A Pilot Proof-of-Concept Study to Evaluate the Physiological and Cognitive Impacts of Hericium erinaceus on Healthy Adults.

No statistically significant differences were observed in executive function or plasma BDNF following four weeks of lion's mane supplementation.

• All comparisons yielded p > 0.05
• Sample size was small (n = 10 healthy adults aged 18-55 years)
• Paired-samples t-tests were used to assess pre-to-post changes
• Study duration was 28 days of daily supplementation

Small-to-moderate effect sizes were observed for flanker inhibitory control and attention following lion's mane supplementation.

• Cohen's d = 0.48 for the NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test
• This represents a small-to-moderate effect size
• The flanker test assesses attentional control and inhibitory control
• Changes were in the direction of improvement from baseline

A small effect size was observed for the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS) test following lion's mane supplementation.

• Cohen's d = 0.25 for the DCCS test
• The DCCS test measures cognitive flexibility as a component of executive function
• The effect was in the direction of modest improvement from baseline
• The change did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05)

A small effect size was observed for circulating plasma BDNF following lion's mane supplementation.

• Cohen's d = 0.31 for plasma BDNF concentrations
• Plasma BDNF was measured using a quantitative ELISA
• The effect was described as a 'modest increase' from baseline
• The change did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05)

Lion's mane supplementation was reported to be safe and well tolerated in healthy adults over the 28-day study period.

• The supplement was a certified organic lion's mane product composed of mycelial biomass and fruiting body
• The daily dose was 2 g/day consumed for 28 days
• No adverse safety findings were reported within the confines of this study
• Participants were healthy adults aged 18-55 years (n = 10)

The study used the NIH Toolbox Flanker Inhibitory Control and Attention Test and the DCCS test to assess executive function as primary cognitive outcomes.

• Executive function was characterized as supporting 'goal-directed behavior, attentional control, and cognitive flexibility'
• These processes were described as 'sensitive to aging and lifestyle factors'
• Assessments were conducted at baseline (pre) and after 28 days (post)
• Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen's d in addition to significance testing

Hericium erinaceus contains bioactive compounds hypothesized to stimulate neurotrophins such as BDNF, providing the mechanistic rationale for this study.

• Lion's mane is described as an edible mushroom with bioactive compounds
• The proposed mechanism involves stimulation of neurotrophins, specifically brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)
• BDNF stimulation was the basis for hypothesizing potential cognitive benefits
• The supplement used contained both mycelial biomass and fruiting body components