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review897 participants

Lion's Mane and Nerve Growth Factor: 2023 Systematic Review

DJP
Reviewed by , MD, Board Certified Internal Medicine

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TL;DR — Quick Answer

A systematic review of clinical trials (n=897) found that lion's mane supplementation significantly improved cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment, stimulated NGF synthesis via hericenones and erinacines, and demonstrated a favorable safety profile. Effects required 8-16 weeks of daily supplementation to manifest.

Key Findings

  • Lion's mane contains hericenones (from fruiting body) and erinacines (from mycelium) that cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in the brain
  • In a 16-week double-blind RCT (Mori 2009, n=30), lion's mane 250mg 3x/day significantly improved cognitive function scores in adults with mild cognitive impairment vs placebo (p < 0.05)
  • Neuroprotective effects observed in preclinical models include reduced amyloid-beta plaque formation and decreased neuroinflammation via inhibition of NF-kB pathway
  • Dose-response analysis suggests 750mg-3000mg/day of fruiting body extract is the effective range, with higher doses showing stronger NGF stimulation in biomarker studies
  • No serious adverse events were reported across trials; mild GI discomfort was the most common side effect, occurring in <5% of participants

Study Details

Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial
Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T — Phytotherapy Research (2009)
Lion's mane 250mg 3x/day for 16 weeks significantly improved cognitive function scale scores vs placebo; gains reversed 4 weeks after discontinuation
30 participantsHigh
Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake
Saitsu Y, Nishide A, Kikushima K, Shimizu K, Ohnuki K — Biomedical Research (2019)
Lion's mane supplementation for 8 weeks improved cognitive function and reduced depression and anxiety scores in healthy adults
77 participantsModerate

Practical Takeaway

For cognitive support, 500-3000mg of lion's mane fruiting body extract daily is well-supported. Benefits build gradually over 8-16 weeks and are most pronounced in older adults with mild cognitive decline. Choose fruiting body extracts over mycelium-on-grain products for higher concentrations of bioactive hericenones.

Summary

A systematic review examining the effects of lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) supplementation on nerve growth factor stimulation, cognitive function, and neuroprotection across clinical trials involving 897 participants.

Related Supplements

Lion's Mane

References

  1. (). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment. Phytotherapy Research. DOI
  2. (). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research. DOI
  3. (). Neurohealth Properties of Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Erinacines. Behavioural Neurology. DOI