Is lion's mane actually worth it?
Answer
There is no authorised claim, so the case rests entirely on an early research literature and a low price. At 13p a day the cost of being wrong is small, which is the whole argument.
Key takeaways
- Is there a claim?
- No authorised health claim of any kind exists for lion's mane in the UK.
- What does the research show?
- An early literature, mostly preclinical, with a small number of small human trials.
- So what is the case?
- Curiosity at a low price. Futuro Labs Lion's Mane is 13p a day, about four pounds a month.
The case against
No authorised health claim exists, for focus, memory, brain fog, nerve health or anything else. The human evidence is limited to a small number of small trials, and the category has a content problem where mycelium grown on grain gets sold by total weight.
A player expecting a noticeable effect is expecting something nobody has established. That is the honest starting position and it is stated on every lion's mane page here.
The case for
The research is real and interesting even though it is unresolved, and the price is low enough that being wrong costs very little. Futuro Labs Lion's Mane is 15.49 pounds for 120 capsules at one a day, which is 13p a day and the cheapest serving in the range.
It also states what it is: 1500mg mushroom equivalent from a 5 to 1 extract, implying about 300mg of extract, with 50 percent polyphenols and brown rice flour declared as a bulking agent. That is more specification than most of the category offers.
How to decide
If you would be disappointed by spending four pounds a month on something that turns out to do nothing, do not buy it. If you would find that an acceptable price for satisfying curiosity about a live research area, it is a defensible purchase.
What it should not be is the first supplement a player buys. Magnesium at 22p a day and omega 3 at 17p both carry authorised claims, and this one does not.
The full version
- Lion's mane for rugby playersThe full position, including how to judge it over a season.
- How to track whether a supplement is doing anythingHow to run the experiment properly if you try it.
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
Is lion's mane worth buying?
Only as curiosity at a low price. No authorised claim exists for it.
What does it cost?
13p a day, about four pounds a month.
Should it be a first purchase?
No. Magnesium and omega 3 both carry authorised claims and this does not.