‘Functional mushrooms saved my daughter’s Life’: A preliminary mixed methods survey study of Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) for epilepsy

A significant proportion of epilepsy patients are resistant to conventional treatments. Functional mushrooms such as Reishi ( Ganoderma lucidum ) and Lion’s Mane ( Hericium erinaceus ) have recognized health benefits, including neuroprotective and anti-seizure effects. This mixed-methods study investigates the use of these mushrooms as adjunctive therapies for epilepsy among 19 participants, including caregivers on behalf of a minor. The majority (n = 14) met criteria for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Participants completed surveys and structured interviews addressing functional mushroom use, quality of life (QoL), sleep quality, health outcomes, seizure activity, and caregiver burden. Qualitative data underwent thematic content analysis. Compared with the general population, participants utilizing functional mushrooms noted comparable scores in physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environmental health. Self-report responses indicated improvements in seizure control, including reduced seizure frequency and severity, cognitive and developmental outcomes, and overall quality of life since starting use of functional mushrooms. Caregivers emphasized both benefits and ongoing challenges in managing epilepsy. Functional mushrooms are a sustainable and widely available resource, and the findings presented here suggest they could complement existing treatments for epilepsy, particularly in DRE, though further clinical trials are needed to establish efficacy, optimize dosing, and clarify mechanisms of action. • Functional mushrooms (Reishi and Lion’s Mane) were associated with reduced seizure severity and frequency in individuals with epilepsy, including drug-resistant cases. • Participants reported improvements in quality of life, cognitive functioning, and developmental outcomes, aligning with both quantitative and qualitative findings. • Caregivers noted reduced stress and burden when seizure severity decreased, pointing to broader family benefits. • A subset of participants with drug-resistant epilepsy showed signs of clinically meaningful improvement, with some likely to achieve seizure freedom. • Findings highlight the need for larger, controlled clinical trials to establish efficacy, dosing, and safety of functional mushrooms as adjunctive epilepsy treatments.