Healing Without the Hype: My Real Story with Lion’s Mane

Before I started working with functional mushrooms, I didn’t think there was much validity to the claims being made. I was skeptical—and rightfully so, as the supplement industry is full of hype.

When I transitioned from my small mushroom operation, where I produced just a couple hundred pounds a week, to a massive farm producing tens of thousands of pounds weekly, my motivation wasn’t initially rooted in belief. I wanted to scale, learn, and grow. While I still consider myself a skeptic, I’ve become an informed one, and it’s functional mushrooms that brought that change.

After a few years on that farm, an experience altered my perspective entirely.

A Snapshot of My Health Journey in 2021

Before the onset of neck pain and my subsequent diagnosis, I was living what many would call the "optimal health lifestyle."

In 2021, I rekindled my passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). I trained five to six days a week, sometimes squeezing in two sessions a day. Additionally, I was surfing, hiking, and practicing yoga almost daily. My focus was on mobility and flexibility. I achieved the fittest body I’d ever had, sporting minimal body fat and nourishing myself with four meals a day, each made from local, organic, regenerative foods.

I sourced my meat from a local share and got my produce from nearby farms. Hydration was key; I consumed over a gallon of water daily, enhanced with electrolytes. I meditated, engaged in cold plunges, eliminated alcohol, and drank A LOT of tea.

Every aspect of my life revolved around health and wellness. I was dedicated to understanding how functional mushrooms gained popularity and what benefits they could offer those in need of relief and repair.

However, I overlooked one crucial variable: stress.

I was working 50 to 60 hours weekly to set up a dietary supplement program. I managed multiple facility developments with my team, improved mushroom yields, and crafted a new brand—all for the same company. The burnout was real. I relied on physical activity to maintain my sanity.

This is me (in black) submitting my competitor in a BJJ Competition.

A Deep Dive into Functional Mushrooms

Working closely with functional mushrooms every day revealed a wealth of knowledge. I wasn't just passively absorbing marketing claims; I was reading and conducting research. I collaborated with brands striving for real data, not hollow assertions. I delved into the properties of specialized mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Shiitake, Reishi, and Maitake.

My curiosity intensified, leading me to ask crucial questions:

• Why did the Chinese Olympic team in ‘96 use Cordyceps and achieve record-breaking performances?

• What actual bioactive compounds contribute to these effects?

• How are these compounds processed within the body?

• Can we identify their mechanisms of action?

• Why is there a lack of testing for these compounds?

• How can we elevate industry standards?

  
  

I immersed myself in research, armed with my background in microbiology and nutrient cycling. I scoured peer-reviewed journals—both historical and recent—seeking validation and building my expertise.

Gradually, people began to recognize me as a knowledgeable figure in this field. At trade shows and conferences, I found myself in discussions with formulators, founders, and fellow skeptics. When I lacked answers, I flipped the question: What actions are you taking to improve our industry?

Eventually, I received invitations to serve on two committees with the American Herbal Product Association (AHPA)—one dedicated to psychedelics and the other focused on raw materials testing for functional mushrooms. We began constructing a solid framework for testing and standardization. Yes, that’s the direction we need to pursue.

Facing the Neck Pain Head-On

In October 2023, severe neck pain began to interfere with my life. By November, the pain escalated. I found myself waking up unable to turn my head, tingling sensations racing down my arms. I vividly remember Thanksgiving morning; I was meant to visit family but couldn’t make the drive. I lay in bed, incapacitated and in agony.

Driving became a jarring experience; every bump in the road sent shooting pain down my spine.

It was a terrible ordeal, and I felt scared.

For months, I woke up immobilized, grappling with acute pain. I had to pause my BJJ training, surfing, and climbing. Despite this setback, I convinced myself it was temporary, merely muscle cramps—not serious at all.

I lied to myself instead of confronting the truth: I was genuinely injured.

The Diagnosis That Altered My Path

By mid-December, things reached a breaking point. A supportive friend encouraged me to see a doctor and get an MRI.

The diagnosis was severe: a C5–C6 disc herniation. The disc pressed on my spinal cord, leading to nerve inflammation, tingling, and sharp pain.

They prescribed gabapentin to manage the nerve pain but supplied me with a daunting list of side effects. I promptly refused the prescription, determined not to compromise years of healthy living by relying on pharmaceutical stopgaps.

The prognosis? A lengthy 9 to 12 months of therapy, with potential surgery looming. In the best-case scenario, after surgery and therapy, I’d still be unable to return to my previous lifestyle for a year.

That outlook didn’t sit well with me.

Turning to Lion’s Mane for Recovery

Remember how I mentioned working closely with functional mushrooms? Well, I turned my attention to Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus).

I was aware of erinacines—the compounds known to reduce nervous system inflammation and promote nerve growth. I understood their potential to curb inflammation based on their ability to foster nerve regeneration and inhibit beta-amyloid plaque accumulation on neurons (a result of inflammation). Standard doses of Lion’s Mane wouldn’t suffice for my situation.

Thus, I started with double the recommended dose—1,000 mg. Then I doubled it again, and then once more. Eventually, I was consuming 10 to 12 grams of Lion’s Mane powder daily to manage my pain sufficiently to participate in physical therapy.

Let me clarify: This wasn't standard supplement use. This was a calculated therapeutic risk, propelled by the knowledge I had gained about Lion’s Mane and its impact on the nervous system.

Understanding the Role of Supplements

While much has been said about Lion’s Mane boosting cognitive function, I discovered a different application: pain reduction.

I needed to find an “active” or “therapeutic” dose to feel palpable effects. This approach meant escalating far beyond what’s printed on most supplement bottles. I wasn’t microdosing; I was strategically employing a high-dose protocol aimed at alleviating nerve pain and inflammation so I could engage in physical therapy and reclaim my life.

Many people don’t grasp this concept: supplements are not pharmaceuticals. They are not designed to act rapidly or serve as crisis interventions, nor are they miracle solutions.

Supplements aim to support our needs, enhance our diet, and help us adapt to aging and stress—methodically and consistently. They are meant to bolster our health baseline, not replace it. High doses, like what I opted for, are not universally advisable. Indeed, for many individuals and numerous supplements, such practices can be ill-advised and potentially risky.

I knew what I was doing. I had the expertise, the data, and the context. And that understanding is crucial.

I don’t want readers to misinterpret my journey as an endorsement for megadosing mushrooms in desperate attempts to heal. That is not the takeaway. The valuable lesson is this: we don’t know enough. Until we do, dosing remains uncertain—a process filled with risks and unexpected benefits, depending on one's knowledge level.

This is where testing and transparency matter. We need to further explore the bioactive compounds behind these benefits so that individuals aren't left guessing when it comes to their health.

The Journey to Recovery and Its Outcomes

So what occurred next?

I avoided surgery and opted not to fill the prescription. I stayed committed to high-dose Lion’s Mane, physical therapy, and lifestyle adjustments. In a mere five months, I returned to a healthy baseline.

Let me clarify: this wasn’t a miraculous turnaround where I consumed a pill and instantly felt better. This journey was arduous. It involved pain, persistence, and a commitment to research as well as testing my limits.

Surprisingly, my doctors and physical therapists were SHOCKED by my rapid progress. They credited it to my age and work ethic. While those indeed contributed, I knew there was more to my story.

Lion’s Mane played a pivotal role. It curtailed inflammation, restored my mobility, and movement became my route to recovery. It granted me the space needed to engage in physical therapy every day and rebuild my strength.

That was the turning point for my skepticism—no one told me Lion’s Mane worked; I experienced the benefits. I relied on it, and I emerged enlightened, not only about the healing process but also about the entire industry.

The Importance of Transparency in the Supplement Industry

I bring my experience full circle to emphasize a crucial point. I’m not sharing my story to encourage others to follow my lead. I'm shedding light on a significant gap in the supplement landscape: the absence of tested, traceable, and transparent knowledge regarding the compounds present in our mushroom products, their potential benefits, and what constitutes a truly effective dose.

Currently, most products lack detailed information about their contents. Companies often flaunt terms like “10:1 extract” or “30% beta-glucans” without clearly mentioning vital components like erinacines or hericenones. This lack of clarity is unacceptable.

We require testing protocols and standards. It’s essential to move beyond vague claims about health benefits and toward evidence-based formulations that empower individuals to make safe and informed decisions.

The reality is, people are in pain. They are seeking alternatives. Many feel burned out from pharmaceuticals and unfulfilled promises. They deserve functional mushroom products that deliver on their promises—products backed by science, verified for bioactives, and produced with integrity.

I owe it to you—everyone reading this—to assist in making the industry better.

This includes advocating for transparency, enhancing testing standards, and sharing not just my triumphs but the real work behind them. Healing is a personal journey, but progress must be a collective effort.

If you're engaged in this field—whether as a brand, grower, formulator, or consumer—you have the right to seek truthful information and play a role in shaping the future of this industry.

Interested in learning more or seeking guidance on fungi-related ventures?

Reach out at SporeGrowth.com for consulting services, educational resources, and collaborative opportunities. Let’s continue exploring and harnessing the potential of these remarkable organisms together!