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2025 was a landmark year for natural supplement research.
Not because we discovered miracle cures. But because we got honest answers to questions the wellness industry has been dancing around for years.
Does CBD really work for chronic pain? Can Lion’s Mane actually make you smarter? Are medicinal mushrooms just expensive placebos?
I spent the last two weeks reading every major study published in 2025 on CBD and medicinal mushrooms. And I’m going to be brutally honest with you about what I found.
Some findings validated what we’ve been saying for years. Others completely challenged assumptions I’ve held since starting Dr. Hemp Me.
Three studies in particular killed myths that have been costing customers money and preventing them from getting real benefits.
And seven more revealed surprising applications—like the “energy mushroom” that dramatically improved sleep, or the CBG dimer that’s 8 times more potent than its parent molecule.
This isn’t a sales pitch. It’s a science lesson. Because you deserve to know what actually works before spending money on supplements.
Let’s dive in.
The Three Myths That Died in 2025
Myth #1: CBD Works for Chronic Pain (Spoiler: Isolate Doesn’t)
The Study: Chou et al., 2025 – Systematic review published in Annals of Internal Medicine
I’ll be blunt: If you’re taking CBD isolate for chronic pain, you’re probably wasting your money.
A massive systematic review analyzed 25 trials involving 2,300+ patients with chronic pain. The researchers looked at CBD-only products versus THC-containing cannabis products.
The findings were stark:
CBD-only products showed no significant benefit for chronic pain. None. Whether it was back pain, arthritis pain, or neuropathic pain—CBD isolate failed to beat placebo in most measures.
But THC-rich cannabis products? Those showed small but significant pain relief, especially for neuropathic pain (nerve-related pain).
Now here’s where it gets interesting.
A separate Phase 3 trial published in Nature Medicine (Karst et al., 2025) tested a full-spectrum extract called VER-01 in 820 patients with chronic low back pain.
The result? Significant pain reduction compared to placebo. The difference was modest (-0.6 points on a 0-10 pain scale), but statistically significant and meaningful to patients.
What This Actually Means:
The entourage effect is real. CBD needs THC and other cannabinoids to work effectively for pain.
This is why we’ve always focused on full-spectrum extracts at Dr. Hemp Me. Not because it sounds better in marketing, but because isolated CBD doesn’t do what whole-plant extracts do.
In Ireland and the EU, we’re limited to trace THC (0.2% or less). That’s not the therapeutic amounts used in these studies. But even trace amounts of THC plus CBD plus CBG plus CBC plus terpenes creates a more effective product than CBD alone.
Bottom line: If you’re buying CBD isolate for pain, save your money. If pain relief is your goal, full-spectrum is non-negotiable.
Myth #2: Lion’s Mane is a “Smart Drug” You Take Once
The Study: Surendran et al., 2025 – Published in Frontiers in Nutrition
This one hurt my feelings a bit, but I’m glad they tested it.
UK researchers gave healthy young adults (ages 18-35) a single 3g dose of Lion’s Mane extract. Then they tested cognitive performance 90 minutes later.
Result: Absolutely nothing.
No improvement in memory. No boost in processing speed. No mood enhancement. The only thing that improved was performance on one specific motor task (pegboard test), which honestly could have been practice effect.
My first reaction: “Wait, but Lion’s Mane works! I take it daily and feel sharper!”
Then I read the rest of the research, and it made perfect sense.
The Study: Menon et al., 2025 – Systematic review in Frontiers in Nutrition
This comprehensive review looked at all the Lion’s Mane research from recent years. Here’s what actually works:
- 8 weeks of Lion’s Mane supplementation improved depression and anxiety scores in multiple trials
- 12 weeks improved cognitive scores in adults with mild cognitive impairment
- 4 weeks in overweight adults increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduced mood disturbances
The pattern is clear: Lion’s Mane is not a stimulant. It’s a nourishing tonic.
Think of it like fish oil for your brain. You don’t take one fish oil capsule and suddenly have better cardiovascular health. You take it daily for months, and gradually, your inflammatory markers improve.
Lion’s Mane works by promoting nerve growth factor (NGF) and BDNF production. These proteins help your brain build new connections and protect existing neurons. That takes time.
What This Actually Means:
If you tried Lion’s Mane once or twice and felt nothing, that’s completely normal. You didn’t fail. The supplement didn’t fail. You just expected acute effects from something that works chronically.
Give it 8-12 weeks of consistent daily use. That’s when the research shows benefits appear.
At Dr. Hemp Me, we recommend 500mg-1g daily of a quality extract. Not because more is better (see Myth #3), but because that’s what the studies showing benefits actually used.
Myth #3: More = Faster Results
This might be the most important finding for your wallet and your health.
I’ve watched customers make this mistake for years: “If one capsule is good, three must be better and faster, right?”
The 2025 research showed the exact opposite.
Lion’s Mane:
- Single 3g dose = no effect
- Daily moderate dose over 8 weeks = real benefits
- Conclusion: Patience beats mega-dosing
Reishi Meta-Analysis (Mirzaei Fashtali et al., 2025):
- 17 trials analyzed
- Lower doses (<1.4g/day) actually outperformed higher doses for cholesterol reduction and oxidative stress markers
- Higher doses weren’t dangerous—just not more effective
CBD:
- Most studies showing benefits used 20-70mg daily
- One study using ~350mg/day found 5.6% of users developed elevated liver enzymes
- The EU Novel Food guideline caps CBD at 70mg/day for good reason
The universal pattern: Start low. Go slow. Give it time.
What This Actually Means:
Taking more doesn’t get you there faster. Sometimes it costs more money for the same (or worse) results. Sometimes it stresses your body unnecessarily.
This is why at Dr. Hemp Me we emphasize “minimum effective dose” in all our guidance. Not because we want to sell you less (we’d make more money if you bought more), but because that’s what the science supports.
If 20mg of CBD helps your anxiety, taking 100mg won’t help five times more. It might help the same amount, or cause side effects, or stress your liver.
Quality at moderate doses beats quantity at any dose.
The 7 Other Major Discoveries from 2025
1. The Energy Mushroom That Helps You Sleep
The Study: Zhao et al., 2025 – Frontiers in Neurology
This was 2025’s most surprising finding. Cordyceps is famous as the “athlete’s mushroom” for endurance and energy.
But a Chinese trial tested fermented Cordyceps sinensis in 90 patients with primary insomnia for 4 weeks.
The results were remarkable:
- Sleep quality (PSQI score) improved by ~5.2 points in the Cordyceps group vs 1.0 point in placebo
- Time to fall asleep decreased by approximately 30 minutes by week 4
- Sleep duration, efficiency, and daytime function all significantly better
- 95% adherence (tracked digitally)
- No serious side effects
How does an “energy” mushroom improve sleep?
The mechanism: Cordycepin (the main active compound in Cordyceps) can activate adenosine receptors in the brain. These are the same receptors that caffeine blocks to keep you awake.
So Cordyceps does the opposite of caffeine at night—it promotes the natural sleep drive.
What This Means:
Cordyceps isn’t just for pre-workout. It might work because it improves your sleep quality, which then improves your daytime energy and athletic performance.
I’ve actually started taking Cordyceps in the evening instead of the morning. The research suggests timing might matter—morning dose for energy metabolism, evening dose for sleep quality.
2. Cordyceps for Long COVID Fatigue
The Study: Chen et al., 2025 – Acta Materia Medica
Long COVID has left millions struggling with persistent fatigue, brain fog, and exercise intolerance. A Hong Kong trial tested Cs-4 Cordyceps mycelium extract in 110 long COVID patients for 12 weeks.
The improvements were significant:
- Fatigue severity decreased by -8.1 points vs baseline (controls showed no improvement)
- Respiratory symptoms improved (dyspnea scores -6.3)
- Insomnia severity -2.9
- Anxiety and depression scores trended better
- No severe adverse events
This is huge for anyone dealing with post-viral syndrome. Whether it’s Long COVID, post-Epstein-Barr, or chronic fatigue syndrome, Cordyceps showed promise as a recovery accelerator.
What This Means:
If you’re dealing with persistent fatigue after viral illness, Cordyceps might be worth trying alongside medical treatment. The study used Cs-4 (mycelium culture), so quality matters—look for products specifying their Cordyceps source.
3. CBD for Dementia Symptoms (Without Sedation)
The Study: Pessoa et al., 2025 – Journal of Psychopharmacology
This small trial (30 patients with vascular dementia) tested 300mg/day CBD for 4 weeks.
The results:
- Significant reduction in agitation and psychosis (Neuropsychiatric Inventory scores improved, p≈0.05)
- No change in cognition (MMSE scores stable)
- No sedation – patients remained alert and functional
- Mild adverse effects only
Why this matters: Dementia patients often develop behavioral symptoms—aggression, paranoia, agitation. The standard treatment is antipsychotic drugs, which can cause sedation, falls, and cognitive decline.
CBD offered an alternative that calmed without sedating.
What This Means:
For families caring for loved ones with dementia, CBD might provide behavioral support without the heavy side effects of pharmaceutical sedatives. This needs larger trials, but it’s promising.
Important: Always work with the patient’s doctor. This study used 300mg/day, which is above typical consumer doses.
4. The CBD+CBN Sleep Formula That Actually Worked
The Study: Hausenblas et al., 2025 – Health Sciences Reports
Sleep is the #1 reason people try CBD. But most CBD-only sleep studies have been disappointing.
This trial tested a combination formula in 20 people with insomnia:
- 10mg CBD
- 6mg CBN (cannabinol)
- 3mg THC
- Plus terpenes
They used a crossover design (everyone got both the formula and placebo, in random order) for 10 nights each.
Results:
- Sleep quality improved (ISI and PSQI scores significantly better)
- Insomnia severity decreased
- Quality of life improved
- Mood and anxiety trended better (though not statistically significant)
- Zero adverse events
What This Means:
The entourage effect applies to sleep too. CBD + CBN + THC worked where CBD alone often fails.
In Ireland/EU, THC above trace amounts requires prescription. But CBN is legal and increasingly available. Look for products combining CBD with CBN for sleep support.
We’re actually formulating a CBD+CBN evening tincture based on this research. Expected launch Q1 2026.
5. Lion’s Mane Works Through Your Gut
The Study: Černelič-Bizjak et al., 2024/2025 – Nutrients
This double-blind RCT gave 30 adults either 3.2g/day Lion’s Mane powder or placebo for 12 weeks.
The fascinating findings:
- Cognitive function trended better in Lion’s Mane group (attention subtests improved)
- Notable increase in SCFA-producing gut bacteria (short-chain fatty acids)
- The cognitive improvements correlated with microbiome changes
- Anxiety reduction observed
This suggests Lion’s Mane might work partially through the gut-brain axis—improving gut bacteria composition, which in turn supports brain health.
What This Means:
Lion’s Mane isn’t just a “brain supplement.” It’s a gut-brain supplement. The benefits you feel might be as much about improved gut health as direct neurological effects.
This also explains why it takes weeks to work—gut microbiome changes take time.
6. Reishi: Gentle, Not Powerful (And That’s Fine)
The Study: Mirzaei Fashtali et al., 2025 – Food Science & Nutrition
A meta-analysis of 17 RCTs (971 participants) on Reishi supplementation.
The honest results:
- Very modest BMI reduction (-0.43 kg/m²)
- Small decrease in resting heart rate (~4 bpm)
- Slight improvement in antioxidant enzyme levels
- No significant effect on blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, or inflammatory markers
- Evidence quality rated “very low”
My first reaction: “That’s… underwhelming.”
But then I thought about how people actually use Reishi. A survey of 1,374 cancer patients in China (Liou et al., 2025) showed they take it primarily for:
- Immune support (45%)
- General health improvement (41%)
- Better sleep and reduced fatigue
They’re not expecting it to cure cancer or melt away cholesterol. They want holistic support. A gentle daily tonic for balance and resilience.
What This Means:
Reishi isn’t a powerhouse supplement with dramatic clinical effects. It’s gentle, subtle, and safe for long-term use.
Think of it as the supplement equivalent of meditation or yoga. The benefits are real but subtle. You feel more balanced, sleep better, handle stress more easily.
If you’re looking for dramatic changes in lab values, Reishi probably won’t deliver. If you’re looking for daily nervous system and immune support, it’s perfect.
7. The Erinacines Story (Why Mycelium Matters)
The Study: Spangenberg et al., 2025 – Frontiers in Pharmacology
This systematic review focused on erinacines—compounds found specifically in Lion’s Mane mycelium (not fruiting body).
In 28 preclinical studies (rodent and cell models), erinacines:
- Improved cognition and motor function in Alzheimer’s models
- Reduced depression-like behavior
- Activated Nrf2 antioxidant pathways
- Increased BDNF and promoted hippocampal neurogenesis
- Reduced neuroinflammation
Erinacines A and C were especially potent—they activated antioxidant responses and mitigated amyloid toxicity.
What This Means:
Not all Lion’s Mane products are equal. Fruiting body vs mycelium matters.
Fruiting body contains hericenones. Mycelium contains erinacines. Both have benefits, but they’re different compounds with different mechanisms.
The most comprehensive products use both—which is why we formulate our Lion’s Mane tincture with 80% mycelium / 20% fruiting body.
What This Means for You: Practical Guidance
For Sleep:
What works:
- CBD + CBN combination (10mg CBD + 6mg CBN is the studied ratio)
- Cordyceps in the evening (500mg-1g)
- Reishi tincture before bed (1-2ml)
What probably doesn’t:
- CBD isolate alone (mixed results in research)
- Single-dose Lion’s Mane (not an acute sleep aid)
Timeline: 2-4 weeks for consistent results
For Stress, Anxiety & Mood:
What works:
- Lion’s Mane daily (500mg-1g) – give it 8-12 weeks
- CBD for acute moments (10-30mg as needed)
- Reishi as daily nervous system support (1-2g or 1-2ml tincture)
What probably doesn’t:
- Mega-doses of anything (more ≠ better)
- Expecting immediate “high” or dramatic mood shift
Timeline: 4-8 weeks for Lion’s Mane, within 30-60 minutes for acute CBD use
For Pain & Inflammation:
What works:
- Full-spectrum CBD (with trace THC and other cannabinoids)
- Topical application for localized pain
- Chaga or Reishi for general anti-inflammatory support
What probably doesn’t:
- CBD isolate for chronic pain (evidence is weak)
- Single cannabinoid approaches
Important: Severe chronic pain needs medical management. CBD is supportive, not curative.
For Energy & Recovery:
What works:
- Cordyceps in the morning (500mg-1g)
- Lion’s Mane daily for mental stamina
- Cordyceps for Long COVID recovery (1.5-2g daily, 12 weeks)
Timeline: 2-4 weeks for Cordyceps energy effects, 8-12 weeks for Long COVID recovery
Dosing Principles from 2025 Research:
- Start low (lower than you think)
- Go slow (increase gradually if needed)
- Give it time (most benefits appear after 4-8 weeks)
- Less is often more (higher doses rarely work better)
- Combinations beat isolates (entourage effect is real)
The Bottom Line
2025 taught us that natural supplements are neither miracle cures nor placebos.
They have specific, measurable effects when used properly:
- Full-spectrum CBD for pain and anxiety (not isolate)
- Lion’s Mane as long-term brain tonic (not acute smart drug)
- Cordyceps for energy AND sleep (dual mechanisms)
- Reishi for gentle daily support (not dramatic effects)
- Combinations beat single compounds (entourage effect validated)
But they require patience, proper dosing, and realistic expectations.
The supplements that work fastest (pharmaceutical drugs) often have the most side effects. The supplements that work slowly (like Lion’s Mane, Reishi) tend to be gentler and safer for long-term use.
At Dr. Hemp Me, we’re incorporating these findings into everything—formulations, dosing guidance, product education. We’re launching combination products (CBD+CBN for sleep) and emphasizing mycelium-rich Lion’s Mane extracts.
But most importantly, we’re being honest. When research shows CBD isolate doesn’t work for pain, we’ll tell you. When studies show benefits take 8 weeks, we’ll manage your expectations.
Because you deserve to know what actually works.
The plant kingdom has powerful tools for health and wellness. Science is just beginning to understand them. And together, we’re learning to use them properly.
Here’s to an evidence-informed 2026.
References & Further Reading
Chou R, et al. (2025). Cannabis for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review. Annals of Internal Medicine. Karst M, et al. (2025).
Full-spectrum extract from Cannabis sativa for chronic low back pain: Phase 3 RCT. Nature Medicine. Surendran S, et al. (2025).
Acute effects of Lion’s Mane on cognition and mood in healthy young adults. Frontiers in Nutrition. Menon M, et al. (2025).
Benefits, side effects, and uses of Hericium erinaceus: A systematic review. Frontiers in Nutrition. Zhao Y, et al. (2025).
Effectiveness of fermentation broth of Cordyceps sinensis for primary insomnia. Frontiers in Neurology. Chen J, et al. (2025).
Cordyceps sinensis mycelium culture extract for long COVID patients. Acta Materia Medica. Pessoa L, et al. (2025). Effects of cannabidiol on behavioral symptoms of vascular dementia. Journal of Psychopharmacology. Hausenblas H, et al. (2025).
Cannabinoids supplement on sleep and mood in adults with insomnia. Health Sciences Reports. Černelič-Bizjak M, et al. (2025).
Lion’s Mane effects on cognition and microbiota. Nutrients. Mirzaei Fashtali S, et al. (2025).
Ganoderma lucidum supplementation: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Food Science & Nutrition. Spangenberg L, et al. (2025).
Erinacines and neuroprotection: Systematic review in preclinical models. Frontiers in Pharmacology. Florian J, et al. (2025). Cannabidiol and liver enzyme elevations in healthy adults. JAMA Internal Medicine.
