Many people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder take Lion’s mane mushroom supplements daily; these functional mushroom powerhouses provide the brain with many benefits, including improved cognitive function and memory, reduced brain fog, and increased focus. However, it’s essential to know the correct Lion’s mane dosage for ADHD management.
Lion’s mane mushrooms are medicinal mushrooms that have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Yet there are differing opinions regarding how much to take and when.
In this article, we explore the proper Lion’s mane dosage for ADHD and reveal its benefits, potential side effects, and more.
At a glance:
- What’s the Best Lion’s Mane Dosage for ADHD?
- Is Lion’s Mane Effective For Helping People with ADHD?
- What’s the Best Time of Day to Take Lion’s Mane for ADHD?
- How Often Can You Take Lion’s Mane for ADHD?
- Is Lion’s Mane for ADHD Safe For You?
- What Are the Potential Side Effects of Lion’s Mane for ADHD?
- Can Lion’s Mane Really Help Manage ADHD?
What’s the Best Lion’s Mane Dosage for ADHD?
No matter what type of supplements or medications you take, taking the correct amount is crucial. Take too little, and it might not be effective. Take too much, and you could experience side effects.
So, what is the proper Lion’s mane ADHD dose? According to the limited scientific data, the appropriate dose ranges from approximately 750 to 1,000 mg daily.
How much Lion’s mane to take depends on a variety of factors. Your height, weight, and metabolic rate play a role, as do the prescription medications you take for existing medical conditions. The proper dosage varies from person to person.
In a scientific study testing the effects of Lion’s mane on cognitive function, subjects were administered 1,000 mg of Lion’s mane daily for 16 weeks.
In a study examining the benefits of including Lion’s mane in food and medicines, subjects were administered 3,000 mg daily for 16 weeks. However, the consensus is that somewhere between 750 mg and 1,000 mg per day is the proper amount.
When consuming Lion’s mane for ADHD, follow the recommended daily dosage on the product label. Many supplements contain varying amounts of Lion’s mane and additional ingredients, so doses may vary from brand to brand.
For our GOOMZ Focus Energy Gummies, we recommend starting with one 350 mg gummy to see how it makes you feel.
Shop GOOMZ Focus Energy Gummies here
Is Lion’s Mane Effective For Helping People with ADHD?
Taking Lion’s mane confers many cognitive benefits, and it can help you manage ADHD symptoms in several ways.
This 2023 study tested the acute and chronic effects of Lion’s mane on cognitive function, stress, and mood in adults ages 18-45. Results indicate that after 60 minutes of taking a single dose of Lion’s mane, subjects performed faster on a Stroop Task than those who did not take Lion’s mane.
(The Stroop Task is a famous psychological experiment that tests a person’s cognitive function and selective attention).
Additional results from that same study indicate that subjective stress was reduced after consuming Lion’s mane daily for 28 days. These results are promising, but more scientific research is needed to fully understand the effects of Lion’s mane on the brain.
To date, there have not been any clinical trials regarding the effects of Lion’s mane on the ADHD brain.
However, some studies show people who consume Lion’s mane demonstrate cognitive improvement in test scores, more mental clarity, less brain fog, and improved memory. Hericenones and erinacines — two key compounds in Lion’s mane mushrooms — are proven to stimulate brain cell growth.
Many people take mushroom supplements for ADHD. However, if you take prescribed ADHD medications, consult your physician before adding a supplement to your dietary routine. Harmful drug interactions can occur when combining pharmaceuticals and functional mushroom supplements.
What’s the Best Time of Day to Take Lion’s Mane for ADHD?
If you have ADHD, you know all too well how difficult it can be to focus, pay attention, remain calm, and stay seated without fidgeting. These behaviors can affect how successful and productive a day you have at school, work, or home, so most people take Lion’s mane in the morning or early afternoon.
People who maintain a typical 9 to 5 school or work schedule generally find it best to take Lion’s mane in the morning or early afternoon. However, it depends on the type of Lion’s mane supplements you take.
Many Lion’s mane supplements contain other active ingredients that deliver different benefits, including helping you relax, unwind, de-stress, and sleep. It’s better to take those Lion’s mane supplements at night.
Some Lion’s Mane mushroom gummies contain CBD, which can be great for end-of-the-day relaxation. Some supplements include the functional mushroom Reishi, which promotes sleep.
Some products, like our GOOMZ Euphoria Gummies, include a high-potency blend of Lion’s mane and Blue lotus, which can induce a euphoric feeling. Euphoria Gummies are excellent when you want to be in chill mode but not ideal when you have an important meeting with a new client or an uptight boss.
When shopping for Lion’s mane supplements for ADHD, look for products designed specifically to improve focus and mental clarity, such as GOOMZ Focus Energy Gummies. GOOMZ Focus Energy Gummies blend Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Kanna to help you focus, give you energy, and boost your mood.
Shop GOOMZ mushroom gummies here
How Often Can You Take Lion’s Mane for ADHD?
There is very little research on the proper dosage levels for Lion’s mane, but the consensus is that it is safe to take moderate doses daily. However, you may wonder if it is safe to take it every day of your life.
That we simply do not know.
Most scientific studies that have tested the effects of Lion’s mane have administered it to subjects daily for 16 weeks. Consuming it daily for longer than 16 weeks may be unsafe.
The best Lion’s mane mushroom supplements disclose their ingredients and recommend how much and how often to take them. Some mushroom gummies recommend taking two per day at meal times. Others recommend eating one per day or spacing your usage out throughout the week, such as one day on followed by two days off.
The amount of Lion’s mane in your preferred supplements will determine how often you can take them. Some supplements may contain as little as 250 mg of Lion’s mane, while others can contain 1,000 mg or more. Follow the instructions on the packaging and do not exceed the recommended daily dosage.
Taking too much may cause an adverse reaction and put you at greater risk for unpleasant side effects.
Is Lion’s Mane for ADHD Safe For You?
Lion’s mane is generally considered safe to take, and most people tolerate it well, but it’s not suitable for everyone. Some people should not consume this functional mushroom, including some people with ADHD.
Avoid Lion’s mane if you have a blood disorder or take blood thinners, antiplatelet medications, or anticoagulants. Lion’s mane can thin the blood and slow blood clotting, which can be problematic in people with various blood disorders.
Healthy people with surgery scheduled in the next two weeks should not take it either, as slow clotting can cause complications during and after surgical procedures.
People on certain types of diabetes medications should not take Lion’s mane, as it can lower your blood sugar levels. Taking Lion’s mane in combination with diabetes medications can result in hypoglycemia.
Do not take Lion’s mane if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. There isn’t enough scientific research to know how it might affect nursing babies or babies in utero.
If you take ADHD medications or have any of the medical conditions we discussed above, consult your physician before trying Lion’s mane for ADHD management.
Be mindful of all other ingredients that may be included in your Lion’s Mane supplements. Some brands make supplements with 100% Lion’s mane, while many contain additional functional mushrooms and other ingredients that can produce additional side effects.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Lion’s Mane for ADHD?
Consuming Lion’s mane mushrooms does not cause serious side effects in most people, but the potential for adverse reactions always exists. Some of the most common side effects include:
Allergic Reactions
People with mushroom allergies are most likely to experience allergic reactions to lion's mane. Mild allergy symptoms, such as itching and skin rash, are most common, but severe symptoms like throat swelling and difficulty breathing may also occur.
Stomach Pain and Nausea
Nausea, bloating, gas, and diarrhea are among the most common side effects of consuming Lion’s mane. If you experience GI issues after taking Lion’s mane, let your physician know. They may recommend you lower your dosage or stop taking it altogether.
Increased Symptoms of Existing Diseases and Conditions
In addition to improving mental clarity and cognitive function, Lion’s mane also boosts the immune system. For most people, this is a benefit, but for people with auto-immune disorders, this may cause side effects. Lion’s mane can potentially increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases such as MS, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Negative Drug Interactions
As previously stated, combining Lion’s mane with certain types of blood-thinning or diabetes medications can produce adverse effects. There is no evidence to suggest that it can interact negatively with ADHD medications. Still, taking precautions and speaking to your physician before adding Lion’s mane to your daily routine is best.
We need more clinical studies to fully understand the potential side effects of Lion’s mane mushrooms. In the few studies conducted, most healthy adults had no severe side effects, and only a tiny sample of people reported experiencing mild ones.
Can Lion’s Mane Really Help Manage ADHD?
Lion’s mane improves cognitive function, boosts brain health, improves focus and memory, and reduces brain fog. It can be incredibly beneficial for people with ADHD who struggle to pay attention and complete tasks. But not all Lion’s mane supplements are the same.
Our GOOMZ Focus Energy Gummies are our best Lion’s mane supplements for ADHD management. In ultra-tasty Pineapple Lemonade, our gummies feature Lion’s mane for cognitive health, Cordyceps functional mushroom extract for energy, and Kanna to boost your mood. The result? It is a tasty little chew that can help you power through the day in a productive and stress-free way.