Laboratory Results - Lion's Mane
Most Lion's Mane supplements cut corners. They use cheap mycelium-on-grain (diluted with starch) or fruiting body-only extracts (missing critical compounds).
At Happenstence, we source a full-spectrum dual-extract that includes both fruiting body and lab-grade mycelium — because your brain deserves the complete profile of hericenones and erinacines, not half the story.
This page explains what makes our Lion's Mane extract different, why we fortify it with Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and how manufacturer testing verifies every batch for purity and potency.
The Problem with Most Lion's Mane Supplements
Walk into any supplement store and you'll find dozens of Lion's Mane products. But here's what most companies won't tell you: the part of the mushroom they use fundamentally changes what you're actually getting.
The Two Parts of Lion's Mane (And Why Both Matter)
Fruiting Body: The visible "mushroom" part. Rich in hericenones and beta-glucans (30%+ in quality extracts). This is what you see growing in nature — the white, cascading mane.
Mycelium: The underground root network. Rich in erinacines, which research suggests are particularly effective at crossing the blood-brain barrier and stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) production.
Here's the catch: hericenones and erinacines are chemically different compounds. You need both for the full cognitive-support profile that Lion's Mane is known for.
⚠️ The Mycelium-on-Grain Problem
Many cheap supplements grow mycelium on rice or oat substrates, then grind up the entire mixture — grain and all. The result?
- High starch content (grain filler)
- Low beta-glucan content (as low as 5% or even 0%)
- Minimal erinacines (diluted by grain biomass)
- You're paying for rice flour, not mushroom compounds
At Happenstence: We source lab-grade mycelium cultivated separately from fruiting body extracts. No grain substrate. No filler. Just clean, concentrated bioactives.
What Full-Spectrum Dual-Extract Means
A true dual-extract combines fruiting body (for hericenones and beta-glucans) with lab-grade mycelium (for erinacines). Then it uses a two-step extraction process:
HOT WATER EXTRACTION
Isolates water-soluble compounds like beta-glucans and polysaccharides. These support immune function and cognitive health.
Beta-Glucan Content — Our extract is standardized to contain >20% polysaccharides, primarily beta-glucans.
Cheap mycelium-on-grain products: 5% or less
ALCOHOL EXTRACTION
Isolates fat-soluble compounds like hericenones and erinacines. These are the neuroprotective compounds linked to NGF stimulation.
Hericenones + Erinacines — Both compound classes present due to dual-source material (fruiting body + mycelium).
Fruiting-body-only products: Missing erinacines
LAB-GRADE MYCELIUM
Not grown on grain. Cultivated in controlled conditions to maximize erinacine content without starch dilution.
No Rice, No Oats, No Filler — Pure fungal biomass. No grain substrate mixed in.
Mycelium-on-grain products: 40-60% grain starch
Learn more: How Lion's Mane Supports Brain Health & Mood →
Why We Fortify with Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
Lion's Mane works through multiple pathways — NGF stimulation, neuroplasticity support, and antioxidant activity. Vitamin B3 (Niacin) complements these mechanisms by supporting:
- Energy production in brain cells — Niacin is a precursor to NAD+, a coenzyme critical for cellular energy metabolism
- DNA repair and cell signaling — NAD+ plays a role in maintaining healthy neurons
- Neuroprotection — Research suggests niacin may support brain health and cognitive function as we age
We add 50mg of pharmaceutical-grade Niacin (as Niacinamide) to each serving. This dosage aligns with research on cognitive support without causing the "niacin flush" associated with high-dose nicotinic acid.
Happenstence vs. Generic Lion's Mane
| Quality Standard | Happenstence Lion's Mane | Generic Mycelium-on-Grain |
|---|---|---|
| Fruiting Body Extract | ✓ Included (hericenones + beta-glucans) | ✗ Often absent |
| Lab-Grade Mycelium | ✓ Pure mycelium (erinacines) | ✗ Mycelium + grain substrate |
| Beta-Glucan Content | ✓ >20% standardized | ✗ Often 5% or undisclosed |
| Dual Extraction | ✓ Hot water + alcohol | ✗ Often single-extraction or none |
| Grain Filler | ✓ Zero grain substrate | ✗ 40-60% rice/oat starch common |
| Vitamin B3 Fortification | ✓ 50mg pharmaceutical-grade niacinamide | ✗ Not included |
| Manufacturer COA Available | ✓ Heavy metals, pesticides, microbial tested | ✗ Often not disclosed |
Ready to experience full-spectrum Lion's Mane?
Shop Lion's Mane Capsules Brain Bundle: Lion's Mane + CreatineManufacturer Testing & Certificates of Analysis
Every batch of our Lion's Mane extract is tested by the manufacturer for:
- Heavy metals — Lead, arsenic, cadmium, mercury below FDA limits
- Pesticides — Screened for common agricultural contaminants
- Microbial contaminants — E. coli, Salmonella, yeast, mold tested
- Active compound verification — Beta-glucan content standardized to >20%
We source sealed containers from trusted manufacturers who hold the certifications and perform the testing. Below are the manufacturer Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for the Lion's Mane extract and Vitamin B3 used in our formula.
Lion's Mane Extract COA — Page 3: Additional specifications and quality verification
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) Certificate of Analysis
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) COA — Pharmaceutical-grade niacin specifications and purity testing
Why Happenstence Sources Dual-Extract Lion's Mane
We could save money by using mycelium-on-grain like most brands. We could skip the alcohol extraction step. We could avoid fortifying with B3.
But we don't operate that way.
Lion's Mane has centuries of traditional use and emerging clinical research supporting its role in cognitive health. If we're going to sell it, we're going to source it properly:
- Full-spectrum extraction — Both fruiting body and lab-grade mycelium for complete hericenone + erinacine profile
- Dual extraction process — Hot water for polysaccharides, alcohol for diterpenoids
- No grain filler — Pure fungal biomass, >20% beta-glucans standardized
- B3 fortification — Synergistic support for brain energy metabolism
- Manufacturer testing — Every batch verified for purity and safety
This is what transparency looks like. No marketing fluff. Just clean ingredients, proper extraction, and honest sourcing.
Experience Full-Spectrum Lion's Mane
Dual-extract. Lab-grade mycelium. Fruiting body hericenones. B3 fortified. Manufacturer verified.
1,000mg per serving. 60 capsules. Made in Austin, TX.
Free shipping on orders over $75 | 100% happiness guarantee
Sourcing Disclosure: Happenstence Brewing Co. LLC sources Lion's Mane extract and Vitamin B3 from trusted manufacturers who conduct third-party testing and provide Certificates of Analysis. We do not perform independent testing; we rely on manufacturer verification for quality and purity standards.
FDA Disclaimer: *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.