How Lion’s Mane Can Support Your Brain Health

While there appears to be a renewed interest in functional mushrooms, they have been used for centuries in ancient healing traditions throughout Asia. Functional mushrooms, like Lion’s Mane, have been touted for their health benefits as they may support various aspects of wellness and well-being.

Lion’s Mane is well known for its impact on brain health. Let's examine how this functional mushroom may support your brain health and keep your cognition in excellent shape for years.

What is Lion's Mane?

Lion’s Mane, also known as Hericium erinaceus, is a mushroom native to various parts of the northern hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia. This unique-looking mushroom is known for its long, white, and fluffy fruiting body that resembles a Lion’s Mane.

Lion’s Mane is a nootropic, containing plant compounds that may support brain health and function.[1] These plant compounds include antioxidants, nerve growth factors, and anti-inflammatory agents, all of which may play a role in keeping your brain functioning at its best.

Lion's Mane and Brain Health

Recently, Lion’s Mane mushroom has increased in popularity for its possible health benefits, including improving memory, focus, and mood.

May Improve Memory

Your brain develops and changes throughout your lifetime. You may notice that your memory isn't what it once was and that you have trouble coming up with a word or the name of someone you should know.

While age-related memory decline appears to be commonplace, there are things we can do to support our brain health and, in turn, our memory. Lion’s Mane contains both hericenones and erinacines, two significant compounds that have been found to encourage the growth of important brain cells.[2]

Research indicates that Lion’s Mane may help improve memory in healthy people and people with mild cognitive impairment. One study examined the efficacy of Lion’s Mane for improving cognitive impairment. Researchers found that taking Lion’s Mane for 16 weeks positively affected participants' cognitive test performance compared to those who received the placebo.[3]

Additionally, in a 2019 systematic review of the literature, researchers found that dietary supplementation with Lion’s Mane, along with other functional mushrooms, may benefit people with memory issues and other cognitive impairments.[4]

May Increase Focus

If you’re feeling scattered and longing for mental clarity to help you juggle life’s demands, you may benefit from the compounds found in Lion’s Mane.

Lion’s Mane can help boost the production of both nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two important brain proteins linked to improved focus. NGF and BDNF play a role in strengthening your existing brain cells while helping to create new ones. NGF also helps to form the myelin sheath surrounding your brain cells, which enables them to conduct signals more efficiently.[5][6]

Research shows that the Lion’s Mane contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help improve focus. Reduced inflammation and increased antioxidant activity can help improve brain oxygen levels, paving the way for improved brain health, clarity, and focus. [7]

May Support a Healthy Mood

Life's stressors may have you feeling overwhelmed and agitated. While much of the research on Lion’s Mane has focused on physical health, the functional mushroom also benefits mental health.

One recent study examined whether a Lion’s Mane could support a healthy mood in people suffering from obesity. Researchers found that after taking Lion’s Mane for eight weeks, study participants experienced improved mood and enhanced sleep quality.[8]

Another study analyzed the effects of Lion’s Mane on women over the course of four weeks. Researchers found that the women receiving the Lion’s Mane reported improved mood versus those receiving the placebo.[9]

The Cognitive Benefits of Lion's Mane

Looking to experience the brain-boosting, mood-enhancing power of a Lion’s Mane firsthand? You may find this functional mushroom in capsule, extract, and powder form. However, we think the best way to experience Lion’s Mane is by taking gummies since they are convenient, easy, and mess-free.

Each of our brain health gummies contains 500mg of Lion’s Mane per serving (standardized to contain 30% Beta-Glucans) and is gluten-free, gelatin-free, and vegan-friendly. Did we mention that they're delicious too? Grab a bottle today!

References

1. Martínez-Mármol R, Chai Y, Conroy JN, Khan Z, Hong SM, Kim SB, Gormal RS, Lee DH, Lee JK, Coulson EJ, Lee MK, Kim SY, Meunier FA. J Neurochem. 2023 Jan 20. doi: 10.1111/jnc.15767. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36660878.
2. Kushairi N, Phan CW, Sabaratnam V, David P, Naidu M. 2019 Aug 1;8(8):261. doi: 10.3390/antiox8080261. PMID: 31374912; PMCID: PMC6720269.
3. Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. Phytother Res. 2009 Mar;23(3):367-72. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2634. PMID: 18844328.
4. Amelie Nkodo. Current Developments in Nutrition, Volume 3, Issue Supplement_1, June 2019, nzz052.P14–021–19, doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzz052.P14-021-19.
5. Bing-Ji Ma, Jin-Wen Shen, Hai-You Yu, Yuan Ruan, Ting-Ting Wu & Xu Zhao (2010) . Mycology, 1:2, 92-98, doi: 10.1080/21501201003735556.
6. Allen, SJ and Dawbarn, D. 2006. Clin Sci. (Lond.), 110: 175–191.
7. Hou Y, Ding X, Hou W. Mol Med Rep. 2015 May;11(5):3794-9. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2014.3121. Epub 2014 Dec 19. PMID: 25529054.
8. Vigna, L., et al. (2019). Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2019: 7861297.
9. Nagano M, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Hayashi C, Sato D, Kitagawa K, Ohnuki K. Biomed Res. 2010 Aug;31(4):231-7. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.31.231. PMID: 20834180.