Improvement after a supplement is not the same as a comparative result
Start with the comparison. A before-and-after change alone cannot isolate the contribution of an ingredient.
Lion's Mane
Cognition
Studies with an unspecified organism reported a change with no confirmed comparison group in cognitive function.
combination-ingredient studies · Scope not specified · Individual ingredient effects cannot be separated · Population not specified · comparator not confirmed
Publications for this result: 2
Other outcomes and study details
Distinct publications linked to this topic: 6
- Study conditions differ; results are shown descriptively and are not pooled.
- Combination, formula, or class studies do not isolate this ingredient or establish synergy.
What has been studied?
Distinct human comparison papers: 0
Some studies tested several ingredients together. Those results cannot show this ingredient’s separate effect or establish synergy.
cognitive function
Research with unclear study subject or type
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.Combination study
Measurement and study conditions
- Review
- Review
- Ingredient combination
- Unspecified population
- Outcome role not specified
- Study subject not identified
- Timepoint: unspecified
- Study comparison: unspecified
- A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.General population · varied
Measurement and study conditions
- Review
- Systematic review
- Unknown intervention
- General population
- Outcome role not specified
- Study subject not identified
- Timepoint: varied
- Study comparison: Review-level synthesis of varied mushroom interventions and dietary patterns
spatial memory
Animal and cell research · indirect evidence
- A change was reported in animal or cell research.General population · Single ingredient · Two months.
Measurement and study conditions
- Animal study · indirect
- Single ingredient
- General population
- Primary outcome
- Comparison unclear
- Animal or cell research
- Timepoint: Two months.
- Study comparison: Abstract reports no spatial-memory effect; explicit comparator details are not stated.
This result is held for interpretation. That does not mean research found no effect.
Outcome groups needing additional review (2)
- global cognitive function · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
- Mini-Mental State Examination scores · Distinct papers needing additional review: 1Evidence criteria check: 1
One paper can appear under multiple measured outcomes or review reasons, so these counts should not be added together.
Research topics to explore
Research topics to explore
Review findings reported in each research area.
Topics with more linked papers appear first.
- View results
Stress and mood
Related papers 7 · comparison findings need further review
- anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects · Animal or cell research · Comparison details unconfirmed
- anxious · Interpretation held
More outcome groups: 5
- View selected result
Cognition
Related papers 6 · comparison findings need further review
- View results
Immune and respiratory health
Related papers 4 · comparison findings need further review
- anti-inflammatory · Comparison details unconfirmed
- expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β · Interpretation held
More outcome groups: 2
- View results
Digestion and gut health
Related papers 3 · comparison findings need further review
- abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria · Interpretation held
- Daily bowel movements · Some studies used more than one ingredient · Some studies included patients or people with a deficiency · Comparison details unconfirmed
More outcome groups: 2
- View results
Blood lipids
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
- oxidation of human LDL · Interpretation held
- View results
Bone, joint, and mobility
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
- bone pain · Interpretation held
- OA progression · Interpretation held
- View results
Migraine and pain
Related papers 1 · comparison findings need further review
Data coverage and detailed study classifications
Paper counts are separated by research topic below. One paper may contribute to multiple findings.
Analysis status: Public-ready
Ingredient analysis date:
How the grade was determined: C
The 21.6 evidence score includes 1 independent human studies and 1 clinical studies in the representative benefit area. The C tier remains conservative because of limited repetition across independent human clinical studies, too few clinical findings with an explicit effect direction.
The grade is based mainly on the research area with the most evidence. It does not mean the same result was found in other areas.
Papers linked to this ingredient overall: 90
Papers linked to this topic 6 · distinct papers 6 · comparison findings need further review · papers needing additional review 3
Ingredient-wide papers, topic-linked papers, and sources in outcome groups use different scopes. Adding source counts may count the same paper more than once.
- cognitive function: Sources represented in this measurement group: 2 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- global cognitive function: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- Mini-Mental State Examination scores: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
- spatial memory: Sources represented in this measurement group: 1 · Distinct papers with human comparisons for this outcome: 0
Stress and mood
What the research found
mood
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Unknown intervention · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects
A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Animal study · indirect · Single ingredient · General population
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
anxious
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Patient group
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
depressive-like behavior
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Animal study · indirect · Ingredient combination · Patient group
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
open arms of the elevated zero maze (EZM)
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Animal study · indirect · Single ingredient · General population
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
subjective stress
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
symptoms of depression, anxiety
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Cognition
What the research found
cognitive function
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Ingredient combination · Unspecified population
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
cognitive function
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Unknown intervention · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
spatial memory
A change was reported in animal or cell research.
Animal study · indirect · Single ingredient · General population
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
global cognitive function
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · General population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Mini-Mental State Examination scores
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Controlled study in people · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
Between-group comparison
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Immune and respiratory health
What the research found
anti-inflammatory
A change was reported, but the comparison could not be confirmed.
Review · Unknown intervention · General population
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
expression of inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Cell study · indirect · Separable contribution · General population
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
proliferation of lymphocytes
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Cell study · indirect · Separable contribution · General population
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
reducing inflammation
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Other evidence · Single ingredient · Patient group
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Digestion and gut health
What the research found
Daily bowel movements
An association was observed. This does not establish that the ingredient caused the change.
Observational study · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
intestinal barrier integrity
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
modulation of gut microbiota
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Blood lipids
What the research found
oxidation of human LDL
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Cell study · indirect · Unknown intervention · Unspecified population
This finding comes from animal or cell research. It does not establish the same effect in people.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Bone, joint, and mobility
What the research found
bone pain
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Other evidence · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
OA progression
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Other evidence · Ingredient combination · Patient group
Several ingredients were used together. This does not establish the effect of this ingredient alone or synergy.
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
Migraine and pain
What the research found
Unspecified measured outcome
The study needs further checking before its result can be interpreted.
Review · Single ingredient · Unspecified population
The comparison could not be confirmed.
Analysis coverage and paper counts
1 paper · 1 measured outcome
1 papers held from direction counts
Review overlap with primary papers is unknown; counts stay separate.
Direction counts are distinct papers within each row. Outcome contributions count endpoint results, so one paper may contribute more than once.
How to read research findings
How should I read research findings?
Research guidesNo clear difference and an uninterpretable result are different
A reported null comparison contains a result. An abstract without an interpretable comparison leaves a question unresolved.
Paper counts and study counts are different
Count original research separately from research that reanalyzes it. Publication volume is neither replication nor a quality rating.
Side effects and combination findings
Findings from this ingredient alone are shown separately from those involving another supplement or medication.
Caution findings
2
Findings from individual and combined use, plus reviewed cautions
Key precautions
No reviewed caution rules are available yet. Reported caution findings are shown below.
These findings were reported in studies. They do not predict an individual's experience.
Findings to review with care
Side effects reported for the ingredient alone are separated from findings involving another supplement or medication.
Side effects reported with this ingredient alone
Symptoms or adverse events reported in studies without another active ingredient.
gastrointestinal disturbance1 papers
Hericium erinaceus is well tolerated, with gastrointestinal disturbance being the most common adverse effect.Human studies · Systematic reviewGastrointestinal discomfort, headache, allergic reactions1 papers
Review notes potential side effects of Hericium erinaceus include stomach discomfort, headache, and allergic reactions, though commonly unreported.Human studies · Systematic review