What happens if you take too much lion's mane?
Answer
No upper level has been set, because lion's mane carries no authorised claim or reference value. Reported effects are mild and digestive, and a mushroom allergy is the specific thing to know about.
Key takeaways
- Is there an upper level?
- No. Upper levels are set for nutrients with reference values, and lion's mane has neither.
- What is reported?
- Mild digestive discomfort at higher intakes, and occasional skin reactions in people sensitive to mushrooms.
- What is the real caution?
- Anyone with a mushroom allergy should avoid it, and anyone on prescribed medication should ask a GP or pharmacist.
Why no ceiling exists to compare against
Upper levels and supplemental guidance figures are set for nutrients with established reference values. Magnesium has 375mg and a 400mg supplemental level. Zinc has 10mg and a 25mg level.
Lion's mane has neither, because it carries no authorised claim and is not a nutrient with a reference intake. It is an edible mushroom, eaten as food, so anyone quoting a maximum is quoting a manufacturer rather than a regulator.
What is actually reported
Mild digestive discomfort at higher intakes, which is unremarkable for a concentrated mushroom extract. Occasional skin reactions in people sensitive to mushrooms.
The specific caution worth stating is allergy. Anyone with a known mushroom allergy should avoid it, and anyone on prescribed medication should raise a new supplement with a GP or pharmacist, which applies to everything on this site.
What the number on your label probably means
Mushroom equivalent rather than extract. A product stating 4000mg is usually describing the weight of raw mushroom the extract was produced from, and the extract ratio converts it.
Futuro Labs Lion's Mane states 1500mg equivalent from a 5 to 1 extract, implying about 300mg of actual extract, at 13p a day. A larger headline figure does not mean more extract unless the ratio is stated alongside it.
The full version
- Is 4000mg of lion's mane too much?What that figure refers to and why no upper level exists.
- How to check a lion's mane extract ratioConverting a mushroom equivalent figure into actual extract.
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 there a maximum dose?
No upper level exists, because lion's mane has no authorised claim or reference value.
What is reported at higher intakes?
Mild digestive discomfort, and occasional skin reactions in people sensitive to mushrooms.
Who should avoid it?
Anyone with a mushroom allergy, and anyone on medication should ask a GP or pharmacist first.