MagicLION Hericium erinaceus fruiting body extract
Also known as: Lion’s Mane mushroom, Yamabushitake, MagicLION, Hericium erinaceus
Overview
Hericium erinaceus, commonly known as Lion's Mane mushroom, is an edible and medicinal fungus traditionally used in East Asia. Its fruiting body extract, such as the branded form MagicLION, contains bioactive compounds like hericenones and erinacines. These compounds are believed to promote nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, which is crucial for neuronal growth, differentiation, and survival. The mushroom is primarily used for cognitive enhancement, neuroprotection, mood improvement, and as a potential supportive agent in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. While preclinical studies show strong promise, human clinical trials are still limited, with current evidence suggesting moderate but promising effects.
Benefits
Hericium erinaceus offers several potential benefits, primarily in cognitive function and neuroprotection. A 2023 randomized controlled trial involving healthy young adults demonstrated acute improvements in cognitive processing speed and a trend towards reduced subjective stress with 1.8g daily supplementation. Preclinical studies consistently show that erinacine A and other erinacines promote NGF synthesis, reduce neuroinflammation, and improve outcomes in animal models of stroke, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's disease, indicating strong neuroprotective potential. While human data on mood and anxiety are limited, animal studies suggest anxiolytic effects and improved sleep quality. It's important to note that effect sizes in human trials have been modest, highlighting the need for larger, more robust studies to confirm these benefits.
How it works
The primary mechanism of action for Hericium erinaceus involves the stimulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis. Bioactive compounds, particularly erinacines (found predominantly in the mycelium) and hericenones (found in the fruiting body), are responsible for this effect, promoting neuronal growth, differentiation, and survival. Additionally, the mushroom exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which contribute to its neuroprotective effects by reducing cellular damage and inflammation in the brain. While erinacines are more concentrated in mycelial extracts, fruiting body extracts like MagicLION contain hericenones, which also contribute to NGF production. The bioavailability and ability of these compounds to cross the blood-brain barrier are under investigation but appear sufficient to exert biological effects in animal models.
Side effects
Hericium erinaceus extracts are generally considered safe, with no serious adverse effects reported in human clinical trials. Mild gastrointestinal discomfort is a rare side effect that some individuals may experience. There are no significant drug interactions or contraindications documented in the current literature. However, safety in specific populations, such as pregnant or breastfeeding women, has not been established due to a lack of research in these groups. As with any supplement, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or those taking other medications should consult a healthcare professional before starting supplementation.
Dosage
Human trials have utilized daily doses of Hericium erinaceus extracts ranging from 1 to 3 grams, whether from the fruiting body or mycelium. A specific randomized controlled trial in young adults observed cognitive benefits with a daily dose of 1.8 grams. It's important to consider that mycelial extracts typically have a higher concentration of erinacines, which are potent neuroactive compounds, compared to fruiting body extracts like MagicLION. Therefore, fruiting body extracts might require higher doses or a longer duration of supplementation to achieve comparable effects. Regarding timing, some acute cognitive benefits may be observed within an hour of intake, while more profound mood and neuroprotective effects generally require consistent, chronic supplementation over several weeks.
FAQs
Is MagicLION fruiting body extract effective?
Evidence supports the general efficacy of Hericium erinaceus extracts. However, fruiting body extracts like MagicLION have less erinacine content than mycelial extracts, which might lead to different efficacy profiles.
How long until effects appear?
Some acute cognitive effects can appear within an hour. However, more significant mood and neuroprotective benefits typically require several weeks of consistent supplementation.
Is it safe long-term?
Current data suggest Hericium erinaceus is safe for short-term use. However, comprehensive long-term human safety studies are limited, and more research is needed.
Research Sources
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2025.1582081/full – This systematic review of 23 in vitro and in vivo studies highlights Erinacine A as the most studied compound in Hericium erinaceus, confirming its neuroprotective effects primarily through NGF stimulation. The review emphasizes the strong preclinical evidence for its potential in neurodegenerative diseases, though it notes the limited human data.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10675414/ – This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 41 healthy young adults found that 28 days of Hericium erinaceus supplementation led to acute improvements in cognitive processing speed (Stroop task) and a trend towards reduced subjective stress. The study provides human evidence for cognitive benefits, despite its relatively small sample size.
- https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/nutrition-research-reviews/article/hericium-erinaceus-a-possible-future-therapeutic-treatment-for-the-prevention-and-delayed-progression-of-alzheimers-disease-a-narrative-review/4520BA4AD6E32081BE96D90266DF98DA – This narrative review synthesizes findings from 3 human RCTs and 13 animal studies, indicating positive cognitive and neuroprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus. It discusses the potential for preventing and delaying Alzheimer's disease progression, while acknowledging the small sample sizes and heterogeneity of human trials.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5987239/ – This review focuses on mycelial erinacine-enriched extracts, confirming the central nervous system pharmacological activity of Erinacine A. It discusses its potential in treating neurodegenerative diseases by promoting NGF synthesis and neuroprotection, emphasizing the importance of specific bioactive compounds.