Lion's mane and CBD: what the claims rules really allow

Hericium erinaceus is an edible basidiomycete used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine, and eaten as a food in Japan, Korea and China. Its classic consumption, as a whole fruiting body or as a powder, falls outside the Novel Food perimeter: it was already widespread in Europe before 15 May 1997, the pivotal date of the regulation. Concentrated extracts obtained by hydro-alcoholic extraction or fractionation, on the other hand, may come under Novel Food depending on the concentration and the process used, with the European Commission handling these files case by case through its status catalogue.

The European register of health claims, drawn up under Regulation EC No 1924/2006, recognises a claim on cognitive function only for zinc, iodine, iron, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and vitamin B1. Neither lion's mane, nor reishi, nor cordyceps, nor CBD appears there. A brand using the words "focus", "concentration" or "intellectual performance" for these ingredients exposes itself to reclassification by the French authorities as an unauthorised health claim.

For a gummy combining lion's mane and CBD, the regulatory constraint has doubled since 15 May 2026: the DGAL is withdrawing from the French market any ingested CBD product without Novel Food authorisation under Regulation (EU) 2015/2283, and the provisionally safe daily intake set by EFSA remains around 2 mg a day for a 70 kg adult, a threshold that a gummy dosed at 10 mg far exceeds. A formulation combining the two ingredients is therefore, as regards its cannabinoid part, on the margins of the French framework.

The order of 24 June 2014, known as the "plants order", lists the plants permitted in food supplements in France, Hericium erinaceus among them. A French brand may therefore market a supplement containing lion's mane alone, provided it excludes any cognitive claim and checks, for concentrated extracts, the Novel Food status case by case. Legitimate formulations stay factual: botanical description, exact composition per dose, mention of the associated nutrients alongside their validated claims.

The 2024 inspections carried out by the DGCCRF recorded a non-compliance rate of about 15 % across the CBD sector, a figure that illustrates the persistent gap between the marketing seen in shops and the legal framework. In parallel, the ANSES nutrivigilance scheme collects reports of adverse effects linked to food supplements. In the event of a digestive, skin or neurological reaction after taking a lion's mane supplement, alone or combined with CBD, report it through the ANSES portal and stop using it.

What dose of lion's mane is used in the studies?

The available clinical studies generally use 500 to 3,000 mg a day, over periods ranging from a few weeks to several months, with cautious methodological conclusions.

Is lion's mane compatible with a medical treatment?

Interaction with medicines has not been the subject of a systematic evaluation. Any prolonged supplementation must be discussed with a doctor, particularly on anticoagulant or neurological treatment.

What is the difference between lion's mane powder, extract and tincture?

The powder corresponds to the dried, ground fruiting body. The extract concentrates the active compounds using a solvent. The tincture is a liquid hydro-alcoholic extract, the most likely of the three to fall within the Novel Food perimeter.

What should you do after a reaction to a lion's mane supplement?

Stop taking it and report the adverse effect through the ANSES nutrivigilance portal. Consult a doctor if the symptoms persist or worsen.

CBD is not a medicine. In case of persistent cognitive difficulties, consult a healthcare professional. To explore our wellness selection, [browse our catalogue](/categorie-produit).

• French Public Health Code, art. L.5111-1 (definition of a medicine) — primary
• Conseil d'État, 29 Dec. 2022, no. 444887 (flowers/leaves) — primary
• Regulation EC No 1924/2006 (nutrition and health claims) — primary