Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, is a type of edible mushroom that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. It gets its name from the long, shaggy white spines that resemble a lion’s mane. What can Lion’s Mane do for you?
Research on its health benefits is ongoing, but it is gaining popularity as a natural supplement for brain and nerve health.1 The mushroom boasts vitamins like niacin, riboflavin and thiamine. It also has essential minerals such as potassium, zinc and manganese.
You can consume Lion’s Mane as supplements, teas or even use it as an ingredient in your recipes. You may even find Lion’s Mane as a food fortifier. Ongoing research shows that adding Lion’s Mane to semolina pasta could be a great way to enjoy its benefits in everyday cooking.2
Should you add Lion’s Mane to your wellness stack? Read on to learn about Lion’s Mane mushroom benefits, scientific studies on Lions Mane mushrooms and if a Lion’s Mane supplement could be right for you.
What Is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s Mane is a medicinal mushroom.3 Medicinal mushrooms are different from regular mushrooms because of their potential health benefits. While various types of mushrooms share common characteristics, such as being fungi, medicinal mushrooms are specifically selected for their therapeutic properties and are used to support well-being.
Lion’s Mane contains bioactive compounds that contribute to many health benefits. Read on to discover a few notable ways this mushroom can positively affect your mind and body.
Lion’s Mane Benefits
Although the Lion’s Mane mushroom has been used for centuries (going as far back at the Ming Dynasty in China), it is only recently that modern scientific studies have started to validate its traditional claims. Here are just a few Lion’s Mane benefits:
Supports Cognitive Health
Lion's Mane has antioxidant properties that may help protect brain cells from damage caused by free radicals.4 It may also support brain function, potentially improving memory5 and focus.
Supports Immune Function
Lion’s Mane contains substances that may support the immune response. This may make it valuable for addressing health-related concerns.6 When your immune system is strong, it can protect you from getting sick.
Supports Digestive Health
Lion's Mane may have a positive influence on gut health, promoting a balanced digestive system.7 It contains compounds that may help beneficial gut bacteria grow, which can improve digestion.8 A healthy gut also means better absorption of nutrients from the food you eat.
Supports Stress Reduction
Lion's Mane may help reduce stress by supporting a calm and balanced mood.9 It contains compounds that could positively influence brain function, potentially reducing feelings of anxiety. When your brain is in better balance, it can help you cope with stressful situations.
Scientific studies continue to discover new ways that the Lion’s Mane mushroom could be a beneficial supplement for your mental and physical health.
The Science-Backed Benefits of Lion’s Mane
Learn more about the science-backed benefits of Lion’s Mane.
Cognition
Taking Lion’s Mane supplements helps improve attention span and perceptions of happiness in healthy adults, according to a recent scientific study.10 Researchers noted that the antioxidant effects of Lion’s Mane could also provide even more consistent improvements in cognition with more regular supplementation. And longer-term use or higher doses could even potentially remodel the nerve structure in the brain.
Memory
Another study supports the idea that Lion’s Mane benefits memory.11 Healthy adult participants who took Lion’s Mane supplements showed a significant improvement in cognitive tasks requiring word recalls, compared to the control group. Researchers also noted a decrease in perceived stress levels after one hour of taking the Lion’s Mane supplement. Although more long-term research is needed, Lion’s Mane shows interesting potential as an aid for cognitive support.
Good Bacteria
And finally, Lion’s Mane supplements could help increase the diversity within the gut microbiota community, according to a small pilot study.12 Plus, participants who took Lion’s Mane powder displayed an increase in the abundance of some short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and a decrease in some harmful pathogens in the gut. Overall, Lion’s Mane showed promising results in supporting a healthy microbiome.
Although research on Lion’s Mane is ongoing, what we know so far makes it a promising contender for supporting well-being. That’s why we’ve chosen to include Lion’s Mane in some of our most popular products.
The Bulletproof Approach to Lion’s Mane
Getting your daily dose of optimal minerals, vitamins and superfoods isn’t always easy with a busy lifestyle. At Bulletproof, we create effective science-backed blends you can integrate into your routine. Plus, you don’t need to worry if you don’t like the taste of mushrooms. Our Lion’s Mane mushrooms are processed in a way that neutralizes their (already mild) taste.
Get More Out of Lion’s Mane
Lion’s Mane on its own offers many potential benefits. But we’ve gone even further by including it in our Greens Powder and tasty coffee The High Achiever™ for extra convenience. When you enjoy our Greens Powder, you’re not only getting a functional dose of Lion’s Mane but also 12 fruits and vegetables, two nootropics, 11 digestive aids, three vitamins and minerals, seven superfoods and mushrooms. That’s a lot of good stuff! Curious to learn more? Check out the science behind Bulletproof greens powder.
As for drinking a cup of Lion’s Mane-infused coffee, try our famous Bulletproof coffee recipe to start your day in a keto-friendly way. The enhanced coffee is packed with functional ingredients beyond caffeine. It also includes B Vitamins and Coffeeberry for added energy, focus and brain power to get things done. Plus, rest assured that this coffee doesn’t at all taste like mushrooms.
We take great pride in providing you with accessible and functional products you can count on to optimize your wellness stack. And that’s why we go the extra mile in testing our ingredients and finished products.
Our Supplement Testing Standards
We are committed to product quality and safety, which is why we opt for additional testing on our supplements and the active ingredients that go into them. Why? We want you to have the utmost confidence in choosing our products to meet your needs in terms of potency and purity. We want to support you in achieving your highest level of health and performance, with products that work.
Our supplement testing goes above and beyond industry standards. We work with third-party labs to carry out a four-step process for objective results and recommendations. Plus, we consult peer-reviewed journals to determine which ingredients to include and in what doses.
To test our supplements for quality, we first look at the identity of the ingredients to make sure they are present and not diluted. Then we test for contaminants to make sure our products are pure. The third step involves strength testing to ensure the supplement has the level of active ingredients as indicated on the label. And finally, the last step is composition testing, to make sure the product meets all the product specifications. This extensive procedure means you can feel confident that our products are accurately labelled, safe and effective.
Recipes with Lion’s Mane
Ready to cook with Lion’s Mane but not sure where to start? Discover some of our most popular recipes to enjoy Lion’s Mane benefits.
FAQs
Lion’s Mane is generally considered safe as a food or supplement. However, some people may experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort, such as gas, bloating or diarrhea. Allergic reactions to Lion’s Mane are rare but possible. Start with a lower dose and monitor how your body reacts.
Yes. You can get a Lion’s Mane mushroom kit with everything you need, including substrate (the material on which the mushrooms grow), spores or mycelium (the mushroom’s root-like structure) and instructions. In a few weeks, you’ll be able to harvest your Lion’s Mane mushrooms. No extensive gardening experience required.
Lion’s Mane shouldn’t interact negatively with medications. However, as with any supplement, consult your healthcare provider, especially if you are taking prescription medications or have underlying health conditions.
Look for a product with a high-quality Lion’s Mane mushroom extract that is standardized for active compounds like hericenones and erinacines. Ensure the supplement is sourced from a reputable brand that conducts third-party testing for purity and quality. Speak with your healthcare practitioner about your ideal dose and select a supplement accordingly. Lastly, check for unnecessary additives or potential allergens in the ingredient list.
It depends. Some people may notice subtle improvements in cognitive function or mood within a few weeks of consistent use, while others may take several months. Influencing factors include your overall health, dosage and quality of supplements. The potential benefits of Lion’s Mane may accumulate over time as it supports brain health and nerve function, so be patient.
If you’re taking the Bulletproof Greens Powder, consider rounding out your daily routine with Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil, InnerFuel Prebiotic and Vitamins A-D-K. Brain Octane C8 MCT Oil is a high-quality fat sourced from 100% coconut oil that’s perfect for your keto diet. Add it to your Bulletproof coffee, smoothies or salad dressings. Support your gut with InnerFuel Prebiotic, a prebiotic powder that provides natural immune support. You can add this unflavored powder mix to your favorite drinks. And finally, take Vitamins A-D-K for essential well-rounded support.
Lion’s Mane mushrooms have a mild and delicate flavor profile that’s slightly sweet, seafood-like or reminiscent of crab or lobster meat. The texture is tender and somewhat like scallops when cooked. As a tablet or capsule, Lion’s Mane generally has little to no taste. If you’re using Lion’s Mane powder, it may have a mild, earthy and slightly mushroom-like flavor. However, it is quite subtle and easy to mix into beverages or recipes without significantly affecting taste.