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Mushrooms — AKA the best Lion’s Mane supplements — have our attention. It seems that everyone, including our friends, family members and TikTok nutritionists, is recommending the dietary supplement for those craving better focus, mental clarity and a reduction in their stress levels. But are they a worthy addition to your (already rather lengthy) wellness routine?
“In Chinese medicine, Lion’s Mane is thought of as a good all-rounder, with benefits for the whole body,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Lena Bakovic. “However, Lion’s Mane has been particularly associated with brain and cognitive benefits, such as improved memory, focus and concentration as well as nervous system support.”
But with a recent boom in the supplement space, you’ve got options when it comes to Lion’s Mane, otherwise known as Hericium Erinaceus. We’re talking easy-to-swallow Lion’s Mane capsules, powders, liquids, and even those drinkable as matcha-style lattes — most of which we (a team of GLAMOUR editors) put to the test for a minimum of four weeks.
So, stay tuned for answers to all your Lion’s Mane FAQs, a list of the possible benefits from industry experts, as well as our edit of the best mushrooms to boost your mental wellbeing.
SKIP TO: Meet the experts | How we test the best Lion’s Mane supplements | Lion’s Mane Supplements FAQs | What is Lion’s Mane, and what are the benefits?
Disclaimer: Keep in mind that this article isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice, and our recommendations won’t replace a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet.
What is Lion’s Mane, and what are the benefits?
“Lion’s Mane is a type of medicinal mushroom,” details women’s health nutritionist, Stephanie Smith. “These are fungi with purported pharmaceutical benefits.” Another word for this type of mushroom is ‘functional,’ which dietitian nutritionist Lena Bakovic says has taken off in recent years. “Their popularity has grown due in large part to the mushrooms’ purported adaptogenic properties,” she says. “Adaptogens, which have been a constituent of Eastern Medicine for many years, are thought to help counteract the effects of stress on our bodies.”
Recent studies suggest Lion’s Mane could help with stress and focus or speed when completing tasks, but there is still work to be done on a larger scale. “The research on lion’s mane is promising but still developing,” adds Doctify-rated nutritionist Raquel Britzke. “Some studies suggest benefits for memory and brain function, but we need more human trials. Some research also suggests gut microbiome benefits.”
How we test the best Lion’s Mane supplements:
The GLAMOUR team are a hard-working bunch, spending their evenings and weekends moonlighting as beauty and wellness testers — AKA the best sleep supplements, electrolytes, green powders — to uncover which move them closer to their fitness, focus and health goals.
Each willing volunteer was asked to try one Lion’s Mane supplement for a minimum of four weeks. At the end of their trial period, they were asked to rate it against the following criteria:
- Ease of use — Were the capsules easy to swallow? Did the powder mix well with water?
- Efficacy — How long into the four weeks did they notice a difference, if any?
- Taste — On a scale of one to five, how pleasurable was the taste?
- Value for money — Would they be happy to commit to the weekly, monthly or bi-monthly spend?
Unsurprisingly, only the fan-favourites made it into the list below.
