Supplements

Hericium erinaceus reduces symptoms of sleep disorders

A systematic review of five RCTs and three pilot clinical trials found that Hericium erinaceus supplementation improved symptoms of sleep disorders, alongside benefits for depression, anxiety, and binge eating. The review included studies on participants with and without dementia, with cognitive improvements measured by a combined weighted mean increase of 1.17 on the Mini-Mental State Examination.

Last updated: Jul 7, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Benefits, side effects, and uses of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement: a systematic review.

observational

Menon A, Jalal A, Arshad Z, Nawaz FA, Kashyap R · Frontiers in nutrition (2025)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Hericium erinaceus supplementation (various forms, including mycelium extracts)
Outcome: Symptoms of sleep disorders
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Participants with and without dementia, as well as animal models

Result:

PubMed: 40959699DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1641246

Mechanism Graph

Hericium erinaceus enhances pro-BDNF and BDNF production
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Promotes hippocampal neurogenesis
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Improves behavior and reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
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Result: Reduced symptoms of sleep disorders

Limitations

  • ⚠Only five RCTs and three pilot clinical trials were included, limiting generalizability
  • ⚠Potential side effects (stomach discomfort, headache, allergic reactions) were commonly unreported, suggesting underreporting bias

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hericium erinaceus?▼

Hericium erinaceus, also known as Lion's Mane mushroom, is an edible medicinal fungus with bioactive polysaccharides and erinacines that show neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

How does Hericium erinaceus affect sleep?▼

The systematic review found that Hericium erinaceus reduced symptoms of sleep disorders, likely through enhancing BDNF production and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis.

What are the side effects of Hericium erinaceus?▼

Potential side effects include stomach discomfort, headache, and allergic reactions, though these are commonly unreported in studies.

What other benefits does Hericium erinaceus have?▼

It shows benefits for neuroprotection, cognitive function, cancer prevention, gut health, and reducing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and binge eating.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Menon A, Jalal A, Arshad Z, Nawaz FA, Kashyap R. "Benefits, side effects, and uses of Hericium erinaceus as a supplement: a systematic review.." Frontiers in nutrition, 2025. PMID: 40959699 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1641246
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.