This Mushroom Improved Memory in 71% of People (Real Study)

Proven Memory Results

In a gold-standard clinical trial published in Phytotherapy Research (2009), Japanese scientists tested Lion’s Mane on 30 adults aged 50-80 with mild memory loss.

Half took 1,000 mg daily for 16 weeks. The rest took a placebo.

By the end, 71% of the Lion’s Mane group showed major improvement on memory tests, compared to only 6.7% in the placebo group.

None of the participants got worse, and the longer they took it, the better their scores climbed.

🔸 At week 8, focus started improving.
🔸 At week 12, memory gains became clear.
🔸 By week 16, results peaked. After stopping, scores declined significantly within just 4 weeks

The message was obvious: your brain stays sharp only while you feed it Lion’s Mane.

How It Rewires Your Brain

Scientists found Lion’s Mane contains two special compounds: hericenones (from the fruiting body) and erinacines (from the mycelium).

These appear to promote Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), it’s a protein that supports brain cell growth and communication.

Most drugs can’t deliver NGF directly because it can’t cross the blood-brain barrier.

Lion’s Mane may work by helping the brain produce its own NGF naturally, though the exact mechanism in humans still needs more research.

Other studies (like the 2020 Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience trial on erinacine A) suggest it might also raise BDNF, another molecule tied to learning and memory, but that wasn’t measured in this 2009 study.

While this research focused on older adults with mild cognitive decline, the mechanism behind Lion’s Mane points to potential benefits for focus, memory, and clarity at any age, results just haven’t been tested in younger people yet.

How to Take It Right

The clinical dose that worked was 1,000 mg of pure Lion’s Mane daily, taken for 16 weeks straight.

When participants stopped, their memory scores dropped again, meaning continuous use is needed.

🔸 Take around 1,000 mg daily, split into two servings with food. (500mg x 2 capsules)

Study used four 250 mg tablets three times a day (4×3 = 12 tablets total).

🔸 Be consistent, results build up week by week.

In the trial, no serious side effects occurred. All blood and liver markers stayed normal, and even mild stomach discomfort was rare.

The study used a pure Lion’s Mane powder (96%).

You can try searching for similar pure Lion’s Mane supplements on Amazon.

I take Mind Lab Pro, which includes 500mg of Lion’s Mane per capsule, plus other 10 brain nutrients that work together for focus, memory, and clarity.

References

Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367–372.

Tsai-Teng, L., Chin-Chu, L., & Shiao, M. S. (2020). Prevention of early Alzheimer's disease by Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelia: A pilot double-blind placebo-controlled study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12, 155.

Saitsu, Y., Nishide, A., Kikushima, K., Shimizu, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2019). Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomedical Research (Japan), 40(4), 125–131.

Tools & Resources

Healing Mushrooms by Tero Isokauppila - great beginner-friendly book on Lion’s Mane, reishi, and other science-backed functional mushrooms.

Mind Lab Pro - my daily stack that includes Lion’s Mane plus 10 other proven brain nutrients like Citicoline and Bacopa, all in one capsule, makes life easier.

Thank you for reading 🙏

sorry for missing last week’s issue, i’ve been buried in exams lately.

been taking Lion’s Mane every day though… honestly feels like it helped me stay focused and calm through all the chaos.

See you next week,
—Ernest