Does Lion's Mane Interact with Medications?
Lion’s Mane is the talk of the town - and it’s not surprising! This wonder-shroom can do some incredible things. From improving your mood and balancing your hormones to protecting your brain and fighting the symptoms of anxiety and depression, Lion’s Mane offers a wide range of benefits.
You want to feel better and unlock your full potential, but is Lion’s Mane safe to take? All in all, Lion’s Mane is very safe to take for most people - but who is it not right for? That’s what we’ll be exploring in this blog post. Read on to learn more about Lion’s Mane contraindications, and who it might not be suitable for.
What is Lion’s Mane?
Lion's Mane, scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, is a type of mushroom with a range of potential health benefits. It is a nutritional powerhouse with the ability to change your health, happiness, immunity and neural brain wiring. This is why it has been used for years in traditional Chinese medicine.
It has a distinct appearance - it looks like the mane of a lion - hence the name ‘Lion’s Mane’. This mushroom is valued for its potential health benefits, particularly for cognitive function.
Some potential effects of Lion’s Mane include:
- Boosts cognitive function
- Neuroprotective properties
- Helps to regulate mood
- Improves digestive health
- Boosts immune system
The active compounds found in its fruiting body may promote the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which is vital for the growth and maintenance of neurons. Lion's Mane supplements may potentially support memory, focus, and overall cognitive function.
Lion’s Mane and Diabetes Medication
If you have diabetes, consider talking to your GP before picking up the Lion’s Mane. As well as lowering your blood clotting ability, this blood sugar champion also reduces your blood glucose levels.
Normally, this can be a bonus to keep your blood sugars levelled out. But it can be tricky if you have diabetes. While there haven’t been any studies done yet on humans with diabetes, Lion’s Mane has been shown to have antihyperglycemic effects in animal studies.
So, if you’re on any of these medications for diabetes, it’s worth consulting a medical professional first in case of potential Lion’s Mane interactions:
- Insulin
- Metformin
- Glimepiride
- Invokana
Lion’s Mane and Blood Pressure Medication
Lion’s Mane has the power to potentially lower your blood pressure. This is good news if you think you have issues with high blood pressure.
However, if you’re already on blood pressure medication you should proceed with your mushroom supplements with caution. After all, you don’t want to go too far the other way and reduce your blood pressure by too much!
Be careful if you’re on any of the blood pressure medications like:
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Diuretics
- Renin-inhibitors
You should also be cautious if you’re dealing with heart disease. Lion’s Mane is good at preventing heart disease by preventing oxidation of cholesterol in arteries, but if you’re on blood-clotting or antidiabetic medicines then you’re better off letting your doctor know you intend to take Lion’s Mane beforehand.
Lion’s Mane and Blood Thinners
Are you on antiplatelet medications? Well, you may need to check in with your doctor before trying out Lion’s Mane in case of potential interactions.
Antiplatelet drugs are used to have a similar effect to blood thinners, and they’re usually prescribed to slow down the ability to make blood clots.
Generally speaking, if you’re on blood thinners, you’ll need to consult with your doctors before starting any new supplements, just to be safe.
The most likely people to need these medications are people at risk of stroke or heart disease. Some of the medications that Lion’s Mane might interact with are:
- Acetylsalicylic acid (Aspirin, Novasen, Entrophen, etc.)
- Clopidogrel
- Ticagrelor
- Prasugrel
Lion’s Mane and Immunosuppressants
Immune disorder warriors, we see you out there. As you might have guessed from our previous blogs, Lion’s Mane is a powerful immune booster. It contains bioactive compounds that give your immune system a kick.
But there’s one drawback. If you’re taking immunosuppressants, you might want to put a pause on the mushrooms until you have some professional advice.
Lion’s Mane could interact with your medications, stopping them from doing their job. This is especially important to note if you've had an organ transplant or immune system dysfunction.
So keep the balance just right and talk to your doctor if you’re on any of the following meds:
- Cyclosporine
- Tacrolimus
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- Azathioprine
- Prednisone
- Belatacept
- Sirolimus
- Everolimus
Who Should Not Take Lion’s Mane?
Although Lion’s Mane is generally safe, it may not be the best choice for everyone - if you have a blood clotting disorder, you’re allergic to mushrooms or you’re pregnant, you should proceed with caution.
If You Have a Blood-Clotting Disorder
If you’re a bleeder, watch out for Lion’s Mane. This smart shroom is great at a lot of things, one of which is putting a pause on blood clotting. By itself, this usually isn’t a problem for most people as the effects are minimal.
However, if you have a blood clotting disorder, you could be increasing your risk of bleeding. Stay on the safe side if you’re getting ready for surgery too, as you don’t want anything interfering with your body’s clotting mojo in that situation.
The latest research is showing us that Lion’s Mane is very good at preventing something called collagen-induced platelet aggregation. This is a reaction responsible for blood clotting.
Since Lion’s Mane can slow down your body’s ability to make blood clots, it can impact the way you can heal. This means you’re better off hedging your blood-clotting bets and letting your doctor know if you’re considering a new supplement.
Mushroom Allergies
Believe it or not, some unlucky folks suffer from mushroom allergies. That means they’re sensitive or allergic to many or all types of shrooms - and could be allergic to Lion’s Mane.
If you know you’re allergic to fungi, yeast or mould, you might want to take Hericium Erinaceus with caution.
Some signs you may be allergic to mushrooms include:
- Skin rashes or hives
- Runny nose and watery eyes
- Swelling of the mouth, lips, or throat
- Nausea, vomiting, and persistent diarrhoea
- Worsening asthma symptoms
If you do experience these symptoms, stop taking Lion’s Mane immediately and consult with a medical professional to be safe.
Lion’s Mane and Pregnancy
Pregnancy can be a grey area when it comes to supplements such as Lion’s Mane. As a general rule, most studies won’t test supplements - even usually safe ones - on pregnant people. This is because they just don’t want to take any risks, even little ones, that could harm, well, little ones.
That means generally speaking - if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it’s best to check with your doctor before taking Lion’s Mane.
There simply isn’t enough information out there to make a safe and informed decision on your own. With that in mind, it’s always a good idea to check in with your doctor before taking any supplements if you’re pregnant. It’s best to stay on the side of caution - at least until you’re not sharing your body with anyone else!
So, Should You Take Lion’s Mane?
Studies are showing us every day that Lion’s Mane is a safe and extremely helpful little shroom supplement.
It can boost your immune responses, lower blood sugars and protect your brain. But if you’re on any prescription medications, if you’re pregnant or if you have an existing health condition, it’s always best to ask your doctor first.
If that doesn’t sound like you and you want to find out the many powers of Lion’s Mane, check out our high-quality Lion’s Mane capsules!
Our Lion’s Mane capsules are organic, vegan, and 100% filler-free - just as nature intended. 100% pure. 100% power. You know exactly what you’re getting when you buy from TwentyTwo - so reap the benefits of the wonder shroom today!
Lion's Mane Contraindications FAQ’s:
Can You Take Lion’s Mane with Antidepressants?
In short, yes - it’s usually safe to take Lion’s Mane with antidepressants. There is no evidence to suggest that Lion’s Mane and sertraline, fluoxetine and other medications for depression and anxiety pose any risk.
That being said, be sure to consult your healthcare provider before taking Lion's Mane alongside sertraline or any antidepressant.
Can You Take Lion’s Mane If You’re on Birth Control?
Yes - there are no known interactions between Lion's Mane mushroom supplements and birth control pills.
Can You Take Lion’s Mane If You’re on Antibiotics?
You can generally take Lion's Mane mushroom supplements while taking antibiotics. However, it's wise to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure there are no potential interactions with your specific antibiotics or health conditions.
