Hericenones and Erinacines: Compounds Studied in Lion's Mane
What hericenones and erinacines are, what lab and animal studies suggest about nerve growth factor, which human trials exist, and why a label mention is not proof of benefit.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
The short answer: hericenones and erinacines are compounds studied in lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus). Most findings about them come from cells and animals. Human trials of lion's mane products exist but are few and small, and none of the sources we read shows that these compounds themselves cause a benefit in people.
What they are
A review of the lion's mane literature lists erinacines, hericerins, hericenones, resorcinols, steroids, terpenes and other compounds in fruiting bodies and mycelia, along with polysaccharides. [1] Another review calls hericenones and erinacines terpenoids. [2] Reviewers have noted that standardization and access to pure analytical standards are needed to make consistent lion's mane supplements. [3]
Traditional use and research are different things
Lion's mane is eaten in parts of Asia as a food. [1] That use is a food tradition and is not evidence that any compound works as a medicine. The rest of this page is research only.
What research shows
| Question | What the source found | Strength of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Do they affect nerve growth factor? | A cancer center says preclinical studies found hericenones and erinacines cross the blood-brain barrier and promote nerve growth factor synthesis and secretion. [4] | Preclinical (cells or animals) |
| Does erinacine A reach the brain? | In rats given a mycelium extract by mouth, erinacine A was detected in the brain, and absolute bioavailability was estimated at 24.39%. [5] In a pilot pig study, intravenous erinacine A was found in cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissue. [6] | Animal; the pig study's authors include employees of a company working with erinacine A |
| Does it help in people? | A 49-week pilot trial of erinacine A-enriched mycelium capsules in people with mild Alzheimer's disease reported higher cognitive scores than placebo. [7] A 12-week trial of supplements containing fruiting body reported improvement on one of three cognitive tests. [8] | Promising but limited; small trials |
| Is NGF the reason? | In a small 4-week trial using lion's mane cookies in 30 women, the authors suggested the results pointed to a mechanism different from NGF enhancement. [9] | Limited; very small trial |
| Do labeled amounts of these compounds predict benefit? | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for hericenone and erinacine randomized trials and found no trial that sorted participants by the amount of either compound on a label. | Insufficient evidence |
Review authors describe the clinical evidence as limited: only a small number of clinical trials have been carried out so far, and further trials are needed to prove safety and efficacy. [10] A review of erinacine-enriched mycelia noted that only erinacine A had confirmed pharmacological actions in the central nervous system, in rats. [11]
The compounds differ by material: the trials above used different products (a mycelium enriched with erinacine A, a fruiting body supplement, cookies). A result for one does not transfer to a powder, tea or extract made differently. See Fruiting Body vs Mycelium and Lion's Mane and "Nerve Growth Factor" Claims.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hericenones and erinacines?
Both are compounds listed in lion's mane reviews. [1] The sources we read describe them together in lab studies and did not give a plain-language difference beyond that.
Do they regrow nerves?
No human study we read shows that. Findings on nerve growth factor are preclinical. [4]
Does a product that lists erinacine A work better?
Proper evidence not found. One pilot trial used a mycelium enriched with erinacine A, but it did not compare it with products that had less. [7]
Are these compounds in fruiting bodies and mycelium?
Reviews report compounds of this family in both. [1][4]
Is lion's mane safe for everyone?
No. Side effects have been reported, and people on medicines or planning surgery should ask a clinician. [4][12]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
A cancer center lists abdominal discomfort, nausea and skin rash as possible side effects of lion's mane, and says it can interact with some medications. [4] In the Alzheimer's pilot trial, four participants dropped out because of abdominal discomfort, nausea and skin rash. [7] Tell your health care providers about all supplements, particularly before surgery. [12] Many supplements have not been tested in pregnant women, nursing mothers or children. [12] See Lion's Mane Side Effects and Allergy Reports and How Interactions Work. Ask a pharmacist or clinician before using lion's mane if you take medicines.
References
- Friedman M. Chemistry, nutrition, and health-promoting properties of Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane) mushroom fruiting bodies and mycelia and their bioactive compounds. J Agric Food Chem. 2015. PubMed 26244378. Read 2026-10-23.
- Contato AG, Conte-Junior CA. Lion's mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus): a neuroprotective fungus with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial potential, a narrative review. Nutrients. 2025. PubMed 40284172. Read 2026-10-23.
- Szucko-Kociuba I, Trzeciak-Ryczek A, Kupnicka P, Chlubek D. Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus. Int J Mol Sci. 2023. PubMed 37958943. Read 2026-10-23.
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Lion's Mane Mushroom: Purported Benefits, Side Effects & More. Read 2026-10-23.
- Tsai PC, Wu YK, Hu JH, et al. Preclinical bioavailability, tissue distribution, and protein binding studies of erinacine A from Hericium erinaceus mycelia. Molecules. 2021. PubMed 34361662. Read 2026-10-23.
- Chen YY, Lin TW, Li IC, et al. A pilot pharmacokinetic and metabolite identification study of erinacine A in a single landrace pig model. Heliyon. 2024. Some authors report employment with a company, as the paper states. PubMed 39315194. Read 2026-10-23.
- Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, et al. Prevention of early Alzheimer's disease by erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelia: pilot double-blind placebo-controlled study. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020. Several authors are affiliated with a biotech company. PubMed 32581767. Read 2026-10-23.
- Saitsu Y, Nishide A, Kikushima K, Shimizu K, Ohnuki K. Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomed Res. 2019. PubMed 31413233. Read 2026-10-23.
- Nagano M, Shimizu K, Kondo R, et al. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomed Res. 2010. PubMed 20834180. Read 2026-10-23.
- Brandalise F, Roda E, Ratto D, et al. Hericium erinaceus in neurodegenerative diseases: from bench to bedside and beyond, how far from the shoreline? J Fungi. 2023. PubMed 37233262. Read 2026-10-23.
- Li IC, Lee LY, Tzeng TT, et al. Neurohealth properties of Hericium erinaceus mycelia enriched with erinacines. Behav Neurol. 2018. PubMed 29951133. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NIH). Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Read 2026-10-23.