Brain Health Support‡ · 100% Organic · U.S. Craft Farm-Sourced
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
Promote focus, memory and mental health. Combat fuzziness, fatigue and forgetfulness.
The cognitive capacity we bring to our everyday lives relies on the health of microscopic neural networks inside the brain. Cultivated on U.S. craft mushroom farms from 100% certified organicHericium erinaceus, Wake Lion’s Mane delivers bioactive hericenones, isohericerin derivatives, and erinacines studied for stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) signaling.‡
309 total participants across memory, focus & mood RCTs
NGF & BDNF
Dual neurotrophin support via hericenones & erinacines
1,000–3,000 mg
Clinical daily range (1,000 mg per 2-capsule serving)
U.S. Craft
100% Organic & U.S. craft farm-sourced fruiting body & mycelia
Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience
How Lion’s Mane Supports Microscopic Neural Networks
Unlike synthetic stimulants that transiently force neurotransmitter release and trigger rebound fatigue, Hericium erinaceus supplies low-molecular-weight secondary metabolites that cross the blood-brain barrier to support structural neuroplasticity, axonal branching, and antioxidant defense.
01
Hericenones (A–H) & Isohericerin
Isolated from the fruiting body. Shown by Mori et al. (2008, PMID: 18758067) and Martínez-Mármol et al. (2023, PMID: 36660878) to induce astrocytic NGF secretion and activate pan-neurotrophic TrkB / ERK1/2 signaling in hippocampal neurons, doubling neurite outgrowth and growth-cone size.
Source: Fruiting Body · Target: NGF & TrkB/BDNF
02
Erinacines (A–I, Erinacine A & S)
Cyathane diterpenoids produced in the mycelium with low molecular weight (~430 Da) enabling passive diffusion across the blood-brain barrier. Shown in Li et al. (2020, PMID: 32581767) and Tsai-Teng et al. (2016, PMID: 27350344) to elevate mature NGF, increase Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE), and preserve white-matter tracts.
Structural cell-wall polysaccharides that modulate the gut-brain-immune axis via Dectin-1 and Toll-like receptors on gut-associated lymphoid tissue, downregulating systemic pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β) linked to microglial neuroinflammation and mental fog.
Hericium erinaceus is one of nature’s richest dietary sources of L-ergothioneine, a sulfur-containing cytoprotective antioxidant actively transported across the blood-brain barrier via the dedicated human OCTN1 (SLC22A4) transporter to shield neuronal mitochondria from oxidative stress.
Source: Fruiting Body & Mycelium · Target: OCTN1 Mitochondrial Defense
Landmark Mechanistic Discovery · Journal of Neurochemistry (2023)
University of Queensland: Hericerin Derivatives Double Hippocampal Neurite Outgrowth
In 2023, neuroscientists at the Queensland Brain Institute (Martínez-Mármol et al., Journal of Neurochemistry, PMID: 36660878) isolated N-de-phenylethyl isohericerin (NDPIH) and hericerin A from Hericium erinaceus. Super-resolution microscopy revealed that these compounds promoted extensive axon elongation, neurite branching, and enlarged growth cones in cultured hippocampal neurons—activating a pan-neurotrophic pathway converging on ERK1/2 signaling and significantly enhancing spatial and recognition memory in vivo.
Clinical Trials & Neurobiological Studies on Hericium erinaceus
Every claim on this page is anchored in published, peer-reviewed research indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE. Filter the 11 studies below by clinical domain or download the complete structured dataset in JSON or CSV format.
Daily Dose:3,200 mg/day (4 capsules/day fruiting body powder)
Duration:12 weeks
Oral intake of Hericium erinaceus fruiting body over 12 weeks produced a statistically significant improvement in MMSE cognitive function scores compared with the placebo group (p = 0.033), protecting short-term recognition and recall capacity.
Patients achieved significant improvements in CASI, MMSE, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) vs. baseline, improved visual contrast sensitivity, preserved white-matter tract diffusivity (ADC) on brain MRI, and stabilized serum BDNF and amyloid-related biomarkers compared to placebo decline.
The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study
Docherty S, Doughty FL, Smith EF · Nutrients (15(22): 4842)
Participants exhibited significantly faster executive processing speed on the Stroop task 60 minutes after a single 1,800 mg dose (p = 0.005) and a trend toward reduced subjective psychological stress following 28 days of daily supplementation (p = 0.051).
Daily Dose:2,000 mg/day Hericium erinaceus fruiting body powder
Duration:4 weeks
Four weeks of 2,000 mg/day Hericium erinaceus intake significantly lowered CES-D depressive symptom scores and ICI 'irritating,' 'anxious,' and 'palpitation' subscales while improving self-reported concentration, pointing to autonomic and neurotrophic regulation beyond simple sedation.
Significant drop in anxious & irritating scores (2,000 mg/day)PMID: 20834180
Mood, Stress & Sleep2019
Hericium erinaceus Improves Mood and Sleep Disorders in Patients Affected by Overweight or Obesity: Could Circulating Pro-BDNF and BDNF Be Potential Biomarkers?
Vigna L, Morelli F, Agnelli GM, Napolitano F, Ratto D, Occhinegro A, et al. · Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2019: 7861297)
Design:Human Clinical Trial with Serum Neurotrophin Profiling
Eight weeks of supplementation reduced depressive symptoms by 34.9% and anxiety symptoms by 49.6%, improved nocturnal sleep quality (with benefits persisting 8 weeks post-discontinuation), and significantly increased circulating pro-BDNF levels and the pro-BDNF/BDNF ratio.
Eight weeks of 2,000 mg/day supplementation produced age-dependent improvements in cognitive test performance alongside neurotrophic biomarker modulation in healthy aging adults.
2,000 mg/day 8-week RCT cognitive & BDNF gainsDOI Record
Focus & Executive Speed2025
Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study
Surendran G, Saye J, Binti Mohd Jalil S, et al. · Frontiers in Nutrition (12: 1405271)
Daily Dose:3,000 mg single acute dose (3:1 dual fruiting body extract)
Duration:Acute (90–180 min post-dose)
Included for scientific completeness: a single acute fruiting-body dose showed task-specific manual dexterity shifts without broad stimulant effects at 90–180 minutes, confirming that Lion's Mane operates primarily as a cumulative daily neurotrophic builder (4–16+ weeks) rather than an acute central nervous system stimulant.
Confirms cumulative vs. caffeine-like mechanismPMID: 40276537
NGF & BDNF Mechanisms2023
Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling enhancing spatial memory
Martínez-Mármol R, Chai Y, Conroy JN, Khan Z, Hong SM, Kim SB, et al. (Univ. of Queensland) · Journal of Neurochemistry (165(6): 791–808)
Design:Preclinical Mechanistic Breakthrough (University of Queensland)
Sample / Model:In vitro hippocampal culture + in vivo murine cohorts
Daily Dose:Purified N-de-phenylethyl isohericerin (NDPIH) & Hericerin A (10–25 mg/kg in vivo)
Duration:4 weeks in vivo
Purified Hericerin A and NDPIH from Hericium erinaceus dramatically increased axon length and neurite branching in cultured hippocampal neurons even without serum, activating a pan-neurotrophic BDNF/TrkB-convergent ERK1/2 signaling cascade and significantly enhancing spatial and recognition memory.
Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells
Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, Azumi Y, Kinugasa S, Inatomi S, Nakahata N · Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin (31(9): 1727–1732)
Design:Cellular & Molecular Neurobiology
Sample / Model:Cellular assay
Daily Dose:Ethanolic extract of Hericium erinaceus fruiting bodies
Duration:3–48 hours cellular incubation
Demonstrated that Hericium erinaceus fruiting body extracts directly upregulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) gene transcription and protein secretion in human astrocytoma cells via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) activation, promoting neurite outgrowth.
Direct human astrocyte NGF mRNA & protein inductionPMID: 18758067
Reduced soluble and insoluble amyloid-β plaque burden, increased cerebral Insulin-Degrading Enzyme (IDE) expression, elevated the mature NGF-to-proNGF ratio, attenuated microglial/astrocytic neuroinflammation, and stimulated new neuron proliferation in the dentate gyrus.
Across the clinical literature, the strongest cognitive and mood outcomes occur with 4 to 16+ weeks of continuous daily intake at 1,000–3,000 mg/day (Mori 2009; Nagano 2010; Saitsu 2019; Vigna 2019; Li 2020). In Mori et al. (2009), cognitive scores climbed steadily at weeks 8, 12, and 16, then declined 4 weeks after stopping supplementation. Similarly, Surendran et al. (2025) showed that a single isolated fruiting-body dose does not act like caffeine—confirming that Hericium erinaceus works by steadily nourishing neural networks via NGF and BDNF synthesis over time.
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 2 Vegetable Capsules (1,000 mg)
Recommended Daily Servings: 2 Servings Per Day (2,000 mg)
Servings Per Container: 60 (120 Capsules Total · 60g)
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Organic Lion’s Mane(Hericium erinaceus) (500 mg per capsule · U.S. Craft Farm-Sourced)
Manufactured for: Wake Network Inc., 5792 W. Jefferson Blvd. 1st Fl., Los Angeles, CA 90016 · 1-833-925-3638 · talk@wake.net
Quality Assurance: Manufactured in a cGMP-Compliant USA Facility. Store in a cool, dry place.
Verified Bottle Label & Provenance
Pure organic, U.S. craft farm-grown Hericium erinaceus in plant-derived cellulose capsules—no maltodextrin, starch fillers, or synthetic flow agents.
Purity & Agricultural Provenance
Why 100% Organic & U.S. Craft Farm-Sourced Matters
Fungi are bio-accumulators that absorb whatever is present in their growing environment. Unlike mass-market supplements made from imported commodity mushroom powders, Wake’s Lion’s Mane is cultivated on independent U.S. craft mushroom farms under certified organic standards:
U.S. Craft Mycology Cultivation: Grown indoors under tightly controlled airflow, temperature, and organic substrate standards to maximize bioactive hericenones, erinacines, and β-glucans.
100% Certified Organic: Zero synthetic pesticides, fungicides, heavy-metal contamination, or cheap grain/starch fillers.
cGMP-Compliant USA Encapsulation: Encapsulated and sealed in UV-protective amber glass in the United States.
Clinical Dosing & Administration Guide
How to Dose Wake Lion’s Mane Capsules
Each bottle of Wake Lion’s Mane contains 120 vegetable capsules (500 mg per capsule), allowing you to tailor your daily intake directly to the dosing protocols validated in human clinical trials.
Protocol A · Baseline Cognitive Maintenance60-Day Supply / Bottle ($0.75/day)
1 Serving Daily — 2 Capsules (1,000 mg / day)
Take 2 capsules each morning with water, breakfast, or coffee/tea. Matches the 1,050 mg/day maintenance dosing window studied by Li et al. (2020) for long-term neuroprotection and daily mental clarity.
Protocol B · Full Label & Clinical Trial Dose (Recommended)30-Day Supply / Bottle ($1.50/day)
2 Servings Daily — 4 Capsules (2,000 mg / day)
Take 2 capsules (1,000 mg) in the morning and 2 capsules (1,000 mg) in the early afternoon. Directly matches the Wake bottle label recommendation and the 1,800–2,000 mg/day clinical dosing used in Docherty et al. (2023), Nagano et al. (2010), and Černelič Bizjak et al. (2024).
Protocol C · Multi-Fungi Neuro-Immune StackSynergistic Biosciences Protocol
Lion’s Mane + Cordyceps + Turkey Tail + Evening Reishi
Order Direct from WakeWell · 100% Organic & U.S. Craft Farm-Sourced
Choose Your Wake Lion’s Mane Formulation
Order pure, U.S. craft farm-sourced Organic Lion’s Mane capsules or stack Lion’s Mane with Cordyceps and Turkey Tail on our official Shopify storefront at wakewell.net. Free shipping on all USA & Canada orders over $99.
Pure Single-Mushroom Formula
Wake Lion’s Mane
120 Vegetable Capsules · 60g Net Wt
$45.00 USD
Promote focus, memory and mental health. Combat fuzziness, fatigue and forgetfulness with 1,000 mg of 100% Organic, U.S. craft farm-sourced Hericium erinaceus per 2-capsule serving.
1,000 mg Organic Lion’s Mane per 2-capsule serving (500 mg/cap)
100% Organic & U.S. craft farm-sourced fruiting body & mycelia
60 servings per bottle · Vegetable cellulose capsule · cGMP USA
Lion’s Mane + Turkey Tail + Cordyceps · 180 Capsules
$50.00 USD
Our signature multi-mushroom daily capsule combining Organic Lion’s Mane for brain and nerve support with Cordyceps for cellular energy and Turkey Tail for gut-brain immune resilience.
180 vegetable capsules (50% more capsules per bottle)
Complete Functional Mushroom System · Qualifies for Free Shipping
$125.00 USD
Designed for sustained 8–12 week cognitive and physiological optimization, combining Wake’s functional mushroom capsules with automatic free shipping across the USA and Canada.
Covers the full 8–12 week clinical trial supplementation window
Includes automatic free shipping ($99+ threshold)
Ideal for executives, athletes & longevity protocols
Where is Wake Lion's Mane grown and how is it manufactured?
Wake Lion's Mane is 100% certified organic and U.S. craft farm-sourced. Unlike commodity mushroom supplements imported in bulk, our Hericium erinaceus is cultivated on independent U.S. craft mushroom farms under controlled indoor conditions free from pesticides, heavy metals, and synthetic carriers, then encapsulated in 100% plant-derived vegetable cellulose capsules in a cGMP-compliant USA facility for Wake Network Inc. (Los Angeles, CA).
How much Lion's Mane is in each Wake capsule, and how does that compare to clinical trials?
Each Wake Lion's Mane vegetable capsule contains 500 mg of Organic, U.S. craft farm-sourced Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus). One serving (2 capsules) provides 1,000 mg, and the label's recommended 2 servings per day (4 capsules) delivers 2,000 mg/day. Published human randomized controlled trials typically administer between 1,050 mg/day (Li et al., 2020) and 3,000 mg/day (Mori et al., 2009), with several mood, sleep, and cognitive trials using 1,650–2,000 mg/day (Nagano et al., 2010; Vigna et al., 2019; Černelič Bizjak et al., 2024).
What is the difference between hericenones and erinacines in Hericium erinaceus?
Hericenones (A–H) and hericerin/isohericerin derivatives are aromatic compounds concentrated in the fruiting body that stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis and activate TrkB/BDNF-convergent ERK1/2 signaling in hippocampal neurons (Mori et al., 2008; Martínez-Mármol et al., 2023). Erinacines (A–I) are low-molecular-weight cyathane diterpenoids produced in the mycelium that cross the blood-brain barrier and promote NGF/BDNF expression and myelination. Together with β-(1,3;1,6)-D-glucans and L-ergothioneine, they provide complementary neurotrophic, antioxidant, and neuro-immune support.
How long does it take to notice cognitive or mood benefits from Lion's Mane?
While Docherty et al. (2023) observed faster executive task performance on the Stroop test 60 minutes after an 1,800 mg dose in young adults, most human clinical trials show that Lion's Mane works primarily as a cumulative neurotrophic adaptogen rather than an acute caffeine-like stimulant. In clinical studies, statistically significant improvements in mood, anxiety, and sleep emerge around 4 to 8 weeks (Nagano et al., 2010; Vigna et al., 2019), while memory and cognitive scale improvements peak across 8 to 16+ weeks of continuous daily intake (Mori et al., 2009; Saitsu et al., 2019).
What happens if I stop taking Lion's Mane after a few months?
In the landmark 16-week double-blind trial by Mori et al. (2009, PMID: 18844328), older adults with mild cognitive impairment showed steady increases in cognitive scores at weeks 8, 12, and 16—but when supplementation was discontinued for a 4-week washout period, scores began declining toward baseline. Because neurotrophin-supported synaptic maintenance is an ongoing physiological process, consistent daily supplementation is recommended for sustained benefit.
Are there any side effects, allergies, or medication interactions to consider?
Across human clinical trials lasting from 4 to 49 weeks at doses of 1,050–3,200 mg/day, Hericium erinaceus has demonstrated a high safety and tolerability profile. Rare side effects include mild gastrointestinal discomfort or skin itching. Individuals with known mushroom or fungal allergies should avoid Lion's Mane. Because preclinical studies suggest mild antiplatelet and glucose-modulating properties, consult your physician before use if you are pregnant, nursing, scheduled for surgery, or taking anticoagulant, antiplatelet, or antidiabetic medications.
Can I stack Wake Lion's Mane with Cordyceps, Turkey Tail, or Reishi?
Yes. Functional mushrooms act on complementary physiological axes: Lion's Mane targets NGF/BDNF neurotrophic signaling; Cordyceps supports cellular ATP bioenergetics and oxygen utilization; Turkey Tail provides polysaccharopeptides (PSK/PSP) for gut-brain microbiome and immune resilience; and Reishi supports evening parasympathetic calm and sleep architecture. You can order pure Lion's Mane capsules individually or choose Wake Comprehensive Health (180 capsules combining Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and Turkey Tail).
Peer-Reviewed References & Primary Literature
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. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2634. [PubMed PMID: 18844328]
Saitsu Y, Nishide A, Kikushima K, Shimizu K, Ohnuki K (2019). Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomedical Research (Tokyo), 40(4): 125–131. DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.40.125. [PubMed PMID: 31413233]
Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, Chen WP, Lu TH, Lee LY, et al. (2020). Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 12: 155. DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155. [PubMed PMID: 32581767]
Docherty S, Doughty FL, Smith EF (2023). The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients, 15(22): 4842. DOI: 10.3390/nu15224842. [PubMed PMID: 38004235]
Nagano M, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Hayashi C, Sato D, Kitagawa K, Ohnuki K (2010). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research (Tokyo), 31(4): 231–237. DOI: 10.2220/biomedres.31.231. [PubMed PMID: 20834180]
Vigna L, Morelli F, Agnelli GM, Napolitano F, Ratto D, Occhinegro A, et al. (2019). Hericium erinaceus Improves Mood and Sleep Disorders in Patients Affected by Overweight or Obesity: Could Circulating Pro-BDNF and BDNF Be Potential Biomarkers?. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019: 7861297. DOI: 10.1155/2019/7861297. [PubMed PMID: 31118969]
Černelič Bizjak M, Jenko Pražnikar Z, Kenig S, Hladnik M, Bandelj D, Gregorič M, Petelin A (2024). Effect of erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus supplementation on cognition: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Journal of Functional Foods, 115: 106120. DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2024.106120. [Publisher Link]
Surendran G, Saye J, Binti Mohd Jalil S, et al. (2025). Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study. Frontiers in Nutrition, 12: 1405271. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1405271. [PubMed PMID: 40276537]
Martínez-Mármol R, Chai Y, Conroy JN, Khan Z, Hong SM, Kim SB, et al. (Univ. of Queensland) (2023). Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling enhancing spatial memory. Journal of Neurochemistry, 165(6): 791–808. DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15767. [PubMed PMID: 36660878]
Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, Azumi Y, Kinugasa S, Inatomi S, Nakahata N (2008). Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 31(9): 1727–1732. DOI: 10.1248/bpb.31.1727. [PubMed PMID: 18758067]
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The peer-reviewed clinical and preclinical studies summarized on this page are provided for educational and scientific reference regarding Hericium erinaceus; individual trials utilized specific research preparations, extracts, and dosing schedules as detailed in the study matrix above. Consult your physician or healthcare advisor before starting any dietary supplement, particularly during pregnancy, nursing, or concurrent medical treatment.
