F.A.Q.

Providing answers to questions you didn't know you had,
and probably still don't care about.

What is Pekepeke-kiore?

Pekepeke-Kiore is a native New Zealand mushroom commonly known as New Zealand Lion’s Mane and scientifically known as Hericium Novae-Zealandiae. It is cousin to the popular Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries.

Why would I buy New Zealand Lion’s Mane (Pekepeke-Kiore) over regular Lion’s Mane?
New Zealand grown

Regular Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) products are all grown overseas (often China and East Asia), shipped to NZ and sold here by intermediary distributors (not growers). This is also true for 99% of mushroom supplements available in NZ. Mynd offers a local solution—straight from our mushroom farm in Raglan.

Premium natural mushrooms

Overseas mushroom cultivation can be associated with air pollution and intensive farming practices, resulting in contaminants like heavy metals and pesticides in the final product. Our mushrooms, cultivated with care at our Raglan farm, benefit from the pristine natural resources of New Zealand.

Efficacy

Our research partners at Callaghan Innovation independently tested our New Zealand Lion’s Mane mushroom extract and demonstrated its efficacy against globally leading Lion's Mane products. See Our Science page to learn more about upcoming studies, further quantifying the cognitive benefits with neuroscientists at leading universities.

What are Erinacines and Hericenones?

Erinacines and hericenones are the bioactive compounds found in certain species of mushrooms, particularly in the Hericium genus. They have been studied for their potential neuroregenerative and neuroprotective properties.

These two zesty bioactive compounds have been identified in Mynd’s New Zealand Lion’s Mane (Pekepeke-Kiore) mushroom extract and are responsible for the key neurological benefits accredited to the popular Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus).

Brain health

Research suggests that these bioactive compounds stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), a protein crucial for the growth and repair of nerve cells.

Brain function

Studies indicate that Erinacines and Hericenones can improve cognitive function, memory, focus and learning.

Brain protection

Additionally, these compounds’ neuroprotective properties help safeguard nerve cells from damage and degeneration.

What are the potential benefits of New Zealand Lion’s Mane?

Mynd’s New Zealand Lion’s Mane (Pekepeke-Kiore) is a natural mushroom supplement for brain health and function. It can be used to aid:

  1. Focus
  2. Memory
  3. Cognition
  4. Nerve growth factor

Studies suggest that regular use of Lion’s Mane bioactives, Erinacines and Hericenones can protect nerve cells from damage and degeneration.

To read more directly from studies, as well as our independent test report, see Our Research page.

To learn more about our upcoming research programmes, see Our Science page.

How much New Zealand Lion’s Mane can I consume daily?

We recommend taking ¼ – ½ teaspoons (1 – 2g) of New Zealand Lion’s Mane mushroom supplement daily. You may need to experiment with different dosages to find what is right for you.

How should I take New Zealand Lion’s Mane?

We recommend adding ¼ – ½ teaspoon into any beverage or food of your choice. Simply stir or blend and enjoy your daily natural brain boost.

How is Mynd’s New Zealand Lion’s Mane grown and harvested?

Cultivated and harvested from our mushroom farm in Raglan, New Zealand, each batch undergoes a spa day of careful drying and heat treatment to retain its natural potency. Our unique cultivation technique, The Mynd Method, together with a full-spectrum heat extraction results in a bioactive rich extract. We pride ourselves on maintaining the purity our product from our farm to your cup (zero additives).

Has Mynd’s New Zealand Lion’s Mane been scientifically tested?

Our science suggests that our New Zealand Lion’s Mane is the first Pekepeke-Kiore mushroom extract to contain both Erinacines and Hericenones. These bioactive compounds can support brain health, function and protection.

These are the same bioactive compounds present in the popular Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries.


Our research partners at Callaghan Innovation independently tested our New Zealand Lion’s Mane mushroom extract and demonstrated its efficacy against globally leading Lion's Mane products. The results indicate that our sample contained Erinacines A, G, (B) & Hericenones A, J.

To read more directly from studies, as well as our independent test report, see Our Research page.

To learn more about our upcoming research programmes, see Our Science page.

What are the ingredients of Mynd’s New Zealand Lion’s Mane mushroom supplement?

100% Pekepeke Kiore (Hericium Novae-Zealandiae) mushroom extract. It’s that simple. No additives.

Does Mynd’s New Zealand Lion’s Mane contain any artificial ingredients or allergens?

No, our New Zealand Lion’s Mane mushroom supplement is 100% natural mushrooms and free from common allergens like gluten and soy. You can enjoy the benefits worry-free.

Are your products suitable for vegans and vegetarians?

Yes, our New Zealand Lion’s Mane is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, as it contains no animal-derived ingredients. 100% natural mushrooms.

Do you offer a money-back guarantee or return policy?

We stand by the quality of our products. If you're not satisfied, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Your satisfaction is our priority.

Does Mynd offer international shipping?

At the moment, our products are only available in New Zealand. However, watch this space, as we hope to be announcing international shipping options soon.

Is it safe to consume while pregnant or breastfeeding?

We recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before using any dietary supplement while pregnant or breastfeeding to ensure it aligns with your unique health needs.

Is it safe to consume while taking prescription medication?

If you're on prescription medication, it's advisable to consult with your healthcare professional to ensure there are no potential interactions with New Zealand Lion’s Mane. Lion's Mane may contain compounds with anticoagulant effects, so individuals taking blood-thinning medications should talk to their healthcare provider before taking Lion's Mane to avoid the risk of bleeding. Ensuring your health and safety is our top concern.

Is each batch tested for potency?

Currently, we do not test each batch for potency because there isn't a reliable test available for measuring the levels of Hericenones and Erinacines in any variety of Lion's Mane products. While some brands use beta-d-glucan tests to verify potency, we believe this method is unreliable. Beta-d-glucans are present in the cell walls of cereals, fungi, and bacteria, which can lead to easily influenced and inaccurate test results.

However, we place a high value on a scientific approach. Our 2024 research programme is in development with neuroscientists at leading universities. We aim to further quantify the neurological benefits of our New Zealand Lion’s Mane.

Studies will be published upon completion.