If you’re deciding between lion’s mane and cordyceps, the short answer is that they are two different mushrooms studied for different goals. Lion’s mane has been studied for thinking speed and stress, in small trials. Cordyceps has been studied for exercise and energy, with findings that vary by product, population and outcome.
Disclosure: To be upfront, this site is under common ownership with Pilly Labs. We mention it so you can factor it in.
What have lion’s mane and cordyceps actually been studied for?
Pilly Labs is owned by the publisher of this page. Pilly’s labels are used below as examples of what a real label lists, and you can read any brand’s label the same way.
A 2023 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot in 41 healthy adults aged 18 to 45 gave one group 1.8 g of Hericium erinaceus (lion’s mane). Participants were quicker on a Stroop task 60 minutes after a single dose. There was also a trend toward reduced subjective stress after 28 days (p = 0.051). The authors say the small sample means the findings should be interpreted with caution. This study is listed on PubMed.
A 2025 narrative review in Nutrients says lion’s mane’s potential is promising but that clinical validation remains limited. Its authors call for large-scale clinical trials. You can read it on PubMed.
Cordyceps has been studied for exercise and energy in randomized trials and in a 2025 meta-analysis. Some exercise endpoints have been studied, and findings vary across products, populations and outcomes.
| Question | Lion’s mane | Cordyceps |
|---|---|---|
| Main areas studied | Thinking speed and stress | Exercise and energy |
| Research cited here | A 2023 randomized pilot in 41 adults; a 2025 narrative review | Randomized trials and a 2025 meta-analysis |
| What the research says | Clinical validation remains limited (2025 review) | Findings vary across products, populations and outcomes |
| Pilly label wording | Adaptogen Vitality Gummies label (lion’s mane, reishi and cordyceps, amounts not disclosed): “Helps maintain normal cognitive function*”; this is not a finding about lion’s mane | Cordyceps Energy Gummies page: Pilly describes its role as “cellular energy support” |
For a wider look at focus and energy, see Top Nutrients to Support Brain Health and Improve Focus and the ultimate checklist.
Can you mix cordyceps and lion’s mane?
Some products list both mushrooms in one formula, and that is the part to check. Pilly’s Mushroom Energy & Cognition Drops list 100 mg of Cordyceps extract and 100 mg of lion’s mane extract per 1 mL dropper. Nothing in the studies cited here tests the two together, so whether combining them is beneficial or safe is unknown.
If you take more than one product, total the milligrams from every label you use each day. Whether the combination suits you is a question for a pharmacist or clinician, especially if you take medication.
Which is better, cordyceps militaris or sinensis?
Pilly’s Adaptogen Immunity Drops label names Cordyceps militaris extract. The Cordyceps Energy Gummies label names only “Cordyceps Mushroom Extract,” with no species. There is no clear winner between the two species to name here. Let the label decide what you’re buying: check which species is named, and if it isn’t named, ask the company before you order.
What are the benefits of lion’s mane supplements?
The benefits people look for are the ones the research above covers: thinking speed and subjective stress. The 2023 pilot found a quicker Stroop result after one dose and a trend in stress scores after 28 days, and it used 1.8 g of the mushroom, not a gummy-sized amount.
The Cleveland Clinic overview puts it this way: lion’s mane “may promote a healthy brain, heart and gut, but more research is needed to say for sure.” Pilly’s Adaptogen Vitality Gummies label says “Helps maintain normal cognitive function*.” That is the maker’s own wording, not a finding from a study of that product.
Is there a downside to lion’s mane, and why do I feel weird after taking it?
The 2015 review on PubMed is an overview of the literature, not a side-effect study, and it lists a long set of reported properties. Pilly’s gummy pages say “use only as directed.” If you notice a new feeling after a dose, talk to a clinician, and note the product name and lot number.
Is lion’s mane hard on your liver?
The 2015 review’s abstract lists “hepatoprotective” among the properties reported in studies. That is a reported property, not a liver safety finding. If liver health is a concern for you, ask a clinician before you start a new supplement.
What do the labels say about who should avoid these products?
Cleveland Clinic notes lion’s mane seems safe unless you are allergic to mushrooms, and it recommends talking to a healthcare provider first. For interactions, ask a pharmacist or clinician. The table below lists cautions printed on specific Pilly products and ingredients, not on lion’s mane itself. Read them as label cautions and check them against your own situation.
| Who or what | What the source says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnant or nursing, taking medication, or living with a medical condition | Ask a healthcare professional first | Pilly Mushroom Gummies page |
| Anticoagulant, blood-thinning or blood-sugar medication | Ask a healthcare professional first | Pilly Mushroom Gummies page |
| History of kidney stones or oxalate-related conditions | Chaga contains oxalates; ask first | Pilly Mushroom Gummies page |
| Under 18, or a known mushroom allergy | Ask first | Pilly Mushroom Gummies page |
| Blood pressure concerns, blood sugar conditions, seizure disorders | Consult your healthcare provider before use | Cordyceps Energy Gummies page |
| Immunosuppressant medications | Consult your physician before use | Adaptogen Immunity Drops page |
| Ginkgo leaf extract (25 mg in Cordyceps Energy Gummies) | Bleeding and drug-interaction concerns matter | NCCIH ginkgo summary |
| Valerian and passionflower (Reishi Relax Gummies) | May cause drowsiness | Reishi Relax Gummies page |
For blood thinners and blood-sugar medication, start with the Pilly list above and ask a pharmacist before combining anything.
What does Mayo Clinic say about lion’s mane?
Mayo Clinic’s own wording is on mayoclinic.org. Search that site for lion’s mane to read it directly.
Which should you pick: lion’s mane or cordyceps?
Pick by goal, then check the label. Lion’s mane has been studied in small trials for task speed and subjective stress, with limited clinical validation. That does not show a retail product will help with focus, memory or mood. Cordyceps has been studied for exercise and energy, with findings that vary. For a cordyceps-led gummy, the Cordyceps Energy Gummies label lists 200 mg of Cordyceps extract, plus 25 mg each of ginkgo leaf extract, GABA, L-glutamine and DMAE, with one gummy per serving and 30 servings per container. For a liquid that includes lion’s mane, Pilly’s Energy & Cognition Drops list 500 mcg of B12 and 100 mg each of Cordyceps and lion’s mane extracts per 1 mL.
What does a bottle cost, and how do refunds work?
Prices as of September 17, 2026; check the checkout for today’s price.
| Product | Price shown | Serving and supply | What the label lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps Energy Gummies | $47.99 one-time | 1 gummy per serving, 30 servings | Cordyceps 200 mg; four 25 mg ingredients |
| Mushroom Energy & Cognition Drops | $47.99 one-time | 1 mL dropper, 30 servings | B12 500 mcg; Cordyceps 100 mg; lion’s mane 100 mg |
| Adaptogen Vitality Gummies | $47.99 | Serving size and count withheld on the page | Names lion’s mane, reishi and cordyceps; amounts withheld |
Shipping is $6.90 standard, or free when your order reaches $99 (per Pilly’s shipping policy). Pilly’s Cordyceps page lists a 30-day satisfaction guarantee: opened or unopened products are eligible for a refund to your original payment method, with one refund per product per customer. Contact info@pillylabs.com to request one. The page also lists a subscription option that says “cancel anytime”; a one-time purchase is the default.
The Cordyceps label lists one gummy per serving, but its directions say one to two. At two a day, a 30-serving bottle would not last 30 days.
Before you order
- Read the physical label for the species, the amount, the serving size and the directions.
- Ask info@pillylabs.com for the sugar amount per gummy. The Cordyceps Energy Gummies page lists organic cane sugar and tapioca syrup among its ingredients.
- Ask which cordyceps species the product uses.
- Ask a pharmacist before combining any of these with a medication you take.
- Check today’s price and refund terms at checkout.
By Sense and Evidence Health Research Team