Lion’s Mane Benefits: A Natural Nootropic for Focus, Cognition & Concentration

Lion's Mane has many benefits and in the search for natural ways to support brain health and mental clarity, Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is emerging as a promising nootropic. Known for its unique appearance and medicinal history in traditional Eastern medicine, this edible mushroom is gaining modern scientific attention for its effects on cognitive function, memory, and focus.  Lion’s mane products are popping up everywhere – in supplements, powders, coffee, gummies and topical creams.

What is Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s Mane is a functional mushroom that has become popular over recent years for its neuroprotective properties. It contains active compounds—hericenones and erinacines—and there is evidence that these stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein that supports the growth and repair of neurons in the brain.

So far so good, but can taking Lions Mane supplements really lead to the cognitive benefits that are so openly claimed by supplement manufacturers?

What Does the Science Say?

1. Acute and Chronic Cognitive Effects in Healthy Adults

A recent 2023 double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study investigated the effects of Lion’s Mane supplementation in healthy young adults aged 18–45. Participants took 1.8g of Lion’s Mane daily for 28 days.

This study found:

• Acute Improvement in Focus: Just one hour after a single dose, participants showed significantly faster reaction times in the Stroop task—a test of attention and processing speed.

• Chronic Stress Reduction: After 28 days, there was a trend towards reduced perceived stress, although this just missed statistical significance (p = 0.051).

• Mixed Memory Results: Interestingly, the study found reduced accuracy in immediate word recall among the Lion’s Mane group, suggesting that its effects may vary across cognitive domains.

Reference: PMC10675414

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2. Support in Cognitive Impairment

A 2019 systematic review evaluated randomized controlled trials on medicinal mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane, in populations with mild cognitive impairment. Two of the three RCTs included reported measurable improvements in cognitive performance compared to placebo, suggesting that Lion’s Mane may be particularly beneficial where cognitive function is already compromised.

Reference: PMC6574952

Other studies have shown similar results so based currently available information, Lion’s Main certainly offers promising benefits for cognition.

Potential Benefits of Lion’s Mane for Focus and Brain Health

While more large-scale research is needed, current studies and anecdotal evidence point to a range of potential benefits:

• Enhanced focus and attention

• Improved cognitive processing speed

• Support for memory and mental clarity

• Reduction in stress-related cognitive disruption

• Neuroprotective support for long-term brain health

How to Use Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane can be taken in capsule, powder, or liquid extract form. For cognitive benefits, clinical studies have used doses around 1–2 grams per day. As with any supplement, consistency is key—and effects may become more apparent with time.

What to look for in a supplement

If you’re interested in trying Lion’s Mane and experiencing the benefits, there are some key considerations.  Based on the evidence currently available, we recommend a full spectrum product which contains both mycelium and fruiting bodies as there are potential benefits of both parts.  A little more information :

• Mycelium is the root-like structure, the underground network. This is easiest part to grow and it contains some compounds not found in the fruiting body (for example probiotics and polysaccharides).
• Fruiting bodies are the visible part of the mushroom that grows above ground. The mature, fruiting body is considered the most potent and beneficial part in terms of brain health so you should always make sure that the fruiting body component is measured and listed in a supplement.

Always choose a supplement from a reputable brand with third party testing and organic ingredients where possible.  Avoid products that have added fillers – the ingredients list should simply show the mushroom extracts and the breakdown between mycelium and fruiting body.  Brands we like are Viridian, Mushrooms for Life, London Nootropics and Kiki Health

For best effect, you should take a dosage to match the available research.  Living Planet Lions Mane Focus capsules contains 1g of mushroom extract per capsule ad so we recommend 4 capsules per day, split into 2 doses.

Final Thoughts

Lion’s Mane shows real promise as a natural cognitive enhancer, especially for improving focus and supporting long-term brain health. While we await more robust clinical trials, early evidence suggests it may be a valuable ally for students, professionals, and anyone looking to stay mentally sharp in a demanding world.

As always, consult a healthcare practitioner before starting a new supplement—especially if you’re managing a medical condition or taking medication.

References

A Systematic Review of in-vivo Studies on Dietary Mushroom Supplementation for Cognitive Impairment (P14-021-19). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6574952/A Systematic Review of in-vivo

The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10675414/