Does Lion’s Mane Support Mood? What Human Research Shows

There is real but thin human evidence on the link between Lion’s Mane and mood. The few studies point to a possible direction only: one continuous-use trial showed improvement, while a single dose did nothing at all. This is not a “mood shot” — at most, gradual support that builds over weeks. The encouraging detail: the key positive study used an extract of the fruiting body.

What low mood actually is — and how it differs from depression

Before we get to the research, an important distinction. Low mood, a sense of flatness or feeling emotionally “thin” are part of the ordinary human experience. They are natural responses to life’s challenges, to tiredness or to hormonal shifts. They come and go, and for most people they do not paralyse daily functioning for long.

Clinical depression, by contrast, is a medical diagnosis. It is a persistent condition that deeply affects functioning, thoughts and feelings, and it requires assessment and care from a qualified professional. This article is about supporting everyday mood and emotional balance; it is not a recommendation for, or a substitute for, professional care for depression.

What human research has found on Lion’s Mane

Human research in this area is still in its infancy, but a few controlled studies give a first picture.

The central and most-cited study was conducted in Japan in 2010. It was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 30 menopausal women. For four weeks, participants ate cookies containing Lion’s Mane fruiting-body powder every day. The results showed a drop in CES-D scores (a screening questionnaire for symptoms of low mood) after the intervention compared with baseline. To be precise: in the direct comparison against the placebo group, only some of the measures reached statistical significance, so this is encouraging but partial evidence. It is also worth noting the small sample, the very specific population (menopausal women), and that the researchers themselves suggested the mechanism was probably unrelated to the mushroom’s known effect on the NGF protein.

A further study from 2019 also reported positive results, but it should be read with real caution. It was a pilot study with no placebo group, run on 77 overweight adults. They took a product composed mostly of Lion’s Mane mycelium for 8 weeks. Improvements in anxiety and mood measures were observed, but with no control group it is very hard to attribute the improvement to the mushroom alone.

Every study we cite is tagged with its design and its limitations in our research database — the link is already filtered to Lion’s Mane.

Why any effect, if it exists, is probably gradual

Here the story gets more interesting. Two more recent studies, both randomised and placebo-controlled, found no effect. But their failure teaches us something important.

A 2023 study tested 28 days of use in healthy young adults and found no significant effect on mood. A further study from 2025 went a step further and tested a single dose of fruiting-body extract. The result: zero. No change in mood was observed after a one-off dose.

Putting the pieces together, a coherent picture emerges: if Lion’s Mane has an effect on emotional balance, it most likely requires time and consistency. It is not a “happiness pill” that works within the hour, but support for the body’s systems that builds over weeks of steady use.

It is fair to say that even the longer trials do not agree with each other. The positive study was run in menopausal women, while another continuous-use trial in healthy young adults found no effect. The difference may come down to the population studied, not only to the duration of use.

The fruiting-body point, and why it matters

This is where we get to the point that matters to us in particular at Triterra Farm. The only positive controlled trial (2010) used powder made from the mushroom’s fruiting body — its upper, fleshy part. By contrast, the second, pilot study (2019) used a product that was roughly 80% mycelium, the mushroom’s root network.

We believe the most-studied active compounds are found at their highest concentration in the fruiting body. The fact that the best human study supports this approach reinforces our choice to produce extracts from fruiting bodies only. We measure the beta-glucan content of our Lion’s Mane extract — 23.93%, verified at an external lab — and publish it openly in our lab results. We covered the difference in depth in our article on fruiting body versus mycelium.

What the mechanism is — and why most of it comes from the lab

Lion’s Mane is famous in research for its ability, in the laboratory, to encourage the production of proteins called NGF and BDNF. These proteins are essential for the growth, survival and function of nerve cells in the brain. Because low levels of these proteins have been linked to low mood states, the theory is that Lion’s Mane may support mood through its effect on nerve cells.

It is important to say this honestly: most of the research on this mechanism was done in cell cultures or in animals. The direct chain — taking Lion’s Mane, a rise in NGF/BDNF, and improved mood in humans — has not been demonstrated conclusively. You can go deeper on our Lion’s Mane science page.

What Lion’s Mane does not do

To set expectations properly, it is important to understand what Lion’s Mane is not. It is not a medicine for depression or anxiety. It is not a substitute for good sleep, balanced nutrition, physical activity or professional emotional care. It is not a magic fix that makes life’s challenges disappear. If your interest is the stress-and-tension angle, read about Reishi for stress and anxiety.

How to use Lion’s Mane extract

The approach to Lion’s Mane, as with other functional mushrooms, is built on consistency. The recommendation is to fold the extract into a daily routine — the morning works well — and keep it up over time. The body needs time to adjust and respond, and the studies point to at least several weeks of steady use. If focus and clarity are what interest you, read about Lion’s Mane and brain fog.

When low mood is a sign to seek professional help

It matters a great deal to recognise when difficult feelings are more than a bad day. If you experience low mood most of the day, nearly every day, for two weeks or more; if you have lost interest and pleasure in things you used to enjoy; if there are significant changes in appetite or weight, or in sleep; or if you are struggling with dark thoughts — these are signs not to ignore. In such cases, the address is a family doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist. A dietary supplement is not a substitute for professional assessment and care.

Frequently asked questions

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 information in this article is for general knowledge only and is not medical advice, a diagnosis or a substitute for professional care. If low mood persists, seek help from a doctor or a mental-health professional. Consult a qualified professional before using any dietary supplement, especially if you take medication, are pregnant or nursing, or have a diagnosed medical condition.