Lion's Mane and CBD: Can You Take Them Together?

Last updated: September 2026.

The short answer

Yes. For most healthy adults, lion’s mane and CBD can be taken together. There is no known interaction between them, and many people pair them as a daily routine: lion’s mane for focus and mental clarity, CBD for calm. No study has tested the two together yet, so start with one, add the other after a week or two, and speak to your doctor first if you take regular medication, have a mushroom allergy, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

What is lion’s mane?

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible white mushroom with long, shaggy spines, which is where the name comes from. It has been eaten and used in traditional practice in China, Japan and Korea for centuries. Today it is one of the most popular “functional mushrooms” in Ireland, usually taken as drops, capsules, powder or gummies.

Lion’s mane contains natural compounds called hericenones and erinacines. In lab and animal studies these have been shown to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein involved in the growth and maintenance of nerve cells. That is the main reason researchers are interested in it for the brain.

What is CBD?

CBD (cannabidiol) is a natural compound from the hemp plant. It does not cause a “high”. It works with the body’s endocannabinoid system, a network of receptors involved in keeping the body in balance, including around mood, rest and stress. Most people take CBD as an oil under the tongue. Our 10% CBD oil gives 5mg per drop and is where most people start.

Why do people take lion’s mane and CBD together?

The two are usually taken for different reasons, which is why they pair well:

Lion’s mane is mostly taken for focus, memory and mental clarity. Its effects, if you notice them, build slowly over weeks.
CBD is mostly taken to feel calmer and to help wind down. It is usually felt within an hour.

People who combine them often describe the goal as “clear but calm”: sharper during the day, without the jittery edge of extra coffee. Here is what some of our customers have told us:

I started with CBD for anxiety and sleep, but the Lion’s Mane gave me back my sharpness. I’m 49, running a business, and honestly hadn’t felt this mentally clear in years.
Colin, Cork

I was skeptical, but wow. CBD helped my body feel calm — less tension in my chest. The Lion’s Mane is what surprised me. After about 10 days, my brain fog was noticeably better. I’m getting more done, and my mood is better too.
Angela, Galway

It’s subtle, not like caffeine or a stimulant. But over time, I just felt more like myself again. Focused, calm, and steady.
Niall, Limerick

Everyone is different, and these are individual experiences rather than promises.

What does the research say?

Human research on lion’s mane is promising but still small. There are no studies on lion’s mane and CBD combined.

Lion’s mane

Memory in older adults: in a 2009 Japanese trial, 30 adults aged 50 to 80 with mild memory decline took lion’s mane tablets or a placebo for 16 weeks. The lion’s mane group scored better on cognitive tests, but scores dropped back after they stopped (Mori et al., 2009).
Mood: a 2010 study of 30 women found lower scores for anxiety and low mood after 4 weeks of eating lion’s mane cookies compared with placebo (Nagano et al., 2010).
Healthy young adults: a 2023 study of 41 adults found a single dose of lion’s mane led to faster performance on one attention task, but 28 days of use did not clearly improve memory (Docherty et al., 2023).

The honest summary: early studies are encouraging, especially in older adults, but they are small, and bigger trials are needed.

CBD

CBD has more research behind it, mostly around stress and sleep. In a 2019 case series of 72 adults, most reported lower anxiety scores within the first month of taking CBD (Shannon et al., 2019). Small controlled studies have also found CBD reduced anxiety in stressful situations such as public speaking.

How to take lion’s mane and CBD together

Morning lion’s mane, evening CBD. The most popular routine. Lion’s mane with breakfast for the day ahead, CBD later to wind down.
Both in the morning. Good for busy workdays if you want to feel focused and steady.
Both together, once a day. The simplest option. Our Lion’s Mane Drops and CBD oils are both liquid drops, so you can take them one after the other under the tongue, or add them to coffee, tea or a smoothie.

Give lion’s mane at least 4 to 8 weeks of daily use before judging it. CBD is usually noticed sooner.

How much should you take?

CBD: most people start with around 25mg a day (5 drops of our 10% oil) and adjust slowly. Our CBD dosing guide explains how to find your amount.

Lion’s mane: studies have used anywhere from about 1 to 3g a day of mushroom powder, or smaller amounts of concentrated extract. Because products vary a lot in strength, always follow the directions on your product’s label.

Who should be careful?

Mushroom allergy: avoid lion’s mane if you are allergic to mushrooms. Stop if you notice itching, a rash or breathing problems.
Medication: CBD is processed by the same liver enzymes (CYP450) as many medicines, including blood thinners. Lion’s mane may also affect blood sugar and blood clotting. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist first if you take regular medication, especially for diabetes or to thin the blood. See does CBD oil affect blood clotting?
Surgery: stop both two weeks before any planned surgery.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: not recommended, as there is not enough safety data.

Side effects are uncommon and usually mild: an upset stomach with lion’s mane, and tiredness or a dry mouth with CBD.

How to choose a good lion’s mane supplement

Lion’s mane supplements vary a lot in quality. A few things on the label tell you most of what you need to know:

Fruiting body or mycelium: the fruiting body is the mushroom itself. Some cheaper products are mostly mycelium grown on grain, which can contain a lot of starch.
Extract or powder: an extract concentrates the compounds in the mushroom. Plain powder is simply dried and ground mushroom.
Beta-glucans: good products state the beta-glucan content, which is a useful marker of quality.
A lab test: as with CBD, look for a product tested for heavy metals and contaminants.

Our lion’s mane drops are a liquid extract, easy to add to coffee, tea or water.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take lion’s mane and CBD at the same time?

Yes. There is no known interaction between them, and many people take them at the same time. If you are new to both, start one first and add the other a week or two later so you know how each affects you.

Does lion’s mane make you sleepy?

Not usually. Most people take it in the morning. If you want something for the evening, CBD is the more common choice.

How long does lion’s mane take to work?

In studies, changes were usually measured after 4 to 16 weeks of daily use. It is not something most people feel straight away.

Can I take lion’s mane with coffee?

Yes. Many people add lion’s mane drops to their morning coffee. Some find the combination gives them focus with fewer jitters than coffee alone.

Is lion’s mane legal in Ireland?

Yes. Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom and is sold in Ireland as a food supplement. It is not a “magic” or psychedelic mushroom and has no psychoactive effects.

Can I take lion’s mane every day?

Many people take lion’s mane daily as part of their routine. Follow the amount on the label, and speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Should I avoid lion’s mane if I have a mushroom allergy?

Yes. If you are allergic to mushrooms, avoid lion’s mane supplements.

Where to buy lion’s mane and CBD in Ireland

Dr. Hemp Me has been serving Irish customers since 2018 and has looked after over 15,000 customers. You can buy our Lion’s Mane Drops and our CBD oils in one order, or choose our CBD 10% Oil with free Lion’s Mane Extract bundle while stock lasts. Orders placed before 2pm are dispatched the same working day, delivery 1–3 business days in Ireland.

Building a routine? You may also like our guides to CBD and ashwagandha, L-theanine vs CBD and CBD and magnesium.

Disclaimer: CBD and functional mushrooms are sold as food supplements. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and are not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting a new supplement, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding.

References

Mori, K. et al. (2009) “Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.” Phytotherapy Research
Nagano, M. et al. (2010) “Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake.” Biomedical Research
Docherty, S. et al. (2023) “The acute and chronic effects of Lion’s Mane mushroom supplementation on cognitive function, stress and mood in young adults: a double-blind, parallel groups, pilot study.” Nutrients
Shannon, S. et al. (2019) “Cannabidiol in anxiety and sleep: a large case series.” The Permanente Journal

Lion’s Mane and CBD: Can You Take Them Together? (2026 Guide)