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Also known as Hericium erinaceus, Yamabushitake
Medicinal mushroom containing hericenones and erinacines that stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in animal models; studied in humans for mild cognitive impairment and mood.
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
Number of audited published findings for Lion's Mane Mushroom by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Medicinal mushroom (Hericium erinaceus). Nerve-growth-factor effects are preclinical; the few human cognitive trials are small and inconsistent.
Safety notes: Well tolerated; avoid with mushroom allergies; rare respiratory reactions reported.
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.
How to read this table
In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stroop task performance speed | Participants performed quicker on the Stroop task vs placebo in 41 people at 60 minutes. (p = 0.005)Benefit seen | no number reported | 41 | 60 min post dose | RCT · 2023 | PMID 38004235 |
| Subjective stress | A trend towards reduced subjective stress was observed vs placebo in 41 people over 28 days. (p = 0.051)No clear benefit | no number reported | 41 | 28-day supplementation | RCT · 2023 | PMID 38004235 |
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.
| Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) | Cognitive functions improved significantly vs placebo over 12 weeks, but no specific numbers were reported.Benefit seen | no number reported | — | 12 weeks | RCT · 2019 | PMID 31413233 |
| cognitive function scale (HDS-R based), weeks 8-16 of treatment | Yamabushitake significantly increased cognitive function scores compared with placebo at weeks 8, 12 and 16 in adults with MCI (n=30).Benefit seen | no number reported | 30 | 16 weeks | RCT · 2009 | PMID 18844328 |
| cognitive function scale, 4 weeks after stopping treatment | Cognitive scores fell significantly after Yamabushitake was stopped, compared with scores seen during the 16-week treatment period (n=30).No clear benefit | no number reported | 30 | 4 weeks | RCT · 2009 | PMID 18844328 |