MOOTROPIC🦁
Hericium erinaceus
Lion's Mane & your brain
TL;DR
Lion's mane is an edible mushroom with two families of compounds — hericenones (fruiting body) and erinacines (mycelium) — studied in the lab for their effects on nerve growth factor (NGF). Small human trials suggest modest support for cognitive function after 4–16 weeks of daily use.*
1,000 mg extract
Lion's mane extract
~300 mg per cup
Lion's mane
4
key studies cited
3
Mootropic products
How it works
- 1
Ingest
Beta-glucans, hericenones and erinacines from fruiting body + mycelium.
- 2
Absorb
Small lipophilic erinacines can cross the blood-brain barrier (animal data).
- 3
NGF
In lab studies, these compounds influence nerve growth factor signaling.
- 4
Neurons
NGF is a protein involved in normal neuron maintenance.
- 5
You
Over weeks: potential support for memory and focus.*
What it is
Lion's mane is a shaggy white mushroom that grows on hardwood trees and has been eaten and used in East Asian traditional practice for centuries. It's now one of the most-searched nootropics in the world — mostly because lab research on its compounds and nerve growth factor is so interesting.
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein your body makes to keep certain neurons alive, help them branch out, and maintain the myelin sheath that insulates them. NGF itself can't cross the blood-brain barrier when taken orally — which is why small molecules that tell your brain to make more of it are interesting.
Fruiting body vs. mycelium
The fruiting body (the mushroom you can see) is richest in hericenones and beta-glucans. The mycelium (the root-like network) is where erinacines live — the compounds with the strongest NGF data in animal studies. Big Brain Mane uses both, standardized to 40% polysaccharides so you know you're getting real extract, not filler grain.
What the human research says
In a well-known 16-week trial (Mori et al., 2009), older adults taking 3 g/day of lion's mane powder scored higher on cognitive tests than the placebo group — and the difference faded within four weeks of stopping.
A 2019 study in healthy adults over 50 found improved scores on a short cognitive screening test after 12 weeks. Smaller trials have looked at mood and wellbeing. Honest take: the evidence is promising but early, with small sample sizes. Effects build slowly; this isn't a caffeine-style kick.
Our dose vs. the research
- Lion's mane extract (Big Brain Mane)1,000 mg extract (40% polysaccharides)
| Compound | Mootropic | Studied range |
|---|---|---|
| Lion's mane extract (Big Brain Mane) | 1,000 mg extract (40% polysaccharides) | 1–3 g/day powder or ~1 g extract |
| Lion's mane (Moo-shroom Coffee) | ~300 mg per cup | Complementary dose — pair with capsules for the full studied range |
⏰ When to take it
- Any time of day, with or without food.
- Daily, consistently, for at least 4–8 weeks before judging.
👍 Great for
- Students & knowledge workers
- Anyone wanting a caffeine-free cognitive routine
- Pairing with coffee for a smoother focus stack
⚠️ Cautions
- Avoid if allergic to mushrooms.
- Limited data in pregnancy and breastfeeding — skip it.
- May theoretically interact with anticoagulant or diabetes medication; ask your doctor.
Key studies
- 1
16 weeks of lion's mane improved cognitive test scores in older adults vs placebo.
Mori K. et al. (2009). Phytotherapy Research 23(3):367–372.
- 2
12 weeks of supplementation improved cognitive screening scores in healthy adults over 50.
Saitsu Y. et al. (2019). Biomedical Research 40(4):125–131.
- 3
4 weeks of lion's mane cookies improved self-reported wellbeing scores in women.
Nagano M. et al. (2010). Biomedical Research 31(4):231–237.
- 4
Identification of erinacines A–C as potent stimulators of NGF synthesis.
Kawagishi H. et al. (1994). Tetrahedron Letters 35(10):1569–1572.
This page is for education, not medical advice. Studies cited used specific doses and populations; individual results vary. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.
Find it in
Big Brain Mane
Lion's Mane Mushroom · 1000 mg
$27.12/mo →
Moo-shroom Coffee
Lion's Mane + Chaga Instant Coffee
$39.60/mo →
Moo-shroom Ground Coffee
Lion's Mane + Chaga Ground Coffee · 12 oz
$33.60/mo →
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.