What Are the Benefits of Lion's Mane Mushroom?
First, What Is Lion’s Mane Mushroom?
Lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium ericaneus) is a medicinal fungus that resembles a lion’s mane, or perhaps a beard or even a cheerleader’s pom-pom. Grown on hardwoods such as beech, and sometimes brown rice, like our products, lion’s mane shines as a tonic for your brain and nervous system.
Let’s look at the top three benefits of taking lion’s mane mushroom, either alone or included in a combination of other medicinal mushrooms.
Top Three Benefits Of Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Lion’s Mane May Enhance Cognition
Until recently, it was believed that the adult brain couldn’t regenerate at all. Now, we know that our brains do grow new neurons, although it is a very slow process, and the same pathways are also essential for the maintenance and function of the neurons we already have.
Lion’s mane could benefit cognition at any age, by working on these pathways. A study involving healthy volunteers over 50 found that it caused a small but significant increase in cognitive function, measured with the mini-mental state exam (MMSE). Average scores rose from 29.13 to a perfect 30/30 in just 12 weeks.
How does lion’s mane boost cognition? First, it increases nerve growth factor (NGF), which protects and encourages the development of neurons. It also improves circulation, an important factor in preventing dementia as the continued supply of oxygen and nutrients is assured. Finally, its ability to regulate immunity may protect the brain from damage and support immune cells’ roles in growing new neurons.
Lion’s Mane Could Relieve Depression And Anxiety
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and issues such as depression or anxiety are no less debilitating than physical health problems. Thankfully, lion’s mane may be an effective way to reduce their severity.
A clinical study on 30 women, with an average age of 40, compared lion’s mane to a placebo in relieving depression, insomnia, and menopausal symptoms. After just four weeks, the women taking lion’s mane extract saw improvements in depression scores, alongside some menopausal symptoms such as heart palpitations (a noticeable heartbeat with no connection to a heavy workout). The ability of lion’s mane to enhance neuron regeneration and protection may be only part of its benefits, as relief of palpitations could suggest improved hormonal balance or brain chemistry.
Lion’s Mane May Tame Inflammation
Chronic, low-grade inflammation contributes to many long-term illnesses, and even the biological aging process itself. Its general symptoms include fatigue, brain fog, and an overall feeling of being not quite right. Lingering flu symptoms are a perfect example of this.
Lion’s mane mushroom has shown anti-inflammatory, antioxidant benefits in a number of lab studies. One even demonstrates that lion’s mane could prolong life, with the longer-lived mice having higher levels of antioxidants. As inflammation is a response to tissue damage, an antioxidant effect may prevent it by protecting your cells. Lion’s mane may also encourage the growth of anti-inflammatory gut bacteria.
Overall, lion’s mane is an amazing medicinal mushroom, which may benefit your cognitive and immune function now and into the future. We are proud to offer both a steam-extracted lion’s mane powder and steam-extracted lion’s mane capsules, maximizing the benefits you can enjoy by preserving its beneficial compounds.
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References
1. Saitsu, Y., Nishide, A., Kikushima, K., Shimizu, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2019). Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomedical research (Tokyo, Japan), 40(4), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.40.125
2. Nagano, M., Shimizu, K., Kondo, R., Hayashi, C., Sato, D., Kitagawa, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2010). Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomedical research (Tokyo, Japan), 31(4), 231–237. https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.31.231
3. Hetland, G., Tangen, J. M., Mahmood, F., Mirlashari, M. R., Nissen-Meyer, L., Nentwich, I., Therkelsen, S. P., Tjønnfjord, G. E., & Johnson, E. (2020). Antitumor, Anti-Inflammatory and Antiallergic Effects of Agaricus blazei Mushroom Extract and the Related Medicinal Basidiomycetes Mushrooms, Hericium erinaceus and Grifolafrondosa: A Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies. Nutrients, 12(5), 1339. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12051339