What Does Lion’s Mane Do for Your Body?

When it comes to plant-based healing, nothing quite does it the way that functional mushrooms do. Lion’s Mane may have a bit of a funky name, but the way this natural remedy interacts with your brain and body is no joke.  

That’s why we’re taking a deep dive into Lion’s Mane. Keep reading to learn more!

Key Takeaways

• Lion’s Mane is a white, fur-like mushroom that grows naturally in North America, Asia, and Europe.
• The mushroom has various potential health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and anti-anxiety effects. It can also support the immune system, brain function, mental clarity, and digestive health.
• While typically well-tolerated, Lion’s Mane can cause side effects such as digestive discomfort, dizziness, or allergic reactions. 
• You can find and enjoy Lion’s Mane in various forms, including as supplements, in tinctures, or raw. 

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What Is Lion’s Mane? 

Just as its name suggests, Lion’s Mane is a type of mushroom well-known for its big, almost fur-like appearance — reminiscent of the King of Beasts’ mane. 

These large, white mushrooms are widely abundant across the world, growing naturally throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. Mushroom hunters will find this unique fungus growing on dead or dying trees. 

The most popular type of Lion’s Mane is known as Hericium erinaceus, and this is the type of shroom you’re used to seeing at stores or restaurants. However, there are two other species: Clavaria erinaceus and Dryodon erinaceus.

All three of these Lion Mane mushrooms are edible and potentially beneficial to the body. However, Hericium erinaceus, with its pom-pom-esque shape, is the most abundant and versatile option. 

We’ve hinted quite a bit about the benefits of Lion’s Mane, so let’s talk all about what this mushroom offers our minds and bodies. 

The Benefits of Lion’s Mane for the Body

It’s no secret that mushrooms are packed full of incredible health-promoting properties. Lion’s Mane, specifically, has various characteristics that you may benefit from once you incorporate this fungus into your everyday life. 

From reducing inflammation to lowering anxiety levels and even supporting neurological health, here are just some of the ways that Lion’s Mane works in the body. 

#1. Lion's Mane Boasts Impressive Anti-Inflammatory Effects

One of the most prominent reasons that consumers turn to Lion’s Mane is its anti-inflammatory properties. 

Chronic inflammation is prevalent in today's modern world. Thankfully, research suggests that Lion’s Mane and its bioactive compounds work to reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines (in other words, small signaling proteins that help regulate immune response.) 

#2. This Unique Mushroom Has Some Neuroprotective Characteristics 

If you’ve found that your mental recall isn’t quite where it used to be, functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane might be your solution. 

This multi-faceted mushroom is known for its neuroprotective properties. It works to stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factors (NGFs), which is an essential protein for the overall maintenance of neurons. 

Consuming Lion’s Mane, then, means consistently giving your brain a neuroprotective boost.

In fact, researchers conducted a study on older adults who mild cognitive impairment. After four months of consumption, the adults demonstrated clear improvement on cognitive tests compared to the start of the trial. This points to the potential of Lion's Mane mushroom supplements for cognitive function.

#3. Lion's Mane May Have Mood-Boosting Properties

On top of helping with brain health and reducing inflammation, many people turn to Lion’s Mane for its effects on anxiety and depression. 

We talked earlier about the mushroom’s ability to promote NGFs, which also plays a huge role here. Some of the compounds in Lion’s Mane, specifically hericenones and erinacines, work to release NGFs, which can help regulate emotional responses. This kind of regulation can help lower depression symptoms and boost overall well-being. 

Lion’s Mane may also modulate the gut-brain axis, influencing serotonin and dopamine levels (two neurotransmitters essential for maintaining mental health.) This was demonstrated in a clinical trial back in 2010. 

In this trial, women experiencing health conditions like menopause were given cookies infused with Lion’s Mane for four weeks. After the month had passed, the women who consumed Lion’s Mane reported lower stress, anxiety, and depression levels. 

Of course, these results will vary from person to person, especially depending on the severity of the mental health complication. However, abundant research has shown the potential benefits that Lion’s Mane has on both anxiety and depression. 

#4. This Medicinal Mushroom Activates Peripheral Nerve Regeneration

As if Lion’s Mane couldn’t get any more impressive, the mushroom may also promote nerve growth.

The NFG production that Lion’s Mane promotes may help support the regeneration of damaged nerve cells. Other studies suggest that the fungus may help those with diabetes, stomach ulcers, and more. 

Plain and simple, the more research we put into this mushroom, the more benefits continue to reveal themselves!

Are There Side Effects of Lion’s Mane? 

As fantastic as Lion’s Mane can be for the brain and body, there are potential side effects that every consumer should be aware of. 

Thankfully, these side effects tend to be mild and aren’t incredibly common. Unfortunately, some people have experienced the following side effects after consuming this white mushroom: 

Allergies

Those who are allergic to mushrooms or fungi will likely experience an allergic reaction from Lion’s Mane. This may result in skin rashes, itching, respiratory issues, or, in rare cases, anaphylaxis. Talk with a health professional before trying Lion’s Mane if you think this may be an issue. 

Gastrointestinal Discomfort

If you’ve ever had functional mushrooms, you know they’re not always easy on the stomach. Lion’s Mane has made consumers feel nauseous, resulting in cramps and potential vomiting. Try taking the fungi with food to ease discomfort. 

Blood Thinning

Lion’s Mane promotes anti-coagulate properties, which means that it might thin your blood and reduce clotting. While this can be beneficial for cardiovascular health, it can also increase the risk of excessive bleeding, especially for individuals taking blood thinners or those with bleeding disorders. 

Dizziness

You may feel a bit dizzy or lightheaded after consuming Lion’s Mane. This is likely due to its effects on blood circulation or blood pressure. 

Impacts on Blood Sugar

Though unlikely, there’s a chance that Lion’s Mane may lower your blood sugar levels. If you’re someone with diabetes or hypoglycemia, this can be potentially dangerous. Make sure to talk to your doctor before consuming Lion’s Mane if you have complications with blood sugar levels. 

If, at any point, you begin noticing adverse effects from your Lion’s Mane, stop consuming it immediately. Keep an eye on the symptoms and let your doctor know about your experience. 

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The Best Ways to Consume Lion’s Mane 

We’ve talked a lot about how Lion’s Mane works in the body, but what’s the best way to consume it? Luckily, you’ve got a lot of great options. 

Capsules, Gummies, or Supplements

The most popular way to consume Lion’s Mane is in capsule form. Lion’s Mane mushroom supplements are found at most local grocery or health and wellness stores. 

These capsules contain Lion’s Mane mushroom powder and begin working throughout the body post-digestion. This an excellent option for those who want to seamlessly incorporate the mushroom into their daily meals. You can also take them as gummies!

Cooked

Speaking of meals, did you know you can eat Lion’s Mane, too? Fresh Lion’s Mane can be cooked and consumed just like any other mushroom: sautéed, roasted, grilled — you name it, you can cook it. 

In general, the mushroom has a bit of a seafood-like taste and texture. In fact, many people compare it to lobster, giving a good idea of how to incorporate it into meals. 

Sublingually 

When perusing the shelves at your local wellness shop, you may notice Lion’s Mane tinctures. These products can be consumed sublingually or by adding a few drops to your food or drink (as we’ll discuss next) for quick effects and ease of use. 

Sublingual consumption refers to placing the tincture oil under your tongue and holding it there for about 30 seconds before swallowing. Here, the mucus membranes in your mouth quickly absorb the Lion’s Mane, allowing the results to impact the body more rapidly.

When taking your Lion’s Mane sublingually, make sure you pay attention to how much you’re consuming. Your Lion's Mane mushroom extract should have a measured dropper to help you see exactly how much you put under your tongue. 

Infused in Tea, Coffee, Soup, & More!

All you need to do is add your ideal dose of Lion’s Mane tincture to your favorite foods or beverages. For example, you can add a few drops to your smoothie while mixing it in a blender.

No matter what consumption method you choose, starting with a low dose of the fungus is important if it’s your first time trying Lion’s Mane. Then, you can slowly increase your dosage until you find the best amount for you. Remember: slow and steady wins the race — especially with functional mushrooms.  

The Bottom Line

Lion's Mane mushroom supplements are more popular than ever before as people continue to discover the immense benefits that they offer. 

If you want to get your hands on your own, Clean Remedies has you covered. 

Our online store offers a huge selection of wellness products, including tinctures, chocolate bars, and microdosed fruit tarts. We recently launched a new Functional Mushroom Collection, which is designed to give our customers just one more way to better their health with natural remedies.

So, the next time you want to take your health and wellness to the next (much more relaxing) level, it’s time to turn to Clean Remedies. Our plant-based healing mission is simple: to offer high-quality, USA-made products that help you feel your best from head to toe. 

Get started on your natural wellness journey today and see what functional mushrooms can do for you.

Keep Reading: What Are Functional Mushrooms?

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