Lion’s Mane Mushrooms: Potential Benefits, Side Effects, and Supplements

It’s true that some foods can be medicine. Lion’s mane mushrooms are a great example, as eating them can improve your heart, gut, and brain health. These fungi get their name from their unique shape. They resemble fungal stalactites, as their icicle shape gives them the shape of a mane, resembling the king of the jungle.

For centuries, lion’s mane mushrooms have been used as edible and medicinal mushrooms, especially in traditional Chinese medicine, according to the World Journal of Gastroenterology. As with many Eastern remedies, people in the West began using lion’s mane mushrooms as an alternative to traditional medical treatments. Supplementing your diet with lion’s mane mushrooms can improve your health. Read on to find out the benefits, possible side effects, and proper dosage.What are lion’s mane mushrooms?

What are lion’s mane mushrooms?

Also known as Hericium erinaceus, lion’s mane mushrooms are unique because of their shaggy shape. As they grow, they sprout downwards, forming a lion’s mane. These white mushrooms contain bioactive substances known to improve heart, gut, and brain health. Most of the research on lion’s mane mushrooms has been done on animals (such as rats and mice) and not humans. More research is needed to determine how lion’s mane specifically affects humans.

Furthermore, lion’s mane mushrooms are not drugs. They also do not produce psychedelic effects like other mushrooms can. According to a Study 2020Lion’s mane mushrooms may be useful in seeking neurocognitive benefits.

It can be difficult to find lion’s mane mushrooms in stores, depending on where you live. Since it’s not a traditional mushroom, you probably won’t find lion’s mane mushrooms at farmers markets or regular grocery stores. However, you should be able to find them at specialty health food stores like Whole Foods. You can also buy them in supplement form at vitamin stores, health food stores, and online retailers.

You can find lion’s mane mushrooms in the wild, as they grow on beech, oak, and maple trees in North America, Asia, and Europe, according to the Mycelium Association. If you want to collect them, the best time to collect lion’s mane mushrooms is in late summer or early fall. Before you go out looking for a collecting assignment, make sure you check if it is legal to collect lion’s mane mushrooms in your area, as it is prohibited in some areas.

If you live in a place where foraging for lion’s mane mushrooms is legal, make sure you can identify them well before you pick them. Or find an expert to help you so you can be sure you don’t pick the wrong mushroom. Then, look where they are growing and check to see if they are ripe. You can tell they are ripe by feeling the mushroom. If they are spongy and soft, you are good to go. Use a knife to remove the mushroom, but leave the roots. When you get home, cook the mushrooms right away or store them in a paper bag in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom

There are many potential benefits you can experience from lion’s mane mushrooms, such as:

• Reduction of anxiety: A 2018 study showed that mice taking lion’s mane mushroom extract experienced antidepressant effects. One human Study from 2010in which menopausal women ate four lion’s mane mushroom cookies every day for a month, found that lion’s mane can reduce anxiety and depression.
• Prevention of ulcers: Ulcers develop anywhere in your digestive tract due to overgrowth of H. pylori and damage to the mucus lining from long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Taking lion’s mane mushroom can inhibit the growth of bacteria H. pylori and protect the stomach lining.
• Reducing the risk of heart disease: a Study from 2013 In rats, taking lion’s mane mushroom extract was found to lower triglyceride levels, one of the main reasons people develop heart disease. In a Study from 2010 In mice, taking lion’s mane mushroom extract prevented hyperlipidemia (also known as high cholesterol) and diet-induced obesity, both of which can increase the risk of heart disease.
  
• Fights cancer cells: Several medical studies have shown that combining the lion’s mane mushroom with human cells creates a powerful defense mechanism that kills cancer cells faster. These studies include blood, liver And gastrointestinal cancers. Another Study from 2013 In mice with colon cancer, eating the mushroom was found to reduce the spread of cancer to the lungs by as much as 69%.
  
• Improves brain health: Lion’s mane has earned the distinction of “smart mushroom” for the benefits it can provide to the brain. Study from 2009 found that people between the ages of 50 and 80 with mild cognitive impairment who took 250-milligram tablets of lion’s mane powder three times a day for 16 weeks achieved higher scores on cognitive tests than the other group who took only a placebo.
  
• Reduces inflammation: Inflammation can cause many medical conditions such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis. A Study 2022 found that taking lion’s mane mushrooms can reduce inflammation, while a Study from 2015 concluded that lion’s mane mushrooms may be an effective source of antioxidants, which can prevent or reduce cell damage.
  

Side effects of lion’s mane mushroom

There are some side effects you may experience when eating lion’s mane mushrooms, such as:

• Stomach complaints: When taken orally, lion’s mane mushrooms are may cause stomach upset.
• Slows blood clotting: Because lion’s mane mushrooms may slow blood clottingyou should discontinue use at least two weeks prior to surgery and notify your surgeon in advance. People with bleeding disorders should also be cautious and consult with their doctor before consuming lion’s mane.
  
• Skin irritations: According to a Study 2020Lion’s mane mushrooms can cause a rash in people who eat them.
  
• Lowers blood sugar levels: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms may lower your blood sugar levelsIf you have diabetes and are taking specific medications, you should consult your doctor before taking any new supplements.
  
• Allergic reactions: Some people are allergic to lion’s mane mushrooms. If you notice hives, stomach pain, or swelling, discontinue use. If you have a known mushroom allergy, avoid eating lion’s mane mushrooms.
  
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Since there are no studies available to determine whether lion’s mane mushrooms are healthy for you during pregnancy, it’s a good idea to stop using them if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
  

Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplements and Dosage

You can find three types of lion’s mane mushrooms in North America. They include H. americanum, H. erinaceus, and H. coralloides. While you can pick the mushrooms and eat them raw, be aware that they have a seafood flavor similar to crab meat. If you’re not a fan of seafood flavors, you can mix lion’s mane into your favorite foods, coffee, or tea.

Read more: Mushroom Coffee: How It Works, Potential Health Benefits, and Things to Consider

You can find lion’s mane mushroom supplements in pill, liquid, and powder form. Supplements are inexpensive and you can find options for $11 on Amazonor visit your local Whole Foods or vitamin store to find out what’s near you.

You may be wondering what dosage of lion’s mane you should take per day, but there’s no standard dosage that works for everyone. That’s because dietary supplements aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, so the FDA doesn’t approve them for safety before they reach consumers. If you plan on taking lion’s mane supplements, follow the directions on the bottle’s label. For raw or liquid options, consider talking to your doctor first, since he or she knows your medical history.

Is lion’s mane illegal?

No, taking lion’s mane is not illegal because it is not a drug and does not have any psychedelic properties. Lion’s mane mushrooms grow in regions of North America, where you can go and harvest them. However, before you harvest them, you should research whether it is legal to collect these mushrooms in your area, as some places have restrictions. If you live in the UK, you can’t search for lion’s mane mushrooms because they are protected.

Since the habitats of lion’s mane mushrooms are beginning to diminish due to ever-changing climate conditions, you should collect them from responsible sources. Check that they are doing so sustainably and responsibly without harming the environment.

What to Consider Before Trying Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

Lion’s mane mushrooms may offer many health benefits, including reducing inflammation and the spread of cancer cells, preventing ulcers, and improving both brain and mental health. You can harvest them in areas where it is legal, or find lion’s mane at health food stores, online retailers, and vitamin shops.

Because it tastes like crab meat, lion’s mane works well as a plant-based substitute for dishes that call for this flavor profile. You can also add lion’s mane to tea and coffee.

Before you try lion’s mane mushrooms, there are a few things you should consider:

• Allergies: You want to make sure you are not allergic to it. If you have not had an allergy test done, see how your body reacts to a small dose. If you notice any hives or swelling after taking it, discontinue use.
• Drug interactions: Lion’s mane mushrooms may lower your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes and are taking certain medications, consult your doctor before adding lion’s mane to your health routine or diet. Monitor your blood sugar levels to make sure they don’t get too low.
  
• Consult your doctor: If you are taking multiple medications or have chronic health conditions, consult a doctor first. They will know your medical history and can determine if lion’s mane supplements are right for you.