Chaga offers more support in terms of overall physical health, namely supporting immunity, digestion, and a healthy stress response. Lion's mane offers immune support as well, however, it's main benefits center around improving mood, focus, and productivity, as well as supporting nerve health.
While lion's mane reduces mental and nervous system inflammation, cordyceps functions as a physical anti-inflammatory on several levels.
They are also known as medicinal mushrooms. Lion's mane mushroom has a deep red cap and grows up to 20 cm in diameter. It has a strong odor and a very pungent taste. Chaga mushrooms have a white or light-brown cap, with a dark brownish-gray or black stem and a white, cream-colored, or tan gills.
People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid lion's mane, because there isn't enough safety information available yet, Delk says. In addition, lion's mane may slow blood clotting. This may cause excessive bleeding or increase your chances of bleeding, especially if you have a clotting disorder.
People use lion's mane mushroom for Alzheimer disease, dementia, stomach problems, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
These three are a great combination, as each one serves quite a different purpose. Lion's Mane is great for supporting cognitive health, Ashwagandha is an amazing adaptogen that may support stress and restful sleep, and the Triphala Transcendent Elixir is a digestion tonic.
Chaga's antioxidant properties may help combat oxidation and lower blood pressure. In addition to regulating the immune system, the types of beta-D-glucans found in chaga have also been shown to help lower blood sugar levels.
Health Risks
Consuming chaga could cause hypoglycemia, or a serious drop in blood sugar. Chaga may also interfere with blood clotting. Therefore, those with bleeding disorders should avoid it, and anyone taking blood thinning medication should use it with caution.
May help to manage anxiety and depression symptoms
Studies have shown that Lion's Mane works in the brain to modulate neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin – the “feel good chemicals” which are released when we feel happiness.
Chaga and Lion's Mane are functional mushrooms, meaning they're natural, edible, and can provide benefits beyond simple nutritional support. While many people opt to take one or the other, it's perfectly fine to take both together.
Can You Take Lion's Mane and Chaga Together? To get the combined nootropic and adaptogenic benefits of lion's mane and chaga, you can take both of them together.
To choose between Chaga and Reishi mushrooms, it's important to consider individual health goals and needs. For example, someone looking to boost their immune system may benefit more from Chaga mushrooms, while someone looking for stress relief may benefit more from Reishi mushrooms.
Lion's mane can be taken up to three times per day, though it is not recommended to exceed this limit. Daily dosages of 250mg to 750mg have also been shown to be effective. We recommend mixing one scoop of lion's mane powdered mix into your tea or coffee, once a day for a two week period.
Depending on your biochemistry, you may feel energizing or anxiolytic effects of lion's mane after just a couple of days. Many users report decreased anxiety and increased mental clarity after 2-5 days of use. Depending, of course, on the dosage.
Even if you're taking high doses of lion's mane, you won't experience any side effects or withdrawal symptoms once you stop taking it, although you'll also stop reaping its benefits.
Lion's Mane supplements have been found to increase levels in both depression and stress hormones like cortisol, while also reducing symptoms associated with mood disorders.
The websites we reviewed, which touted the shaggy white mushroom, acknowledged the dearth of published research studies examining the use of lion's mane for ADHD. No research shows that it impacts the production or transmission of dopamine, the primary neurotransmitter involved in ADHD.
Does Lion's Mane Help with Hair Loss? Lion's mane mushrooms may reduce hair loss through the effects they have on hormones. Adaptogenic mushrooms, including lion's mane, are hormone stabilizers.
Chaga Warnings & potential Chaga Danger
Chaga is rich natural minerals like potassium and magnesium which is naturally excreted from the body via the kidneys and liver. Consistent over consumption of Chaga nutrients may overburden the kidneys and may lead to kidney or liver damage and/or disease.
With it's adaptogenic properties, Chaga helps your body adapt to stress and calm down after a long day. This is why it is the perfect beverage to have before going to bed at night to ensure you get a great sleep and are well rested for the next day.
Scientific studies show that Lion's Mane, Reishi and Chaga mushroom are the three most effective medicinal mushrooms for brain health. They help protect the brain from neurodegeneration, boost cognitive function scale, improve memory, mood, focus and concentration, and support diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
Research suggests that Chaga may help reduce inflammation and anxiety, while also improving the health of the adrenal glands, which may potentially decrease fatigue.
Whether it's made from raw chaga or a chaga powder, you will only get the benefits of water-soluble chaga compounds by drinking it in tea form. You will reap more benefits by taking a chaga extract that's made with a dual extraction method (such as the one we use).
Chaga mushroom for thyroid issues
One of its main functions is to produce hormones which help to regulate the body's metabolism, known as 'triiodothyronine' and 'thyroxine'.