The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation

This study explored whether lion’s mane mushroom could support thinking speed, stress levels, and mood in healthy young adults. Participants took either lion’s mane or a placebo for four weeks, and researchers measured mental performance and feelings of stress.

After a single dose, people who took lion’s mane completed a focus-based task faster, suggesting a short-term boost in mental processing speed. After four weeks of daily use, participants reported lower feelings of stress compared to those taking a placebo.

While not all memory tests showed improvement, the results suggest that lion’s mane may help support mental sharpness and stress resilience in healthy adults. Because this was a small pilot study, larger studies are needed, but the findings point to promising benefits for everyday cognitive and emotional wellbeing.