Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) has transitioned from traditional medicine to rigorous research arenas. Recent peer‑reviewed studies explore its cognitive, mood, and neuroprotective potential with growing, albeit preliminary, evidence.
A 2023 double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial published in Nutrients examined 41 healthy participants aged 18–45. A single 1.8 g dose of Lion’s Mane led to significantly faster Stroop task performance (p = 0.005); after 28 days, participants showed a trend toward lower subjective stress (PMC10675414, 2023).
A Frontiers in Nutrition trial (April 2025) found no broad improvements in global cognition or mood. However, select tasks, such as the pegboard test, showed transient enhancements following acute intake (Frontiers in Nutrition, 2025).
A narrative review (ONS Voice, 2024) highlights small human studies—e.g., supplementation improved depression (~29%), anxiety (~33%), and sleep (~39%) scores in individuals with higher BMI. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older adults saw significant gains in cognition over 12–16 weeks (ONS Voice, 2024).
Preclinical studies show Lion’s Mane’s hericenones and erinacines stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), contributing to neuroprotection and potential neuroregeneration (ONS Voice, 2024).
Current data suggests promising, domain‑specific benefits of Lion’s Mane for cognition and mood, but findings vary by dosage, task, and population. Future well‑powered, standardized trials are needed.
