Lion’s Mane and the Brain: What the Science Actually Shows

Last updated: October 2026.

Lion’s mane is the shaggy, white mushroom that has become a favourite in coffee shops, supplement aisles and productivity podcasts. It is often described as “brain food”, and many people in Ireland now add lion’s mane drops to their morning coffee.

So what does the science actually show? This guide explains the compounds researchers are interested in, what laboratory and human studies have found, why the evidence is still early, and how to choose and use a quality product.

The short answer

• Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom with a long history in East Asian cooking and traditional practice.
• It contains compounds called hericenones and erinacines, which laboratory studies have linked with nerve growth factor.
• A small number of human trials have explored memory, focus and mood, with some encouraging but limited results.
• It is generally well tolerated, but no health claims can be made. Speak to your GP if you take medication or have a mushroom allergy.

What is lion’s mane?

Lion’s mane grows on hardwood trees, particularly beech and oak, in Europe, Asia and North America. Instead of a cap and gills, it forms a cascade of long, soft spines, which gives it its name. It is also known as bearded tooth mushroom, and in Japan as yamabushitake. It has a mild, seafood-like flavour, and is sometimes cooked as a vegetarian alternative to crab or scallops.

Lion’s mane is rare in the wild in these islands and is legally protected in Britain, so never pick it if you find it. The lion’s mane in supplements and shops is grown commercially.

The compounds researchers study

Compound	Where found	Research interest
Hericenones	Mainly in the fruiting body	Laboratory studies on nerve growth factor production
Erinacines	Mainly in the mycelium	Laboratory and animal studies on nerve cells
Beta-glucans	Throughout the mushroom	Fibre studied for immune and gut effects

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein involved in the growth, maintenance and survival of certain nerve cells. Some laboratory studies have found that lion’s mane compounds can stimulate NGF production in cells, and animal studies have explored effects on memory and nerve repair. These findings are the main reason lion’s mane is linked with brain health. But results in cells and mice often do not translate to people, so human trials are what really matter.

What have human studies found?

Human research on lion’s mane is limited to a small number of trials, most with fewer than 100 participants:

• Older adults in Japan (2009). A trial of around 30 people aged 50 to 80 with mild memory decline reported better scores on a cognitive test after 16 weeks of lion’s mane compared with placebo. The improvements faded after participants stopped taking it.
• Mood and sleep (2010). A small Japanese study in women reported lower scores for anxiety and low mood after four weeks of lion’s mane cookies compared with placebo.
• Younger adults (2023). A UK study in healthy young adults found some faster performance on one task after a single dose, but mixed results over 28 days.

These results are encouraging enough to justify more research, but they are not proof. The trials are small, short and used different products and amounts. For a deeper look, see our complete study breakdown. Food supplements in the EU cannot claim to improve memory or brain function, and we make no such claims.

Fruiting body or mycelium?

Because hericenones are found mainly in the fruiting body and erinacines mainly in the mycelium, both are of interest. The bigger issue is quality: mycelium products grown on grain can contain a large proportion of the grain itself. Look for products that clearly state what part of the mushroom is used, how it was extracted and how much extract is in each serving.

How to take lion’s mane

• Drops. Our Lion’s Mane Drops (€39.95) are easy to add to coffee, tea, water or a smoothie.
• With CBD. Our CBD 10% Oil with free Lion’s Mane Extract is a popular bundle. Read lion’s mane and CBD for how people combine them.
• Powder. Lion’s mane powder can be stirred into porridge, smoothies or soups, though the taste is stronger than drops.
• Cooking. Fresh lion’s mane, sliced and pan-fried in butter or oil until golden, is delicious, though culinary portions differ from extracts.

Most people take lion’s mane in the morning, often with breakfast or coffee. As with any supplement, follow the label, take it consistently for several weeks, and keep a short note of how you feel.

A simple lion’s mane coffee

One of the easiest ways to make lion’s mane part of your day is to add it to a drink you already have every morning:

• Make your coffee or tea as usual.
• Add the serving of lion’s mane drops shown on the label.
• Stir and enjoy. The earthy taste blends well with coffee, cacao and milky drinks.

If you prefer cacao, our Ceremonial Grade Cacao makes a rich, caffeine-light alternative to coffee that pairs well with mushroom drops.

How to tell if it suits you

Because effects, if any, are likely to be subtle, it is easy to fool yourself either way. A simple tracking approach helps:

Week	What to do
Week 0	Rate your focus, energy, mood and sleep each day from 1 to 10 without lion’s mane
Weeks 1 to 4	Take lion’s mane at the same time every day and keep rating
Week 5	Compare your averages and decide whether to continue

Keep other things as steady as you can during the trial, such as caffeine, sleep times and exercise. If you notice no difference after a month, it may not be worth the money for you, and that is a perfectly good outcome.

Why the hype outpaces the science

Lion’s mane is popular on social media, where it is sometimes described as “nature’s nootropic” or claimed to regrow brain cells. Those claims go far beyond what the evidence shows. Lab findings on nerve growth factor are genuinely interesting, but they come from cells and animals. Until larger, longer, independent human trials are done, the honest position is that lion’s mane is a promising food with interesting research behind it, not a proven brain booster.

Safety notes

• Avoid lion’s mane if you have a mushroom allergy. Rare allergic reactions, including skin rashes and breathing difficulties, have been reported.
• Speak to your GP or pharmacist first if you take blood thinners or diabetes medication, as laboratory studies suggest possible effects on blood clotting and blood sugar.
• Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as there is not enough safety research.
• Stop taking it if you notice stomach upset or any unusual symptoms.
• Tell your doctor about all supplements before surgery.

Lion’s mane alongside healthy habits

If your goal is a sharper, clearer mind, the habits with the strongest evidence are consistent sleep, regular exercise, a varied diet, social connection and continually learning new things. Lion’s mane may be an interesting addition, but it works best, if at all, alongside those basics. Our guide to brain fog has practical steps you can start today, and our functional mushroom guide compares lion’s mane with reishi, cordyceps and chaga.

Frequently asked questions

What does lion’s mane do?

Researchers have studied lion’s mane for its effects on nerve growth factor, memory and mood, mostly in laboratory and small human studies. No health claims can be made.

How long does lion’s mane take to work?

Human trials ran from four to sixteen weeks. If you try it, give it several weeks of consistent use.

Is lion’s mane safe?

It is an edible mushroom and generally well tolerated, but avoid it if you have a mushroom allergy, and speak to your GP if you take medication or are pregnant.

Can I take lion’s mane with coffee?

Yes, many people add lion’s mane drops to their morning coffee.

Can I take lion’s mane and CBD together?

Many people do. Introduce one at a time and check with your GP or pharmacist if you take medication.

Is lion’s mane psychedelic?

No. Lion’s mane is a non-psychoactive culinary mushroom.

Should I choose fruiting body or mycelium?

Both contain compounds of interest. Choose a product that clearly states which part is used, the extraction method and the amount per serving.

Can lion’s mane regrow brain cells?

That claim goes beyond the evidence. Laboratory studies have explored effects on nerve growth factor in cells and animals, but this has not been shown in people.

Can I pick lion’s mane in the wild?

No. It is rare in the wild and legally protected in Britain. Buy commercially grown lion’s mane instead.

What does lion’s mane taste like?

Fresh lion’s mane has a mild, slightly sweet, seafood-like flavour. Extracts and drops taste earthy and blend well into coffee.

Is lion’s mane suitable for vegans?

Lion’s mane itself is a mushroom and suitable for vegans. Check the label of any product for other ingredients.

Disclaimer: CBD is sold as a food supplement. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is 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.