Lion's Mane

Botanical name: Hericium erinaceus

Lion’s Mane, also known as Hericium erinaceus, Yamabushitake, and Monkey’s Head mushroom, is an extraordinary functional mushroom, with documented medicinal use extending back for centuries. It is the active ingredient in our Flow State chews.

Recent studies reveal its remarkable benefits for brain and nervous system health, supporting and protecting cognitive function across the lifespan.

Lion's Mane has also been found to have wide-ranging health benefits beyond cognitive support, promoting the health of not only the nervous system, but also the digestive and cardiovascular systems, while fighting oxidative stress and helping to maintain a healthy immune response.

Scientific studies show that Lion’s Mane:

Helps maintain cognitive function at any age
Promotes health memory and concentration
Is an adaptogen, supporting stress tolerance, and enhancing attention and mental endurance
Supports healthy cell growth and regeneration in the nervous system
Supports cardiovascular health
Supports healthy blood sugar levels
Delivers antioxidant support
Supports healthy immune function

Protection of Cognition and Memory

There is scientific evidence that Lion’s Mane can improve cognition, regardless of one’s age. It achieves this through at least two processes: neurogenesis - the growth of new nerve cells, and neuroplasticity – the formation of new connections between nerve cells.

Neurogenesis, Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection

Two classes of molecules in Lion’s mane, the hericenones and the erinacines, promote neurogenesis and neuroplasticity by stimulating the production of two extremely important molecules in the brain: nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). NGF is a protein that plays a critical role in the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is well known to promote neuroplasticity – the growth of new connections between nerve cells. The formation of new neural connections is essential for learning and memory.

Lion’s Mane has also been shown to have a neuroprotective action, preventing damage by lowering harmful inflammation in the brain. Lion's Mane mushroom may also have protective effects on the peripheral nervous system, which consists of the nerves that connect the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. Animal studies show that Lion's Mane protects against peripheral nerve damage by promoting nerve regeneration and reducing oxidative stress.

Szućko-Kociuba I, Trzeciak-Ryczek A, Kupnicka P, Chlubek D. Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Nov 3;24(21):15960. doi: 10.3390/ijms242115960. PMID: 37958943; PMCID: PMC10650066

Brandalise F, Roda E, Ratto D, Goppa L, Gargano ML, Cirlincione F, Priori EC, Venuti MT, Pastorelli E, Savino E, Rossi P. Hericium erinaceus in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, How Far from the Shoreline? J Fungi (Basel). 2023 May 10;9(5):551. doi: 10.3390/jof9050551. PMID: 37233262; PMCID: PMC10218917

Cognitive enhancement in younger people

In a randomized, double blind placebo-controlled study, a single dose of lions mane measurably improved cognitive efficiency and speed in healthy adults ages 18 to 45.

Docherty S, Doughty FL, Smith EF. The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2023 Nov 20;15(22):4842. doi: 10.3390/nu15224842. PMID: 38004235; PMCID: PMC10675414

Prevention of cognitive decline/improvement of cognition in older people

Brain aging is a crucial risk factor for several neurodegenerative disorders and dementia. The cognitive function that is most affected is memory. As we age, our brain’s ability to form new or preserve existing neuronal connections gradually diminishes, eventually leading to a decline in mental functioning and memory.

A growing number of clinical studies demonstrate that Lion's Mane helps protect against this process, both by promoting BDNF and NGF activity, and by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Silva AM, Preto M, Grosso C, Vieira M, Delerue-Matos C, Vasconcelos V, Reis M, Barros L, Martins R. Tracing the Path between Mushrooms and Alzheimer's Disease-A Literature Review. Molecules. 2023 Jul 24;28(14):5614. doi: 10.3390/molecules28145614. PMID: 37513486; PMCID: PMC10384108.

Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, Chen WP, Lu TH, Lee LY, Chen YW, Chen YP, Chen CC, Lin DP. Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020 Jun 3;12:155. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155. PMID: 32581767; PMCID: PMC7283924.

In a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study of people over 50 years old with normal cognitive function years taking 800 mg of Lion’s Mane fruiting body, the Lion’s Mane group had significantly improved cognitive function as compared with the placebo group after 12 weeks.

Saitsu Y, Nishide A, Kikushima K, Shimizu K, Ohnuki K. Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomed Res. 2019;40(4):125-131. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.40.125. PMID: 31413233.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study studied the effect of 750 mg of Lion's Mane for 16 weeks in 50 to 80 year old men with mild cognitive impairment. Compared to the group taking a placebo, the Lion's Mane group showed significantly better cognition scores by week 8 which continued through the length of the study.

Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytother Res. 2009 Mar;23(3):367-72. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2634. PMID: 18844328. (abstract only)

Possible protection against Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and ischemic stroke

The erinacines, bioactive components of Lion’s mane, have been shown to reduce the growth of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Beta-amyloid plaques and are a feature of Alzheimer’s Disease and are thought to contribute to cognitive decline. The erinacines also stimulate the synthesis and release of nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that plays a critical role in the growth, maintenance, and survival of nerve cells. Low levels of NGF have been linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.

Yanshree, Yu WS, Fung ML, Lee CW, Lim LW, Wong KH. The Monkey Head Mushroom and Memory Enhancement in Alzheimer's Disease. Cells. 2022 Jul 24;11(15):2284. doi: 10.3390/cells11152284. PMID: 35892581; PMCID: PMC9331832.

A double-blind placebo-controlled study in patients with mild Alzheimer’s Disease of 350 mg lion’s mane mycelia for 49 weeks significantly improved both cognitive abilities and daily living skills, and was well tolerated.

Mood, Stress and Sleep Support

Lion's Mane mushroom may also have beneficial effects on mood and mental health. Lion’s mane mushrooms mitigate stress and lack of motivation, probably by reducing inflammation and promoting nerve growth. A lack of NGF and BDNF can play a role in mood disorders, and are found to be at reduced levels in those experiencing chronic stress. These immune-modulating functions help us deal with external stressors, and this in turn helps us achieve more restful sleep.

For example, four weeks of 2 g daily of Lion's mane fruiting body was associated with improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression in women.

Chong PS, Fung ML, Wong KH, Lim LW. Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Dec 25;21(1):163. doi: 10.3390/ijms21010163. PMID: 31881712; PMCID: PMC6982118

Modulation of Immune System; Anti-oxidant Effects

Chronic high inflammation and oxidative stress (exposure of cells to harmful oxidants) are involved in many illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders. Oxidative stress interferes with cell membrane function, and can cause irreversible damage to various cell components, including nerve cells.

Lion’s Mane contains powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant compounds that may help reduce the impact of these illnesses.

The immune-boosting effects of lion’s mane mushrooms are due to the effects of a class of molecules called beta-glucans on immune function. Lion’s Mane also defends cells from oxidative damage and reduces high inflammation. Both inflammation and oxidative stress are known to have a role in cognitive impairments associated with aging. Research has shown that Lion's Mane may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases, not only by promoting NGF production, but also by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Han B, Baruah K, Cox E, Vanrompay D, Bossier P. Structure-Functional Activity Relationship of β-Glucans From the Perspective of Immunomodulation: A Mini-Review. Front Immunol. 2020 Apr 22;11:658. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00658. PMID: 32391005; PMCID: PMC7188827.

Kushairi N, Phan CW, Sabaratnam V, David P, Naidu M. Lion's Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Suppresses H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-Induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia. Antioxidants (Basel). 2019 Aug 1;8(8):261. doi: 10.3390/antiox8080261. PMID: 31374912; PMCID: PMC6720269.

Gastrointestinal and Microbiome Health

One of the ways in which Lion’s mane mushroom can boost immunity is by increasing the activity of the intestine’s immune system, which protects the body from pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose. These effects seem to be due to beneficial changes in the gut bacteria – the gut microbiome.

In animal studies, Lion’s Mane protects against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the overgrowth of Helicobacter pylori bacteria, thus protecting the stomach lining from damage. It can also mitigate inflammatory bowel disease.

Gravina AG, Pellegrino R, Auletta S, Palladino G, Brandimarte G, D'Onofrio R, Arboretto G, Imperio G, Ventura A, Cipullo M, Romano M, Federico A. Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases. World J Gastroenterol. 2023 May 28;29(20):3048-3065. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v29.i20.3048. PMID: 37346156; PMCID: PMC10280799.

Safety of Lion’s Mane

Experimental studies suggest that Lion's mane is safe and very well tolerated, with no safety issues and no evident adverse effects.

Like any food, allergies and sensitivities to mushrooms are always possible.

Please consult a health care practitioner prior to using Lion’s Mane supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

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