Best Mushrooms for Brain Health
Article at a Glance:
- The foods we eat have a powerful effect on our physical and mental health.
- Working memory and the ability to focus and regulate emotions are each vital aspects of brain health.
- Functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Reishi may support a healthy brain.
As we age, our bodies and our brain will change. We preserve good brain function with lifestyle factors such as exercise, stress management, and good sleep. Nutrition also has a significant influence on brain health.
Medicinal mushrooms such as Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and Reishi have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries to promote good brain health. Let's explore the connection between medicinal mushrooms and brain health.
Mushrooms for Brain Health
The brain requires a constant fuel source to function optimally. Certain vitamins, such as B1, B6, and B12, are linked with maintaining neurons, mood, and cognition. Mushrooms supply the body with B vitamins, particularly edible functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane and Reishi.[1]
Functional mushrooms are considered "nootropic," which is a term that refers to a drug or supplement that benefits brain function, including focus, mood, and memory.
The nootropic capability from mushrooms comes from hundreds of bioactive compounds beyond vitamins that are particularly valuable to brain health. These bioactive compounds are linked to nerve repair, regeneration, and memory.[2]
Much of what is known about nerve regeneration from functional mushrooms results from early test tube studies. However, the results of these earlier studies have promising future applications being explored in animals and potential human studies.
Focus
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went into that room in the first place? We might believe that this is a sign of memory issues, but it has more to do with focus and paying attention to one task at a time.
This scenario is a common occurrence, especially as we age. Lion’s Mane mushrooms have nootropic properties that positively influence focus. One animal study of a Lion’s Mane mushroom found that an extract protected the neurons in the brain against oxidative damage.[3]
Neurons are cells that are responsible for transporting messages in the brain. Healthy neurons are vital for the brain’s ability to focus and complete tasks.
Test tube studies looking at individual cells have shown that Reishi and Lion’s Mane have nerve growth factors, which may play a role in regenerating nerve cells.[4] This has exciting future applications for using mushrooms to support brain health.
Mood
The hippocampus is the area of the brain that regulates mood. A person's mood directly affects decision-making and behaviors, which are components of brain health. Life's daily stressors directly influence our mood.
Bioactive compounds in functional mushrooms can help the body combat feelings of stress and the resulting cell damage that stress causes.
Reishi is the most well-researched mushroom for its effect on mood. Reishi has demonstrated an ability in animal and human studies to have a calming, sedative effect on mood.[5] Reishi plays a role in helping regulate the central nervous system, which controls mood and stress response.
Memory
Cordyceps is a functional mushroom linked to working memory and cognition. Animal studies looking at Cordyceps extracts showed that supplementing with Cordyceps extract positively influenced short-term memory in small animals.[6]
Lion’s Mane mushrooms also play a role in promoting working memory. Its ability to support new neuron growth can help the brain with memory. One mouse study demonstrated Lion’s Mane promoted improvements in memory tests, which lays the path for further studies with humans and working memory.[7]
Daily Mushrooms for Brain Health
Getting a daily dose of functional mushrooms is easy and delicious with our gummies. Our complete line features Reishi, Cordyceps, and Lion’s Mane varieties.
Each gummy contains the equivalent of 500mg of functional mushroom. These gummies do not contain artificial dyes, colors, sweeteners, or GMOs. Try a bottle today for your brain health.
References
- Sabaratnam V, Kah-Hui W, Naidu M, Rosie David P. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. 2013;3(1):62-68. doi:10.4103/2225-4110.106549.
- Yow Y-Y, Goh T-K, Nyiew K-Y, Lim L-W, Phang S-M, Lim S-H, Ratnayeke S, Wong K-H. Cells. 2021;10(9):2194. doi:10.3390/cells10092194.
- Kushairi N, Phan CW, Sabaratnam V, David P, Naidu M. Antioxidants. 2019; 8(8):261. doi:10.3390/antiox8080261.
- Rodriguez MN, Lippi SLP. Behavioral Sciences. 2022;12(7):235. doi:10.3390/bs12070235.
- Cui, Xiangyu, and Yonghe Zhang. Ganoderma and Health: 143. [Accessed April 26, 2023] Link
- Lee SH, Ko IG, Kim SE, et al. Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation. 2016;12(2):69-78. doi:10.12965/jer.1632586.293
- Martínez-Mármol R, Chai Y, Conroy J, et al. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2023. doi:10.1111/jnc.15767.