal properties of H. erinaceus include antioxidant, antimicrobial and anticancer effects [7]. Recently, interest has been placed on the potential neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties of H. erinaceus [8,9]. These are likely underpinned by the numerous bioactive components identified within the mycelia and fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus, including polysaccharides, phenolic acids and terpenoids, specifically hericenones and erinacines [6,9]. Interestingly, both hericenones and erinacines can easily cross the blood–brain barrier [10]; promote nerve growth factor synthesis

January 2, 2026 - One promising supplement option is Hericium erinaceus, better known as lion’s mane mushroom. Standardized extracts delivering meaningful potency, such as Dee Cee Laboratories’ 1,100-mg-per-serving formula, are gaining attention for their neuroprotective and preventative benefits.

May 13, 2026 - More recently, a study on the acute and chronic effect of H. erinaceus suggested that it may improve speed of performance and reduce subjective stress in healthy, young adults. Similarly, another recent study observed improvements in cognitive function and changes in circulating brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels supporting the proposed neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of the bioactive metabolites present in H.

MMSE alone showed that oral intake of H. erinaceus significantly improved cognitive functions and prevented from the deterioration. We speculate that various chemical compounds, including hericenones, in the mushroom have multiple effects to ...

July 9, 2026 - Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) contains two key compounds—hericenones and erinacines—that research suggests may stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), reduce inflammation, and support cognition, mood, and nerve repair.