Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) has a history of use in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine, where it has been valued for its general health-promoting properties, including supposed benefits for mental well-being and vitality. Although it was not specifically used for "stress" as defined in modern medical terms, traditional systems often used lion's mane to "calm the spirit" or support the nervous system, which are loosely related to what we now describe as stress management.

Scientific research on lion's mane and stress is still emerging. Some preclinical studies suggest that lion's mane may have anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and antidepressant-like effects in animal models, potentially by influencing neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). A few small human studies have reported that lion's mane supplementation may help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, but these studies are limited in size, duration, and methodological rigor.

Overall, while lion's mane is traditionally used for general mental wellness and there is preliminary scientific interest in its potential to reduce stress and anxiety, the evidence is not robust or conclusive. Larger, well-controlled clinical trials are needed to establish its efficacy for stress in humans. Thus, the use of lion's mane for stress is primarily justified by tradition, with limited and low-to-moderate quality scientific evidence supporting its use for this purpose.

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