Lion’s mane is one of more than 14,000 mushroom species that grow worldwide. It boasts many health benefits, and in recent years, it’s become a popular ingredient in gummies, vitamins, and all sorts of dietary supplements. Yet with its unusual name and even more unusual appearance, people unfamiliar with the fungi often wonder: Is Lion’s mane a psychedelic?
In this article, we explore Lion’s mane mushrooms in depth. We examine the health benefits they offer, potential side effects, dose safety, and if they make you trip. If you’re considering adding Lion’s mane to your dietary routine, we’ll inform you of everything you need to know about what it can and cannot do.
At a glance:
Is Lion’s Mane a Psychedelic?
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a functional mushroom. Functional mushrooms comprise a group of fungal species delivering health benefits above and beyond the nutrition they provide. Consuming functional mushrooms has many potential benefits, but they do not have psychoactive or psychedelic properties.
Functional mushrooms are sometimes called medicinal mushrooms, adaptogenic mushrooms, or nootropics — three terms that lead some people to believe these are psychedelic mushrooms. They are not.
The term medicinal refers to mushrooms that can be used to prevent or treat diseases and those that support healthy bodily functions. Adaptogenic describes fungi that help the brain and body maintain plasticity with age, reducing stress, while Nootropic mushrooms can impact cognitive function and enhance memory.
In no way do any of the three terms indicate that a particular type of mushroom is or isn’t psychedelic.
Lion’s mane does not contain any psychoactive or psychedelic compounds, and taking it will not make you hallucinate or “trip.” Doing so can, however, positively impact your brain, immune system, and gut health.
If you’ve been cautious to try Lion’s mane supplements for fear that you’ll hallucinate, we can assure you that you will not. For a mushroom to be “magic,” it must contain psilocybin.
Does Lion’s Mane Contain Psilocybin?
Hallucinogenic mushrooms contain psilocybin; Lion’s mane does not.
When you consume psilocybin, the body converts it to psilocin, a psychoactive compound that can simultaneously affect all of your senses. Such a chemical flood can elicit a fantastic experience or a mind-breaking one, depending on what heads call “your set and setting” — the environment where you “trip” and your mindset going into the experience.
When on psilocybin, it’s common to experience distorted perceptions of time and space. You may hallucinate and see or hear things that are not there. You may think differently or experience emotions you’ve never felt before. You may experience euphoria or feel hot, flush, and sweaty.
Everyone reacts differently to the psychoactive properties of psilocin. For some people, it’s a great experience. For others, it’s terrifying.
Rest assured that you will not experience any of the effects of psilocybin when taking Lion’s mane supplements. However, supplements are available that blend Lion’s mane with other ingredients that can produce euphoric effects.
If you’re searching for a legal product that can produce a sense of bliss, check out our GOOMZ Euphoria Gummies.
GOOMZ Euphoria Gummies top lists of the best functional mushroom supplements on the market by combining Lion’s mane mushroom extract, terpenes, and Blue lotus. When you take one of our gummies, you get all of the medicinal benefits of Lion’s mane plus terpenes to bliss you out and Blue lotus to enhance your mood.
Shop GOOMZ Euphoria Gummies here
Does Lion’s Mane Make You “Trip?”
We said it before, and we’ll repeat it: taking Lion’s mane will not make you hallucinate.
To “trip,” you need psilocybin — and you won’t find a trace of psilocybin anywhere in the Lion’s mane fungus. Lion’s mane has medicinal properties, not psychoactive ones. No matter how much you take, you will not hallucinate.
If you’re on a quest for a psychedelic experience, you won’t find it in any of the functional mushroom supplements on the market today. Psilocybin is still illegal in most US states and territories. Until the laws change, don’t expect to find legal mushroom supplements that can produce a psychedelic effect.
What Are the Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?
The benefits of Lion’s mane are many. These fungi have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries for a reason. Let’s look at some of the assistance they can provide:
Improved Cognitive Health
Lion’s mane is nicknamed “the smart mushroom” because consuming it generally improves cognitive function, mental clarity, and memory. Many people rely on Lion’s mane to enhance focus and manage symptoms of ADHD, and studies suggest that the mushroom may also reduce anxiety and improve one’s mood.
For focus and ADHD management, check out our GOOMZ Focus Energy Gummies, which contain Lion’s mane for improved cognition, Cordyceps for energy, and Kanna to reduce anxiety and calm you down.
Improved Immune System
Lion’s mane consumption supports healthy immune function. The stronger your immune system, the more efficiently the body can fight against illnesses and infections. The weaker your immune system, the more susceptible you are to contracting viruses and diseases.
Improved Gut Health
Consuming Lion’s mane mushrooms stimulates the growth of “good” gut bacteria, which improves digestive health and reduces inflammation in the gut. Scientific research indicates that Lion’s mane use might also thicken mucus in the stomach lining, which may minimize stomach ulceration risk.
Nervous System Injury Recovery
Compounds found in Lion’s mane mushrooms stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) and help you grow new brain cells.
Research shows that using Lion’s mane may be helpful for people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries or stroke. While more scientific data developed using humans is needed, there is also some evidence to suggest that this fantastic fungus may be able to halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease, ischemic stroke, Huntington’s disease, and other nervous system injuries.
Supplementing with Lion’s mane might also be beneficial if you’ve dabbled in substance use that’s caused you to lose a few brain cells back in the day.
Diabetes Management
Some people take Lion’s mane as part of diabetes management because its consumption can lower blood sugar levels. Research indicates that the antioxidants found in Lion’s mane may also ease the symptoms of diabetic nerve pain.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Adding Lion’s mane to your dietary routine can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Lion’s mane helps reduce blood pressure, improve blood circulation, and lower harmful cholesterol levels, thereby lowering your risk for heart attack or stroke.
Reduced Inflammation
Lion’s mane can help fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Reducing oxidative stress helps to reduce chronic inflammation, which can lead to a host of other medical issues, including mental health conditions such as anxiety and major depressive disorder.
What Are Some of the Main Compounds in Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane contains many bioactive compounds that combine to deliver the abovementioned benefits. Some of those compounds and the benefits they offer include:
Lion’s mane mushroom gummies are loaded with natural compounds and chemicals that the body needs to function correctly. Even if you take Lion’s mane for a specific reason, you can enjoy all these benefits and improve your wellness holistically.
Is Lion’s Mane Safe to Take?
Lion’s mane is generally considered safe to take, but some people should not take Lion’s mane supplements.
Do not take Lion’s mane (or any other functional mushrooms) if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There is not enough scientific data to know how functional mushrooms can affect mothers and nursing babies.
Avoid Lion’s mane if surgery is scheduled in the next two weeks. Lion’s mane thins the blood and can slow blood clotting, causing surgical complications. People prescribed blood thinners, anticoagulants, or antiplatelet medications should also avoid Lion’s mane, as combining it with your medications can cause your blood to thin too much.
Taking Lion’s mane boosts the immune system, which can be problematic for people with auto-immune conditions. People with MS, lupus, and other such ailments may experience increased symptoms.
If you have a known medical condition or take prescription medications, consult your physician to ensure it’s safe to add Lion’s mane to your daily routine.
What Else Is In Your Supplements?
It’s common for mushroom supplements to contain multiple ingredients, so while Lion’s mane might be safe for you to take, some supplements containing the fungus may not be.
Consider all the ingredients before choosing a mushroom supplement. If the packaging doesn’t include a complete ingredient list or the brand doesn’t disclose it on its website, it may be because there is something to hide.
The FDA does not regulate functional mushroom supplements, so it’s always best to research all active ingredients in anything you take and know how they might make you feel.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane mushroom gummies have potential side effects when eaten, like all functional mushroom supplements. While most people tolerate Lion’s mane well, you may experience:
Gastrointestinal Discomfort
The most common side effects of consuming Lion's mane are stomach ache, nausea, gas, bloating, and other GI issues. It’s best to start with a small dose and gauge how your body reacts before consuming larger doses or adding the mushroom to your daily dietary routine.
Allergic Reaction
Avoid Lion’s mane if you have a known mushroom allergy. Itching, swelling, and rash may occur in people with fungus allergies. In extreme cases, throat swelling and difficulty breathing can occur.
Blood Thinning
Blood thinning is not a common Lion’s mane side effect, but it can occur and be especially dangerous in people who take blood thinners or anticoagulant medications. It can also slow blood clotting, so people with blood conditions or incipient surgical procedures should consult a physician before taking Lion’s mane supplements.
Decreased Blood Sugar Levels
Lion’s mane can lower blood sugar levels, which is a benefit for some people but a danger for others. Exercise extreme caution when consuming Lion’s mane with diabetes medications, as combining the two may cause your blood sugar levels to drop too low.
If you experience side effects after taking Lion’s mane mushrooms, check to see what other ingredients are in your supplements. It is possible to react adversely to other ingredients in some supplements, but you can still enjoy Lion’s mane supplements with different formulations.
Where to Buy Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s mane is not a psychedelic mushroom. It does not have psychoactive properties, will not make you trip, and can’t make you see smells or taste colors. For an authentic psychedelic experience, you’ll need psilocybin mushrooms, which are currently illegal to buy, sell, and consume in almost every US state.
Yet there are Lion’s mane mushroom supplements that combine multiple legal, functional mushrooms and other ingredients to induce a sense of bliss, calm your mind, and help you relax. They don’t produce a psychedelic experience, but they can make you feel outstanding.
If you’re ready to kick back, unwind, and chill, try our GOOMZ Euphoria Gummies. We use a tasty Berry Blast flavor to make consuming these high-potency gummies an enjoyable tread. They will ease your mind and boost your mood for a unique and exciting experience — without fear of hallucination or legal entanglements.