Lion's mane mushroom and its health effects
What it found
Lion's mane mushroom contains compounds that may protect nerves, fight inflammation and microbes, but human evidence is still limited.
Most studies have been in cells or animals.
What they found
Studies in people
Human trials
In people with mild cognitive impairment, 16 weeks of lion's mane extract improved cognitive performance compared to placebo, but benefits faded after stopping. Other small trials in Alzheimer's, gastritis, and mood disorders showed some improvements, but studies were small and short.
Animal and lab studies
Brain and nerves
Compounds in lion's mane called erinacines and hericenones can stimulate nerve growth factor, which supports neuron growth and survival. Erinacines can cross the blood-brain barrier in lab studies.
Inflammation
In cells and animals, lion's mane extracts reduced inflammatory chemicals like TNF-α, IL-6, and nitric oxide. They also blocked pathways that drive inflammation.
Antioxidant effects
Lion's mane extracts increased antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in animal studies. They also reduced oxidative damage markers.
Antimicrobial activity
In lab tests, lion's mane compounds stopped the growth of some bacteria and fungi, including MRSA and H. pylori. The effects were mostly bacteriostatic, meaning they inhibited growth rather than killed the microbes.
Safety
Rodent studies found no significant organ damage from oral lion's mane. The authors note that long-term human safety data are lacking.
What the authors conclude
“Despite promising findings, clinical validation remains limited.”
Also in their conclusions
- They conclude that large-scale, well-controlled clinical trials are essential to validate the health effects of lion's mane in people.
- They advise that future research should focus on optimal dosages, long-term safety, and standardization of extracts.
- They suggest that lion's mane could become a scientifically validated functional food or therapeutic agent if these gaps are addressed.
How it was done
The authors wanted to review the nutritional and therapeutic potential of lion's mane mushroom, focusing on its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities.
They searched scientific databases for studies published in the last two decades on the bioactive compounds of lion's mane mushroom. They summarized findings from cells, animals, and some human trials.
What it can’t tell you
- Most studies were done in cells or animals, so they cannot show what happens in people.
- The human trials were small and short, so they cannot prove cause and effect or long-term benefits.
- The review cannot determine the best dose or long-term safety of lion's mane in humans.
Who paid
- Funding
- Funded by National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro; Coordenação de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (from the PubMed record).
- Conflicts
- The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
- Authors work at
- Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Brazil; Fluminense Federal University (UFF), Brazil
The paper
- Title
- Lion's Mane Mushroom ( Hericium erinaceus ): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential-A Narrative Review
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people · animals · lab
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Contato AG, Conte-Junior CA (2025). Lion's Mane Mushroom ( Hericium erinaceus ): A Neuroprotective Fungus with Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, and Antimicrobial Potential-A Narrative Review. Nutrients. doi:10.3390/nu17081307Free full textPubMed 40284172DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error