Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a large, white mushroom that resembles a lion's mane as they grow, thus it's how it got its name. In Asian nations like China, Korea, Japan, and India they are considered a culinary delicacy. However, these mushrooms are also used as a traditional medicine in Asian cultures. In fact there are many anecdotal reports backing up the healing powers of this incredible mushroom.
“Based on indigenous knowledge, selected mushrooms have been used to prepare infusions that are believed to improve vitality, increase alertness and overall wellness of the individual,” says Dr. Vikineswary Sabaratnam.
Some people eat Lion's mane cooked or raw, while others use them dried or even brewed as tea. Many people compare its flavour to seafood such as crab or lobster. Extracts of these mushrooms are often used in over-the-counter health supplements.
Bioactive compounds found in lion's mane have health-prompting benefits on the body, particularly on the stomach, heart, and brain.
Additionally, this mushroom is very nutritious. It is rich in vitamins such as thiamine, niacin, and riboflavin. Also it’s a great source of essential minerals such as zinc, manganese, and potassium.
Many mushroom species have shown the potential to improve brain function and even be beneficial for some of the most prominent illnesses, such as dementia, anxiety, and depression. Some mushrooms have neuroprotective potential while others may speed the recovery after nerve damage.
“Among the special activities, a number of mushrooms including Sarcodon scabrosus, Ganoderma lucidum, Grifola frondosa, and Hericium erinaceus are reported to have activities related to nerve and brain health,” said Dr. Vikineswary Sabaratnam.
That being said let's see how does lion’s mane affect the brain in some of the most prominent medical conditions.
1. It May Protect against Dementia and Alzheimer's disease
The brain's capacity to expand and create new connections normally decreases with age, which may help to explain why many senior citizens experience worsening mental functions.
Studies have shown that two unique compounds found in Lion's Mane, hericenones and erinacines, can potentially stimulate the growth of brain cells.
In addition, studies conducted in animals have found that Lion's mane may help protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease, which is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that causes worsening memory loss.
As a matter of fact, extracts made from Lion's mane have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice. This study also noted that it may prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brains of people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Although no studies have looked at whether Lion's mane mushrooms are helpful for treating Alzheimer's disease in humans, they do seem to improve mental performance.
Little clinical research has been done regarding the health benefits of this particular mushroom, but scientists do believe in its potential.
A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on people with mild cognitive impairment and it yielded positive results. Participants consumed 3 grams of Lion's mane mushroom daily throughout the period of four months. Their mental performance significantly improved, especially cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving ability. However, these benefits seem to disappear after the supplementation is stopped.
A recent double-blind placebo-controlled study examined the effects of Lion's mane mushroom on patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease. It was published in June 2020 in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
The patients were taking three 350mg capsules of lion's mane every day for 49 weeks. The results imply that taking lion's mane this way leads to significant improvements in the brain, such as better memory and attention, as well as faster decision making, in people with mild Alzheimer's disease.
However, additional research is needed.
2. It Could Relieve Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety
Up to one-third of people in the world struggle with anxiety and depression symptoms at some point in their lives. Research suggests that chronic inflammation may be a major contributor to symptoms of depression and anxiety.
A recent study conducted in mice has found that extracts from Lion's mane mushrooms have anti-inflammatory properties reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
A similar animal study found that supplementing with Lion's mane extract can help regenerate brain cells and improve the function of the hippocampus, a brain region that is responsible for processing emotional responses and memories. Researchers believe that enhancement of the hippocampus function may be the reason why anxious and depressive behaviors in mice have been reduced.
Studies on animals show promising results in treating mental health conditions, although there is very little research done on humans.
In a small clinical trial, menopausal women who had consumed cookies enhanced with Lion's mane mushroom over a period of a month reported feeling less irritated and anxious.
3. It Can Increase Recovery From Injuries To The Nervous System
The brain, spinal cord, and nerves running throughout the body make up the nervous system. Together, these parts send and transmit signals that regulate almost all body functions.
Brain, as well as spinal cord injuries, usually have devastating consequences. They can take a long time to heal and frequently result in paralysis or the loss of mental abilities, which can be frightening.
Multiple studies have found that extracts made from Lion's mane mushrooms may significantly speed up the recovery process from these types of injuries. Researchers suggest it can stimulate the growth of new nerve cells, as well as the repair of ones that have been injured.
Recently it was shown that rats consuming Lion’s mane extract recovered from nervous system injuries up to 41% faster than the control group.
Additionally, Lion's mane extract may lessen the severity of stroke-related brain damage.
In one particular study, high doses of Lion's mane mushroom extract were given to rats immediately after a stroke. Researchers noted decreased inflammation of the brain and reduced stroke-related brain injury by an astounding 44%.
It is believed that erinacines play a key role in the pharmacological actions in the repairment of the central nervous system. "Erinacine has potent biological activities, such as preventing neuronal death and promoting neurite outgrowth and is essential to maintain and organize neurons functionally" according to An International Journal on Fungal Biology.
Even though these reports are encouraging, currently it is unknown if Lion's mane would have the same healing powers on our nervous system. Although the results of recent studies suggest it may act as a neuroprotective agent and may even aid in the regeneration of one's brain.
More studies conducted on humans are needed in order to better understand the potential healing effects of this majestic mushroom.
Not all health benefits of this mushroom are focused on the brain itself. Research suggests that it also may help with many other things such as the improvement of the digestive tract function, reducing the risk of heart disease, regulating blood sugar levels, and even preventing cancer.
1. It Supports Digestive Health
It has been discovered that the Lion's mane has properties benefiting the digestive system. In particular, it may help prevent ulcers by inhibiting the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria that can harm the lining of the gut.
All parts of the digestive tract, including the stomach, and small intestine, are vulnerable to this bacteria, thus forming ulcers is a common outcome.
A number of studies, indicate that Lion's mane extract can stop the development of Helicobacter pylori in a test tube. .
A study in rats indicates that Lion's mane extract can be a potential replacement for conventional acid-lowering medications. It had increased efficiency and no side effects when used for treating alcohol-induced stomach ulcers. Additionally, Lion's mane extract can prevent tissue damage and inflammation in other areas of the intestines. More research in humans is necessary to understand its impact on our digestive health.
2. It Can Boost Immune Health
According to animal studies, Lion's mane may boost the immune system and protect the individual against bacteria and viruses, due to the presence of a compound called hericenones. This substance has a strong antiviral effect that can completely eliminate the herpes simplex virus, which is the main cause of cold sores and genital herpes.
The intestinal immune system's activity in mice was increased by the lion's mane mushroom, according to research published in February 2017 in Food & Function. The main role of the intestinal immune system is to protect the body from harmful substances such as toxins that make their way to the gut.
Animal studies show promising results, and ongoing research on humans will soon hopefully show how Lion's mane might improve the immune system.
It is well known that antioxidants can significantly improve certain immune responses, and Lion's mane is packed with them.
Antioxidants prevent oxidative damage by neutralizing free radicals formed in human cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds can promote health, improve the functioning of the immune system and contribute to neuroprotective benefits.
Scientific studies have concluded that polysaccharides found in fungi support the body's immune system that can effectively protect us against flu, common colds, and other respiratory viruses.
One of the most benefitial polysaccharides in Lion's mane is beta-glucans. Acting as an immunomodulatory agent, beta-glucans trigger a cascade of events that help regulate the immune system with higher efficiency.
In particular, beta-glucans promote the activity of macrophages, which are adaptable immune cells that consume and destroy invasive pathogens and stimulate the action of other immune cells.
Research states that "the primary physiological outcome of the majority of the interventions was immunomodulation, which resulted in (a) strengthened immune defense that reduces the incidence and symptoms of cold, flu and other respiratory infections and (b) improvement of allergic symptoms."
3. It Can Help Reduce The Risk of Heart Disease
Studies have shown that Lion's mane may lower the risk of heart disease mainly through its effects on triglycerides and cholesterol.
For instance, Lion's mane extract seems to reduce the oxidation of cholesterol in the bloodstream, which is beneficial for overall heart health, according to a test-tube research published in BioMed Research International.
“We have demonstrated that the different solvent partitioned fractions of Lion’s mane mushroom, Hericium erinaceus, possess prowess for preventing LDL oxidation and for withstanding HMG Co-A reductase activity. These august findings suggest strongly that this mushroom species could aid greatly in preventing oxidative stress-induced atherosclerotic pathogenesis and thus is of immense importance for the people suffering from cardiovascular complications and strokes,” states Mohammad Azizur Rahman, from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in Bangladesh. [2]
A variety of different health benefits of the Lion's mane mushroom and its extract have been shown through multiple research and clinical trials.
Lion's mane may help repair nerve damage, alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, and prevent the development of dementia, according to available studies.
It also possesses strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-boosting properties. I Other interesting properties of this extraordinary mushroom are being investigated including lowering the risks of cancer development, heart diseases, ulcers, and diabetes.
It's still not completely clear how does Lion's mane affect the brain and other parts of the human body, but the current research is very promising. People consuming Lion’s mane supplements in various forms report the beneficial influence on their well-being. Nevertheless, more human studies are required in order to better understand practical health applications for lion's mane mushrooms in humans.
1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2225411016301717
2. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/2014/828149/
3. https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2021/fo/d1fo00122a
4. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21501201003735556