The Bircher Bar is proudly reader-supported! When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Click to learn more.

Is Lion’s Mane An Adaptogen?

If you're into all things natural, the term 'adaptogen' may already be familiar to you.

is lion's mane an adaptogen

Adaptogens are substances commonly used in herbal medicine, and many believe they can help balance our physiological processes, improve cognitive function and general wellbeing, and even promote homeostasis.

One of the most popular and effective adaptogens is undoubtedly Lion’s Mane mushroom.

How does an adaptogen work though? And what will it do for you?

Well, stick with us and read on to learn more about adaptogens in general, and more specifically, lion’s mane as one of the most powerful adaptogens there is!

What Is Lion's Mane?

Lion's mane mushroom has its roots in traditional Chinese medicine.

Lion's mane (or Hericium erinaceus) was first discovered around 2,000 years ago in mountainous areas of Asia.

It loves growing on specific trees and is most commonly found growing in the wild on hardwoods such as black walnut, maple, beech, and birch.

At first, lion's mane was used as a longevity tonic and as a medicine to support overall immunity. It was firmly believed to heal the spleen, and ever since it was first discovered, it has been believed to provide powerful anti-cancer benefits.

Although modern human research on the effects of lion's mane is still in relatively early stages, there are a number of animal studies that indicate some of these benefits may be true.

the best Lion's Mane Mushroom extracts

What Is An Adaptogen?

what is an adaptogen

An adaptogen is simply a herb that helps the body to adjust to stress and environmental changes over time.

It can help you feel more energized, focused, relaxed or calm when you need it most.

There are many different medicinal herbs that classify as adaptogens, including ginseng, ashwagandha, Rhodiola rosea, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Cordyceps sinensis, holy basil, licorice root, reishi and many many more.

Adaptogens work by helping your body adapt to all kinds of different stressors such as physical activity, emotional distress, and environmental factors like temperature and humidity.

They are said to help to increase stamina, endurance, and mental clarity, and may also support the maintenance of homeostasis in the body.

On a scientific level, animal and test-tube studies indicate that adaptogens may be able to produce antidepressive, nootropic, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic effects.

This may increase our mental work capacity, help reduce the symptoms of stress, fatigue, and anxiety, and help improve our attention spans.

What Makes An Adaptogen?

So, what exactly makes an adaptogen?

Adaptogens contain compounds called phytochemicals which are responsible for their healthful and ‘adaptogenic’ qualities.

Phytochemical compounds are organic molecules produced by living organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, and algae.

The word "phyto" means plant, and these compounds are often referred to as secondary metabolites.

Phytochemicals are responsible for giving plants their colors, flavors, fragrances, medicinal values, and nutritional value.

Some examples of phytochemical compounds include flavonoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, terpenes, carotenoids, tannins, saponins, coumarins, and lignans - just to name a few!

And better yet, some of these compounds are known to have antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties!

Is Lion's Mane An Adaptogen?

is lion's mane mushroom an adaptogen

Lion's mane, like many other mushrooms, is believed to contain adaptogenic properties.

Lion's mane contains several adaptogenic elements, including antioxidants, minerals, amino acids, vitamins, and polysaccharides - and can be easily taken as a high-quality extract such as SuperFeast Lion's Mane powder.

Let’s go through them briefly:

Antioxidants are substances that protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable oxygen-based molecules that cause cellular damage and it’s believed that antioxidants neutralize free radicals and prevent them from damaging healthy cells.

Minerals are essential nutrients that play important roles in maintaining good health. A deficiency in certain minerals can lead to problems with memory, concentration, mood, and energy levels - among many other things.

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Protein is required for the growth, repair, and maintenance of all tissues in the body. Certain amino acids are used to make neurotransmitters (brain chemicals) that control moods, emotions, and behaviour.

Vitamins are necessary for proper metabolism and function of the body. Vitamins are involved in hundreds of chemical reactions within the body and help maintain normal functioning.

Specifically - vitamin B6 plays a role in producing serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and melatonin, which are neurotransmitters that affect mood and sleep cycles.

Polysaccharides are complex carbohydrates found in plants. They are considered part of the fibre content of food because they are not digested or absorbed by the human digestive tract.

However, polysaccharides are also thought to be beneficial to overall health because they provide bulk to the intestines, stimulate the immune system, and may assist in weight loss.

the best Lion's Mane Mushroom extracts

Do Adaptogens Have Side Effects?

Adaptogens are a very broad class and some herbs and plants that can be classified as an adaptogen can actually trigger side effects.

For example, some studies have found that adaptogens like ginseng have been associated with increased heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety in small numbers of people.

So, what about lion's mane mushroom?

Although the general consensus is that lion's mane mushroom is safe, some side effects have been reported, although these appear to be most common in users who are allergic to mushrooms and only show up in very small numbers of users.

In toxicity studies, adaptogens such as Schisandra chinensis and Rhodiola rosea were found to be safe for human consumption, and these toxicology studies actually suggest that they may produce some anti-toxic activity in the body.

Remember - when talking about adaptogens, we are talking about a large category that includes many different herbs and plants - many of which can produce sie effects in portions of the human population - much the same as pharmaceutical medicine does.

Always be to consult your GP before taking any adaptogen, and be sure to research the side effects specific to the adaptogen you are considering taking.

An Important Note

One important thing to remember is that just because a substance is natural, that doesn't mean it's safe.

Human research into the long-term effects of adaptogens such as lion's mane is still in its relatively early stages.

Although initial research is promising, we still have a long way to go before we can understand the full effects of adaptogens such as lion’s mane.

One thing is for sure though - there IS definitely some exciting science emerging to support the power of adaptogens and their positive impacts on the human mind and body.

Watch this space!

the best Lion's Mane Mushroom extracts

Final Thoughts

Lion's mane mushroom is good for many things as it contains several adaptogenic properties and can therefore definitely be regarded as an adaptogen.

As a fungus, lion's mane isn't alone in this regard, either. Many other mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, and turkey tail are also powerful adaptogens.

Although the research surrounding lion's mane mushroom is currently limited (although promising), thousands of years of Traditional Chinese Medicine tell us that its adaptogenic qualities may help improve our cognitive function, immune systems, mental health, and overall wellbeing.



Darcy Ogdon-Nolan

Holding a Bachelor Of Science (Hons.) combined with close to a decade now in the health food and wellness industry, I believe I'm uniquely positioned to provide a depth of knowledge and first-hand experience on emerging health products, trends and ideas! From greens powders and medicinal mushrooms through to protein powders and workout nutrition - I'm particularly interested in what modern science can uncover about what human cultures have been using to treat ailments for millennia!

Related Posts

Debloat and Detox: Tips for Better Digestion and Less Bloat
Debloat and Detox: Tips for Better Digestion and Less Bloat
 Written & scientifically reviewed by Isabella Truong Key Takeaways: Bloating is a common issue caused by excess...
Read More
Bryan Johnson Blueprint: Complete Supplement List & Daily Stack
Bryan Johnson Blueprint: Complete Supplement List & Daily Stack
  Product tester and written by Anita Yau     Scientifically reviewed & edited by Isabella Truong   Bryan Johnson...
Read More
The Best Perimenopause Vitamins: From Personal Experience
The Best Perimenopause Vitamins: From Personal Experience
  Product tester and written by Anita Yau     Scientifically reviewed & edited by Isabella Truong Key Takeaways: ...
Read More

The Bircher Bar's Top Product List:

We are always trialling and testing the best science-backed stuff we can find to help support and improve our health, performance and lonegvity!

The list below showcases some of our favourite finds in some key areas of health and happiness - check them out:


1.) For Covering Nutritional Bases & Supporting Energy

Athletic Greens AG1

Check Product: Athletic Greens AG1

(Or Click Here To Read Our Full Review)

2.) For Optimising Sleep Quality & Duration

Momentous Huberman Lab Sleep Bundle

3.) For Supporting Good Digestion & Gut Health

(Or Click Here To Read Our Full Review)


Leave a comment

Please note, comments must be approved before they are published