Of all the mushrooms in our signature blend, Lion's Mane is the one people ask about most. It's the ingredient behind that "clearer head" feeling our customers describe — and unlike a lot of trendy nootropics, it actually has a growing body of research behind it.
Here's what Lion's Mane is, how it's believed to work, and why it's central to our Day Sesh formulas.
What is Lion's Mane?
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a shaggy, white, cascading mushroom that's been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese practices for centuries — often prepared as food as much as medicine. It's easy to spot in the wild: it looks less like a typical mushroom and more like a waterfall frozen mid-cascade.
What sets it apart nutritionally is a set of compounds called hericenones and erinacines, found in the fruiting body and mycelium respectively. These are the compounds researchers believe are responsible for Lion's Mane's effects on the brain.
The NGF connection
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein that supports the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons — it's essential to healthy brain function, especially as we age. Preclinical research has shown that hericenones and erinacines can promote NGF synthesis, which is the mechanism most researchers point to when explaining Lion's Mane's reputation for supporting focus, memory, and overall cognitive resilience.
This is also why Lion's Mane gets described as a "gentle" nootropic. It's not stimulating the nervous system the way caffeine does — it's more associated with supporting the underlying infrastructure your brain relies on.
What clinical research shows
Human studies are still a relatively new frontier for Lion's Mane, but they're accumulating quickly. A few notable findings:
Cognition and mood in healthy adults. Recent double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have looked at both acute (same-day) and chronic (multi-week) Lion's Mane supplementation in healthy adults, finding measurable effects on cognitive performance and mood.
Mild cognitive impairment. One of the most cited trials followed older adults with mild cognitive impairment over 16 weeks, finding meaningful improvements in cognitive performance compared to a placebo group — though those effects diminished after supplementation stopped, suggesting consistency matters.
Broader brain health. Beyond cognition specifically, Lion's Mane has been studied for neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties — all of which may contribute to its reputation as a long-game brain health ingredient rather than a quick fix.
As with any functional mushroom, individual results vary, and most of the research to date is still early-stage. We'd rather tell you that plainly than oversell it.
How we use it
Lion's Mane is the backbone of our Day Sesh gummies and mushroom blend chocolates, paired with Cordyceps and Turkey Tail for energy, Reishi for calm, and Chaga for immune support. The goal isn't a jolt — it's a steadier kind of clarity you can build a daily habit around.
Curious how our mushroom blend stacks up against our Kanna line? Read Kanna Blend vs. Mushroom Blend: Which One Is Right for You? next.
Shop Mushroom Blend Gummies →
Shop Mushroom Blend Chocolates →
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. Products are intended for adult use only. Please review product details and consult a healthcare professional before use.
