Lion’s Mane – The Mushroom for the Brain
Hericium erinaceus (popularly known as Lion’s Mane, due to its appearance) is a type of edible mushroom found on hardwoods in North America, Asia and Europe.
This mushroom has astounding mental regenerative abilities, unlike any other mushroom. This makes it a potent nootropic for the enhancement of the mind.
It possesses the ability to stimulate the growth of neurons in the astrocytes by increasing NGF mRNA expression. In one study in particular, it found in mice that the hippocampus (our main long-term memory storehouse) was particularly influenced (1).*

Lion’s Mane Mushroom and the Brain
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- Nerve Growth Factors (NGF), i.e. stimulates the growth of neurons (1)(2)(4)(5)*
- Helps repair the brain from physical damage (3)(5)(6)*
- Helps prevent or slow age-related mental degradation(5)*
- Has mood regulating effects from the NGF and other non-NGF factors (4)*
- Has been shown to increase ‘curiosity’ of objects in the world in animal studies*
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Really important to realize is that the effects of this nootropic herb have been found to level off particularly fast after use is stopped (around 2-4 weeks) (1).*
To gain the potential benefits, it is therefore recommended that consumption of Lion’s Mane mushroom extract takes place every day. The culinary use of Lion’s Mane by the Chinese shows that this is a safe habit to practice.
And Many More Benefits
But Lion’s Mane mushroom extract isn’t just good for the mind. Consumption of this mushroom, whether in whole form or as an extract, has been shown to potentially provide the following benefits.
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- Promotes cellular apoptosis (4)(7)(8)(9)(10)*
- Provides a cascade of nutrients (11)(12)(13)*
- Anti-fatigue properties (14)*
- High antioxidant containing as all mushrooms are (13)*
- 20% protein by volume
- Helps alleviate injury (12)(15)*
- Gastrointestinal protective effects (4)(16)(17)*
- Supports optimal immune response (5)(18)*
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Compliments of North American Reishi/Nammex
Organic Lion’s Mane 8:1 Dual Extract
According to at least one paper, an alcohol extract may be best to bring out the NGF activity of Lion’s Mane. (1) But other research disagrees with this. The science around lion’s mane mushroom is still in it’s infancy.
Still, that’s why we’ve made this dual extracted (meaning with both alcohol and water) lion’s mane available. Terpenes, including the hericenones and erinacines, are known to extract better in alcohol. That’s not to say that our other extract isn’t helpful, just that this one MAY be better, especially for the neurological benefits.
In addition to using both alcohol and water, this is an 8:1 extract meaning it is eight times as powerful. Of course, it is started with the same quality, organic real lion’s mane mushrooms, and not mycelium.
A smaller dose of 1 to 2 grams, or approximately ¼ to ½ tsp per day, is recommended.



Yelena Makarov (verified owner) –
Like everything at Lost Empire Herbs this product is excellent. In my opinion, their Lion’s Mane is the best on the market.
Frank Meddleson Jr (verified owner) –
Not bad tasting
Michael L Patterson (verified owner) –
Corvid, Who!?
Donald Malec (verified owner) –
Great brain fuel
Nick Boyer (verified owner) –
Great for the brain, young or old
Eduardo Rosado (verified owner) –
Great service and product.
Severin Lewandowski (verified owner) –
Outstanding.
Jude Doiron (verified owner) –
Nice product that seems to be working well
Eric Morel (verified owner) –
Really good product
Michelle E. (verified owner) –
Used consistently for a month and noticed increased focus and less mind fog.
TIFFANY DURASTANTE (verified owner) –
I wish you received more in the pack.
Nick Boyer (verified owner) –
Stopped taking this as the mental formula is more apt for for my age group (late 60’s)
roy (verified owner) –
for people with ADD as myself this is like the pill from the movie limitless no brainfog more clairty. En with bacopa i have more focus en i get everything done!
DJ (verified owner) –
I like the fact that it is an extract
customer –
AwesomeProduct
Lora Cunningham (verified owner) –
I swear I feel more focused while taking this Extract. It’s pretty impressive.
Philip Zuco (verified owner) –
I take it everyday. It’s the best I’ve found
Toby (verified owner) –
This continues to be my favorite brain booster. I use consume about 1/2 teaspoon, in coffee, about 1/2 hour prior to my daily meditation, and mind that I am able to reach the desired state very quickly. The product may clump a little, in your beverage, so just stir it every so often.
Gloria McKoy –
To all the people at lost empire I can’t thank u enough for what you do. You have given me my life backI was prescribed a lethal dosage of the drug clonindine Long after I weaned myself off the drug I suffered so very severe side effects Brain freeze and nightmares After taking severa other herbs from lost empire and having such good results I decided to try lions mane I am glad that I didI have experience immediate results The brain freeze is gone and my dreams are returning to normal and I am able to remember them To all of the people at lost empire thank u from the bottom of my heart aside from lions mane I have als purchased Athena chaga and he Shou Wu and let tell u these herbs are awesome as well So if u are thinking about making a purchase from lost empire don’t hesitate your results will blow u away
Justin Snyder –
That’s so amazing to hear, Gloria! We couldn’t be happier for you and can’t thank you enough for taking the time to let us know the good news.
Floyd Mullins (verified owner) –
This product helps me to keep the mental edge as I’m driving the school kids on my bus. A constant multi task
Michael Morrish (verified owner) –
I’m a business owner and juggle 10 -115 different projects at a time wearing 7 different hats. Lion’s Mane help keep me sharp and focused.
Blake Corfman (verified owner) –
Great quality, as described.
Greg H (verified owner) –
I’m putting this in my coffee every day; not sure of the results yet, but using the product as recommended by a friend.
OLUwaseun Ogunjemilusi (verified owner) –
Great product! Works as described…too expensive though
Donald Hill (verified owner) –
I have noticeable improvement
Eva Bylin –
Only been on this product for a few weeks. But other products o have had great experience from.
Antonio Da Silva (verified owner) –
Wow! My memory has improved a lot! For example, I earned a coupon code on a different site. When I get them I take a screen shot with my i-pad. I usually refer back to it 2-3 times to get it correctly! Now I still remember the code from yesterday! Ll-oicnuanz. Ok just checked the screen shot and I missed the letter b at the end, however that is a drastic improvement over checking the photo 3 times! Also I love these herbs because I take all of them until they are empty. The only exception is bought some Rhodiola and didn’t take it all because I didn’t want to take Bacopa and Rhodiola together. Now I finished my Bacopa and thanks to Lion’s mane I still have a great memory and can finish my Rhodiola! Love love love these herbs! I can see why they offer such a great money back guarantee be ause in my experience you will, want more herbs! I know I do! Every herb I have tried has knocked it out of the park!
Kay Richards (verified owner) –
I have been giving my son lion’s mane for 1 1/2 years due to a severe traumatic brain injury. I only came across your website a couple of months ago and decided to try your lion’s mane due to the fact that it is grown on wood, not rice. Some manufacturers state that mycelium is the best and others say extract is the way to go. How is a person supposed to know what to use? I am looking forward to your release of the more potent lion’s mane. Any idea when this will happen? He is non-verbal so he can’t tell me how the mushrooms make him feel but, I have noticed an improvement with Lost Empire lion’s mane. He has tried Ziziphus for sleep but I haven’t noticed any longer duration of sleep. Maybe a longer trial will bring results. I am also hoping the bacopa is in stock soon. He desperately needs extra energy to make it through the day.
Zane Christopher –
Hi Kay, really sorry to hear about your son. I will answer you here and in an email as well to make sure you see this. Lion’s Mane requires a lot more research as mycelium v. mushroom or water-extracted v. alcohol-extract seem to show conflicting things. Our policy with lion’s mane is if it’s working for you, no matter how its made, then just keep using it. You have to find what works for you and your family, bottom line. Doesn’t matter what the literature says as we have no way of knowing the quality of the products they use unless they tell us which most don’t seem to. So personal experience is how a person can figure out what works. Because of the whole, which is better, alcohol or water extract LM, we are releasing a dual extracted version in November, 2017. We will still offer the pure water-extract version as well as it will be much cheaper and people might not want to do the other one. I love the new stuff even more than the old! So much stronger to me.
You may want to try the albizzia for sleep or even the ashwagandha tincture. Both help with sleep in their own way. Hope this helps some. The email will have more. Thanks for the questions and god speed!
James Lunsford (verified owner) –
I have recently finished using my Lion’s Mane. Though I don’t feel as if I need it anymore (I find the body tells me all I need to know about it if I just listen to it), I find it amazing! Because of this herb, I was able to finally relax and recover from an extremely stressful period in my life. This must be the easing of brain inflammation you listed. I really enjoy your website. Because of all your products (with superior quality) I have made this my main source for any herbal product. I already use your pine pollen (both powder and tincture, though I am on my last bottle of tincture as I think it is becoming a bit too much now), pearl (immediate effects in an almost eerily calm state of being that I am relishing), bacopa, and nettle root. I am also about to order the Gotu Kola as I think this will be a better match for me now that the Lion’s Mane has helped me so much. I cannot over-emphasize just how much all of your herbs have helped me both recover my health, and boost it to levels that I had thought were completely unrealistic. Thank you again for all that you have done. Jim
Kevin (verified owner) –
Lion’s Mane has become a staple in my morning coffee. I take it along with reishi, cordyceps, and chaga. Not only does it boost my immune response but it provided me with a superior cognitive enhancement. I had a literal change in mind when I first started regularly taking it at the beginning of my college anatomy class. I began recalling vocabulary and visualizing images of the anatomy studied that week which became clear images in my head. I had to stop and acknowledge the fact that I am remembering significantly more information than before. I aced my anatomy tests which consisted of 150+ anatomical terms, correct spelling and all! So, to say I was thrilled would be an understatement. I began taking lion’s mane in my morning coffee from home and before tests I would buy another coffee on campus and use it in that as well. I began noticing the palpable clearing of my thoughts. Things became linear and my attention was heightened. Once I started taking lion’s mane in combination with bacopa the results multiplied! I use a daily planner to stay organized but the need for it to remind me of what I had to do became irrelevant, I remembered everything! Since introducing nootropics into my daily herb consumptionI could’t imagine not taking them for the rest of my life.
Stay sharp, stay healthy, take lion’s mane!
Zane Christopher –
This is what I am talking about people. Nootropics are a game changer! Thank you for this great review Kevin!
Kyle –
This is quality stuff. Gone through a few bags. Interesting studies with ALCAR and lions mane, apparently it potentiates the NGF factor. Ive been experimenting taking the two before bed, very vivid dreams and I feel like I require less sleep. Great for memory. I notable improvement in vision which i wasn’t expecting, colours almost seem more saturated too.
Lucas –
I am a massive fan of this versatile nootropic, digestion aid and overall well being this mushroom has to offer.
First of all I have noticed that this has tremendously helped RID of my GERD/GORD, which I no longer even touch my PPI.
Secondly, it aids in concentration and information processing, as well as memory! This is a very safe nootropic for users wishing to improve their brain power and retention.
Chris –
I’ve tried the Lions Mane. I can see a difference in my concentration and focus. I’ve given it to my father who suffers from dementia. I’m noticing little by little an improvement in him. I’ll let you know how he is doing within the next couple of weeks.
tim –
fucking the best !!! 😀
Tom –
I take lion’s mane along with other herbs and fine it to be helpful with concentration. This is a very good product that I have talked to others about. Tom
Charles –
I’ve been taking Lion’s mane for over a month and found it to help me concentrate for longer hours.
Patrick –
If you are lacking in brain power or are cramming hard for an exam this mushroom might do the trick in retaining information. If you already have a fully functional brain well then, why not grow another one. This stuff definitely enhances curiosity the ability to remember dozens of fun filled facts (to impress your friends, right?) I am hooked aren’t you?
Spencer –
Lions mane is amazing, I work 10 hour shifts four days a week and go to school the other three, I credit lions mane and Shilajit resin for helping me keep a level head during these super busy slightly stressful times. Lions mane helps me stay alert and my brain free of fog. Highly recommended for anyone interested.
Dana Simmons –
There is not much I can say about Lions Mane except that I take it for all the health benefits as well as the other herbs and tonics from Lost Empire Herbs that I purchase. I believe in the benefits of a healthy life style and any source that helps with this
Kevin –
when I first tried the lion’s mane I was impressed with how it benefited my studies. I was engaged and had a drive to learn! I have been mane free for a couple months now because every time I check the site its still out of stock! I love supermanherbs and I hate to sound like I’m complaining, but, I am getting antsy for some more. When you get it in I will buy 5 packs just so this wont happen to me again. Let me know. Thanks