Lion’s Mane Side Effects: Is It Safe to Take Daily?

Lion’s mane looks like a tiny white pom-pom that has become a very popular functional mushroom.

Lion’s mane is available in powders, capsules, coffees, and gummies with the purpose of supporting focus, memory, and mental clarity. We have some really promising early studies, but more research is needed.

However, it’s as important to talk about the side effects of Lion’s mane as it is to cover its benefits. For people, lion’s mane is tolerated well and rarely causes any side effects. With that said, some users complain of digestive symptoms, which is usual and nothing alarming.

In this article, we will dig deep into the research that covers the side effects of Lion’s mane, and what to do in case you develop any undesirable symptoms.

Is Lion’s Mane Mushroom Safe?

Lion’s mane is an edible mushroom that has been used as food for centuries.

The NIH LiverTox review tells us that lion’s mane is generally safe. We don’t have any evidence to link the consumption of Lion’s mane with elevated enzymes of the liver. In simpler terms, there is no proof that Lion’s mane causes liver injury.

The same review states that only 1 in 10 people who took this mushroom for a long time experienced digestive symptoms (e.g., abdominal discomfort, nausea, diarrhea).

We also have the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center that lists abdominal discomfort, nausea, and skin rash as possible lion’s mane side effects.

What Are the Most Common Lion’s Mane Side Effects?

1. Digestive Discomfort

Stomach-related symptoms are perhaps the most commonly reported side effects of Lion’s mane.

In a double-blind clinical trial, researchers observed mild abdominal discomfort and diarrhea in adults with mild cognitive impairment who took 3 grams of powdered lion’s mane each day for 16 weeks.

Remember that the degree of discomfort is proportional to the initial dose you take. Therefore, a higher dose at the beginning may increase your risk of abdominal pain. The same applies to taking the supplement on an empty stomach.

2. Nausea

Nausea is the second most common symptom that people report when they take Lion’s mushroom.

A 2020 clinical study examined an erinacine A-enriched lion’s mane in adults with mild Alzheimer’s disease. Four participants left the study because of abdominal discomfort, nausea, and skin rash.

Obviously, the study doesn’t mean taking Lion’s mane equals feeling nauseous. It just tells us that nausea is a side effect to be expected and shouldn’t trigger any fear.

3. Skin Rash

Skin rash is actually the least common side effect of Lion’s mane among what we discussed so far. However, you shouldn’t neglect this symptom, especially if you noticed other symptoms, such as itching, redness, and swelling.

Can You Be Allergic to Lion’s Mane?

A lion’s mane allergy is very uncommon, but it’s still possible to experience an allergic and/or hypersensitivity reaction.

In one case report, researchers described a severe respiratory reaction in a 63-year-old man who had used a lion’s mane extract for several months. Of course, we can’t draw a conclusion based on a single case report. In fact, we can’t even tell how common this side effect is.

The takeaway message is to avoid Lion’s mane if you have previously been diagnosed with a mushroom allergy.

Does Lion’s Mane Affect the Liver?

There is no evidence to link Lion’s mane to any damage to the liver cells. The NIH LiverTox review gives lion’s mane a score of E. This means the mushroom is very unlikely to cause any apparent liver injury.

Remember, we’re talking about Lion’s mane here. The supplement product actually contains several other ingredients, including mushrooms, herbs, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and other ingredients.

Can Lion’s Mane Interact With Medication?

Unfortunately, we don’t have enough evidence to discuss pharmacological interactions between Lion’s mane and medications. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health explains that supplements can increase, decrease, or alter the effects of medications.

We recommend that you talk to your doctor before you use Lion’s mane if you:

• Take prescription medications.
• Are going through cancer treatment.
• Take medication that affects your immune system.
• Manage a chronic health condition.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Plan to combine lion’s mane with several other supplements.

Does Lion’s Mane Make You High?

We understand that people associate the term mushroom with being high, especially with the rise of psychedelic mushrooms. However, Lion’s mane is a non-psychoactive functional mushroom. It does not contain psilocybin, which means it won’t cause any hallucinations.

To better understand these differences, read our guide on what mushroom gummies are.

How to Reduce the Risk of Lion’s Mane Side Effects

There are a few meaningful steps that lower the risk of side effects, so make sure to:

• Follow the serving size on the label.
• Start with the lowest recommended serving.
• Avoid taking several new supplements on the same day.
• Take the product with food if it irritates your stomach.
• Read the full ingredient list.
• Choose a transparent product from a reputable manufacturer.
• Stop the use of the supplement if you experience persistent symptoms.

Browse the Sunday Scaries functional mushroom gummies collection to get the supplement that meets your needs.

What Else Is in Your Lion’s Mane Supplement?

As we said before, Lion’s mane may not be the only ingredient in your supplement.

For this reason, it is absolutely vital to read the label thoroughly.

Related: Lion’s mane mushroom benefits

Let’s summarize the side effects of Lion’s mane in a table:

FAQs About Lion’s Mane Side Effects