Swanson Lion’s Mane Mushroom 500mg – 60 Capsules
Swanson Lion’s Mane Mushroom 500mg – 60 Capsules
✎ Too long? Here is what matters:
- ✅ Fruiting body — the hericenone-rich form — hericenones are the bioactive compounds isolated from Lion's Mane fruiting bodies, documented since the 1990s in published research to stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis in nerve cells
- ✅ NGF stimulation confirmed in multiple published studies — hericenones C, D, E, and H have been shown in peer-reviewed in vitro research to stimulate NGF secretion in astrocyte cell cultures
- ✅ Blood-brain barrier penetration — published research has documented that hericenones from the fruiting body are able to cross the blood-brain barrier
- ✅ 5 randomised controlled trials — a systematic review found a weighted mean improvement of 1.17 MMSE cognitive score points across five human RCTs
- ✅ 1,000+ years of traditional use — consumed as food and used in herbal preparations across East Asia long before modern clinical study
- ✅ Vegan ✔ Halal ✔ Gluten-Free ✔ Dairy-Free ✔ Non-GMO ✔ — all confirmed on product label
- ✅ Ships next day from Dublin — dispatched via DPD across Ireland
ⓘ Food supplement. Not a medicine. Full research references below.
Swanson Lion's Mane Mushroom Full Spectrum 500 mg — What Published Research Says About Hericium erinaceus Fruiting Body
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is one of the most extensively studied functional mushrooms in modern neuroscience research. It has been consumed as both food and a traditional herbal preparation across East Asia for over a millennium, and since the early 1990s a growing body of peer-reviewed laboratory, animal, and human clinical research has begun to document the mechanisms behind that long history of use.
This product uses Lion's Mane fruiting body — the visible above-ground part of the mushroom, and the part that contains a class of aromatic compounds called hericenones. Hericenones are unique to Hericium erinaceus and have been isolated and studied in published research for their effects on Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) biosynthesis since 1991.
This is a food supplement, not a medicine. The research cited below relates to Hericium erinaceus and its compounds as studied in laboratory and clinical settings. It does not constitute a claim that this specific product will produce the same outcomes in any individual.
What Published Research Has Documented About Hericium erinaceus Fruiting Body
📊 Hericenones — The Fruiting Body's Unique Bioactive Compounds
Hericenones are aromatic compounds found exclusively in the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus. Ten distinct hericenones have been identified to date (hericenones A through J). Peer-reviewed research published from 1991 onwards has documented that hericenones C, D, E, and H stimulate the synthesis and secretion of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in astrocyte cell cultures. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that hericenone E stimulated NGF secretion to levels more than twice those of the positive control. Published pharmacokinetic research has further documented that hericenones from the fruiting body are able to cross the blood-brain barrier — a significant property that distinguishes them from many other plant-derived compounds (Hu et al., 2019, cited in Journal of Neurochemistry, 2023).
📊 Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) — Why Researchers Are Interested
Nerve Growth Factor is a protein that plays a documented role in the survival, development, and maintenance of neurons. Published neuroscience research notes that NGF production declines with age, and this decline has been studied in the context of age-related cognitive changes. Hericenones do not act as NGF themselves — what published in vitro studies document is that they stimulate the body's own nerve cells and astrocytes to produce more NGF. Multiple independent research groups across Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Europe have replicated and built upon this finding since the original isolation work by Kawagishi et al. in 1991.
📊 Human RCT — 16-Week Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial
The landmark human clinical trial on Lion's Mane was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group study published in Phytotherapy Research (Mori et al., 2009, PubMed ID: 18844328). The trial enrolled 30 Japanese adults aged 50–80 with mild cognitive impairment, randomised into two equal groups. The Lion's Mane group consumed 3g of Hericium erinaceus fruiting body powder daily for 16 weeks. Cognitive function scores (Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale) were measured at weeks 8, 12, and 16. At all three assessment points, the Lion's Mane group scored significantly higher than the placebo group. The cognitive scores declined after the supplementation period ended, suggesting the effect was associated with ongoing intake.
📊 Systematic Review of 5 RCTs — Published 2024
A PROSPERO-registered systematic review published in Frontiers in Nutrition (2024, PubMed ID: 40959699) reviewed evidence from five randomised controlled trials on Hericium erinaceus. Across those trials, the combined weighted mean increase in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores in the Lion's Mane groups was 1.17 points above placebo. The review authors concluded that Lion's Mane shows promising neuroprotective properties, while calling for larger, longer-duration trials with standardised dosing protocols.
📊 Cognitive Speed — 2023 RCT in Healthy Adults, Northumbria University
A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study conducted at the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research Centre at Northumbria University (Docherty et al., 2023, Nutrients, PubMed ID: 38004235) tested both a single dose and 28-day supplementation of 1.8g of Hericium erinaceus in 41 healthy adults aged 18–45. A single dose was associated with significantly faster performance on the Stroop cognitive task at 60 minutes post-dose (p = 0.005). The authors note the findings should be interpreted with caution given the small sample size, and recommend further research in larger cohorts.
📊 Narrative Review 2025 — Neuroprotective, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Research
A 2025 narrative review published in PMC/MDPI (Contato & Conte-Junior, PubMed ID: 12030463) surveyed the broader body of Hericium erinaceus research and summarised findings across neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory areas. The review noted that the mushroom's documented capacity to stimulate NGF synthesis has made it a subject of active research interest in the context of neurodegenerative conditions, while emphasising that clinical validation of outcomes in humans remains an active and developing area requiring larger trials.
A Transparent Note on Dose
The human clinical trials cited above used daily doses of 1.8g to 3g of Hericium erinaceus powder. This product delivers 500mg to 1,000mg per day at the recommended dose of one to two capsules. This is lower than the trial doses. If you are considering a higher intake, consult your doctor or pharmacist before doing so. The research is presented here for your information — not as a claim that this product at this dose will replicate trial outcomes.
Product Facts
- Active ingredient: Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) fruiting body — 500 mg per capsule
- Capsules per bottle: 60 (30-day supply at 2 caps/day; 60-day at 1 cap/day)
- Capsule type: Hypromellose (plant-derived cellulose) — suitable for vegans and vegetarians
- Halal certified ✔
- Gluten-free ✔
- Dairy-free ✔
- Non-GMO formula ✔
- Produced in GMP-certified facilities by Swanson Health Products, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
- Distributed from Dublin, Ireland by Probiotic.ie — next-day DPD delivery across Ireland
Full Ingredient List (per capsule)
- Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) fruiting body — 500 mg
- Hypromellose (vegan capsule shell)
- Rice extract blend
- Rice flour
- Rice concentrate
Allergen note: No major allergens listed under EU Regulation 1169/2011. Gluten-free. Dairy-free. Vegan. Produced in a facility that may also handle soy and tree nuts — check with the manufacturer if you have a severe allergy.
How to Take
Take one vegan capsule twice daily with water. Do not exceed two capsules in any 24-hour period. Take consistently as part of a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Who Looks at This Product?
People who typically seek Lion's Mane fruiting body supplements include those who:
- Have read the peer-reviewed literature on Hericium erinaceus hericenones and want a pure fruiting body form from a known manufacturer
- Are interested in functional mushrooms with a documented traditional use history spanning over a millennium
- Require a vegan, halal, gluten-free, and dairy-free supplement with no animal-derived capsule
- Are working alongside a healthcare professional and want a standardised supplement to discuss
This product is intended for adults aged 18 and over. It is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lion's Mane mushroom and where does it come from?
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible fungus native to North America, Europe, and Asia, where it grows on hardwood trees. It has a distinctive white, cascading appearance. It has been consumed as a food and used in traditional herbal preparations — particularly across China, Japan, and Korea — for over a thousand years. In supplement form it is available as dried powder from either the fruiting body or mycelium of the mushroom. This product uses the fruiting body.
What are hericenones and why do they matter?
Hericenones are aromatic compounds found exclusively in the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus. Published research since 1991 has documented that hericenones C, D, E, and H stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) synthesis in nerve cell cultures. NGF is a protein involved in the maintenance and development of neurons. Published pharmacokinetic research has documented that hericenones are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, which is considered significant in research into their mechanism of action.
Is this fruiting body or mycelium — and does it matter?
This product contains Lion's Mane fruiting body — confirmed on the product label Supplement Facts panel. The fruiting body contains hericenones; the mycelium contains erinacines. Both compound classes have been documented in published research to stimulate NGF synthesis and to cross the blood-brain barrier. The landmark 2009 Mori et al. human clinical trial that showed significant cognitive improvements over 16 weeks used fruiting body powder — the same part used in this product.
How many capsules are in the bottle and how long will it last?
Each bottle contains 60 capsules. At one capsule per day that is a 60-day supply. At two capsules per day (the maximum recommended dose) it is a 30-day supply.
Is this product suitable for vegans, vegetarians, and halal diets?
Yes on all three. The capsule shell is made from hypromellose — a plant-derived cellulose. The product carries a Halal certification (visible on label), is gluten-free, dairy-free, and non-GMO. It contains no animal-derived ingredients.
Can I take this if I am on medication?
Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new supplement if you are on prescription medication or have a diagnosed health condition. Lion's Mane is generally well tolerated in published clinical trials, but your healthcare provider should be aware of everything you are taking.
Are there any known side effects?
In published clinical trials Lion's Mane has shown a generally favourable tolerability profile. The most commonly reported adverse effects were mild gastrointestinal discomfort. A small number of case reports in the literature have documented allergic reactions — including a rare case of acute respiratory distress — in individuals with mushroom sensitivities. If you experience any adverse effects, discontinue use immediately and consult a healthcare professional.
The clinical trials used 1.8g–3g daily. This product is 500mg. Does that matter?
It is a fair question and worth knowing. The published RCTs on Lion's Mane used doses between 1.8g and 3g of mushroom powder per day. This product delivers 500mg to 1,000mg per day at the recommended dose — lower than the trial doses. This does not mean the product is without value at this dose, but it is honest information you should have. If you wish to discuss a higher intake, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before adjusting.
How quickly will my order arrive in Ireland?
Orders are dispatched from Dublin, Ireland via DPD next-day delivery. Most orders placed before the daily dispatch cut-off arrive the following working day within Ireland.
What is the returns policy?
Probiotic.ie processes returns in line with Irish and EU consumer protection law. If your product arrives damaged or is not as described, contact Probiotic.ie directly and the team will resolve it for you.
Important Information
This product is a food supplement. It is not a medicine and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. The research cited on this page relates to Hericium erinaceus as a compound studied in peer-reviewed settings and does not constitute a claim that this specific product will produce the same results in any individual.
Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the stated recommended daily dose. Intended for adults aged 18 years and over.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking any medication, or under medical supervision, consult your doctor or qualified healthcare professional before use.
Discontinue use and seek medical advice if any adverse reaction occurs. Do not use if the tamper-evident seal under the cap is broken or missing. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Manufactured by: Swanson Health Products, Fargo, North Dakota, USA
Distributed by: Probiotic.ie, Dublin, Ireland