Should I Take Lion’s Mane With or Without Food?

Curious about lion's mane and its ideal consumption? The debate over whether to take this brain-boosting supplement with or without food is a common dilemma. Should you take lion’s mane with or without food? That’s what we’ll look into in this article.   

Delve into the science, benefits, and practical tips to make an informed decision. Whether you want to enhance focus or support overall cognitive function, we've got the full breakdown here. Take advantage of this; read the full piece and fuel your knowledge! Your brain will thank you later. 

Key Takeaways

• Lion's mane is a very popular and potentially beneficial functional mushroom that has been used in traditional Asian medicine for centuries.
• It’s best to consume lion’s mane on a full stomach to avoid possible side effects like nausea and gastrointestinal upset. That said, some users can take lion’s mane alone without experiencing any adverse side effects. 
• Lion's mane mushrooms may have neurological benefits, cardiovascular benefits, immune system benefits, and much more. It may also help with brain fog!
• There are various ways to take lion's mane mushrooms, whether in the form of a powder, capsule, or pill. They are also believed to have great spiritual benefits!

Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane

Before we start talking about whether you should eat some food before taking lion's mane mushrooms, let's look at some of the biggest potential benefits they feature.

Neuro Benefits

We realize that the term neuro benefits is very vague or broad, which it is, and purposely so. This is because lion's mane mushrooms are thought to have a wide variety of potential benefits for the human brain, which we have included in one category here.

Let's just take a quick look at the most important points in terms of lion's mane mushrooms and neural benefits.

Studies indicate that these mushrooms contain both hericenones and erinacines, both of which have the ability to stimulate the growth of brain cells. In other words, this study indicates that lion's mane mushrooms may assist with neurogenesis, the growth of new neurons and brain cells.

Here's a study that indicates that lion's mane mushrooms can potentially increase levels of BDNF and NGF in the human brain, both of which are thought to be responsible for spurring the process of neurogenesis.

There are also studies that indicate that this mushroom may have the ability to reduce symptoms of memory loss while simultaneously preventing neuronal damage caused by various substances which may accumulate due to diseases.

This is another study that indicates that the lion's mane mushroom may have certain benefits related to the slowed or decreased cognitive decline caused by various brain conditions.

It is also strongly believed that the lion's mane mushroom may have the ability to help improve short-term and long-term memory and assign timestamps to those memories, or in other words, the ability to recall memories in chronological order.

Mood Regulation

Another potential benefit of the lion's mane mushroom is mood regulation. Lion's mane mushrooms are thought to have anti-inflammatory benefits. These anti-inflammatory benefits are often linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Here's a study that was performed on menopausal women, which found that those who ate lion's mane mushrooms daily for one month showed reduced feelings of anxiety and irritation. In simplest terms, lion's mane mushrooms may give you a bit of a mental boost.

Possible Cardiovascular Benefits

There are a variety of possible cardiovascular benefits associated with the lion's mane mushroom.

There is some research that indicates that this mushroom may help to improve triglyceride levels and fat metabolism. Here is another study that indicates the exact same thing.

 It may also be the case that extracts from this mushroom may help prevent oxidation of cholesterol, therefore reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Lion's mane mushrooms may also be able to decrease blood clotting rates while also lowering the risk of strokes and heart attacks due to this.

Potential Digestion Benefits

It is thought that lion's mane mushrooms may also have a variety of benefits for the digestive tract. Based on some research, the lion's mane mushroom may be able to help reduce symptoms associated with various inflammatory bowel diseases.

Possible Relief of Diabetes Symptoms

Some studies indicate that the lion's mane mushroom may be able to help reduce pain in people suffering from diabetic nerve damage. This same study also indicated that lion's mane mushrooms may have the ability to lower blood sugar levels, as is also indicated by another study. 

Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Both oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are thought to be the causes of many illnesses, such as a variety of autoimmune disorders.

Plenty of research suggests that these mushrooms contain both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce the risk of developing dozens of diseases.

There are also a number of other studies which indicate that the extract of this mushroom has the potential to manage inflammation and oxidation in relation to inflammatory bowel diseases, liver damage, and more.

Potential Immune Benefits

There are also some indications that lion's mane mushrooms may be able to boost the function of the immune system by affecting gut bacteria. 

Here is a study that shows that mice injected with a lethal dose of salmonella and given lion’s mane had a lifespan nearly four times the amount of mice not supplemented with lion's mane extract.

Side Effects of Lion’s Mane

At this time, there have not been any conclusive studies that have examined the side effects of the lion's mane mushroom on humans. However, all indications suggest these mushrooms are safe for people to consume, especially in moderate quantities.

That said, some people are allergic to mushrooms, and lion's mane is a mushroom, which means that allergic reactions are possible.

Some people have reported side effects like skin rashes and difficulty breathing due to exposure to this mushroom, which is believed to be associated with allergic reactions. Although rare, some people may also experience slight gastrointestinal upset when taking lion's mane mushroom supplements, especially for the first few days.

Can You Take Lion’s Mane on an Empty Stomach?

Although taking lion's mane on an empty stomach is possible, it is not recommended. If you take lion's mane mushrooms on an empty stomach, it's not necessarily that they won't work to provide you with a variety of potential benefits, but rather there is an increased chance of feeling nauseous.

General knowledge tells us that supplements and medications are usually best taken alongside a meal, which should help to reduce the chances of feeling nausea and experiencing gastrointestinal upset.

It may also be the case that taking supplements such as lion’s mane with food may also help increase the overall rate of absorption and, therefore, the efficacy rate.

Because some people may experience gastrointestinal upset due to lion's mane extracts, it is recommended to take it with a meal, particularly for the first few days, until you know how your body will react. That said, some people take it on an empty stomach.

Best Ways to Consume Lion’s Mane

If you're lucky enough to access fresh lion’s mane, you can always cook them for yourself. However, lion’s mane extracts are generally much more potent than fresh mushrooms, so unless you are trying to create a culinary masterpiece, we recommend going for some type of extract.

Generally speaking, you'll find these extracts in two main forms: a powder form that you can mix in with your drinks, and a capsule or pill form that you can just swallow.

The most commonly consumed form of lion's mane extract is a powder, which many people mix with coffee, tea, soups, stews, or just with a glass of water. The beauty of the lion’s mane mushrooms is that their flavor is relatively mild, so mixing the powders with water is feasible taste-wise.

Where to Buy Lion’s Mane Supplements Online

If you want a great lion’s mane extract and an overall fantastic health product, then our TUNE IN powdered drink might be just what you need. It contains lion’s mane and other natural ingredients jam-packed with benefits like cordyceps, ashwagandha, and Rhodiola rosea.

TUNE IN is loaded with vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, functional mushrooms, and much more to improve energy, focus, memory, and cognition. It’s also low-calorie, all-natural, and it tastes delicious!

Both the Pink Lemonade and Tropical Punch flavors are amazing. Don't forget that they both contain 30 milligrams of caffeine, which helps provide some energy, and it's not as much caffeine as an energy drink or a cup of coffee, which many people can appreciate. Keep reading here to find out more about taking lion’s mane with caffeine.

Final Thoughts

What it all comes down to here is that the lion's mane mushroom has dozens of potential benefits for both the human mind and body, and we definitely recommend attempting to take advantage of them. 

Start by taking your lion’s mane with food while your body gets used to it. Then, if you feel like you can manage it, take it alone. 

FAQs

Should I Take Lion’s Mane Before or After Eating?

It is best to take lion's mane supplements alongside a meal, so during or after eating.

What is the Best Time to Take Lion’s Mane?

Due to its various benefits, it is recommended that lion's mane is taken within the first half of the day, as opposed to the afternoon or night time. However, when to take lion’s mane really depends on your purpose.

Do You Take Lion’s Mane Capsules with Food?

To help increase absorption and decrease instances of gastrointestinal upset, yes, lion's mane capsules should be taken with food. Keep reading here to find out how long it takes for these mushrooms to take effect.

What is the Best Way to Absorb Lion’s Mane?

To make sure that the lion's mane supplements are absorbed by your body, ensuring that you take them alongside a good meal is important.

What is the Best Way to Take Lion’s Mane Pills?

Simply take your lion's mane pills with a glass of water, preferably after or alongside a meal, within the first half of the day.