New Study Shows: LION'S MANE Mushroom May Help Cognitive Health

In our busy everyday lives, where work, family and health all compete for attention, there is growing interest in natural compounds that are being studied for their possible effects on cognitive function and well-being.

One of the mushrooms attracting increasing scientific interest is Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus).

What makes Lion’s Mane interesting?

Lion’s Mane is a distinctive-looking mushroom with a long history of use in East Asian traditions, especially in China and Japan.

In recent years, researchers have become particularly interested in the bioactive compounds found in Lion’s Mane and their possible relationship with processes involving the nervous system and cognitive function.

As a result, Lion’s Mane is increasingly being studied in clinical research looking at areas such as memory, attention, information processing, mood and perceived stress.

What did the study in young adults find?

In 2023, researchers at Northumbria University carried out a pilot randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The study examined the short-term and 28-day effects of Lion’s Mane supplementation in healthy adults aged 18–45.

Participants consumed 1.8 g of Lion’s Mane per day, while researchers assessed different aspects of cognition, mood and perceived stress.

Faster performance on the Stroop test after a single dose

Sixty minutes after taking a single dose of Lion’s Mane, participants completed the Stroop test faster than the placebo group.

The Stroop test is commonly used to assess cognitive processes such as attention control, information-processing speed and the ability to suppress an automatic response.

This is an interesting result and suggests that Lion’s Mane is worth further investigation in relation to certain aspects of cognitive performance.

However, it is important to note that this was a small pilot study, and not all cognitive measures showed improvement.

What about stress?

After 28 days of Lion’s Mane supplementation, researchers observed a trend toward lower perceived stress.

This result was close to, but did not reach, the usual threshold for statistical significance. For that reason, it should not be interpreted as conclusive evidence that Lion’s Mane reduces stress.

Still, it is an interesting research direction that the authors suggest should be explored in larger clinical studies.

What can we take from this?

The researchers themselves interpret the findings cautiously. They suggest that Lion’s Mane may be worth further study in relation to cognitive function and perceived stress, but larger and longer trials are needed.

This is important to keep in mind when talking about functional mushrooms in general. Laboratory studies and small clinical trials can point to promising directions, but they do not mean that the same effect is guaranteed for every person or every Lion’s Mane product.

Lion’s Mane is still being actively studied

Lion’s Mane is interesting not only because of its unusual appearance. Its bioactive compounds and their possible links with nervous system processes and cognitive function continue to attract scientific attention.

This and other studies are helping researchers gradually understand more about how this mushroom may interact with the human body, while also showing how much remains to be learned.

If you choose a Lion’s Mane supplement, it is worth paying attention to the ingredients, the part of the mushroom used, the extraction method and the manufacturer’s quality-control information.

If you have a medical condition or take medication, consult a healthcare professional before starting a new dietary supplement.