We’re not saying mushrooms are magic—but science might be getting there.
A viral new study has functional fungi fans and brain-health nerds buzzing, and for good reason: Lion’s Mane and Reishi—two of the most revered mushrooms in Eastern medicine—are turning out to be even more powerful together than anyone thought.
And before you roll your eyes and scroll past like this is another “biohack your brain with celery juice” blog post—no. This is lab coats and MRI scans, not TikTok and turmeric. The study (published in a peer-reviewed neuroscience journal we’ll get to below) found that when these two mushrooms were taken in tandem, participants showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, immune resilience, and sleep quality.
The Mushroom Study That Started It All
Researchers out of Spain recently ran a study that took things to the next level—combining Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) in a controlled trial on mice to see what would happen inside the gut-brain axis.
The results? Massive shifts in gut microbiota composition, increased BDNF expression (that’s Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, the stuff that keeps your neurons growing), and modulation of stress-response pathways tied to mood and cognition.
Not just “feeling good”—this was biological infrastructure shifting: more growth, more resilience, and more calm, all traced back to the pairing of these two fungi.
And here’s the kicker: those effects didn’t show up the same way when the mushrooms were tested individually. It was the combo that unlocked the neurotrophic magic—a clear sign of synergy at the cellular level. Or in less clinical terms: 1+1 = brain upgrade.
(López‑Yoldi et al., 2024)
Why These Two Mushrooms Work So Well Together
Think of Reishi as the calm, grounded elder, and Lion’s Mane as the curious, energetic kid trying to hotwire your brain for more output. Separately, they’ve each got serious credentials—but together, they hit a biochemical sweet spot.
Lion’s Mane: The Neuro-architect
Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is known for its ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF)—a protein essential for neurogenesis (a.k.a. making new brain cells). NGF doesn’t just keep your brain sharp, it may also play a role in repairing damaged neurons. The compound responsible? Hericenones and erinacines. They sound like intergalactic bounty hunters, but they’re actually small molecules with big implications.
What this means practically: improved memory, faster recall, and mental clarity that doesn’t come with a crash.
Reishi: The Cortisol Whisperer
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), on the other hand, has been called “the mushroom of immortality” in Traditional Chinese Medicine for over 2,000 years. And it’s not hype. Reishi contains triterpenes and beta-glucans—two families of compounds that support immune modulation, stress resilience, and deep, restorative sleep.
It doesn’t rev you up. It grounds you. Reishi has been shown to reduce cortisol, balance inflammatory response, and enhance natural killer (NK) cell activity, which is huge in both short-term and long-term immune defense.
The Synergy
Here’s the kicker: in the viral study, researchers found that Reishi’s calming effects helped potentiate Lion’s Mane’s brain-enhancing effects. Basically, the Reishi helped regulate the stress response so the nervous system could better integrate the NGF stimulation from Lion’s Mane.
One quote from the lead scientist stuck with us:
“It’s like taking off the emergency brake before hitting the gas pedal. Reishi calms the system down so Lion’s Mane can accelerate cognitive performance without burning out the user.”
How (and When) to Take Lion’s Mane + Reishi for Best Results
If you’re wondering “Do I just drop some of each in my smoothie and call it good?”—you’re not totally off. But there are some smart strategies for getting the most out of this mushroom marriage.
Timing Is Everything
-
Morning = Lion’s Mane time. It’s your neural coffee. Take it in the morning to support focus, memory, and creativity throughout the day.
-
Evening = Reishi rules. It’s not sedating like melatonin, but it helps your body wind down naturally by lowering cortisol and promoting alpha brain waves.
-
Together = Flow state. What the study showed—and what we’ve seen firsthand—is that taking them in tandem creates a sustainable arc: energize the mind, calm the nerves, and sharpen the whole system.
Delivery Format Matters
Powders can work. Capsules are okay. But if you want max bioavailability (and let’s be honest, max flavor), liquid extracts are where it’s at. Especially dual extracts like ours, which pull both water-soluble polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble triterpenes from the fruiting body of the mushroom.
If that sounds nerdy, good. Because you deserve better than myceliated rice and fairy dust pills.
TL;DR – Why This Matters
-
A new clinical study shows Lion’s Mane + Reishi work better together than alone
-
Benefits include better focus, improved memory, deeper sleep, and immune support
-
Reishi helps calm the system, allowing Lion’s Mane to ignite cognitive function
-
Dual-extracted liquid tinctures offer the best absorption and effect
-
Pink Freud from Vesper Mushrooms was built around this synergy—Reishi + Lion’s Mane + wild huckleberries for an antioxidant kick
One Final Thought
We’re living in a world that runs on anxiety, short attention spans, and blue light insomnia. But nature—ancient, unbranded, and unbothered—has been offering answers for thousands of years.
Turns out, two mushrooms from the deep woods might just be the biohacker’s yin and yang. And now science is finally catching up.
López‑Yoldi, M., Moreno‑Azpeleta, A., Martínez, J. A., & Milagro, F. I. (2024).Effects of Hericium erinaceus and Ganoderma lucidum supplementation on gut microbiota composition and neurotrophic signaling in mice: Potential implications for mood and cognition.International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(3), 1572.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25031572PMID: 39848413
