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COMPOUNDS / MEDICINAL MUSHROOM / LIONS MANE
MEDICINAL MUSHROOM

LIONS MANE

LOW RISK
BEST FOR:Cognition●●●●●●○○○○6/10
LION'S MANE · HERICIUM ERINACEUS · YAMABUSHITAKE · HERICIUM · MONKEY'S HEAD MUSHROOM · HOU TOU GU · SMART MUSHROOM
NootropicMushroomNeuroprotectiveAdaptogenNGF BoosterFunctional Food

Edible medicinal mushroom with neuroprotective, cognitive-enhancing, and mood-supporting properties via NGF stimulation.

ROUTE / DOSAGE
LOW500mg
STANDARD1000-3000mg
HIGH5000mg
Note: Typically taken as extract or powder; fruiting body and mycelium extracts differ in active compound profile
CYCLE
Daily use cycling not required but 4-week breaks after 12 weeks suggested
BIOAVAILABILITY
Low oral bioavailability for terpenoid compounds polysaccharides better absorbed orally sublingual may improve absorption of hericenones and erinacines
ACTIVE DURATION
Chronic supplementation required acute effects ~4-6h (subjective)
STORAGE
Cool dry place away from direct sunlight refrigerate liquid extracts after opening
HALF-LIFE
Not well characterized active compounds likely have short half-lives requiring daily dosing (plasma)
DURATION BREAKDOWN
Total4-6h acute; cumulative effects over weeks
Onset1-2h
Come up30-60 min
Peak1-3h
Offset2-4h
After effectsMinimal acute after-effects; cumulative benefits persist with continued use
Duration varies by route, dose, and individual. Source: community reports.
§ 01 — EFFECTS
6 documented
Improved cognitive processing speed
Reduced subjective stress
Neuroprotective support
Mild anxiolytic effects
Antioxidant activity
Immunomodulation
§ 02 — RISKS
Mild gastrointestinal discomfort at higher doses
Allergic reactions in sensitive individuals
Theoretical interaction with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications
Lack of standardized dosing across commercial products
Insufficient safety data for pregnancy and lactation
§ 03 — INTERACTIONS
Interaction data not yet available for this compound.
§ 04 — SCIENCE

Multiple in vitro and animal studies demonstrate that Hericium erinaceus stimulates NGF expression and promotes neuronal survival and differentiation. A double-blind pilot study in healthy young adults found that 1.8 g daily improved Stroop task performance acutely (60 min post-dose) and showed a trend toward reduced subjective stress after 28 days. Reviews note some evidence for memory benefit in cognitively compromised cohorts, though clinical validation remains limited with small sample sizes and mixed results. The LiverTox database reports no instances of clinically apparent liver injury. Standardization of extraction methods and large-scale clinical trials are still needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing.

§ 06 — SOURCES
[1]
PubMed PMID 37958943
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[2]
PubMed PMID 40284172
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[3]
PubMed PMID 38004235
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[4]
PubMed PMID 33917843
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[5]
PubMed PMID 38289992
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[6]
PubMed PMID 37603263
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[7]
PubMed PMID 37513265
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
[8]
PubMed PMID 26244378
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↗
Disclaimer. Protokol.wiki is an informational reference. Nothing on this site is medical advice. Compounds listed may be unapproved, unregulated, or illegal in your jurisdiction. Consult a licensed physician before use. Data compiled from peer-reviewed literature.
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