Host Defense Lion’s Mane Review Summary
Host Defense Lion’s Mane is not a bad Lion’s mane supplement. It delivers a significant dose of Lion’s mane mushroom in every serving: 1g to be exact. This is a very large dose of Lion’s Mane, arguably too large! All of the clinical trials looking at Lion’s mane have reported great results from using 250mg to 500mg. More than 500mg seems pointless. This is also far from a comprehensive mushroom supplement. For maximum benefit when using medicinal mushroom supplements, use one that mixes multiple species with different but complimentary benefits.
Host Defense Lion’s Mane Review: What is this Lion’s Mane supplement?
Host Defense Lion’s Mane is one of the most popular lion’s mane mushroom supplements on the market. It is usually seen as the gold standard of lion’s mane mushroom supplements. Host Defense make a range of supplements focusing on leading medicinal mushrooms, including reishi drops and turkey tail mushroom capsules.
According to the official website, Host Defense Lion’s Mane can:
- Promotes mental clarity, focus and memory
- Supports nervous system health and development
- Optimizes immune system health
- Supports all-round cognitive function
The reason why Host Defense claim that their Lion’s Mane Mushroom capsules are superior to others on the market is that Host Defense exclusively use mushroom mycelium, the vegetative substrate that mushrooms grow on.
So is Host Defense Lion’s Mane really the best lion’s mane supplement out there? Is it a good medicinal mushroom supplement? Is it safe? Is it worth the money? Does Host Defense help memory and focus? Read our Host Defense Lion’s Mane review below and find out!
Host Defense Lion’s Mane Ingredients
What is in Host Defense Lion’s Mane exactly? That is the one question that every review needs to focus on, as it is the ingredients which dictate how effective a nootropic supplement is, even when it just has one ingredient!
Here is the Host Defense Lion’s Mane ingredients list:
As you can see, Host Defense Lion’s Mane is exactly what it says on the label: Lion’s Mane Mushroom. One gram of it to be exact. This is an excellent dose of lion’s mane. Most clinical trials showing major benefits from lion’s mane mushroom supplementation use between 500mg and 1g per day.
However, there is a potential issue with Host Defense Lion’s Mane. Unlike most lion’s mane supplements , Host Defense includes the mushroom mycelium rather than just the fruit body.
This is a problem because it is the fruit body of lion’s mane mushrooms which contain the greatest abundance of compounds known to enhance cognition, immune system function, and mood.
That said, Host Defense Lion’s Mane definitely contains a significant quantity of the polysaccharides known to produce the benefits of lion’s mane supplementation.
So what is so special about Lion’s Mane? What does it do, how does it work, and is it worth taking?
Is Lion’s Mane worth taking?
Yes Lion’s Mane is definitely worth taking. Extensive research has found that lion’s mane may reduce the risk of developing dementia, reduce mild symptoms of anxiety and depression, and help repair nerve damage. Lion’s mane mushroom also has strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune-boosting properties and been shown to lower the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes in animals. As it is very safe, Lion’s Mane is definitely worth taking regularly.
But how does Lion’s Mane work exactly? Specifically, what does it do in the body to enhance memory, focus and learning?
How does Lion’s Mane work for memory and focus?
Lion’s mane mushroom is a totally unique nootropic in terms of how it works.
In simple terms, lion’s mane consumption increases the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain. NGF is a neurotrophic factor, which means it controls the growth of nerve cells in the brain.
Increasing NGF levels in the brain effectively increases the growth and maintenance of neurons and related structures such as dendrites and synapses. More neurons – and better maintained neurons – means more raw brainpower, more effective working memory, better overall cognitive function.
One of the main benefits of taking lion’s mane mushroom is that increasing neuron growth and promoting more efficient neuron maintenance has lasting, long-term effects. This is why lion’s mane mushroom extracts are used in all of the best nootropic stacks on sale today.
Host Defense Lion’s Mane Side Effects
As mentioned above, one of the biggest benefits of lion’s mane mushroom supplements is that this medicinal mushroom is not associated with any side effects whatsoever. Nor does lion’s mane mushroom appear to pose any long-term health risks.
Remember that this mushroom is actually eaten on a fairly regular basis in China and the surrounding area. You are therefore unlikely to experience side effects when consuming a full spectrum fruit body extract in doses of 500-1000mg.
More importantly, dozens of clinical trials have looked at lion’s mane mushroom supplementation and not one has reported significant side effects or health risks. Lion’s mane studies have typically lasted 28 days, although ther eis no reason to think that longer-term use is dangerous.
We can therefore say with some confidence that Host Defense Lion’s Mane is a safe supplement to take on a regular basis.You are unlikely to experience any side effects while using Host Defense Lion’s Mane.
This is not medical advice. We are not doctors. You must do your own research carefully before using any lion’s mane supplements, including Host Defense Lion’s Mane. While you are unlikely to experience Host Defense side effects, they can happen. If you do experience Host Defense side effects, stop using it and seek medical attention.
How to take Host Defense Lion’s Mane
Host Defense advise taking 1 mL (approximately 45 drops) of their Lion’s Mane extract drops twice per day. At this rate of use, a 1oz bottle will last approximately 15 days, a 2oz bottle will last approximately 30 days and a 4oz bottle will last approximately 60 days.
If taking Host Defense Lion’s Mane capsules, you are recommended to take 2 capsules once per day. Host Defense Lion’s Mane capsules can be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
As with all lion’s mane supplements, it is best to take Host Defense Lion’s Mane on a daily basis for long periods of time. This produces the most significant benefits and ensures that higher levels of NGF have a chance to promote optimal neuron health and increased neuron density.
How much does Host Defense Lion’s Mane cost?
Host Defense Lion’s Mane capsules cost $19.95 per box. Each box contains 30 capsules, so at a 2 capsule a day serving each box will last you 15 days. You can buy a box of 60 capsules, which is $31.95, or 120 capsules which is $59.95.
This works out at between $1.06 and $1.30 per day, depending on which deal you take.
Is this lion’s mane supplement worth that kind of money?
Host Defense Lion’s Mane is certainly a high quality lion’s mane supplement. However, for around $1.30 per day you can actually get a very powerful, comprehensive nootropic stack which enhances every aspect of your cognitive performance and promotes brain health in several different ways. The best nootropics will provide a good serving of lion’s mane as well as a range of other potent, proven brain enhancers. Why would you pay a similar price for a supplement that contains just one ingredient?
User Reviews: Is Host Defense Lion’s Mane any good?
It’s always worth looking at user reviews before buying a nootropic. While user reviews and complaints are not always 100% fair or honest, they do give you a good idea of whether or not a supplement is legit or a scam.
Here are some Host Defense Lion’s Mane reviews taken from Amazon:
Host Defense Lion’s Mane Review Conclusion: Is it legit?
Is Host Defense Lion’s Mane legit?
The answer is yes. Host Defense Lion’s Mane looks legit. Host Defense Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules reviews are largely positive; over 80% are 5-star. Users seem to have a lot of respect for Host Defense’s products and research. The negative reviews claim the product is not what it says it is and provides no effect at all, but these reviews are in the minority.
But is it the best lion’s mane mushroom supplement on the market today?
Not even close.
For the price of Host Defense Lion’s Mane you can get a comprehensive nootropic supplement which provides a good dose of highly bioavailable lion’s mane extract as well as several other proven natural nootropics known to support brain cell health, memory, focus, and mental energy. There are some supplements which couple lion’s mane with nutraceuticals known to both enhance cognitive function and promote immune system function.
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Brian Johnson is current Editor of Vagarights.com and a long-time writer for VAGA. A former psychologist, Brian is passionate about improving mental health and finding ways to stave off cognitive decline. He is an expert on nootropics, cognitive enhancement and biohacking more broadly. You can see his work on Google scholar.
Kathie Schrieber says
Thank you for the review but as someone who has severe nerve damage from an accident years ago., as well as being on long term pain meds. This is really a concern of mine and I am trying to come up with some vitamins that could help me.
You say they’re are better one’s but don’t list them🤷♀️. Could you please recommend which one & why?
Marilyn says
The fruit body is known to have the opposite effect to the brain as the erinaceous. I have experienced that opposite effect ( total brain fog) when taking the fruit body powder. So Host Defense worked beautifully for my brain…..