How long before lion's mane does anything?
Answer
No effect is established, so no timescale exists. The human research that does exist runs over weeks rather than days, which is the nearest thing to an answer.
Key takeaways
- Is there a timescale?
- No effect is established, so no timescale can be given honestly.
- What does the research use?
- Human studies run over weeks rather than measuring anything within hours or days.
- How should someone judge it?
- Pick one measurable thing before starting, give it weeks, and change nothing else at the same time.
The honest answer
Lion's mane carries no authorised health claim in the UK, for focus, memory, concentration or anything else. Without an established effect there is no timescale for it to appear on.
That is unsatisfying and it is more useful than a number invented for the purpose. Any site quoting two weeks or four weeks is quoting a manufacturer rather than a regulator or a finding.
What the research timescale looks like
The literature on Hericium erinaceus is mostly preclinical, with a small number of small human trials. Where human studies exist they run over weeks, which suggests that if anything is happening it is not happening in days.
So a player trying it should think in weeks rather than days, and should expect that a single person over one season cannot separate a small effect from an ordinary good fortnight.
How to run it properly if you try
Pick one measurable thing before starting and write it down on the day rather than recalling it later. Give it four to eight weeks. Change nothing else at the same time, which is the part everyone gets wrong in January.
Futuro Labs Lion's Mane is 13p a day, about four pounds a month, which makes it a cheap experiment to run and a cheap one to conclude was pointless.
The full version
- How to track whether a supplement is doing anythingThe method, and why most self assessments are worthless.
- Lion's mane for rugby playersThe claim position in full.
The product
Futuro Labs Lion's Mane
Futuro Labs Lion's Mane is the 1500mg mushroom equivalent one at 13p a day, from a 5 to 1 extract in a vegan capsule, UK made and GMP certified. It carries no authorised health claim.
- 1500mg mushroom equivalent, 5:1 extract
- 50% polyphenols, bulking agent declared
- Vegan capsule, UK made to GMP
- No authorised health claim exists
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
How long until I feel something?
No effect is established, so no timescale can be given.
What do the studies use?
Weeks rather than days, in a small number of small human trials.
How should I judge it?
One measurable thing, recorded on the day, over four to eight weeks, with nothing else changed.