This brain-boosting smart mushroom is one of the only natural foods that not only has the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, but also promotes the generation of neurons and neuronal connections.
Lion's Mane mushrooms have been familiar to Native Americans and Japanese Yamabushi monks for millennia. It is also popular in modern culinary kitchens because it tastes similar to crab and lobster meat. However, this smart mushroom, as it is sometimes referred to, is a type of medicinal mushroom now widely used for its cognitive and memory-enhancing properties.
Recent studies have shown that lion’s mane mushrooms also have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, making them an excellent natural treatment aid for conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and heart disease.
But the most exciting benefit of lion’s mane mushrooms may be its ability to promote healthy nerve growth and protect against nerve damage. This makes lion’s mane mushrooms a potentially valuable treatment for conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and even depression.
Lion's Mane mushrooms have demonstrated properties for improving brain performance and focus. One study showed that lion's mane improved cognitive function and working memory in rats. Hericenones, one of its active ingredients, help the brain produce more NGF (nerve growth factor) proteins. NGF proteins are produced in the hippocampus and regenerate neurons and neuronal connections in the brain. This mushroom is one of the only natural foods with this ability. It is the best-known natural food for promoting neuroplasticity in the brain—a necessary brain function for learning new things.
Lion's mane mushrooms are also a rich source of antioxidants and polysaccharides, both of which are believed to play a role in cognitive function. Another study showed that lion's mane improved accuracy and reaction time in a task that required participants to press a button as quickly as possible when prompted by a target appearing on a screen. Researchers believe these improvements to focus and concentration is a result of the polysaccharides providing extra energy to the brain.
Lion’s Mane also contains erinacines which have the provably rare ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (much like alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and heroin). The unique features of the hericenones and erinacines combo provide a solid support for the brain’s longevity by not only increasing NGF production but also supporting myelin creation—the brain’s protective insulation around its nerve fibers. These have positive implications for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
By improving myelin creation and increasing NGF production, lion’s mane mushrooms can help protect the brain from damage and improve overall longevity.
Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been shown to improve the immune system in several ways. Like many other mushrooms, Lion’s Mane comes packed with polysaccharides that support gut health and the modulation of the immune system. Lion’s Mane’s combination of polysaccharides targets the immune system through the gut, where 70% of our immune cells reside, thereby boosting levels of antibodies and other key immune system components.
Lastly, Lion's Mane boosts the production of Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a protein that is essential for optimal immune response. This protein increases the activity of Natural Killer cells, which are crucial for fighting off infection and tumors.
Usually extracted via a water-soluble extraction process, Lion’s Mane extracts are usually delivered in powder form. The most common daily dosage is 500mg per day and can be increased to 1.5 grams if needed for more immediate results. 3 - 5 grams per day is the point of diminishing returns, beyond which no measurable benefits occur.
There are many benefits to adding Lion's Mane to your daily routine. Mix it with morning coffee or tea for an extra boost of energy, mix into smoothies or soups for longevity and immunity, or simply add it to any beverage you like for general well-being.
