Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom whose extract is sold as a memory supplement and marketed to slow Alzheimer's disease. It has not shown convincing benefit for this use – there's no solid evidence that it affects the course of the disease. For Alzheimer's, the treatments with proven effect come from other drug classes (cholinesterase inhibitors, memantine) alongside care and support, with the regimen chosen by a neurologist. The mushroom is harmless in this role, but don't take it instead of prescribed therapy – that risks missing out on treatment with proven benefit.

Lion's mane is widely sold as a «natural nootropic» on the NGF stimulation and neurite outgrowth hypothesis. Human evidence is limited to one small RCT Mori 2009 (Phytother Res) in 30 Japanese patients aged 50-80 with mild cognitive impairment: 3000 mg/day lion's mane powder × 16 weeks improved HDS-R (Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised) scores vs placebo; effect disappeared after discontinuation. No large international RCTs. MSKCC monograph 2023 classifies the evidence as «preliminary». NICE dementia 2018 (NG97) lists cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and memantine first-line for Alzheimer; lion's mane is not in guidelines. If lion's mane was recommended for cognitive impairment or diagnosed dementia instead of workup and standard therapy, consider seeking a second opinion.

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom whose extract is sold as a supplement for stress and anxiety. Convincing benefit for this use has not been shown: there is no solid evidence of a meaningful anti-anxiety effect in people. For stress and anxiety, what actually helps is psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy first of all) and, when needed, medication with proven effectiveness chosen by a doctor. Lion's mane should not be taken instead of such treatment, since that can mean missing care that genuinely works.