The Best Lion’s Mane Supplements for Brain Health, According to Experts

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Once regarded as a hidden gem in traditional Chinese medicine, lion's mane mushroom has gained significant attention in recent years for its potential benefits on brain health.

“In the quest to protect our brain from illness, including mental illness, mushrooms are having a moment”, says Dr. Teralyn Sell, Ph.D., licensed psychotherapist and brain health expert. “Though the research is limited, it is also very exciting.”

Specifically, the research on lion’s mane mushroom extract has revealed several of its neurotrophic properties. Pre-clinical testing has found that lion’s mane mushroom has significant impact on the growth of brain cells and improving memory, explains Professor Frederic Meunier, neuroscientist at the Queensland Brain Institute.

In this article, we’ll share our picks for the best lion’s mane supplements in 2024. You’ll also learn about the potential health benefits (and limitations) of lion’s mane and other medicinal mushrooms.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Lion’s Mane Supplement:

• Hunter Evolve Focus
• Transparent Labs Shroom Stack
• Cymbiotika Longevity Mushrooms
• Future Kind Vegan Lion’s Mane Mushroom Complex Brain Supplement
• ONNIT Shroom Tech Greens

Hunter Evolve Focus

Key features and specs:

• Lion’s mane mushroom per serving: 500 milligrams
• Nutrition facts: 2.5 milligrams Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxal-5-phosphate), 100 micrograms vitamin B9, 7.5 milligrams vitamin B12 (as methylcobalamin) , 200 milligrams vitamin C (as ascorbic acid), 75 milligrams vitamin D3 (as cholecalciferol), 100 micrograms vitamin K2 (as MK7)
• Certifications: None
• Subscription: N/A
• Key ingredients: Organic lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), acetyl-L-carnitine, L-tyrosine, bacopa, ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera), citicoline, L-theanine, ginkgo biloba, caffeine anhydrous, phosphatidylserine, maritime pine bark extract, Rhodiola rosea extract, panax ginseng (10:1 extract), spanish sage (4:1 extract)
• Sweeteners: Maltodextrin
• Best for: Individuals looking to improve their concentration and memory; individuals who want improved mental clarity or relief from brain fog
• Price per serving: $3.00

Why I picked it:

Hunter is a premium supplement company that specializes in high-dose products, including nootropics, fat burners and testosterone boosters. Hunter Evolve Focus combines 500 milligrams of organic lion’s mane mushroom with 13 other natural and herbal ingredients rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients.

Hunter Evolve Focus tops our list of the best lion’s mane supplements because of its comprehensive formula. In addition to lion’s mane, it contains several other ingredients thought to promote healthy cognitive function, such as ashwagandha, ginkgo biloba, acetyl-l-carnitine and citicoline. On top of that, it provides B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D3 and vitamin K2.

With 500 milligrams of lion’s mane per serving, Hunter Evolve Focus falls within the effective dosage range of 250 to 3000 milligrams per day. The company claims it helps several aspects of brain function, including improved focus, enhanced memory retention and optimized learning. The brand recommends taking the supplement for at least three months to feel the full benefits.

What we like:

• Designed to improve focus and memory
• Only contains natural ingredients
• Provides B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D3 and vitamin K2

What to consider:

• No consumer reviews available on Hunter’s official website
• Pricey compared to other supplements on our list
• One serving requires you to take six capsules

Transparent Labs Shroom Stack

Key features and specs:

• Lion’s mane mushroom per serving: 1000 milligrams
• Nutrition facts: five calories, one gram carbohydrate
• Certifications: Non-GMO, gluten-free
• Subscription: Your choice of a 30-, 45- or 60-day shipping frequency, 10% savings
• Key ingredients: Organic lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), organic CordycepsPrime™ (Cordyceps sinensis), organic reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Individuals looking for high-dose lion’s mane capsules; individuals interested in a supplement with a blend of medicinal mushrooms
• Price per serving: $0.83

Why I picked it:

Transparent Labs is a nutritional supplement company dedicated to providing high-quality products with transparency. The brand’s Shroom Stack provides 1000 milligrams of lion’s mane mushroom extract per serving. In addition, it contains two other fungal mushroom supplements thought to improve cognitive performance—cordyceps and reishi mushroom.

We rank Transparent Labs Shroom Stack among the best lion’s mane mushroom supplements because it has a budget-friendly price while providing a high-strength formula. Plus, it doesn’t contain any artificial preservatives, coloring or sweeteners.

According to the brand, lion’s mane, organic reishi and cordyceps are three of the most promising medicinal mushrooms on the market. The company recommends taking three capsules daily on an empty stomach.

At the time of writing, Shroom Stack has earned an average of 4.6/5 stars from 25 reviews on Transparent Labs’s official website. Consumer reviews are mostly positive. The handful of negative reviews are mostly about customers waiting too long to receive their order. One review reads, “I'm going through my 1st bottle of Shroom Stack - hard to tell the long-term effects, but I feel a bit sharper after taking the supplement.”

What we like:

• Gluten-free
• Budget-friendly

What to consider:

• Limited number of consumer reviews on Transparent Lab’s official website

Cymbiotika Longevity Mushrooms

Key features and specs:

• Lion’s mane mushroom per serving: Unknown (250 milligram mushroom blend)
• Nutrition facts: 40 calories, 2 grams fat, 4 grams carbs
• Certifications: None
• Subscription: Subscribe and save 10%
• Key ingredients: Cordyceps Militaris, Reishi, King Trumpet, Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, Turkey Tail, Green Tea Extract
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Individuals who are new to lion’s mane and want to start with a low-dose supplement; individuals looking to support both brain health and immune function
• Price per serving: $1.80

Why I picked it:

Cymbiotika Longevity Mushrooms is a lion’s mane supplement that has 250 milligrams of a mushroom blend. Typically, brands include blends like this one so that they can include multiple ingredients in the same amount of space. In this blend, you get six different mushrooms in 250 milligrams. That does mean the lion’s mane is a lower dose than some other supplements on our list, but the benefit of the five additional mushroom ingredients is the reason we included Longevity.

Besides the Lion’s Mane, Longevity includes Cordyceps Militaris, Reishi, King Trumpet, Shiitake and Turkey Tail mushrooms. The research is still ongoing, but all of these mushrooms have been studied, and initial trials seem to show that they have anti-allergy, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, along with potential cognitive and digestive benefits.

I’ll point out again that the effective dose of lion’s mane is between 250 and 3,000 milligrams per day, and all of the mushrooms in this blend fall within the same range (250-3,000 milligrams). That means Longevity is a low-dose supplement, but that makes it a great option for anyone wanting to try mushroom supplements, but wants to start with a lower-dose supplement to access their response.

What we like:

• Mushroom blend with six different mushrooms that have potential medicinal properties
• Also contains green tea extract, which is a known anti-inflammatory
• No artificial sweeteners, dyes, preservatives or additives

What to consider:

• High price for a low dose (other brands cost less than $1.00 per dose with more lion’s mane)
• Includes a proprietary blend, so we don’t know exactly how much lion’s mane is included

Future Kind Vegan Lion’s Mane Mushroom Complex Brain Supplement

Key features and specs:

• Lion’s mane mushroom per serving: 500 milligrams
• Nutrition facts: N/A
• Certifications: Manufactured at an FDA-regulated and GMP-certified facility, third-party tested by Dyad Labs, Certified B Corporation, gluten-free, vegan-free, non-GMO
• Subscription: Your choice of a 1-, 2- or 3-month shipping frequency, 20% savings
• Key ingredients: Lion’s mane mushroom 4:1 extract (Hericium erinaceus), chaga mushroom 4:1 extract, maitake mushroom 4:1 extract, shiitake mushroom 4:1 extract, reishi mushroom 30% extract
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Individuals in need of mental clarity; vegans looking to boost their immunity and cognitive function
• Price per serving: $0.67

Why I picked it:

Future Kind is a 100 percent vegan supplement brand. It was founded by two brothers who are both certified nutritionists. The company is a Certified B Corporation and places environmental sustainability at the core of its operations. It uses recycled packaging where possible and carbon offsets all of its deliveries.

We rank Future Kind Vegan Lion’s Mane Mushroom Complex Brain Supplement among the best because it features five mushroom extracts designed to promote mental clarity. In addition, this supplement is formulated to provide brain-boosting, energy-boosting and immunity-boosting benefits. Plus, it’s made without GMOs, gluten, wheat, yeast, soy, animal derivatives, artificial colors or preservatives.

The brand suggests taking one capsule daily with a meal. They also warn that pregnant or nursing mothers, anyone under the age of 18 and individuals with a known medical condition should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement.

This supplement has earned an average of 4.56/5 stars from 39 reviews at the time of writing. The handful of negative reviews are from consumers who say they didn’t notice any improvements after taking this supplement. On the other hand, multiple reviewers reported positive effects.

One review reads, “I can focus way better than before.” Another reviewer writes, “My friend told me about a mushroom complex she took but I went into taking these being skeptical after poor results with similar things. But I've actually noticed a real change. I've felt a lot more energy and I've also been more focused at work since I've taken them. I'm going to continue to test them for another couple of months, but so far I'm feeling very positive about the results.”

What we like:

• Combines five mushroom extracts
• Third-party tested
• Vegan-friendly
• Carbon neutral shipping

What to consider:

• Limited number of consumer reviews on the official website

ONNIT Shroom Tech Greens

Key features and specs:

• Lion’s mane mushroom per serving: Unspecified
• Nutrition facts: 15 calories, three grams carbohydrate, 10 milligrams sodium
• Certifications: USDA Certified Organic
• Subscription: Weekly or Monthly, 15% savings
• Key ingredients: PeakO2 Organic Mushroom Blend (organic lion’s mane, organic cordyceps, organic reishi, organic king trumpet, organic shiitake, organic turkey tail); ONNIT Organic Greens Blend™ (organic kale, organic broccoli, organic spinach, organic barley, organic oat grass, organic alfalfa, organic spirulina, organic chlorella, organic parsley)
• Sweeteners: None
• Best for: Individuals who prefer a lion’s mane powder over capsules; individuals interested in a daily greens powder to boost their overall nutrition; individuals who tend to lack vegetables in their diet
• Price per serving: $1.99

Why I picked it:

ONNIT is a sports nutrition company that offers products to improve your mental and physical performance. Shroom Tech Greens is a greens powder with a blend of six medicinal mushrooms designed to support exercise performance and immune function. Additionally, each packet of ONNIT Shroom Tech Greens provides one serving of organic vegetables, including kale, broccoli and spinach.

Shroom Tech Greens is one of our best lion’s mane mushroom supplements because it’s 100% organic and chock full of antioxidants and phytonutrients to support your overall vitality. We also like that Shroom Tech Greens is unflavored and free of sweeteners, so it can be added to your usual protein shake or meal-replacement smoothie without affecting the flavor.

The company recommends adding one packet daily to eight fluid ounces of cold water or your beverage/smoothie of choice.

At the time of writing, Shroom Tech Greens has averaged a 4.7/5-star rating from 20 reviews. One review reads, “Can’t say enough about this product! Energy levels increased within a week of taking daily. Gut health is much happier!” Another reviewer writes, “ShroomTech is fantastic. And I get all my greens when it's combined. [I] drink this in the evening before bed and I have felt overall improvement in my health and results in the gym.”

Related Post: The Best Greens Powders to Bump Up Your Nutrient Intake

What we like:

• Contains six medicinal mushrooms
• Easily portable packaging
• USDA Certified Organic

What to consider:

• Unspecified amount of lion’s mane extract
• Limited number of consumer reviews on the official website

What Is Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible medicinal mushroom native to North America, Europe and Asia. As one might guess, it derives its name from its white, shaggy appearance which resembles the mane of a lion. As a supplement, it falls within the nootropic category and has gained popularity in recent years for its purported cognitive-enhancing effects.

The bioactive compounds in lion’s mane mushroom responsible for its neurotrophic properties are hericenones and erinacines. In studies, these beneficial compounds have been shown to have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. Specifically, they have been found to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF)—a protein essential to the development and survival of brain cells.

Additionally, lion’s mane contains beta-glucans—a type of polysaccharide thought to stimulate the immune system. Beta-glucans are currently being studied as a potential cancer treatment.

According to clinical studies, the effective dosage for lion’s mane ranges from 250 to 3000 milligrams per day.

Benefits of Lion’s Mane Supplements

As far as brain health goes, lion’s mane supplements are thought to improve cognition, memory and focus. Additionally, they may also be useful in the treatment of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

“Studies have shown how H. erinaceus (lion's mane) can help with depression”, says Dr. Teralyn Sell. “The results have been pretty promising! They found that Lion's Mane can actually make a big difference in treating depressive disorders by affecting certain brain chemicals, promoting new brain cells' growth, and reducing inflammation”, she explains. “This suggests that lion's mane could be a great complementary option or alternative medicine for people dealing with depression.”

Lion’s mane is also thought to improve mood. “By acting as a weak modulator of serotonin and dopamine, many folks report an immediate mood-boosting and anti-anxiety benefit from just one dose of lion’s mane”, says Ryan Sheridan, integrative psychiatric nurse practitioner in the Washington, DC area.

In addition to brain health, lion’s mane may also benefit the immune system, digestive tract and cardiovascular system.

In animal studies, lion’s mane has been shown to boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system. In another study, lion’s mane was found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori (a harmful bacteria) and may protect against the development of stomach ulcers as a result. Additionally, lion’s mane appears to affect various risk factors for heart disease. For example, one study on rats found that lion’s mane mushroom extract improves fat metabolism and reduces triglyceride levels.

Other Medicinal Mushrooms and Their Benefits

In addition to Lion’s Mane, you may be curious about the other medicinal mushrooms found in the supplements on our list. Here’s a brief breakdown of them:

• Black fungus mushroom—a wild edible mushroom found in tropical climates such as China, the Pacific Islands, Nigeria and Hawaii. It has multiple uses in traditional Chinese medicine and is thought to support healthy brain function, immune health and heart health.
• Chaga mushroom—a fungus that grows in cold climates on birch trees. It is typically steeped in hot water and consumed as tea. It is believed to boost the immune system, reduce inflammation and support liver health.
• Cordyceps sinensis—a fungus found all over the world. Cordyceps is parasitic in nature and its fruiting body (the edible part) is derived through the infection of various insects. It is thought to have anti-aging and anti-fatigue properties.
• King trumpet mushroom—these mushrooms are commonly used in food dishes. They are low in calories and high in fiber, making them a healthy choice for weight management. In addition, they are thought to help reduce inflammation, support the immune system, reduce the risk of heart disease and protect against age-related cognitive decline.
• Reishi mushroom—also called the “mushroom of immortality”, reishi mushroom has several uses in Eastern medicine. It is thought to lower cholesterol, increase strength and stamina, boost the immune system and treat lower urinary tract symptoms in males.
• Royal sun agaricus—a mushroom native to Brazil. It is found in culinary dishes and also widely used for medicinal purposes. It is thought to have anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-diabetic and liver protection properties.
• Maitake mushroom—a nutrient-rich fungus with uses in traditional Asian medicine. It is believed to help manage diabetes, lower cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure and boost the immune system. 
• Shiitake mushroom—an edible mushroom native to East Asia and commonly found in food dishes. It is rich in a sugar molecule called lentinan, which is thought to confer several health benefits. It has been studied for its potential to lower high cholesterol and treat infections, but clinical data are lacking for these uses.
• Turkey tail mushroom—a fungus that grows on dead logs worldwide. As the name suggests, this mushroom has a shape and color that resembles turkey tail feathers. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat pulmonary diseases and is also studied for its potential as a cancer treatment.
• White button mushroom—one of the most widely cultivated edible mushrooms in America. White button mushrooms are rich in vitamin D and commonly found in culinary dishes. They are thought to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Precautions

Lion’s mane mushroom is considered to be generally safe to consume for many people. But like most supplements, lion’s mane mushroom supplements have potential side effects. The side effects of lion’s mane supplements include:

• Nausea
• Stomach discomfort
• Skin irritation (rash)

As the interest in natural supplements for brain health continues to rise, lion's mane mushrooms offer a promising avenue of exploration. However, it is crucial to approach their use with caution and to consult your healthcare provider before incorporating them into your routine. Further research, particularly well-designed clinical trials, is needed to establish the true effects of lion's mane supplementation on human health and cognition.

How to Choose the Best Lion’s Mane Supplement for You

You’ll notice from our list of the best lion’s mane supplements that these products typically come as a blend of active compounds, rather than lion’s mane by itself. Thus, it is important to familiarize yourself with the formula to ensure you are not allergic or intolerant to any of the ingredients. Additionally, cross-check the ingredients list for possible interactions with your prescription medication, if you take any. A qualified health professional can help you with this.

Our Methodology: How We Chose the Best Lion’s Mane Supplements

We took several factors into account when choosing this roundup of the best lion’s mane supplements. These factors include the product’s formula, the brand’s reputation, third-party testing, price per serving and consumer reviews.

• Ingredients: What raw materials go into the product? What are their scientifically-proven benefits? What form are the materials in? For example, if a micronutrient is used, is it a bioavailable form of the vitamin/mineral?
• Dosage: How often is it recommended that you take the product for optimal results? How does the brand’s dosage recommendation compare to any clinically-backed dosage recommendations for the intended purpose?
• Manufacturing: How and where is the product made? Does the brand use proprietary blends instead of saying exactly what is in the product? Is the product made in a cGMP facility? Do they conduct annual audits to ensure best practice?
• Testing: How has the product been tested? Has it been verified by a credibly third-party source, such as a lab or institution?
• Customer Reviews: How have users rated the product on the site, as well as on third-party sites like Amazon?
• Price per serving: What is the price? Are the raw ingredients priced higher because of the brand or because of a proprietary blend of ingredients?
• Brand / Company: What is the brand’s reputation? Does the brand produce other similar products? Is it a popular brand? Is the brand trusted or endorsed by health professionals?
• Subscription: Is it possible to subscribe to regular orders of the product? Is there a discount associated with subscriptions?

Lion’s Mane Supplement FAQs

Should you take lion's mane in the morning or at night?

This largely depends on the brand. Some lion’s mane supplements contain stimulants like caffeine; it is advised to take these in the morning so you don’t disrupt your sleep schedule. On the other hand, some consumers report that lion’s mane worked as an effective sleep aid.

Are lion's mane supplements really worth taking?

Customer testimonials suggest that lion’s mane can provide improvements in energy, focus and memory. However, scientific evidence for these uses is limited.

Can you take lion's mane every day?

Whether or not you can take lion’s mane every day depends on the product’s formula and your health status. Lion’s mane appears to be generally safe for daily consumption for many people. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of long-term supplementation with lion’s mane.

What form of lion's mane is best?

Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom and can be enjoyed raw, cooked or soaked in hot water to make tea. However, lion’s mane extract and lion’s mane powder are far more potent and may provide stronger nootropic effects.

Takeaway: Is Lion’s Mane Worth It?

Further research is needed to fully elucidate the health benefits of lion’s mane, but customer testimonials suggest that lion’s mane supplements are indeed worth it for certain people. They appear to be beneficial for improving cognitive functions like focus and memory. Consumers also report energy-boosting effects and improvements in their overall vitality. If you are in the market for a natural brain-boosting supplement, give lion’s mane mushroom a try. But be sure to consult your healthcare provider beforehand. 

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.