Lion's Mane Mushroom

Aka: Lion's Mane Mushroom, Yamabushitake, Bearded Tooth Fungus, Bearded Hedgehog, Hericium Erinaceus

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II. Indications

  1. No compelling evidence to support use in humans as of 2026
  2. Marketed in the form of capsules, extracts and edibles for various uses without evidence
    1. Improved cognition such as improving memory or clearing brain fog (contrary evidence, see below)
    2. Anxiety or Depressed Mood (no evidence)

III. Background

  1. Tooth Fungus species found in North America, Europe and Asia
  2. Edible mushroom used in Chinese Medicine
  3. Found growing on dead hardwoods (esp. Maple and American Beech Trees) in late summer and fall
    1. Bulbous white tubercules, 2 to 15 inches in diameter
    2. Covered in multiple spore-producing long white spines

IV. Dosing

  1. Based on doses used in small studies (listed only for safety, not based on efficacy)
  2. Oral doses up to 1 gram daily for up to 16 weeks appears safe

V. Adverse Effects

  1. Gastrointestinal Upset

VI. Efficacy

  1. Appears to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in the lab and in animal studies
  2. Only small, low quality human studies have been done with Lion's Mane Mushroom (variable results)
    1. In healthy patients, either does not improve memory, or as in one study, worsens word recall
    2. A single small study demonstrated ADL improvement in Alzheimer Disease after 1 year of supplementation

VII. Drug Interactions

  1. Anticoagulants
    1. May potentiate bleeding risk
  2. Diabetes Mellitus Medications
    1. May potentiate Hypoglycemia risk

VIII. References

  1. (2026) Presc Lett 33(5): 8
  2. Contato (2025) Nutrients 17(8):1307 +PMID: 40284172 [PubMed]

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