Lion’s Mane Mushroom – Research by Nootropics Information https://nootro.info/lion-mane-mushroom/
Summary: Lion’s Mane Mushroom has become one of nature’s most potent nootropic supplement for the brain. There is evidence that is can permanently enhance brain function as well as protect the brain and promote NGF and neurogenesis.
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Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION 2 BENEFITS AND EFFECTS o 2.1 Enhances Memory and Brain Function o 2.2 Promotes Nerve Growth Factor and Neuroprotection o 2.3 Reduces Anxiety and Symptoms of Depression o 2.4 Reduces Inflammation, Boosts Immune System, Supports Healthy Digestion o 2.5 Supports Heart and Circulatory System Health and Prevents Strokes o 2.6 Improves Mental Health and Overall Well-Being 3 MECHANISM OF ACTION o 3.1 Concerning Nerve Growth Factor o 3.2 Concerning Myelination 4 WHERE TO BUY LION’S MANE MUSHROOM 5 DOSAGE AND HOW TO TAKE 6 SIDE EFFECTS 7 CONCLUSION
Lion’s Mane Mushroom 1. INTRODUCTION Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), also rarely called monkey head mushroom, is a traditional medicine that’s developing a strong fan base around the world. The profound effects it has on cognitive function while being neuroprotectant, as well as supporting NGF production, make it an appealing nootropic. The nerve growth factor is a discovery from 1986 that led Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini to win a Nobel Prize. NGF is one of the primary building blocks of neuroplasticity. Furthermore, it is part of a group of molecules responsible for neurodevelopment. A go-to tonic for years, Lion’s Mane (Hericium Erinaceus) is native to Japan, China, Europe, and North America. It offers many benefits to the brain. It’s in use as an alternative medicine to treat neurodegenerative disorders. It is becoming more popular after the discovery of connections to promoting neurodevelopment. It raises the quantity of NGF in the brain, which improves cognition by decreasing inflammation, promoting neural growth, and enhancing brain health. Furthermore, studies verify that Lion’s Mane is a powerful neuroprotectant that can be valuable in the treatment of a variety of conditions ranging from cardiovascular health to obesity and even to certain types of cancer. Thus, Lion’s Mane has become a novel nootropic.
2. BENEFITS AND EFFECTS Enhances Memory and Brain Function Lion’s Mane boosts up cognition, especially in memory and recall speed. Additionally, it helps maintaining concentration, increases mental endurability, and heightens focus. It is one of the most praised nootropics due to being organic and natural. Furthermore, it provides a variety of benefits, often surpassing pharmaceutical products. A study in Japan consisting of subjects diagnosed with a mild cognitive decline receiving Lion’s Mane extract at a daily dose of 3 g for 16 weeks found a measurable increase in scores on the cognitive function scale. And amazingly, without adverse effects. (R) (R)
Promotes Nerve Growth Factor and Neuroprotection Lion’s Mane Mushroom has an impressive ability preventing and healing damaged nerves. Studies support the claim of Lion’s Mane promotion of neurogenesis. The promotion of neurogenesis is also called neurodevelopment or generation. Neurogenesis results in long-lasting and continuous improvements in brain health (R) (R). In a study by Tohoku University on Lion’s Mane and nerve growth states Lion’s Mane has most profound impact on nerve regeneration. Post digestion, Lion’s Mane distributes through the body – crossing the bloodbrain barrier. Then becomes capable of stimulating the generation of enzymes that release the Nerve Growth Factor, and additionally repairing nerve myelin. Those capabilities turn out useful in the cases of Alzheimer’s, dementia, neurodegeneration, muscular weakness, Parkinson’s Disease, and other neurological disorders. (R) (R)
Reduces Anxiety and Symptoms of Depression Studies show that Lion’s Mane helps improve depression and anxiety symptoms after several weeks of supplementation. In a clinical trial where thirty women have been receiving Lion’s Mane for four weeks versus women receiving placebo, it concluded that lion’s mane intake indeed reduces depression and anxiety. (R), (R)
Reduces Inflammation, Boosts Immune System, Supports Healthy Digestion Due to its potent anti-inflammatory properties, lion’s mane mushroom might improve the function of your stomach and digestive system. In many studies, lion’s mane mushroom has been shown to protect from or shrink gastric ulcers. Moreover, according to a survey by the Mushroom Research Centre at the University of Malaya, experts from the field concluded that the bioactive compounds in lion’s mane extract are responsible for the gastroprotective action. (R) Another research from China published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms verifies that “results indicate that polysaccharide fraction is the active component of the H. erinaceus mycelium culture, which protects against gastric ulcers.” (R) Lion’s mane also significantly improve symptoms of two major inflammatory disorders of the digestive system; inflammatory bowel disease, and gastritis. (R, R) Another study in Japan found that lion’s mane was able to reduce inflammation in fatty tissue, the factor in the formation of metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions that increase the risk of heart diseases, strokes, and diabetes. (R)
Lion’s mane can improve immune system function like the polysaccharide content in the fungus according to mice studies. (R, R) Lion’s mane additional benefits is its antibacterial effects against what is now known to be “the world’s most successful virus in human history.” (R, R)
Supports Heart and Circulatory System Health and Prevents Strokes Experiments observed that extracts of lion’s mane block the spread of LDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as the “bad” cholesterol, while simultaneously raising HDL, the good cholesterol. (R, R) A stroke, which happens as a result of lack of sufficient blood supply to the brain, is often caused by blood clots. An extract of lion’s mane mushroom may be useful in the prevention of blood clots accumulate. Thereby helping decrease the risk of stroke, according to a study by the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Japan. (R)
Improves Mental Health and Overall Well-Being Lion’s mane helps feeling better by improving sleep rhythm and reducing the effects of mental health issues. The powerful extracts from the mushroom have been shown to combat fatigue (R). They also possess the ability to regulate the body’s circadian rhythms, which is especially important for people at risk of developing dementia. (R)
3. MECHANISM OF ACTION Lion’s Mane mechanism of action is completely different from other nootropics. Lion’s Mane enhances cognition by increasing the amount of nerve growth factor in the brain (NGF). Nerve growth factor is one of a group of molecules named neurotrophies that are essential for the growth, development, maintenance, and survival of neurons.
Concerning Nerve Growth Factor A discovery in the 1980s that led Dr. Rita Levi-Montalcini to win a Nobel Prize – NGF is confirmed to be one of the primary building blocks of neuroplasticity. The presence of sufficient NGF improves cognition by stimulating growth as well as axons branching. Inadequate NGF, on the other hand, decreases brain functionality by leading to neuronal degeneration and eventually, the death of nerve cells. The more axons existing, and the better health they possess, the more efficiently impulses are transmitting. The more efficiently impulses are transmitting; the better cognition and overall brain function are.
Concerning Myelination Another way in which NGF enhances cognition is by promoting myelination. Myelin works much like an electrical insulator, raising the speed which impulses progress onward the axons by increasing the electrical resistance of neural cell walls. Furthermore it inhibits the pulse from dissipating the axon. Myelination lays the groundwork for the restoration and regrowth of damaged axons, providing a track along which regrowth occurs. This activity is a crucial process in preserving the brain from the ravages of aging and is useful in the treatment of neurological complications. Some of which are multiple sclerosis and psychiatric disorders including depression, schizophrenia, dementia, as well as autism and Alzheimer’s disease. Ongoing research hint that NGF production stimulated by Lion’s Mane may have anti-anxiety and mood enhancing effects. Furthermore, it could also facilitate weight-loss by improving metabolism.
4. WHERE TO BUY I’ve personally only tried Nootropic Depot’s Lion’s Mane Mushroom which they make in 500mg. And now, finally, with the integration of ND products to Amazon’s platform, you can simply purchase Lion’s Mane Mushroom from Nootropics Depot, through Amazon’s website. Brilliant move! If you prefer to get Lion’s Mane Mushroom powder form, it is also available from Nootropics Depot.
5. DOSAGE The lowest effective dose is 500 mg and the limit per day is 3000 mg. However, higher doses don’t necessarily result in more benefits. A dose of 1000 mg once or twice a day is what I find the most beneficial for my needs. I remember coming across posts on Reddit r/Nootropics where people were going really, really next level mega dosing this. None of which reported anything more than a “slight” psychostimulant effect though – I am going to try to find that thread.
6. SIDE EFFECTS There are barely any side effects that arise from taking Lion’s Mane. The most common side effect is an itchy skin which is likely due to the increase in Nerve Growth Factor. It most likely is the cause and could be a good sign that NGF levels are increasing.
7. CONCLUSION Lion’s Mane is an exceptional, one of a kind, organic nootropic that has many health benefits; additional to its nootropic ones. Research and clinical trials support its wide variety of perks. It’s a nootropic to consider if you are looking for profound benefits to memory, cognition, detoxification, physical, and brain function. It is one of the few nootropics I have been continuously refilling from the very first use.
