Lion’s Mane is a nootropic mushroom that also known by the names Hericium Erinaceus, Sheep’s Head, Bear’s Head and Yamabushitake. The mushroom is immediately recognizable for its cascading teeth-like spines rather than the classic cap and stem appearance.
This mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for hundreds of years. Records going back a number of centuries indicate that it has been used to treat diseases of the kidneys, liver, spleen, stomach, and even the heart. Lion’s Mane is also thought to improve digestion, strengthen physical condition, and possibly even inhibiting the growth of certain cancers.
Lion’s Mane is also one of the best reputed natural nootropics available, known for increasing Nerve Growth Factor levels in the human brain. This hormone has been linked to increased neuronal growth rates and may improve the synaptic plasticity of the brain.
Lion’s Main is a source of at least 32 different active such as the minerals Potassium, Zinc, Iron, and Selenium. All of the major amino acids are present as well, along with a variety of polypeptides and polysaccharides. You may want to add Lion’s Mane to a nootropic stack for improved neuron health and for long-term positive effects on memory and reasoning.



- Increases Nerve Growth Factor
- Reduces nerves damage due to aging
- Supports memory & cognitive function
Lion’s Mane Effects:
The primary nootropic method of action for Lion’s Mane is by stimulating NGF release.
This hormone is involved in the maintenance of healthy brain cells and supports myelination. Myelin is a layer of fatty cells that forms along the offshoots of your neurons called axons.
The presence of a healthy accumulation of Myelin is known to increase the efficiency with which neurons send electrical transmissions through the cell body. In effect, stimulating myelination may increase the speed of thought processing as well as memory recall.
NGF is also integral to the growth of neurons, the generation of synapses and even the development of new neurons. Your brain contains a network of approximately 86,000,000,000 which are largely formed within the first two years of life.
Until recently, it was believed that no new neurons develop later in life, but we now know that NGF can actually restart this process. Furthermore, NGF makes it easier for your neurons to form new connections with other neurons and may improve communication between different hemispheres of the brain.
Several theories of intelligence center on the idea that the more neuronal connections you have, the more fluid intelligence you will have. We also know that Long Term Potentiation – the process by which memories are encoded as connections between neurons – is made more efficient with higher levels of NGF.
For this reason, Lion’s Mane may be effectively added to a Chemically-Induced Long Term Potentiation Stack. This hormone is often cited in connection with the idea of neuroplasticity and maintaining the brain’s ability to adapt, learn and change even as we grow older.
By increasing levels of this factor, Lion’s Mane may be able to protect against cognitive dysfunction and age-related memory loss. This supplement might eventually be used for helping Alzheimer’s patients and those who have other age-related cognitive issues.
Lion’s Mane Benefits:
One of the most promising benefits of the Lion’s Mane mushroom is the potential for improving many types of nerve disorders.
This includes Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, muscular dystrophy, neuronal degeneration, multiple sclerosis, and perhaps even autism. All of these issues have nerve deficiencies at their heart.
Research is also being conducted into whether or not this supplement could be effective at treating obsessive compulsive personality disorder as well as ADHD.
Lion’s Mane helps to regulate both blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It may even be helpful at reducing the number and severity of allergies. This supplement stimulates the induction of substances known as interferons.
Interferons are chemicals that are known to boost the white blood cell count. This is probably the reason why Lion’s Mane has such a wide range of immune boosting, restorative, and organ protecting effects. As interferons increase, so does healing.
In fact, these substances are now thought to be a key factor in assisting almost any type of healing process within the human body. This includes enhancing the function of stomach mucus barriers, accelerating the healing of ulcers, and even reducing general inflammation all over the body.
Lion’s Mane Dosage:
Determining a recommended dosage for this supplement is a complex matter. Most of the studies conducted thus far has been on animals with only a few human studies to look at.
Furthermore, the limited selection of human studies usually administer excessively high doses (in the 1,000 to 3,000 mg per day range) to test for toxicity. The average dose is 500 mg taken once a day, though you may find that a different amount works best for you.
This supplement is sometimes included in nootropic stack products such as Brain Stack and it is sold on its own in pill or powder form. One thing to remember when finding these supplements is to always pay attention to their purity.
Lion’s Mane Side Effects:
As of right now there have not been any reported side effects of using this supplement. It seems to be highly safe with no reports of toxicity levels, either. Of course, you might want to ask your doctor before adding it to your routine, just to ensure against any unusual potential reactions or interactions with your existing supplements or medications.
Lion’s Mane Review:
Lion’s Mane is a supplement that offers long-term benefits in the area of brain health and memory. While you may not notice its effects right away, individuals with Alzheimer’s and other nerve disorders may experience significant benefits when adding this nootropic to their routine.
This medicinal mushroom is safe and can boost the immune system and overall inflammation to maintain good health. Lion’s Mane would work well in a natural nootropic supplement with Ginkgo Biloba and Vinpocetine and it also helps to balance out a stronger cognitive enhancement regimen when paired with Piracetam or similar compounds.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
3 Comments
Hi i would like to ask. Are pregnant women allowed to take lion’s mane? So that their baby will be smarter?
I don’t know about Lion’s Mane improving IQ, but I do know that mother’s intake of iodine can improve babies IQ
Angela, be careful with iodine intake during pregnancy. Too much iodine during pregnancy can cause congenital hypothyroidism which could lead to mental and/or growth retardation.