Hericium erinaceus: Which is the Best Lion's Mane Mushroom for You?

Differences Between Our Lion's Mane Mushroom Extracts 

The full spectrum lion’s mane extract is simply the whole mushroom, which has been treated with hot water to break down the cell walls of the mushroom (chitin), which increases bioavailability. The bioavailability is increased because the beneficial polysaccharides (beta-d-glucans) are trapped within the cell walls of the mushroom, thus breaking it down will allow them to become liberated. All of the raw lion’s mane mushroom that goes through this process is collected, dried, and turned into a powder. This means that with the full spectrum  1:1 lion’s mane extract you will be getting every beneficial compound presented in the chart on the right. This full spectrum Lion's Mane Mushroom extract produces a very comprehensive effect profile, ranging from immune system support, memory and nerve health support, while also supporting a healthy cholesterol and mood.

The  8:1 lion’s mane extract is a more traditional solvent extract. There are various compounds within lion’s mane that are only soluble in ethanol (which can also be seen in the chart on the right) such as a majority of the hericenones, which produce the nerve growth factor (NGF) boosting effects associated with lion’s mane and the various sterol compounds in lion’s mane which help support a healthy cholesterol. There are also certain compounds in lion’s mane, such as the beta-glucans, which are not ethanol soluble and are only soluble in water. By using ethanol as our main solvent during extraction, we can extract and concentrate a higher amount of ethanol soluble compounds. This produces a lion's mane extract that is geared more towards supporting cognitive function than the full spectrum extract. To make the lion’s mane 8:1 extract, a whopping 8 kilograms of raw lion’s mane mushroom needs to be used to produce just a single kilogram of the 8:1 extract. This does not make the 8:1 lion’s mane extract 8 times more powerful but it does shift the character of its benefits due to concentrating the cognition-supporting ethanol soluble compounds in lion’s mane mushroom..

Which Lion's Mane Mushroom Extract is Best for Me?

As can be seen on the chart on the right, when we focus our attention more on the ethanol soluble section, we are presented with a lion's mane mushroom extract that supports cardiovascular health and helps support overall cognitive function. Comparatively, if we focus our attention more on the water-soluble section, we are presented with a very comprehensive hericium erinaceus extract that can help support overall health. For those looking for daily overall health support the 1:1 lion’s mane mushroom will be your best bet, whereas if you would really like to support cognitive function specifically, then the 8:1 is the clear winner.

Distribution:

North America, Europe and Asia 

Grows on:

Hard wood; mainly Beech and Oak Bio 

Actives:

Polysaccharides (Beta-Glucans), Hericenones, Sterols and Proteins. 

Benefits:

Supports a healthy immune system, nerve health, cardiovascular health, overall cognition and mood

Solubility and Pharmacology

HEF-AP Fr II:  Supports healthy immune function via Nitric Oxide signalling

HEP80: Supports healthy oxidation levels and liver health. 

HEO-A: Supports healthy oxidation levels 

HEP3: Supports healthy levels of inflammation while serving as a prebiotic which helps support gut microbiota health. Also supports healthy immune function.

Ethanol Soluble

3-hydroxyhericenone F: Supports mitochondrial health

Hericenone B: Supports cardiovascular health

Hericenone C, D & E: Supports memory and learning