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Lmn7.0
Lion's Mane Research
Mostly mechanism / observationalHigh safety
44 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Mostly mechanism / observational
Most Lion's Mane studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from high-quality randomised trials published 2008–2026 with a typical study size of 34 participants.
Based on 44 studies · 8 RCTs · 7,246 total participants
Confidence
High
By outcome
Cognitive functionImproved cognitive function · 4-8 weeks
1Alzheimer's disease biomarkers and cognitionSystematic ReviewCited 12×n=7,009 · very large study2023
Better designed trials with holistic measures are needed to investigate the effect of nutritional support on the AD biomarkers, cognitive status, biochemical parameters and functional states.
Kocatürk RR et al. · The International journal of neuroscience (2023)
Better designed trials with holistic measures are needed to investigate the effect of nutritional support on the AD biomarkers, cognitive status, biochemical parameters and functional states.
Also, more beneficial results can be obtained by examining the simultaneous effects of nutritional supplements with larger sample groups.
2Colon cancer treatment efficacySystematic ReviewCited 6×2025
Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and confirm the safety and efficacy of medicinal mushrooms as a holistic anti-colon cancer treatment.
Bentharavithana J et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2025)
Therefore, there is a strong demand for innovative, affordable, and minimally invasive treatments such as medicinal mushrooms.
Further research is needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and confirm the safety and efficacy of medicinal mushrooms as a holistic anti-colon cancer treatment.
3Antidepressant mechanisms of edible and medicinal fungiSystematic ReviewCited 8×2025
Future research should address these gaps, emphasizing personalized interventions and advanced technologies for next-generation antidepressant foods.
Gong P et al. · Molecular nutrition & food research (2025)
Additionally, it discusses the use of EMFs in functional foods and dietary supplements, innovations like 3D food printing for depression-related issues, and synthetic biology for enhancing compound production.
Artificial intelligence is used to model complex mechanisms.
However, challenges remain, such as standardization and lack of clinical validation.
Conclusions: Despite presenting the potential use of mushrooms in managing PNIs, the existing approaches need to be subjected to clinical research to accelerate the development of future therapeutics and preventive measures for PNIs.
Taib NAB et al. · Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland) (2026)
Results: These mushroom-derived treatments enhanced the migration of Schwann cells mainly via the FGF-2 signalling and MAPK pathway.
In vivo studies also revealed the ability of H. erinaceus, A. muscaria, and L. rhinocerotis to promote peripheral nerve repair and functional recovery, with evidence suggesting the role of neurotrophic factors, anti-apoptotic signalling, and pro-inflammatory substances.
H. erinaceus was identified as the most promising for potential clinical applications, given the stronger evidence-based data and its relatively safer components compared to A. muscuria and other mushroom species.
The potential of H. erinaceus as a functional food, nutraceutical, and adjunct therapeutic agent highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, clinicians, and regulatory bodies.
Contato AG et al. · Nutrients (2025)
Advances in biotechnological methods, including optimized cultivation techniques and novel extraction methods, may further enhance the bioavailability and pharmacological effects of H. erinaceus.
Future research should prioritize large-scale clinical trials, the standardization of extraction methods, and the elucidation of pharmacokinetics to facilitate its integration into evidence-based medicine.
In this study, we compiled a comprehensive inventory of bioactive compounds and examined their therapeutic capabilities, specifically focusing on their potential for exhibiting antiproliferative and neuroprotective pharmacological effects.
Alsoufi MH et al. · Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia (2025)
H. erinaceus demonstrates various medicinal properties, including antimicrobial, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, and positive wound-healing effects.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that this substance consists of various physiologically vital constituents, specifically glucan polysaccharides, which exhibit anti-cancer, immunomodulatory, hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and neuroprotective properties.
This review examines the scientific literature to gain insight into the latest research advancements concerning the potential health advantages of H. erinaceus.
Additionally, it discusses the opportunities and challenges associated with scientific research and practical applications in this field.
Ge F et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
The common extraction method employed is water extraction followed by alcohol precipitation.
HEPs exhibit a diverse array of biological activities, including immune enhancement, anti-tumor effects, anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidant capabilities, and antiviral functions.
This paper provides a comprehensive review of recent advancements in the extraction, separation, purification, structural analysis, biological activity, and toxicity assessments of HEPs.
In conclusion, evidence suggests that intake of HE may be an appropriate and relevant future therapeutic treatment for the prevention and delayed progression of Alzheimer's disease; however, continued research is necessary to provide further significant evidence of this relationship, through an increased quantity of human clinical trials.
Cornford N et al. · Nutrition research reviews (2025)
In total, three human clinical trials and thirteen animal-model studies were included in review.
The use of HE demonstrated positive significant differences in results obtained from behavioural, histological and biochemical assessments from both human clinical trials and animal model studies accentuating its utility for the improvement of cognitive function.
In addition, erinacine-A-enriched HE appears to demonstrate the highest bioactive potency of all HE extracted compounds, providing the greatest effects while also showing transportability ease across biological barriers.
This review focuses on the properties of selected medicinal mushrooms and their effects on the human organism and presents current knowledge on the possibilities of their use in the production of functional foods.
Łysakowska P et al. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2023)
Detailed mechanisms of the effects of medicinal mushrooms on the human organism still require long-term clinical studies to confirm their nutraceutical effects, their safety of use, and their dosage.
Medicinal mushrooms have great potential to be used in the design of innovative functional foods.
There is a need for further research on the possibility of incorporating mushrooms into food products to assess the interactions of their bioactive substances with ingredients in the food matrix.
11Over the counter supplements effects on memorySystematic ReviewCited 12×2023
Hersant H et al. · CNS drugs (2023)
More rigorous studies are needed relative to the long-term use of these supplements in homogenous populations with standardized measurements of cognition.
Health care providers need to be aware of any and all supplements their older adult patients may be consuming and be educated about their side effects and interactions with prescription medications.
Lastly, the FDA needs to take an active position relative to monitoring marketed supplements regarding safety, purity and claims of efficacy.
Maitake or hen-of-the-woods), the genus Pleurotus (e.g. oyster mushrooms), and Agaricus subrufescens (i.e. the almond mushroom).
Shevchuk Y et al. · Ageing research reviews (2023)
Maitake or hen-of-the-woods), the genus Pleurotus (e.g. oyster mushrooms), and Agaricus subrufescens (i.e. the almond mushroom).
We propose that further research on fungal extracts will provide a greater picture of the role fungi-derived bioactive molecules can have in developing longevity and neuroprotective medicines for humans.
14Neuroprotective effects in Alzheimer's diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 115×2021
It is hoped that these medicinal plants can be used in drug discovery programs for identifying safe and efficacious small molecules for AD.
Gregory J et al. · Biomolecules (2021)
Methods-This article systematically reviews recent studies that have investigated the role of neuroprotective herbs and their bioactive compounds for dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease and pre-Alzheimer's disease.
PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases of articles were collected, and abstracts were reviewed for relevance to the subject matter.
Conclusions-Medicinal plants have great potential as part of an overall program in the prevention and treatment of cognitive decline associated with AD.
15Memory enhancement in Alzheimer's diseaseSystematic ReviewCited 16×2022
In conclusion, Hericium erinaceus has therapeutic potential and may facilitate memory enhancement in patients with AD.
Yanshree et al. · Cells (2022)
A limited number of clinical studies have been conducted and several clinical trials are ongoing, which have thus far shown analogous outcomes to the preclinical studies.
Nonetheless, future research on Hericium erinaceus needs to focus on elucidating the specific neuroprotective mechanisms and the target sites in AD.
Additionally, standardized treatment parameters and universal regulatory systems need to be established to further ensure treatment safety and efficacy.
We discovered antidementia compounds, hericenones C to H, from the fruiting bodies and erinacine A to I from the cultured mycelia of the fungus.
Kawagishi H · Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry (2021)
We discovered antidementia compounds, hericenones C to H, from the fruiting bodies and erinacine A to I from the cultured mycelia of the fungus.
Based on the data of the compounds, several clinical experiments were performed using the fungus. "Fairy rings" is a phenomenon that turfgrass grows more prolific or inhibited than the surrounding area as a ring and then occasionally mushrooms develop on the ring.
17Supportive treatment effects of Hericium erinaceus and Trametes versicolor in oncologySystematic ReviewCited 9×2021
The use of these extracts is justified stronger than the other supportive treat ments based on supplements.
Winder M et al. · Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia) (2021)
This review discusses two species of edible fungi, used for centuries in Eastern natural medicine, with the best-documented effect - Hericium erinaceus (He) and Trametes versicolor (Tv).
The results of in vivo and in vitro studies conducted on mice and human cell lines demonstrate immunomodulatory, potentially, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and neuroregenerative effects of substances isolated from these fungi.
The substances contained in the extracts of He and Tv seem to have immunomodulatory effects that may support chemotherapy.
18Antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic effectsSystematic ReviewCited 76×2020
This article reviews preclinical and clinical findings with these mushrooms and the mechanisms behind them.
Hetland G et al. · Nutrients (2020)
Since a predominant Th2 milieu is also found in cancer, which quite often is caused by a local chronic inflammation, the three conditions-tumor, inflammation and allergy-seem to be linked.
Further mechanisms for HE were increased nerve and beneficial gut microbiota growth, and oxidative stress regulation.
The medicinal mushrooms AbM, HE and GF appear to be safe, and can, in fact, increase longevity in animal models, possibly due to reduced tumorigenesis and oxidation.
This article critically reviews the current literature on the potential benefits of H. erinaceus as a treatment for depressive disorder as well as its mechanisms underlying the antidepressant-like activities.
Chong PS et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2019)
It has been used to treat cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease.
Bioactive compounds extracted from the mycelia and fruiting bodies of H. erinaceus have been found to promote the expression of neurotrophic factors that are associated with cell proliferation such as nerve growth factors.
Although antidepressant effects of H. erinaceus have not been validated and compared to the conventional antidepressants, based on the neurotrophic and neurogenic pathophysiology of depression, H. erinaceus may be a potential alternative medicine for the treatment of depression.