5 Best Lion’s Mane Supplements (To Get Rid Of Brain Fog)

Lion’s Mane mushroom is one of the top supplements to use for mental performance. 

While you’re not going to magically wake up and solve the world’s problems after taking Lion’s mane, this supplement can do wonders for your brain and energy levels- especially when taken consistently over a long period of time.

But, like most products that are thrust into the spotlight, it’s getting harder and harder to distinguish between good quality Lion’s Mane, and the stuff from brands that are trying to make a quick buck.

That’s where we come in. 

We’ve done our homework and have come up with the top 6 Lion’s Mane supplements that are the real deal–with no fillers or fluff. (I currently take our #1 option)… And I guarantee that by the end of this post, you’ll know exactly what supplement to purchase.

If you’re in a hurry, not a worry, the Host Defense Lion’s Mane supplement is the Lion’s Mane of Lion’s Mane, and is the supplement you want. Here’s a table overviews of all the supplements we cover:

• #1 Best Overall Option: Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane (best for pure lion’s mane)
• #2 Best For That Morning Kick With Coffee: Four Sigmatic Lion’s Mane (best coffee replacement)

#1 Best Overall Option: Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane

If you’re looking for a high quality lion’s mane supplement, this one from Real Mushrooms is the one you want.

Seriously, you won’t find one better.

Let me explain.

For starters, they have the highest possible rating from Consumer Labs, a 3rd party supplement review site.

They are cGMP certified and 3rd party tested. This is important because supplements aren’t regulated, so this is important.

Of all the mushrooms on our list, they are highest in beta glucans, which are know for boosting the immune system and their anti-tumor (anti-cancer) properties.

I take Real Mushrooms supplements personally and they’re the only company I use, and I’m not the only one who thinks so–over 400 reviews and a near perfect rating.

There aren’t any fillers included in this supplement and all you’re getting is 100% real, natural and organic mushrooms. 

If you’re looking for the highest quality lion’s mane supplement, you won’t find one better.

Pros:

• Contains the highest amount of beta glucans on the list (best for boosting immunity and combating cancer)
• 3rd party tested and certified
• Rated highly by Consumer Labs, a 3rd party testing company
• Phenomenal reviews
• cGMP certified
• No fillers added
• Organic

Cons:

• Not the most affordable on the list (but well worth it)

Final Thoughts: If you are looking for an excellent lion’s mane supplement, this is the one you want. It has the highest amount of beta glucans, is 3rd party tested for purity, and has phenomenal reviews.

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Best For That Morning Kick With Coffee: Four Sigmatic Lion’s Mane

Looking for a replacement for your morning cup of coffee that gives you an unbelievable start to your day?

This is the one you want.

Unlike other supplements on our list, Four Sigmatic Lion’s Mane coffee blend includes not only Lion’s mane but Chaga mushroom, coffee, and Rhodiola–which act as an excellent energy boost to start your morning. 

Adding Chaga mushrooms, Rhodiola, and Lion’s Mane is the ultimate mental hack to have you start the day on the best high note.

Let’s start with Lion’s Mane. 

Lion’s Mane (which we go into great depth towards the middle and bottom of this article) is fantastic for reducing anxiety and depression, and boosting the immune system. 

Studies have shown that the beta-glucans found in Lion’s Mane are unbelievable for optimizing brain health by stimulating nerve growth factor, or NGF. 

This helps with the growth and maintenance of certain neurons in brain. I can go rabbit hole here, but in short, Lion’s Mane leads to a happy brain, which leads to happy you. (If you’re interested, we go over some interesting studies at the bottom of the article that goes more in-depth).

Next, let’s talk about Chaga mushrooms. 

In his book, “The Cancer Ward,” author, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, wrote about his experience with inmates in the Soviet Gulag who were using Chaga mushrooms to heal their cancer, and with high success.

And not just that. 

When Siberians discovered the Chaga mushroom millennia ago, they called it a “gift from god.”

Okay, I’m really hyping this up, but the science backs it. 

Research has shown that Chaga mushrooms are great for boosting immunity, fighting cancer, and contains a whole wealth of vitamins and minerals. 

Now that we’ve discussed the Chaga mushroom, let’s move on to Rhodiola.

A known adaptogen, Rhodiola is known to increase your body’s resistance to stress and has been shown through research to decrease stress hormone levels in the body.

So how do you take this supplement and what does it taste like?

Well, for starters it’s delicious. And it’s also really easy to prepare.

Simply add it to some warm milk or drink it as you would when adding tea to hot water.

Seriously, this stuff is fantastic and I can’t recommend it enough (and 25,000+ others agree). 

Pros:

• Contains a powerhouse of ingredients, including Chaga mushroom and Rhodiola 
• Helps with memory loss, cognition, and brain function
• Tastes great and easy to prepare – a great substitute for your morning coffee
• It’s great to take whenever you need to get hyper-focused, such as before a test or work presentation
• Full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants

Cons:

• Not pure Lion’s Mane (if that’s what you’re looking for)

Final Thoughts: As the package says, these brain-boosting supplements are “like a hug for your brain.”

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Best Pure Lion’s Mane Option: Host Defense Lion’s Mane 

Next up, we have a supplement in Host Defense Lion’s Mane that gives you pure mycelium. This means it’s great to take for brain function, as it’s designed to provide nerve support and boost memory, harkening back to that NGF boost we mentioned earlier. 

It has helped people with nerve regeneration and short-term memory while alleviating brain fog, anxiety, and depression. The best part is that results are usually visible within one or two weeks. You can’t beat these results. 

If you’re playing the long game and want to benefit from lion’s mane nerve regeneration properties, this is the supplement for you. 

Pros:

• Has over 3200 reviews and a great average rating
• Well-known brand
• Certified organic

Cons:

• Not the best budget option
• Not as high in beta glucans
• Contains no fruiting body (which the research shows is most beneficial)

Final Thoughts: When it comes to pure Lion’s Mane supplements, this one from Host Defense is a solid option. Compared to Real Mushrooms, it is not nearly as high in beta glucans, which is why it got the 3rd spot.

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Best Budget Option: Double Wood Supplements Lions Mane

I love this Lion’s Mane supplement from Double Wood. It’s made with pure Lion’s Mane so you’ll get all the benefits Lion’s Mane has to offer. 

Using mushrooms grown and sourced from the US, this is an affordable product for those shopping on a budget. While it’s not Organic, it is GMP certified for quality and highly rated (nearly a 5-star average rating).

Pros:

• Pure Lion’s Mane with no additives
• Non-GMO and GMP certified
• Nearly a perfect 5-star rating 
• Great budget option

Cons:

• Not Organic

Final Thoughts: This lion’s mane supplement from Double Wood is great if you want to supercharge your brain and function on a higher level, with laser focus and improved memory, all without breaking the bank. 

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Best Combo Supplement: Genius Mushrooms Lion’s Mane 

The Genius brand is relatively new to the scene, yet they’ve gained a lot of 

traction–they have an impressive 10,000+ reviews, close to a 5-star rating, and a best seller.

Unlike inferior lion’s mane supplements, Genius Lion’s Mane comes with only three high-quality ingredients, including two other amazing mushrooms (cordyceps and reishi)- and absolutely no fillers. 

This is exactly what you want in a high-quality supplement. 

Genius Mushrooms is all about combining mutually beneficial ingredients that actually have something to offer you, and that’s exactly what you get with this supplement. 

All the goodness of potent Lion’s Mane complemented by equally powerful cordyceps and reishi mushrooms, and the result is something that powers both the mind and the body. 

Cordyceps and reishi are both known for their anti-tumor effects, and their ability to fight cancer. 

This would have received the #1 spot, as I absolutely love this one, but because it’s a review for Lion’s Mane and not reishi and cordyceps, I decided to sneak it in here at #5. 

Pros:

• It’s been shown to reduce brain fog, making you more focused and efficient
• Certified organic 
• Contains 2 other powerful mushrooms, reishi, and cordyceps

Cons:

• Not pure Lion’s Mane (if that’s what you’re looking for)

Final Thoughts: If you’re looking for a supplement that contains 3 of the most powerful and effective mushrooms in one supplement to get your brain firing on all cylinders, this is the one you want. Period. 

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What To Look For When Shopping For Lion’s Mane

There are too many crappy websites that randomly choose non-scientifically backed supplements and put them in a nice list to make a quick buck. 

You hate those websites. I hate those websites. 

So… Before we get started, I want to go through the criteria we used to pick our list below. 

Make Sure That It’s Made From The Right Stuff

Lion’s Mane mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which are proteins with polysaccharides attached to them. While there are many different types of beta-glucans within Lion’s Mane, we’re going to focus on hericenones and herinacens. 

That’s because these are special beta-glucans that can stimulate the body to produce nerve growth factor, aka NGF. Why is this important? Because nerve growth factor is a neurotrophic factor that’s responsible for the growth and maintenance of certain neurons. 

Basically, it could help you side-step impaired cognitive function and even boost brainpower, since it’s mostly produced in the pituitary gland and hippocampus regions of the brain. Both of which are concerned with brain development and performance. 

I know I’m using a bunch of fancy words here, but the takeaway is that these beta-glucans are very important when it comes to maintaining brain health, and it’s part of the reason why lion’s mane is famous for its wealth of mental health benefits. 

Now, these powerful beta-glucans are present in the mushroom’s fruiting body, which is also known as mycelium. 

While the best Lion’s Mane supplements use 100% of the fruiting bodies (which is what most of the available scientific research data is based on), there are also manufacturers that choose to use mycelium with rice and other grains, which generates different hericiums that produce different results. 

In short, avoid supplements with fillers like rice and grains. Choose supplements that use 100% fruiting bodies.

Check The Fine Print

When purchasing a Lion’s Mane supplement, I can’t stress enough how important it is to check the fine print on the back label to avoid products that contain unnecessary fillers like dextrose and maltodextrin starch.

You want something that’s high quality and tested for heavy metals and pesticides by a third-party party laboratory. You’ll know this is the case if the supplement bottle has a GMP sticker, which means that it adheres to Good Manufacturing Practices. 

Choose Organic

I know, I know. It’s not an absolute necessity here, but I think it’s important to choose organic when possible. 

Why?

That way, you know no toxic ingredients like pesticides or insecticides were used in manufacturing them, as with synthetic supplements. Check for the USDA Organic label on the bottle or package to make sure that it’s a fully organic supplement. 

**(Bonus Tip)**

If you’re not sure about the quality of a Lion’s mane supplement, there’s a way you can guarantee you’re getting a Lion’s Mane supplement that is as advertised. 

It’s by using a neat, little substance called an iodine tincture–that’s cheap and easy to use.  Simply break up the capsules and pour the iodine tincture on the powder. If it turns a purple or black color, that means it’s high in starch and mostly rice–not good. But if it doesn’t and stays more an orange-ish brown, you know you’ve got a great supplement. 

Now let’s dive into the products themselves. Below you will read our informative reviews on the best Lion’s Mane on the market right now…

Where Does Lion’s Mane Come From?

Lion’s mane has been utilized for millennia in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s really popular in Asia as a health food that promotes vigor while improving digestion, strength, as well as cognitive health. 

However, Lion’s mane mushroom can be found growing on hardwood trees and Boreal forests all around the world. 

It tends to grow around late fall to early winter in the Northeastern part of the United States.

• How Does It Work?

As a mushroom extract, Lion’s mane contains beta-glucans which can alter brain chemistry to reduce anxiety and depression, while increasing nerve growth factor. 

Beta-glucans are also known to boost the immune system. 

Lion’s mane also contains certain compounds known as hericenones and erinacines which stimulate nerve growth. 

As a nootropic, Lion’s mane can be great to take for social settings as it’ll make you feel naturally switched on and genuinely curious and enthusiastic about others. It also provides excellent anti-depression and anti-anxiety effects according to some reviews. 

• What Happens When You Stop Taking Lion’s Mane?

Should you stop taking it, one thing that’s likely to happen is that some of the effects that you’ve become accustomed to will start to diminish. 

• What Are The Side Effects Of Lion’s Mane?

Although rare, the reported side effects of Lion’s mane typically include itching, skin rashes, upset stomach, and difficulty breathing. 

But, it’s worth noting that the available data shows that there are no known long term effects of taking Lion’s mane.

• Does Lion’s Mane Have Psychedelic Effects? 

One of the most common misconceptions about Lion’s mane is that it has Psychedelic effects that might cause hallucinations. You’ll be glad to know that Lion’s mane will have you feeling as sober as a judge. 

This mushroom doesn’t really contain any negative mind-altering effects. Instead, it’s a “medicinal mushroom” that’s meant to boost cognitive function safely among other beneficial properties. 

• How Much Lion’s Mane Should I Take Daily?

If you’re taking a tincture, 1ml per day is a great starting point, thanks to the concentrated nature of tinctures.

You can take it two to three times per day, and depending on the bottle size and how frequently you take it, this allows the tincture to last for up to two months. 

You can mix it into your coffee in the morning before a busy day. You can take it with or without food, on an empty stomach or after mealtimes. 

If you’re taking it in capsule form, consult the bottle insert for the manufacturer’s dosage instructions, but it’s typically safe to take 1,500 to 4,000 mg per day depending on your needs.

• Are Lion’s Mane Supplements Good For Vegetarians And Vegans?

Yes, all of the Lion’s mane supplements featured in our list are vegan and vegetarian friendly, because no animal products are added when making Lion’s mane in general. 

• What’s the Meaning Behind Name?

In scientific circles, Lion’s mane is commonly referred to as Hieracium Erinaceus. Why is it called Lion’s mane? This might have something to do with its appearance, as it has long locs that resemble a Lion’s mane. 

• Is The Use Of Lion’s Mane Backed by Science? 

Studies show that the extracts found in Lion’s Mane increase the genetic expression of nerve growth factor, which promotes neurogenesis particularly in the hippocampus part of the brain. 

In vitro studies have also shown that Lion’s mane increases the length of the branches of neurons while decreasing their hyperexcitability so that the neurons don’t die before time. 

It’s worth noting that most of the available data on Lion’s mane is primarily based on animal and in vitro studies. 

But, there is one well known human study which was done as a randomized controlled study. This study measured whether Lion’s mane is effective at improving cognition in older people with mild cognitive impairment. 

The participants who were given Lion’s mane showed improved cognitive performance.

Studies also show that Lion’s mane mushroom can support brain health by stimulating the production of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Both proteins are responsible for activating the production of new cells and strengthening existing ones.

• Which Product Was On Joe Rogan Experience Paul Stamets?

Pom-pom Blanc, which according to Paul Stamets, looks like a cheerleader’s pom-poms. 

In sum…

If you’re looking for a way for that extra boost to kickstart your brain, the science is in: Lion’s Mane works. 

The beta-glucans in Lion’s Mane have been proven to reduce anxiety and depression, increase immunity, and have your brain firing on all cylinders. 

If you’re looking for a great replacement for that morning cup of coffee, this Lion’s Mane blend from Four Sigmatics is the one you want. If you’re more of a purest and want something with only one ingredient–Lion’s Mane– I recommend Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane 

Got a hankering for more awesome mushroom content?

• Read our Mushroom Blends For Boosted Immunity And Performance here.
• & Don’t forget to check out our piece on The Best Turkey Tail Supplements here.

Still Unsure Which Option Is Best For You? Here’s The Recap, Based On Our Testing & Research

• Real Mushrooms Lion’s Mane: Best for pure lion’s mane. It’s been shown to alleviate brain fog and depression, makes you feel more cheerful and upbeat, and boosts energy levels. Organic and third party tested.
• Four Sigmatic Lion’s Mane: Best for that morning kick with coffee. It’s a great coffee replacement that gives you a boost of energy and focus without the jitters.
• Host Defense Lion’s Mane: Best pure Lion’s Mane on the market. It’s a great option for those looking for a high-quality supplement without any fillers or fluff.