# Lion's mane for anxiety and depression: the evidence

Source: https://lionsmanemushroom.uk/benefits/anxiety-and-depression/
Author: Jo Calder · Updated 2026-11-03

**Short answer:** The evidence is weak. A Japanese trial in 30 women and an Italian study in 77 people with obesity both found lower anxiety and depression scores, but the Japanese trial found few differences from placebo and the Italian study had no placebo group. It has not been tested in people diagnosed with depression or an anxiety disorder.

**Evidence grade:** Weak evidence. Mixed or very small human studies, or studies without a proper placebo group.

## What did the studies find?

Two studies have looked at mood as their main outcome:

- **Nagano 2010, Japan.** 30 women, average age 41, with general health complaints but no diagnosed illness, ate cookies containing 2 g a day of lion's mane fruiting body, or placebo cookies, for 4 weeks. Of the 26 who were analysed, those taking lion's mane had lower depression and "indefinite complaints" scores at the end than at the start. Compared directly with the placebo group, only a couple of individual items (feeling "insentive" and palpitations) were significantly better. Sleep quality did not change.
- **Vigna 2019, Italy.** 77 adults with overweight or obesity on a low-calorie diet were randomly assigned to 1.5 g a day of a mycelium and fruiting body supplement or to diet alone, for 8 weeks. Among people who had symptoms at the start, depression and anxiety scores fell in the lion's mane group and stayed lower 2 months after stopping, while in the diet-only group they did not change significantly. There was no placebo capsule, 8 of the 40 people taking lion's mane dropped out, and the supplement was supplied by its maker.

A UK trial in healthy young adults (Docherty 2023) also measured mood and stress. After 28 days of 1.8 g a day it found a trend towards lower stress that just missed significance, and no other clear change.

## Why is the evidence weak?

Mood questionnaires are very sensitive to expectation. People who know, or guess, that they are taking something meant to help often feel better, which is why a placebo group matters so much. One study had none, and the other found that most of the improvement was matched in the placebo group. Neither enrolled people with a diagnosis of depression or anxiety, so the results say nothing about treating those conditions.

The animal evidence is more consistent: a 2025 systematic review found that erinacine-rich extracts reduced depression-like behaviour in rodents. That is a reason to run proper trials, not a reason to rely on it.

## Should you take lion's mane for anxiety or low mood?

If you have persistent low mood or anxiety, see your GP: talking therapies and, where needed, medication have far stronger evidence. Lion's mane appears safe for most adults, so trying it alongside proper care is unlikely to do harm, but tell your doctor or pharmacist and do not use it in place of treatment. If you are in crisis, call NHS 111, your GP, or Samaritans on 116 123.

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I take lion's mane with antidepressants?

No interactions have been reported, but no study has checked. Lion's mane has not been tested alongside antidepressants, so ask your GP or pharmacist first, and never stop or change prescribed medicine because of a supplement.

### Does lion's mane help with stress?

A UK pilot trial found a trend towards lower stress after 28 days of 1.8 g a day, but it narrowly missed statistical significance, so it is not good evidence either way.

### Does lion's mane help you sleep?

An Italian study without a placebo group reported better sleep scores. A Japanese placebo-controlled trial found no change in sleep quality. There is no good evidence that it helps sleep.

## References

1. [Nagano M et al. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical Research, 2010.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20834180/)
2. [Vigna L et al. 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.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31118969/)
3. [Docherty S et al. 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, 2023.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004235/)
4. [Cha S et al. A review of the effects of mushrooms on mood and neurocognitive health across the lifespan. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 2024.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38246232/)
5. [Spangenberg ET et al. Unveiling the role of erinacines in the neuroprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus: a systematic review in preclinical models. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2025.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40626304/)