Guide to finding the best Lion’s Mane Supplement

Traditional Asian healers have used potent medicinal mushrooms for thousands of years to treat a range of ailments.  
Lion’s mane is one of the mushrooms with a long history of use, along with Reishi, Chaga, Maitake, Cordyceps and Turkey Tail mushrooms.

Until recently, these medicinal mushrooms were relatively unknown in the Western world, but that has changed, and the market for lion’s mane mushroom supplements has exploded.
And as medicinal mushroom supplements are sold as food supplements and not medications, production is relatively unregulated, and manufacturers have a lot of freedom.

As the buyer, it’s up to you to be vigilant and ensure you’re getting a high-quality lion’s mane supplement with concentrated bio-available compounds.

What to Look for in a Lion’s Mane Supplement

Due to the surge in popularity of lion’s mane supplements, manufacturers have released numerous new products and innovative lion’s mane blends.

The trouble is not all lion’s mane supplements are equal. If you’re not careful, you may end up purchasing a low-strength supplement that does not provide the expected benefits.

Creating a high-quality supplement like our Myco & Herb lion’s mane extract that only contains nutrient-dense organic fruiting bodies takes time and commitment.

Many of the cheaper lion’s mane supplements on the market contain fillers, use inferior quality fruiting bodies or contain lion’s mane mycelium, not fruiting bodies.

Before you buy a lion’s mane supplement, read the label carefully, looking for the following information: 

• Is it made from organic mushrooms?
• Is it made using whole fruiting bodies or mycelium on grain? It’s challenging to separate mushroom mycelium from the grain it is grown on, and supplements made using mycelium on grain usually contain some grain.
• Are there any fillers, binders or preservatives? Many supplements contain starchy fillers to bulk out the product or substances to keep it stable as a powder.
• What is the strength or concentration of the supplement? Many products don’t actually contain much lion’s mane. The concentration is usually measured in mg per dose and sometimes expressed as a ratio, for example, 1:3.
• Is the supplement made using mushrooms that are of medical grade quality. Many supplements contain uncertified mushrooms or powders, with questionable traceability and quality.
• Does the supplement contain lion’s mane extract or dried, powered lion’s mane mushrooms? You get much better bio-absorption from an extract than you do from dried, powdered mushrooms.
• Which extraction methods were used when making the supplement? Look for supplements made using a dual extraction process. This means the manufacturers used a combination of hot water and alcohol extraction to access both the water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds in lion’s mane.

What Are the Benefits of Taking Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s mane are remarkable medicinal mushrooms best known for enhancing brain and nervous system functioning.

Some of the compounds in lion’s mane can cross the blood-brain barrier, and once inside the brain, they stimulate nerve growth factors (NGFs).

NGFs protect the brain from injuries and aid neurogenesis, which is the formation of new neurons in the brain, enhancing cognitive, motor and sensory functions.

But improved memory and focus are not the only benefits of taking lion’s mane supplements. Research suggests they also:

• Boost the immune system
• Help alleviate anxiety and depression
• Help slow or reverse the effects of several types of cancer
• Improve cardiovascular health
• Support the digestive system
• Help with diabetes management

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Lion’s Mane Supplements

With so many supplements to choose from, deciding which lion’s mane supplement to take can be challenging.

To make it easier for you, we have put together a list of answers to some of the most frequently asked questions, including:

Which Form of Lion’s Mane is Best?

The best way to access the benefits of lion’s mane mushroom is to consume a high-strength lion’s mane extract made using the dual extraction process.

These extracts come in several forms, including liquid extracts, loose extract powders or capsules, tablets or gummies made using extract powders.

Which form is best for you will vary depending on your lifestyle, personal preferences and daily routine. 

Do Lion’s Mane Supplements Work?

Thousands of people and numerous studies suggest lion’s mane extract supplements make a difference. 

The bioactive compounds in lion’s mane work with several of the body’s systems simultaneously, helping them to function better and allowing the body to heal itself.

But like other functional medicinal mushrooms, the effects are cumulative, and you may only notice significant changes after one to two months of use.

What Are the Side Effects of Lion’s Mane Supplements?

Lion’s mane supplements are considered non-toxic and safe to consume for extended periods, but no long-term human studies have explored their side effects.

Although uncommon, people who are allergic to other mushrooms should take care as they may experience allergic reactions to lion’s mane, including abdominal pain, nausea and skin rashes. Some first-time users of lion’s mane report mild gastrointestinal discomfort, including bloating and flatulence. Adjusting the dosage or taking lion’s mane with food seems to help.

Lion’s mane supplements may cause problems if you’re taking chronic medication for pre-existing conditions, so it’s best to consult your doctor before you add it to your daily routine.
For example, lion’s mane mushrooms’ ability to modulate blood clotting may interfere with anticoagulant drugs. And if you’re taking diabetes medications, you may need to adjust your dosage as lion’s mane helps lower blood glucose levels.