Hundreds of side-effects reported cases, thousands of people suffering in silence around the world.
“ Healing takes courage, and we all have courage, even if we have to dig a little to find it. — Tori Amos ”
This is a curated list of the common Lions Mane side-effects symptoms:
- Headaches: strong headaches, multiple times per day, it commonly starts with this symptom
- Accelerated heartbeat: multiple times per day beating very fast without reason or triggers, many times the heart is skipping a beat.
- Anxiety / panic attacks / extreme fear: sudden attacks of panic and anxiety, without reason, giving a strong sensation of fear without any specific reason, sometimes with paranoia, quite difficult to bear, try to stay calm in what you can.
- Insomnia: severe insomnia, especially caused by hyperactivity of the brain, very vivid dreams, impossible to shut down the brain, etc. Includes visual flashes with the eyes closed (strong random stroboscopic flashes, probably caused by high cortisol / glutamate).
- Mental confusion: difficulty processing information, thinking, and reasoning correctly, speaking, counting, etc...
- Depersonalization / derealization: feeling strange with everything, thinking that you are not the same person, you will be scared to do the things you are used to or love. This symptom is very difficult to describe in words, but it is like everything looks fake. You know that all is real, but you feel it that way. The best way to cope with this symptom is to maintain as much social life as possible and to tell everyone what you are suffering and how you feel, to help others understand and support you.
- Craziness: you are not actually going crazy, you will not be stuck in this after the side effects pass, but you may be convinced that you are losing your mind or that the damage will be permanent. Stay calm and confident; you will return to normal after recovery, but it is a slow process.
- Short-term memory loss: difficulty remembering recent events.
- Suicidal thoughts: you may envision suicide as the only way to escape the intense suffering. Be patient and strong. Take actions during your recovery to help others and make a positive change in the world regarding this horrible substance. Reach out to others in this community for support; they are here to listen. Sometimes there are disbelievers or harassers, but you can report these comments, and action will be taken.
- Mood changes: irritability, depression, anger.
- Physical random changes: persistent metallic taste in the mouth, visual snow, distorted hearing, etc...
- Physical symptoms: around 40% of affected people report various physical symptoms, but these can vary more widely in statistics. It’s best to do your own research through stories or the search box. The most common symptoms include numbness, physical pains, loss of sensitivity or touch, loss of libido, muscle spasms, jerks, stiffness, twitches, and visual issues like light sensitivity, whitish vision, or strobes.
- Psychotomimesis (similar to a psychosis attack)
- Sexual issues (testicle pain, genital shrinkage, loss of libido, and Peyronie’s disease/fibrosis)
- Regressions are common.
- Having a music or song stuck in your head for months. Similar reports of this symptom occurring in the same way can be found here, here, here, and here.
- Tinnitus especially years after
- Claustrophobia
- Mood change (irritability, bad mood, etc)
- Lupus like symptoms
- Face / Skull deformation (shrinking)