Frontier mental health research: psychedelics & drug studies

Each month our editorial team sifts through hundreds of papers and curates notable findings—for practitioners and informed readers who want to stay current with the evidence. Subscribe to the monthly Research Digest for expert analysis and concise summaries of key papers.

2 papers

Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake

Mayumi Nagano, Kuniyoshi Shimizu, Ryuichiro Kondo, Chickako Hayashi, Daigo SATO, Katsuyuki Kitagawa, et al.
Biomedical Research Summary & key facts 2010 117 citations

In a small, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 30 women ate Hericium erinaceus (HE) cookies or placebo cookies for 4 weeks. After HE intake, overall depression scores (CES-D) and scores for vague or indefinite complaints (ICI) were significantly lower than before. Two specific ICI items, written as "insentive" and "palpitatio," were lower…

Fungal Biology and Applications Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds

Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study

Surendran, Geyan, Saye, Jake, Binti Mohd Jalil, Syahira, et al.
www.frontiersin.org Summary & key facts 2025 4 citations

This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study tested a single (acute) dose of a standardized extract from the Lion’s Mane mushroom (fruiting body) in healthy younger adults. The study did not find a clear overall benefit for thinking skills or mood compared with placebo. The authors say any small benefits might only…

Fungal Biology and Applications Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds
Summaries and links are for general information and education only. They are not a substitute for reading the original publication or for professional medical, legal, or other advice. Always refer to the linked source for the full study.