Safety and Dosage of Lion’s Mane Mushroom

January 15, 2022

With a white, shaggy fruiting body, lion’s mane mushroom is an edible fungus that resembles—you guessed it—the mane of a lion. Long used in traditional Chinese medicine, this unique-looking mushroom offers a range of incredible, science-backed health benefits, including blood sugar management, mood support, neuroprotection, nervous system repair, and immune system support, just to name a few.

If you’re interested in taking lion’s mane, but have some lingering questions about safety and dosage, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll be discussing the general safety of lion’s mane and how to add it to your wellness routine. Let’s get started!

How safe is lion’s mane mushroom?

Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom that appears to be very safe for most people. No adverse effects have been seen in animal studies, even at doses as high as 2.3 grams per pound of body weight per day for one month or lower dosages for three months.

While no human studies have examined the side effects of lion’s mane mushroom, there aren’t any documented cases of serious adverse reactions in humans. The only reported symptoms in humans were likely the result of a mushroom allergy.

Unusual reactions to lion’s mane products in people who aren’t allergic to mushrooms could indicate a poor-quality product. As such, it’s important to obtain lion’s mane from reputable sources.

Are there any groups of people that should avoid taking lion’s mane?

When obtained from a good source and used as advertised, the risk of adverse side effects is very low. However, there are a few important considerations:

As mentioned above, if you have a known mushroom allergy, do not consume lion’s mane mushroom.
Data regarding taking lion’s mane while pregnant or nursing is lacking. To err on the side of caution, consult with your doctor before consuming lion’s mane in these cases.
If you take prescription medications or have specific health conditions, consult with a doctor before adding lion’s mane to your routine.
Avoid taking lion’s mane prior to surgery or if a bleeding disorder is present, as it can slow clotting.
Monitor blood sugar for hypoglycemia when taking lion’s mane in conjunction with diabetes treatments.
Lion’s mane is generally considered safe for children, although it’s suggested that you check in with your pediatrician to get the green light and determine an appropriate dosage for their age/weight.

Is lion’s mane safe for pets?

Used by many holistic veterinarians, lion’s mane is considered safe for dogs and cats and offers our furry friends many of the same health benefits as humans. Lion’s mane can be easily administered to dogs or cats by adding a powdered extract to their food.

For dose, it’s best to reach out to your holistic vet to get a recommendation tailored to your pet and the specific issue you’re trying to target.

How to add lion’s mane mushroom to your routine

The easiest and most effective way of incorporating lion’s mane into your routine is to take a high-quality supplement made from whole fruiting body— the part of the mushroom with the most healing compounds.

Lion’s mane supplements typically come in powder, capsule, and tincture form. All forms are equally effective, so the type you choose comes down to personal preference. Many people opt for capsules filled with dried lion’s mane powder, as they’re convenient and virtually tasteless.

As for dosage, a good dose for most adults is one gram per day. Due to its low risk of adverse side effects, some experimentation with dosage is permissible, so feel free to take a lower or higher amount to find what works best for you. As an upper limit, it’s recommended that you don’t take more than 2.8 grams per day.

Ready to reap the benefits of lion’s mane mushroom? Try organically-grown Dried Lion’s Mane today!

Author: Katie Koschalk

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25746618/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29091526/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24266378/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12675022/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22624604/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27816657/

http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/atReq.do?atid=mushrooms.champignons&lang=eng