Benefits of Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Scientific studies confirm its legendary benefits, including: 

Increased brain health

Lion’s Mane Mushroom assists nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), two important compounds associated with increased brain health.(1-3) 

Improved cognitive function

A 2008 study found that Lion’s Mane mushroom improved brain function in a group of 15 older adults.(4) 

Powerful anti-inflammatory effects

Inflammation leads to damaged cells and reduced function. Antioxidants found in Lion’s Mane Mushroom counteract these effects and neutralize free radicals, preventing them from causing damage.(5) 

May help relieve symptoms of anxiety

Research on mice has found that Lion’s Mane Mushroom in extract form can reduce symptoms of anxiety due to its anti-inflammatory effects.(6,7)

Side effects

Studies in animals suggest that Lion’s Mane Mushroom and its extracts are very safe, even at high doses.(8) Individuals with mushroom allergies should exercise caution as some people have reported reactions. 

References

1. Park, Y.S., Lee, H.S., Won, M.H. et al. Effect of an exo-polysaccharide from the culture broth of Hericium erinaceus on enhancement of growth and differentiation of rat adrenal nerve cells. Cytotechnology 39, 155 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023963509393
2. Lai PL, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V, Wong KH, David RP, Kuppusamy UR, Abdullah N, Malek SN. “Neurotrophic properties of the Lion’s mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomyc” Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013;15(6):539-54.
3. Chiu, C.-H.; Chyau, C.-C.; Chen, C.-C.; Lee, L.-Y.; Chen, W.-P.; Liu, J.-L.; Lin, W.-H.; Mong, M.-C. Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects through Modulating BDNF/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling in Mice. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19, 341.
4. Mori, K. , Inatomi, S. , Ouchi, K. , Azumi, Y. and Tuchida, T. (2009), Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double‐blind placebo‐controlled clinical trial. Phytother. Res., 23: 367-372. doi:10.1002/ptr.2634
5. Friedman M., Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds. J Agric Food Chem. 2015 Aug 19;63(32):7108-23. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914. Epub 2015 Aug 5.
6. Yao W, Zhang JC, Dong C, Zhuang C, Hirota S, Inanaga K, Hashimoto K. “Effects of amycenone on serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-10, and depression-like behavior in mice after lipopolysaccharide administration.” Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2015 Sep;136:7-12. doi: 10.1016/j.pbb.2015.06.012. Epub 2015 Jul 4.
7. Chiu CH Chyau CC, Chen CC, Lee LY, Chen WP, Liu JL, Lin WH, Mong MC. “Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects through Modulating BDNF/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling in Mice.” Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Jan 24;19(2). pii: E341. doi: 10.3390/ijms19020341.
8. Lakshmanan H, Raman J, David P, Wong KH, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V. “Haematological, biochemical and histopathological aspects of Hericium erinaceus ingestion in a rodent model: A sub-chronic toxicological assessment.” J Ethnopharmacol. 2016 Dec 24;194:1051-1059. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.10.084. Epub 2016 Nov 2.