Lion’s Mane dosage: Everything you need to know
The Lion’s Mane, also known as hou tou gu, yamabushitake, or Hericium Erinaceus (its scientific name), is one of the most widely used edible mushrooms in countries such as China or South Korea. It is used in gastronomy and for health care and is increasingly popular in the West.
Native to North America, Asia, and Europe, the Lion’s Mane occurs from summer to fall, on hardwoods, and what is most consumed are its “beards,” a kind of long whitish spines that grow from the stem down, resembling the mane of a lion (hence its popular name).
At present, several scientific studies have found that Lion’s Mane contains various substances with beneficial effects on the body, such as antioxidants or beta-glucans.
We have been consuming it for a long time, but first, we investigated it thoroughly. We tell you about its main properties according to science and tradition, possible contraindications, and in general everything you need to know about the Lion’s Mane Dosage.
Properties of Lion’s Mane (potential)
In Chinese folk medicine, Lion’s Mane has been used for a long time, significantly to help treat anxiety and depression, prevent dementia, or in lesions of the nervous system.
The studies carried out, although they are limited, suggest that Hericium Erinaceus can effectively help in these pathologies and some others. Here are the top documented benefits of Lion’s Mane dosage:
Caution
Please, if you are taking medication or suffer from any chronic pathology, allergies, etc., consult your doctor before consuming Melena de León. Never use in minors and pregnant women.
Here, we will discuss lion’s mane and the safe recommended doses that have been noted in relation to desired outcomes, such as relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression, improving cognitive function, and its use as a powerful nootropic.
Contributions to general well-being
Part of the available evidence regarding Hericium Erinaceus has found several active principles that we can include under the same category: supporting the well-being of our body at a general level through antioxidants and the protection of the digestive system.
For example, animal research shows that Lion’s Mane can enhance immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system (essential), and researchers from Anhui University of Science and Technology found that it inhibits proliferation. Of H pylori bacteria (an overgrowth of it in the stomach can cause stomach ulcers).
It also appears to reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, associated with various modern diseases, thanks to its high powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatories.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom: A Powerful Nootropic
To really optimize your brain health and function, it’s best to take lion’s mane as part of a powerful formula, combining other cognitive-enhancing nootropics.
In Mind Lab Pro, there is 500mg of lion’s mane, a proven effective dose for optimizing a wide array of cognitive functions as part of this formula!
Depression and anxiety
As we said, in Chinese folk medicine, one of the things Lion’s Mane is used the most is to treat mild symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Both are very complex pathologies caused by various causes, including chronic inflammation. As we saw in the previous point, this curious fungus seems to reduce, thanks to its anti-inflammatory principles.
Improved hippocampal function is also associated with reducing anxiety and depression. In this particular, another fascinating study showed that mice treated with Lion’s Mane extract significantly increased the production of neurons in the hippocampus.
Memory and nervous system
With this background, it was to be expected that Lion’s Mane helps prevent or treat other pathologies related to the brain and the nervous system, and so it seems.
In addition to tradition, where one of its common uses is the prevention of dementia, various studies suggest that the fungus can effectively reduce memory loss, one of its symptoms.
Very very interesting are also the studies that have been carried out on the Lion’s Mane and how it accelerates the recovery of injuries related to the nervous system.
For example, one of them found a reduction of 23 to 41% in the recovery time of the damaged peroneal nerve in rats treated with Hericium Erinaceus extract compared to those that were not.
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Other probable benefits
The commented potential properties of the Lion’s Mane are just some of those traditionally attributed to it and also of those that have been studied to a greater or lesser extent, but there are others.
Some of the key health benefits include:
- Improving cognitive function
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
- Anti-depressant and anxiolytic properties
- Protecting against digestive ulcers
If the subject interests you, we invite you to continue investigating. There are many studies. You can start looking for them at the National Center for Biotechnology Information or other online libraries of scientific articles.
We also leave you this video by Leonardo Alaniz, a medical student, where he reviews several studies on the fungus (some of which we have already commented on here):
Can You Take Too Much Lion’s Mane?
In short, it would be difficult to overdose on a lion’s mane. Some studies have used doses of up to 3,000mg, marked safe, and resulted in minimal side effects.
However, more does not always mean better! We strongly advise following the specific dosage guidelines on the product you’re using.
There have been no noted side effects from taking lion’s mane unless you have an allergy to mushrooms. Though, as always, we recommend consulting your doctor if you’re thinking of taking a new supplement!
Possible contraindications
Mela de León has been used for centuries in China and Japan, without reporting severe side effects in a generalized way, and adverse effects have not been found in animals (even in very high doses).
It would be necessary to carry out studies in humans of the possible side effects of consuming Mela de León. In general, everything indicates that it is a safe mushroom (we take them and have not noticed any problems).
Logically, people who are sensitive-allergic to fungi should avoid taking it, as well as pregnant women. Also, consult with your doctor if you are medicated or suffer from chronic diseases.
How to take Lion’s Mane Dosage
Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world where total mushroom intake would transform your holistic lifestyle into one of an immortal and healthy super-being. (Although, that would be pretty cool.)
As with any supplement, extract, or mushroom, Lion’s Mane dosage recommendations should strictly apply (and perfect with a little bit of practice). Let’s look at the various intake methods and dosages for Lion’s Mane that can help boost cognitive function.
The dose of Lion’s Mane (Sura Vitasan) for adults is 1 vegetable capsule a day, or as indicated by the specialist. The expressly recommended daily dose for these Hericium Erinaceus capsules should not be exceeded.
Lion’s Mane can be consumed in different ways. The most common are:
- In capsules (with mushroom powder inside)
- Tincture
- In cooking recipes
The easiest way is in capsules or tinctures; various brands market it (always pay attention to buying brands with official certificates and laboratory tested).
Lion’s Mane General Dosage
It has been reported that effective doses vary from 500mg-3000mg (96% purity extract). This dose appears to be safe and results in minimal side effects for those not allergic to mushrooms.1
Lion’s Mane Dosage: Reduce Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
In one study which looked at the effect of lion’s mane mushroom on symptoms of anxiety and depression, thirty females were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received cookies containing 0.5g powdered lion’s mane, and the other group was given a placebo.
Over four weeks, feelings of irritation and anxiousness were significantly lower in the group that received the lion’s mane. These results suggest that a minor intake of lion’s mane in powdered form may be an effective dose in easing mild symptoms of anxiety and depression!
Lion’s Mane Dosage: Improving Cognitive Function
An interesting study was conducted on 50 to 80-year-old Japanese men and women who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.3
Thirty subjects were divided into two groups – one group took four 250mg tablets containing 96% lion’s mane dry powder three times daily for 16 weeks, the other group was given a placebo.
The lion’s mane group showed significant improvements in cognitive function throughout the trial compared with the placebo group. Upon termination of the intake, the subjects were observed for a further four weeks, at which their cognitive function decreased.
The result of this study shows that the lion’s mane is effective in improving mild cognitive impairment, and cognitive function declines upon cessation of intake!
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➡️ Lion’s Mane Recipe
Things get complicated if you want to make your tincture or cooking recipe since it is difficult to collect in its natural state. The best option is to buy a substrate for its cultivation (it comes ready to bloom and gives one or two harvests, although growing it is not easy).
You can make many delicious Lion’s Mane recipes (a fleshy, white mushroom with a fruity smell and the typical seafood flavor). A straightforward one:
- Cut the mushroom into generous slices
- Prepare a dressing based on olive oil, garlic, and oregano
- Place the pieces on the grill and spread with the sauce (a couple of turns, do not cook much).
Conclusions
Doses of lion’s mane may vary, but in most supplements, you will find it to be an effective dose. Research is yet to be conducted to determine an optimal intake, but for now, it appears you can reap the many health benefits of lion’s mane with the doses currently noted!
On a personal level, after having used Lion’s Mane for a long time, we can say that on the one hand, we have not noticed any problems, and on the other, the two most apparent benefits have been “more alertness” and calmer on a general level.
More studies need to be carried out since most have been in animals and controlled laboratory settings. We are convinced that the evidence will continue to accumulate over time and will confirm the good results of Lion’s Mane as an effective treatment for different pathologies.
Of course, no one expects miracles. They do not exist, neither in traditional medicine nor in modern medicine. A safe bet is to change habits to have a healthier life, and there the Lion’s Mane Dosage can help us.
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