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On our quest to find the best lion’s mane supplements, I tried several brands of varying forms, potency, and formulations to compile a list of mushroom extracts we think are worth your time. But what is lion’s mane in the first place?
This mushroom is so named because, in the wild, they present as large, white, flowing tendrils that look like the mane of the king of the jungle. Similar to other medicinal mushrooms like chaga and turkey tail, the active compounds of hericenones are what deliver the health benefits that people are beginning to turn to lion’s mane mushroom extract for.
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The purported benefits of these products include a boost in mood and mental health, as well as immune system support, and even preventing some forms of cancer. While science is still very new and many of the benefits attached to this fungi is overstated, there is something to the hype. So, let’s take a look at the best lion’s mane mushroom extract supplements we’ve tried.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.
The 6 Best Lion’s Mane Supplements of 2025
- Best Lion’s Mane Supplement Overall: ELMNT 16x Strength Lion’s Mane Super Nootropic + Adaptogens
- Best Lion’s Mane Supplement Blend: Transparent Labs Mushroom Stack
- Best Organic Lion’s Mane Supplement: Nutricost Made With Organic Lion’s Mane Capsules
- Best Lion’s Mane Powder: Four Sigmatic Focus Mushroom Blend
- Best Single-Ingredient Lion’s Mane Supplement: Bulk Supplements Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules
- Best Lion’s Mane Extract: Rainbo Lion’s Mane
Best Lion’s Mane Supplement Overall: ELMNT 16x Strength Lion’s Mane Super Nootropic + Adaptogens
Good for: Those looking for a super potent formula to help manage stress
ELMNT was my pick for the best overall lion’s mane powder due to the fact that it is not only the most potent formula by a mile compared to the other products we tried, but the cost is also competitive to similar brands.
ELMNT’s Lion’s Mane Super Nootropic + Adaptogens contains the fruiting body of hericium erinaceus. Translation: the lion’s mane extract is derived from the head of the mushroom rather than the root and the head of the mushroom contains the highest concentration1 of beneficial compounds.
The supplement also uses a mushroom complex that includes both ashwagandha and rhodiola extract which both exert the same functions that lion’s mane does. Researchers found that 250 to 500 milligrams of ashwagandha extract can be effective in lowering cortisol2, the body’s main stress hormone.
it has been found that the compound Rhodiola has a very effective antioxidant effect that may be able to soothe feelings of stress3. According to a 2024 review, ashwagandha, like lion’s mane, may also be beneficial for neurodegenerative diseases4 such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s, though more research is needed
As an RD, CSSD, LD, registered dietitian and sports nutrition expert, I was excited to try ELMNT for myself and, given the thoughtfully constructed formulation, I rated the formula a 5 out of 5. I don’t think I’ve come across a nootropic supplement as concentrated as this.
I also gave a 5 out of 5 on taste and swallowability, as the vegetable capsule is essentially flavorless and the dosage of only two capsules per serving is suitable even for people who don’t love pills. I have a lot of trouble swallowing capsules, but only having to take two that are a reasonable size was a big relief.
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It doesn’t hurt either that each serving comes in at less than a dollar each and that’s before you’ve even taken into account discounts available through Amazon or the Subscribe and Save program. Without a doubt, this one earned a 5 out of 5 for value, too.
| Price per serving: | $0.93 |
| Serving form: | Capsule |
| Serving size: | 2 capsules |
| Calories per serving: | 0 |
| Lion’s Mane per serving: | 900 mg |
| Other key ingredients: | Ashwagandha extract, rhodhiola extract, black pepper extract |
| Available flavors: | Unflavored |
| Third-party testing: | No |
Best Lion’s Mane Supplement Blend: Transparent Labs Mushroom Stack
Good for: Individuals looking for more physical benefits than mental health benefits
Transparent Labs’ Mushroom Stack is a blend of three organic mushroom compounds, is gluten free and non GMO with no artificial sweeteners. In addition to lion’s mane, Mushroom Stack also contains cordyceps sinensis and reishi mushroom.
Cordyceps sinensis has been found to have the potential to boost athletic performance, especially aerobic output. Some clinical trials5 found that young adults who took Cordyceps sinensis as a dietary supplement experienced an 11% boost in performance compared to the placebo group.
Similarly, reishi mushroom has been shown in some research to help reduce fatigue6 during physical activity by 8%. Destini had a middling experience when she tested Transparent Labs’ Mushroom Stack.
I love that the formulation is geared towards the active population and is properly dosed. However, those three capsules were rough to get down. It’s likely fine for those who are used to capsule supplements, but as someone who has trouble swallowing pills, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t struggle.
Based on this feedback, I gave a 5 out of 5 for formulation, but a 2 out of 5 for swallowability. I also awarded a 5 out of 5 for third party testing as Mushroom Stack, like most Transparent Labs products, is third party tested for sport by Informed Choice.
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| Price per serving: | $0.83 |
| Serving form: | Capsules |
| Serving size: | 3 capsules |
| Calories per serving: | 0 |
| Lion’s Mane per serving: | 1 gram |
| Other key ingredients: | Organic cordyceps, organic reishi mushroom |
| Available flavors: | None |
| Third-party testing: | Yes, Informed Choice |
Best Organic Lion’s Mane Supplement: Nutricost Organic Lion’s Mane Capsules
Good for: Those on a budget who don’t want to sacrifice a high-quality product for a low price
Nutricost Organic Lion’s Mane Capsules contains 2.1 grams of organic lion’s main mushroom which is a higher dosage than any other supplement we’ve reviewed thus far. For people looking for the mental health benefits that may require a higher dose, these capsules would be a great option.
I didn’t love the three-capsule serving size, but the pills themselves are smaller than the other lion’s mane supplements I’ve tried, so I was surprised by how easy this was to take. This product earns a 4 out of 5 for swallowability.
The formulation of this one isn’t bad and I really love the dosage. However, for three capsules, it would be cool if they could have snuck some other nootropics or adaptogens in there. So, I awarded a 4 out of 5 for formulation.
Possibly the best feature of Nutricost is the price. At only around 50 cents per serving for a certified organic dietary supplement, you can’t really beat that value. So, I gave a 5 out of 5 rating for the price.
| Price per serving: | $0.53 |
| Serving form: | Capsules |
| Serving size: | 3 capsules |
| Calories per serving: | 5 |
| Lion’s Mane per serving: | 2.1 grams |
| Other key ingredients: | None |
| Available flavors: | None |
| Third-party testing: | No |
Best Lion’s Mane Powder: Four Sigmatic Focus Mushroom Blend
Good for: People who may want to blend their mushrooms with other powdered supplements
Four Sigmatic Focus Mushroom Blend went all in on their mission to create a supplement that optimizes focus. Along with lion’s mane, you can also find cordyceps extract, rhodiola rosea extract, and bacopa monnieri extract in this lion’s mane mushroom powder. I’ve already discussed the research behind cordyceps and rhodiola’s role in helping to support cognitive function.
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Bacopa monnieri is an herb that is not only a powerful antioxidant, but has been suggested to also play a role in helping boost brain function and memory. In a 2021 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 28 adults over the age of 55 took bacopa monnieri daily. They were then asked to complete cognitive training for 3 hours a week.
The bad news is that the results failed to find enough difference7 between groups to definitively say that bacopa monnieri is effective at boosting cognitive function. Either way, there’s still some good stuff in this formulation and no artificial flavors or other junk.
The best thing about having a powder instead of a capsule is you can fit a lot more beneficial compounds in a serving. Based on this feedback, I gave a 5 out of 5 for formulation.
Not so fast, though, because my experience with this powder wasn’t what I was hoping for. I was really excited to try this in my coffee as it’s been a craze recently to add nootropic mushrooms to your morning brew. I’m sad to say that not only did it not mix super great, the blueberry powder and cacao does very little to cover up that mushroom taste.
This one earned a 2.5 out of 5 for solubility and a 3 out of 5 for taste.
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| Price per serving: | $1.00 |
| Serving form: | Powder |
| Serving size: | ¾ teaspoon |
| Calories per serving: | 5 |
| Lion’s Mane per serving: | 500 mg |
| Other key ingredients: | Cordyceps extract, organic cacao powder, bacopa monnieri extract, rhodiola rosea extract |
| Available flavors: | None |
| Third-party testing: | No |
Best Single-Ingredient Lion’s Mane Supplement: Bulk Supplements Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules
Good for: Those on a budget who aren’t looking for anything fancy from their mushroom supplement
I crowned Bulk Supplements Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules as the best single-ingredient supplement due to its simplicity and its very reasonable price, earning a 5 out of 5 for cost. One thing that is mentioned in the product description is the inclusion of beta-glucan compounds.
Beta-glucan fibers are a soluble fiber found in mushrooms and have been found to have a host of health benefits8 including helping to prevent heart disease and digestive well-being. That said, it’s unclear how many of these fibers are included in a serving.
In any case, I had a decent experience testing out Bulk Supplements. The pills are pretty small by capsule standards and even me, who is a big baby when it comes to capsules, didn’t have any issues. So, I gave it a 5 out of 5 for swallowability. We also gave a 4 out of 5 for formulation because, though the dose present will provide benefits, it doesn’t appear to be as potent as similar products.
The label doesn’t indicate that the supplement is derived from a fruiting body or mycelium. So, this product likely isn’t as potent in terms of its ability to deliver health benefits compared to other extracts.
| Price per serving: | $0.14 |
| Serving form: | Capsule |
| Serving size: | 2 veg capsules |
| Calories per serving: | 0 |
| Lion’s Mane per serving: | 1 gram |
| Other key ingredients: | None |
| Available flavors: | None |
| Third-party testing: | No |
Best Lion’s Mane Extract: Rainbo Lion’s Mane
Good for: Individuals who don’t want to fuss around with pills or powders
Rainbo Lion’s mane is made from mushrooms that are sustainably cultivated in Canada and is presented in a liquid form. This is novel, as it may provide a mental boost faster than other forms like powders and capsules and may be more convenient for some to take if they prefer a tincture form of a nootropic.
Theoretically, you can add Rainbo to your greens powder blend, your morning smoothies, or even foods like soups (imagine that extra umami flavor). I was intrigued at the idea of having mushrooms in a liquid form, so I tried it out for myself.
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I can’t lie guys, I didn’t love this. Right out of the dropper, you can see solids floating in the liquid that also happens to be brown and barely translucent which could be offputting to most people. So, this tincture earned a 2.5 out of 5 for texture. That said, it mixed well in my latte at least, ending in a 4 out of 5 rating for solubility.
I had to land on a 2 out of 5 for price, though, as this stuff clocks in at almost $2 per serving. I also had a lot of trouble getting the right amount of liquid out of the dropper, so I’m not even sure if I got enough of what I needed. Plus, I definitely didn’t feel any effects after drinking it.
That said, the product reviews rave on the boost in mental function and mood they got after taking Rainbo, so don’t be discouraged from trying it just yet.
| Price per serving: | $1.60 |
| Serving form: | Liquid tincture |
| Serving size: | 4 mL |
| Calories per serving: | 10 |
| Lion’s Mane per serving: | 800-1600mg |
| Other key ingredients: | None |
| Available flavors: | None |
| Third-party testing: | No |
How We Picked and Tested the Best Lion’s Mane Supplements
When selecting products to test and potentially recommend, our team of supplement experts did our best to find products from brands we trust that have formulations and forms that could be appealing to consumers with a range of goals, budgets, and preferences. Here’s how we came up with our list of the best lion’s mane supplements.
Form
We scoured the virtual shelves to find lion’s mane supplements across a variety of forms to provide options to suit several preferences. We wanted to test powders for those who hate taking pills and wanted to find a liquid for people who aren’t a fan of the texture of powders.
Third-Party Testing
At GGR, we are pretty hardcore about recommending supplements that are third-party tested. Such a certification provides a layer of unbiased insight into the potency of a formulation and can also reassure the consumer products haven’t been adulterated with banned substances or potentially harmful ingredients, like heavy metals.
Most notably, though, third-party testing bodies for sport, like Informed Choice or NSF for Sport, can indicate that the supplement is safe for college and professional athletes to use. So, we did our best to find mushroom extract products with such a pedigree.
Other Synergistic Ingredients
Though it’s not a dealbreaker, it was nice to find products that contained other adaptogens, antioxidant compounds, and nootropics that exerted a similar effect on the body to lion’s mane. This could not only enhance the effects of lion’s mane, but it might also provide additional benefits to our wellness that lion’s mane might not be able to provide on its own.
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Benefits of Lion’s Mane Supplements
The science behind Lion’s mane is still in its infancy, especially when we look at the small handful of human studies that have been done. Most of the purported health benefits have come from rat models. That said, here are some benefits of lion’s mane that have been more well-established via clinical trials using human adults as subjects.
Helps Manage Stress and Mental Clarity
When studies were conducted on adults9 who took lion’s mane mushroom powder, scientists had the lion’s mane and placebo group take a series of cognitive function tests. They also measured the subjects’ stress levels using Stress Visual Analogue Scales.
Results showed that 600 mg of organic lion’s mane mushroom resulted in the mushroom group performing significantly better in the brain function tests, reporting lower levels of stress, and improved mood. However, the study’s conclusion also warns that the sample size is small and the results were mixed in their ability to be duplicated, so more research is needed.
May Help Improve Memory
A study published in Human Psychopharmacology set out to explore the effects of lion’s mane on the nervous system and spatial memory, which is the type of short-term memory that tells you where you put your belongings after cleaning your room or how to get to work each morning.
The double blind, placebo-controlled design used 49 subjects aged 20-69 and the subjects in the group that took 500mg of lion’s mane daily for one month showed significant improvements in all memory tests administered10. Authors concluded that more long-term research would be beneficial to fully understand the extent of lion’s mane’s impact on memory.
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May Help Prevent and Manage Alzheimer’s Disease
Lion’s mane’s impact on mental wellness is one of the supplement’s most widely lauded benefits. This is likely because of the wider body of human research available in the relationship between brain function and lion’s mane.
A placebo double blind study published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience had patients with mild Alzheimer’s take lion’s mane for one year and found that those in the lion’s mane group performed better across three cognitive tests11 compared to the placebo group.
Potential Side Effects
A great thing about taking medicinal mushrooms is that they are not man-made, synthesized products, but rather a natural product that comes from the earth. So, it can be considered a bit more safe, compared to other supplements.
Taking a daily dose of one gram a day for four months12 has been shown to be safe in most adults. The side effects that have been reported have been mild and are typically limited to stomach discomfort and nausea.
If you are taking prescription medications that include immunodepressants, anticoagulants, and diabetes medications, you should avoid taking a lion’s mane mushroom supplement. Also, it’s best to consult a doctor if you have any concerns.
How Much Lion’s Mane Should I Take Per Day?
Currently, there is no recommended dose of lion’s mane because there are different forms and potencies available across brands of the nootropic. That said, in the studies cited above, the effective dose of lion’s mane mushroom appears to be around one to three grams.
If you happen to choose a potent extract, you may be able to get away with taking a dose of only 500 milligrams to reap the potential benefits. However, note that the studies that saw lion’s mane’s positive effects on brain health and the nervous system used dosages of around three grams. So, if potentially better brain function is what you’re looking for, you’ll want to opt for a higher dose.
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Buying Guide: What to Look for in Lion’s Mane Supplements
Want to support your wellness by going out into the world to shop for a lion’s mane mushroom supplement on your own? Keep these things in mind as you scour your labels to make sure you’re getting the most out of your money.
Ingredients List
The presence of additional active ingredients can certainly provide more value to a lion’s mane supplement. You also want to look out for ingredients that aren’t going to contribute to your health and wellness like artificial colors, sweeteners or flavors. Try to find a lion’s mane supplement that has an ingredient list that’s short when possible.
Proper Dosages
In many of the human studies that have exhibited the health benefits of hericium erinaceus, the effective dose seems to be somewhere between 500 milligrams and three grams. Therefore, it’s super important as you shop around that you find a product with a dosage of lion’s mane mushroom extract that falls within this range.
Extract
Compared to more common products like multivitamins and creatine, a lot less is known by the general public about what is in a compound like lion’s mane mushrooms. As you see terms like “fruiting bodies” and “hericium erinaceus” it can seem like an uphill battle to interpret labels to see if what you’re looking at is a good or effective product.
It’s generally accepted that lion’s mane extract is superior to powder or the edible mushroom itself. It’s also more beneficial to have a supplement that is derived from the fruiting body, as this is the cap of the mushroom where the health-promoting compounds are most concentrated.
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Supplements derived from the mycelium means the supplement has been extracted from the root of the mushroom. To be clear, there are still absolutely benefits to be gleaned from the mycelium, but the product may not be as potent.
Price
Due to the increase in popularity of nootropics and medicinal mushrooms, there is a huge variety of brands out there that have very similar designs and formulations, as well as similar dosages. So, it’s important to compare both the overall price and the price per serving between products. Be sure to look at the price relative to the dosage as well in order to assess the best value.
FAQs About the Best Lion’s Mane Supplements
What is the most effective form of lion’s mane?
Whether it’s a capsule, liquid, or gummies doesn’t make much difference, but you do want to look for extracts from the fruiting bodies which are shown to be more effective than the mycelium derived from the root.
What is the downside of lion’s mane?
There is the potential for mild side effects that could include stomach upset, nausea, of vomiting. However, these effects are not commonly reported in those who take the recommended dose of lion’s mane powder.
Should I take ashwagandha or lion’s mane?
Both dietary supplements have a similar effect, but the taste of lion’s mane may be more tolerable for most, especially if taken as a powder.
What is better than lion’s mane?
Compared to other medicinal mushrooms like cordyceps and maitake, there’s no clear superior compound, so it’s best to select your nootropic based on the specific health benefits you’re looking to get.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Sprengel, M., Laskowski, R., & Jost, Z. (2025). Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) supplementation: a review of its mechanisms, health benefits, and role in sports performance. Nutrition & Metabolism, 22(1), 9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12986-025-00902-7
- Thau L, Gandhi J, Sharma S. Physiology, Cortisol. [Updated 2023 Aug 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/
- Ivanova Stojcheva E, Quintela JC. The Effectiveness of Rhodiola rosea L. Preparations in Alleviating Various Aspects of Life-Stress Symptoms and Stress-Induced Conditions-Encouraging Clinical Evidence. Molecules. 2022;27(12):3902. Published 2022 Jun 17. doi:10.3390/molecules27123902
- Guo, S., & Rezaei, M. J. (2024). The benefits of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) supplements on brain function and sports performance. Frontiers in Nutrition, 11, 1439294. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1439294
- Hirsch KR, Smith-Ryan AE, Roelofs EJ, Trexler ET, Mock MG. Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation. J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(1):42-53. doi:10.1080/19390211.2016.1203386
- Tang W, Gao Y, Chen G, et al. A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study of a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract in neurasthenia. J Med Food. 2005;8(1):53-58. doi:10.1089/jmf.2005.8.53
- McPhee GM, Downey LA, Wesnes KA, Stough C. The Neurocognitive Effects of Bacopa monnieri and Cognitive Training on Markers of Brain Microstructure in Healthy Older Adults. Front Aging Neurosci. 2021;13:638109. Published 2021 Feb 22. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2021.638109
- Cerletti C, Esposito S, Iacoviello L. Edible Mushrooms and Beta-Glucans: Impact on Human Health. Nutrients. 2021;13(7):2195. Published 2021 Jun 25. doi:10.3390/nu13072195
- Docherty S, Doughty FL, Smith EF. The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2023;15(22):4842. Published 2023 Nov 20. doi:10.3390/nu15224842
- Abbott-Imboden C, Gonzalez Y, Utley A. Efficacy of the nootropic supplement Mind Lab Pro on memory in adults: Double blind, placebo-controlled study. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2023;38(4):e2872. doi:10.1002/hup.2872
- Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, et al. Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:155. Published 2020 Jun 3. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155
- Lakshmanan H, Raman J, David P, Wong KH, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V. Haematological, biochemical and histopathological aspects of Hericium erinaceus ingestion in a rodent model: A sub-chronic toxicological assessment. J Ethnopharmacol. 2016;194:1051-1059. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.084
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