Lion's Mane and Memory: A Look at the Research
If you’ve ever wished your brain had a “refresh” button, we’re right there with you. Mental refresh buttons don’t exist (yet), but lion’s mane mushroom might just be the next best thing. This white, pom-pom-shaped fungus has been making waves for its potential brain benefits, especially when it comes to memory.
We’ve all had days when we couldn’t keep our brains straight, even with an energy drink (or two) in our systems. And if the old fixes don’t work like they used to, that’s probably a sign that it’s time to try something new. So, let’s dive into what lion’s mane is, how it works, and how to take it (hint: it’s as easy as drinking your morning cup of joe).
What Is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane, opens in a new tab (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom that grows throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and America. With its long, shaggy spines that resemble a white lion’s mane, it’s pretty easy to spot.
This mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for centuries, often brewed into teas or cooked in soups for overall health. These days, though, you’re more likely to find it in capsules, powders, or even blended into coffee for a brain-friendly pick-me-up.
Researchers have discovered that lion’s mane contains two unique types of compounds — hericenones and erinacines — which may help support nerve health. Essentially, this means that lion’s mane can support mental clarity, opens in a new tab, brain health, and even emotional health.
Can Lion’s Mane Support Memory?
From Reddit to the friend group chat, you may have seen people saying lion’s mane helped improve their memory. We know it can be hard to trust the experiences of a few people, but the science backs up these benefits.
Several small human studies have found that people taking lion’s mane performed better on certain memory and cognitive tests compared to those taking a placebo. For example, one 16-week trial in older adults with mild memory issues reported improvements in recall after taking a daily lion’s mane supplement.
Lion's mane for dementia prevention
How Does Lion’s Mane Work?
How can a mushroom help your memory get stronger and clearer? Here’s what the science says.
Encourages Brain Growth
One of lion’s mane’s most buzzworthy traits is its potential to promote something called nerve growth factor (NGF). In plain English, NGF helps your brain cells grow, connect, and stay healthy.
Early lab and animal research have found that compounds in lion’s mane, especially erinacines, can encourage NGF production, which could support the brain’s ability to form new connections. That’s important because memory and learning depend on strong neural pathways.
A healthier, better-connected brain could mean sharper recall, quicker thinking, and improved focus, opens in a new tab over time. While human research on NGF-specific effects is still in the early stages, this potential “brain growth” benefit is part of why lion’s mane is such a standout among functional mushrooms.
Provides Antioxidants
Lion’s mane also has tons of antioxidants, which are compounds that help protect your cells from oxidative stress. Over time, oxidative stress can contribute to memory decline and slower thinking, along with a host of other issues.
By supporting your body’s protections against oxidative stress, lion’s mane can help protect neurons from wear and tear, which is key for maintaining mental clarity as you age. When your brain cells aren’t under constant attack, they can work more efficiently, helping you stay sharp and attentive throughout the day.
Relieves Feelings of Stress
You might not think of stress as something that affects memory, but it totally does. When stress and worry are taking up so much of your mental space, you don’t have room for much else. When that happens, pieces of information like where you left your keys and what you ate for breakfast quickly get cast aside while your brain tries to come up with solutions to the stress, opens in a new tab.
Fortunately, lion’s mane has been studied for its potential to support a calm mood, with some research suggesting it may help balance pathways tied to feelings of stress and anxiety. In one small trial, participants reported lower feelings of irritability and anxiety, opens in a new tab after taking lion’s mane daily for several weeks.
Supports Healthy Sleep
Without quality sleep, focus and memory start to plummet. While lion’s mane isn’t exactly a sedative, it can support sleep quality, opens in a new tab by encouraging a balanced nervous system and reducing feelings of anxiety that can keep you tossing and turning.
In certain studies, participants taking lion’s mane reported improvements in overall sleep satisfaction, opens in a new tab and mood. And when you wake up well-rested, your prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain that handles decision-making, focus, and working memory — is ready to perform at its best.
Encourages Microbiome Diversity
Your gut and brain are more connected than you might think. In fact, these two systems talk back and forth, influencing each other in a massive feedback loop.
A healthy gut can produce more neurotransmitters (like serotonin) and calm system-wide irritation, both of which are linked to better cognitive function and focus. Plus, a balanced gut can also help keep your energy levels steady and your mental clarity sharper. It’s even linked to mental health and stress!
Early research suggests that lion’s mane may help promote a diverse gut microbiome, opens in a new tab, thanks to its prebiotic-like compounds that can feed beneficial bacteria. So, while lion’s mane can have some direct benefits for brain function, it can also help tie up other loose ends that might be messing with your memory.
How To Take Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane works best when you take it consistently. Many people use it in the morning for a daytime brain boost, but you can technically take it any time of day.
You’ll also find it in several forms, which include the following:
- Capsules or tablets, which are designed for convenience but aren’t as effective as extracts.
- Powders, which are great for smoothies or recipes but don’t have much medicinal value.
- Extracts, opens in a new tab, which contain isolated compounds for extra-powerful effects.
There’s also our Mushroom Coffee, which contains lion’s mane extract in powder form. That means you can get the powerful benefits of extracts while still also enjoying the versatility of a powder supplement. You can savor our coffee plain or add it to a smoothie or even oatmeal — the opportunities are pretty much endless!
Wrapping It All Up
Lion’s mane mushroom is almost too good to be true, with benefits that include overall health, memory, and focus. From easing stress and supporting a good night’s sleep to encouraging a healthy gut microbiome, lion’s mane tackles the problem of mental clarity from multiple angles.
If you’d like to try lion’s mane for yourself but aren’t sure you want to add yet another supplement to your growing daily regimen, just try a cup of one of our mushroom blends, opens in a new tab. Each blend combines L-theanine, lion’s mane, chaga, collagen, and caffeine for full body support.
Sources:
Gut Bacteria and Neurotransmitters | PMC, opens in a new tab
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