We get a lot of questions about the potential psychedelic effects of lion’s mane mushrooms.

Spoiler alert: there are none. Hericium erinaceus is not psychoactive. The only “high” you’ll get is extra clarity and focus.

Let’s dive into the details. And, if you want to know more about this amazing mushroom, take a look at our detailed lion's mane mushroom guide.

Article Jumplinks

What are the health benefits of lion's mane?

What are the side effects of lion's mane?

Can lion's mane get you high?

Can lion's mane make you hallucinate?

Is lion's mane addictive?

How does lion's mane make you feel?

How can you take lion's mane?

What is Lion’s Mane?

The lion’s mane medicinal mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Nowadays, it’s still one of the most popular adaptogenic mushrooms due to its high availability and the slew of benefits it provides. This fungus grows on dead tree debris, and it prefers the cooler climate of its native Europe, northern Asia, and North America.

What are the Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane?

Research on the lion’s mane mushroom benefits indicates this fungus has the potential to promote nerve cell growth through the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) proteins and repair brain cells. Lion's mane appears to alleviate migraines, fight inflammation and oxidation, lower blood sugar levels, as well as improve mental functions and cognitive health. 

Some of the potential benefits of lion’s mane include:

• reduces mild symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders
• provides anti-inflammatory effects
• improves central nervous system functions by stimulating nerve growth factors
• alleviates inflammation and oxidative stress
  
• has a protective effect against nerve damage and improves brain health
• reduces the risk of heart disease and blood clots
• promotes the growth of nerve cells and nerve regeneration, which is beneficial for nervous system injuries
• reduces the risk of sleep disorders
• prevents memory loss and protects against mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease
• lowers blood sugar levels, which is quite beneficial to those with diabetes
• encourages apoptosis (cell death) of cancer cells, and has the potential to fight cancer
• improves digestive tract health and protects against stomach ulcers caused by Helicobacter pylori and ulcerative colitis
• boosts immunity and improves immune function
• has neuroprotective properties and reduces nerve damage in neurodegenerative diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease

Bioactive Compounds Found in Lion’s Mane

Hericium erinaceus contains a plethora of bioactive compounds, such as:

• polysaccharides
• beta-glucoxlan
• polypeptides
• digestive enzymes
• prebiotic fibers
• hericenones and erinacines

While many of these compounds are only beginning to be understood by science, some are known to have profound effects. For example, hericenones, found in lion’s mane fruiting bodies, and erinacines, present in the mycelium of the fungus, have incredible neurotrophic potential.

Lion's Mane Side Effects

There are no known side effects to consuming lion’s mane. Although there are no studies on the negative effects of Hericium erinaceus, anecdotal evidence and centuries of use suggest that it is completely safe to eat lion’s mane mushrooms.

Can Lion’s Mane Cause an Allergic Reaction?

When it comes to lion’s mane, the risk of an allergic reaction is minuscule but not non-existent. If you’re prone to allergies—especially to other fungi, mold, or yeast—be cautious when taking lion’s mane for the first time. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction, contact a medical professional immediately.

What Drugs Does Lion's Mane Interact With?

There are a few lion’s mane drug interactions you should be cautious of when taking a Hericium erinaceus mushroom supplement. For example, lion’s mane lowers blood sugars and could interact with medication that also has anti-diabetic properties.

Lion’s mane may also interact with blood thinners. In an in vitro study, lion’s mane mushroom extract was shown to have an inhibitory effect on collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Since platelet aggregation is responsible for blood clotting, the extract of Hericium erinaceus could slow down the body’s ability to make blood clots and its natural wound-healing processes.

Can Lion’s Mane Get You High?

No, lion’s mane can’t get you high. Mushrooms that can cause a high contain a compound called psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic that can alter your state of mind.

As lion’s mane does not contain psilocybin or other psychoactive compounds, there is no risk of you getting high from consuming the fungus.

Can Lion's Mane Make You Hallucinate?

Lion’s mane is not psychedelic and won’t make you hallucinate. Therefore, it’s safe to take these medicinal mushrooms during your workday, as they won’t impair your cognitive abilities.

Is Lion's Mane Addictive?

No, lion’s mane mushrooms are not addictive, even if taken every day. Even if you’re taking high doses of lion’s mane, you won’t experience any side effects or withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking it, although you’ll also stop reaping its benefits.

How does Lion’s Mane Make You Feel?

Lion’s mane is known for reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, so you can expect your mood to improve if you take the fungus regularly. You’ll also likely feel more clear-headed and focused due to the lion’s mane mushroom’s spiritual benefits and its beneficial effects on cognitive functions.

Is Lion’s Mane Psychedelic?

No, lion’s mane is not psychedelic. Psychedelic mushrooms, also known as magic mushrooms, are types of mushrooms that contain psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound that causes a high. Lion’s mane does not contain psilocybin, and thus can’t cause psychedelic effects.

Is Lion’s Mane a Drug?

No, lion’s mane is not a drug. This mushroom is considered an adaptogen and a nootropic. However, as it does not cause a high, it is not considered a drug.

Is Lion’s Mane Legal?

Yes, lion’s mane is completely legal to buy, sell, and consume. Therefore, you can take your daily dose of lion’s mane anytime, anyplace, without worrying about breaking the law.

Can I Take Lion’s Mane with Psychedelic Mushrooms?

If psychedelic mushrooms are legal in your state, you can microdose them in combination with lion’s mane. Paul Stamets, a mycologist from Washington, even developed the Stamets Stack, a method of taking lion’s mane mushrooms and low doses of psychedelic mushrooms together. This method is said to alleviate depressive symptoms, reduce eating disorder behaviors, and improve overall well being.

Are You Interested in Taking Lion’s Mane?

Now that you know that taking lion’s mane won’t get you high, what better way to try the beneficial mushroom than a delicious cereal?

Forij Superfood Granola contains extracts of lion’s mane, chaga, and cordyceps, adaptogenic mushrooms that provide a slew of benefits.

The hyperconcentrated extract we use contains 10-15 times the nutrients a regular lion’s mane mushroom powder does, without the mushroom flavor.

Instead, you can choose from three fantastic flavors: sunflower seed cacao, vanilla almond, and cinnamon. Or just get a bundle of all three and combine to your will.

Lion’s Mane FAQ

How much lion’s mane is in Forij granola?

Forij granola uses a high-quality lion's mane extract made from whole medicinal mushrooms. Our dual extraction method extracts both water-soluble beta-glucans as well as alcohol-soluble triterpenes. Our decoction process breaks down indigestible chitin cell walls of the mushroom to get much more of these compounds out than ordinary processes do.

One serving of our granola provides 250 mg of hyperconcentrated lion's mane extract, which is eight times more concentrated than regular lion’s mane dietary supplementation. Therefore, you get as much lion's mane potency as you would if you were taking a 2000 mg mushroom powder supplement, all in one bowl of granola.

How quickly does lion's mane work?

You can expect to feel the full effects of Hericium erinaceus within the first two weeks of taking lion’s mane supplements. However, don’t feel disheartened if you don’t notice the benefits right away. Try varying doses of lion’s mane until you find one that makes you feel good, and you’ll certainly start noticing its many benefits within a month or so.

Does lion's mane make you sleepy?

Hericium erinaceus will not make you sleepy, per se, but it can help alleviate insomnia due to its anxiolytic properties. Therefore, you can expect fewer sleepless nights if you’re taking these medicinal mushrooms regularly. However, make sure you don’t take lion’s mane too late in the day, as its stimulant effects could make you restless.

Can you take lion’s mane with the reishi mushroom?

Yes, you can take lion’s mane with any medicinal mushroom, including turkey tail, reishi, and shiitake mushrooms. When it comes to medicinal mushrooms, the whole is better than the sum of its parts, so you’ll likely reap more benefits of lion’s mane if you take it with other adaptogenic fungi.

Is lion’s mane safe?

Centuries of use and anecdotal evidence suggest that lion’s mane is completely safe for most people. However, there are some contraindications of taking Hericium erinaceus. Mainly, you should be careful when taking this mushroom if you are prone to allergies or if you are on medication that may interact with lion’s mane.

Is lion’s mane a nootropic?

Yes, lion’s mane is a nootropic. One of the most commonly researched benefits of this mushroom is its function as a cognitive enhancer. Therefore, whether you want to be more productive, increase your focus, or improve your memory, incorporating an organic lion’s mane powder or a high-quality supplement (such as our granola) into your daily life is integral.

Is lion’s mane good for you?

Yes, research on lion’s mane benefits suggests that lion’s mane is extremely good for you. The lion's mane mushroom improves digestion, improves cognitive function, alleviates depressive symptoms, and can even help you prevent or manage diabetes.

What are the lion’s mane spiritual benefits?

Lion's mane mushrooms appear to have spiritual benefits. Shaolin monks in ancient China used the lion's mane mushroom in daily practice to improve their concentration. They believed it increased their "Qi," a mystical, energetic life force. Indeed, this mushroom contains compounds that seem to be efficient at improving brain function and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Can I take lion's mane with caffeine?

Yes, you can take lion's mane with caffeine. This mushroom does not contain caffeine, so you can consume it with your morning cup of Jo without risking side effects of being overcaffeinated. Plus, lion's mane will provide you with a natural source of energy (athletes often use lion's mane for this reason).

Does lion's mane work?

Yes, according to research and anecdotal evidence, lion's mane does work. Studies show that this mushroom can stabilize hormone levels, with the effects of lion's mane on DHT being particularly well-researched. Plus, many people use lion's mane to treat acne, digestive issues, and reduce symptoms of countless other ailments.

Forij Disclaimer

This article was written strictly for informational purposes. This website is not intended to inform about professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any kind. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).