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Last updated: September 26, 2024

The 6 best lion’s mane supplements (tested by me)

Lion’s mane is my new favourite mushroom. Not only is it delicious to eat, but it can have some pretty awesome effects on your brain too! There are a variety of supplements that will help you to incorporate this exciting fungi into your daily life.

Lucy holding a pipette of a lion's mane supplement that she is dropping into a thermos mug

Are you plagued by incessant brain fog? Do you feel like you are living life on autopilot? That’s how I’ve felt for, well, longer than I can remember. It has negatively affected my concentration and motivation levels, which has made both work and life quite tough.

One of the many things I’ve tried to help lift me out of this foggy state is these lion’s mane mushroom supplements. The results have been pretty significant! I have noticed improvements in my focus, productivity, and overall mental clarity. This has led to me feeling more present in my day-to-day activities.

I now take lion’s mane every day, particularly first thing in the morning alongside my coffee. I also really enjoy cooking with it, so make sure to check out my lion’s mane mushroom recipe.

If you are also keen to incorporate lion’s mane mushroom supplements into your daily routine then take a look through all of my favourites below. I have included a variety of options to suit different needs, including the form in which the supplement comes (from powders to tinctures) and the strength of the supplement.

Top lion’s mane supplements

What is Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s Mane (Hieracium Erinaceus) is a type of edible mushroom that grows on dead tree trunks. It has an unmistakable shaggy outer which has led people to name it ‘lion’s mane’. When cooked, the taste and texture resemble crab meat. Although, I think it is more like chicken.

Science suggests that lion’s mane can help with focus, performance, and stress reduction.

Do lion’s mane supplements work?

This entirely depends upon the lion’s mane supplements that you are buying. For instance, one mushroom supplement may be extracted from just the fruiting body and the other may include some mycelium. The former is a stronger and much more potent form than the latter. In this guide, I’ve only included brands that make their supplements using 100% fruiting bodies.

Moreover, it won’t work if you’re underdosing it. To get the right amount each day I would recommend taking high-dose capsules, tinctures or powders. You can then top this up with coffee or vegan protein powder blends, which tend to include lower doses.

What to look for in a high quality lion’s mane supplement
  • Presence of fillers: Check the ingredients list for any fillers, additives, or artificial preservatives. Common fillers in supplements might include maltodextrin, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, cellulose, or other binding agents.
  • Purity and potency: Look for supplements that have a high percentage of Lion’s Mane extract and minimal or no fillers.
  • Third-party testing: Reputable supplement manufacturers often conduct third-party testing to verify the purity, potency, and absence of contaminants in their products. Look for supplements that have been independently tested by a credible laboratory, and the results may be available for review.
  • Certifications: Some supplements may carry certifications, such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) or NSF International certification, indicating that the product meets certain quality standards.
A box and tub of lion's mane supplement with nootropics from Mind Lab Pro

Mind Lab Pro®

Mind Lab Pro® is a nootropic supplement designed with brainpower in mind. It contains organic lion’s mane alongside other nootropics known for their positive effects on cognitive function. This includes Bacopa Monnieri, L-Theanine, and Rhodiola Rosea, among others.

They have tested their supplement at the University of Leeds and found credible evidence to suggest it significantly improves brain functioning.

It has been very effective in helping me to stay engaged in my work and if anything, thanks to the extra nootropics within the supplement, it has been more effective than standalone lion’s mane supplements.


A bottle of Genius Flow mushroom supplement tincture by Mycogenius with lions mane and cordyceps

Mycogenius

Tinctures are a really easy way to add a little extra something to your daily coffee or tea rituals. The lion’s mane mushroom is dual extracted and mixed with cordceps and peppermint flavour.

You can add it to your favourite hot or cold drinks and I promise you won’t be able to taste the mushrooms. Well, that is unless you decide to add a whole bunch of other mushroom tinctures on top.

They also sell a variety of mushroom supplements including lion’s mane capsules, cordceps capsules, and reishi capsules.


A sachet of Lion's Mane supplement coffee from London Nootropics

London Nootropics

These instant coffee sachets from London Nootropics make for the perfect gift or travel companion. The box is beautifully designed and the coffee tastes great too! I don’t usually like instant coffee but this tastes great, especially when made into an adaptogenic latte with oat milk.

Their lion’s mane option comes with rhodiola rosea extract to provide you with a sustainable energy boost. The dosage is somewhat lower than the others mentioned here, but I wouldn’t rely on this to get your daily required intake. Instead, I would have this as a treat, or as a daily booster for my other lion’s mane supplements.

They also sell two other adaptogenic coffee blends, all helping with a different area of concern. Be it to bring a sense of calm, improve energy or increase your focus, they’ll have a blend for you! Find out more in my London Nootropics review.


A jar of organic lion's mane powder from Erbology one of the best lion's mane supplements

Erbology

This is another lion’s mane supplement that provides you with some flexibility in dosage since it comes in a powder form. It is also one of the most high quality lion’s mane supplements you can buy. Simply stir it into your tea or coffee, or you can add it to a hot soup or your morning porridge. I do recommend adding it to something hot though to ensure it mixes in well.

Erbology grows most of their own mushrooms which is great to see. Their lion’s mane is organic and grown in Europe. They dry the mushroom before grinding it into a fine powder for you to mix into your drinks and food.

They also sell loads of other awesome mushroom powders so you can mix and match. Plus when you consider the cost per serving, this is one of the most affordable ways to get a high dosage of lion’s mane.


Lion's mane supplements from Solve Labs including this tub of lion's mane capsules

Solve Labs

  • Form: Capsules and powder
  • Amount: 1000mg per serving (2 capsules)
  • Price: £0.77 per serving

Solve Labs is dedicated to providing some of the cleanest and most effective mushroom supplements. Find out more about the brand in my full Solve Labs review.

They have a wide range of lion’s mane supplements, all of which are made using 100% fruiting bodies. This includes plant-based protein powder, matcha powder, ground mushroom coffee, pure lion’s mane powder, and lion’s mane capsules.

Each capsule contains 500mg and you take two a day. I like to take my first one with breakfast and my second one with my lunch. It keeps me focused throughout the morning and throughout the afternoon, when I would usually start to lose focus. I like how easy the capsules are to take, no mixing them with anything as you can simply swallow them with some water.


A bottle of Balance lion's mane tincture one of the best lions mane supplements

Balance

Tinctures are one of my favourite ways to take lion’s mane mushroom because the effects seem to be greater. This particular lion’s mane tincture from Balance is no exception. It is made from 100% fruiting bodies and you get a whopping 2000mg per serving.

I like to add mushroom tinctures like this one to my morning coffee for a subtle energy boost that helps me avoid the post-coffee flag a few hours later. The only downside is that tinctures are made with alcohol, it is minimal but not suitable for anyone who abstains.


A tub of lions mane supplements from Vegan Vitality on a white table

Vegan Vitality

This lion’s mane supplement from Vegan Vitality is one of the more affordable options, with a 2-month supply costing you £18.99 (or £15.19 if you subscribe).

It is put into a capsule with other nootropics like Ginseng, Gotu Kola and Bacopa Monnieri, which are all complimentary ingredients that can help to boost memory and focus.

Lucy the founder of Edible Ethics vegan food blog eating vegan noodles in a plant based restaurant

Lucy Johnson

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