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.(link)
Recent studies reveal its remarkable benefits for brain and nervous system health, supporting and protecting cognitive function across the lifespan. Some of these studies are in humans, while others are in animals and have yet to be replicated in humans.
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 nervous system
Supports cardiovascular health
Supports healthy blood sugar levels
Delivers antioxidant support
Supports healthy immune function
Studies and Reviews: Lion’s Mane, General Effects
Friedman, M. Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium
erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and
Their Bioactive Compounds. Jl Agric Food Chem Aug 2015, 63, 7108−7123
Cha S et al. A review of the effects of mushrooms on mood and neurocognitive health across the lifespan. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 158 (2024)
link: 105548.https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38246232/
Specific Benefits
Cognition and Memory
There is scientific evidence that Lions Mane can improve cognition, regardless of ones’ age. One of the most significant benefits of Lion's Mane mushroom for neurological health is its ability to promote nerve growth factor (NGF) production. NGF is a protein that plays a critical role in the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons. Low levels of NGF have been linked to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease.
Two bioactive compound classes in Lion’s Mane, the hericenones and the erinacines, have been found to stimulate the growth of brain cells through a process known as neurogenesis. These compounds achieve this by stimulating the release of NGF and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which are known to regulate the development, maintenance, function and survival of neuronal cells.
Spelman, et al Neurologic Activity of Lion’s Mane. Jl Restorative Medicine.V6(1) Mar 2017, 19-26
Silva et al. Tracing the path between mushrooms and Alzheimers Disease Molecules 2023 Jul; 28(14): 5614. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10384108/pdf/molecules-28-05614.pdf
Neurogenesis, Neuroplasticity and Neuroprotection
Lion’s mane has been found in numerous animal studies to promote the growth of new nerve cells (neurogenesis) and new connections between nerve cells in the brain (neuroplasticity) through its stimulation of the formation of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain. 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 et al. Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus. Int J Mol Sci 2023 Nov 3;24(21):15960. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37958943/
Martinez-Marmol, et al. Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic
pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling
enhancing spatial memory. Journal of Neurochemistry. 2023;165:791–808.
Cognitive enhancement in younger people
In a randomized, double blind placebo controlled study, a single dose of lions mane improved cognitive efficiency and speed in healthy adults ages 18-45.
Docherty, et al 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. link:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38004235/
Prevention of cognitive decline 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 may help protect against neurodegenerative diseases, not only by promoting NGF production, but by also reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
A double-blind-placebo-controlled study studied the effect of 250 mg of Lion's Mane three times a day 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 at 8, 12 and 16 week intervals all showed significantly improved cognition scores as measured by the HDS-R Dementia Scale.
Mori et al. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research (2009) : PTR, 23(3), 367–372.https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2634
A randomized, double blind placebo controlled study of people over 50 years old with normal cognitive function years taking 0.8 g of Lion’s Mane fruiting body, the Lion’s mane group had significantly improved cognitive function after 12 weeks, as measured by the MMSE cognitive exam.
Saitsu, et al Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus, Biomed Res 40 (2019).125–131, https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.40.125.
A double blind placebo controlled trial in 41 patients with mild Alzheimer’s Disease of 350 mg lion’s mane mycelia daily for 49 weeks significantly improved both cognitive abilities and daily living skills, as measured by the CASI, the MMSE and IADL, and was well tolerated.
Li et al. Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine-A enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience June 2020 | Volume 12 | Article 155 | www.frontiersin.org
Kawagishi et al Compounds for dementia from Hericium erinaceus, Drugs of the Future, 2008, 33, pp149-153.9
Possible protection against Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease and ischemic stroke
In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease, 30 days of Lions Mane resulted in less amyloid plaque and fewer tau tangles - brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s Disease.
Silva, et al. Tracing the Path between Mushrooms and Alzheimer’s Disease - A Literature Review. Molecules 2023, 28, 5614.
Yanshree, et al The Monkey Head Mushroom and Memory Enhancement in Alzheimer’s Disease. Cells 2022, 11, 2284. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11152284
In an animal model of Parkinsons Disease, Lion’s Mane improved lesions in the substantia nigra, the part of the brain that is damaged in Parkinson’s Disease., Lion’s Mane mycelia also significantly decreased brain damage from stroke in rats.
Brandalise et al. Hericium erinaceus in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Bench
to Bedside and Beyond. J. Fungi 2023, 9, 551. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9050551
Li, et al Neurohealth Properties of Hericeum erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Eranicines. Behavioural Neurology V 2018, Article ID 5802634, 10 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5802634
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 2.0 g/day of Lion's mane fruiting body was associated with improvement in symptoms of anxiety and depression in women.
Chong et al Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Dec 25;21(1):16. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3188171
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. 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 effect 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. As mentioned above, 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.
Kim et al. Stimulatory Effect of Beta-glucans on Immune Cells Immune Network
Volume 11 Number 4 August 2011
Han et al. Structure-Functional Activity Relationship of b-Glucans From the Perspective of Immunomodulation: Frontiers in Immunology. April 2020 | Volume 11 | Article 658
Kaushari, et al. Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus suppresses H202-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia. Antioxidants 2019, 8, 261; doi:10.3390/antiox8080261
B. Halliwell et al. Ageing, nutrition, disease, and therapy: a role for antioxidants, Free radicals in Biology and Medicine, 2015, pp.639-696.
Gastrointestinal and Microbiome Health
One of the ways in which Lion’s mane mushroom can boost immunity is by increasing the activity of the intestinal 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 gut bacteria that stimulate the immune system.
In animal studies, Lion’s Mane protects against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage. It can also mitigate inflammatory bowel disease.
Gravina, et al. Hericium erinaceus, a medicinal fungus with a centuries-old history: Evidence in gastrointestinal diseases.World J Gastroenterol 2023 May 28; 29(20): 3048-3065
Cardiovascular Health
Lion’s mane has been found to be a potent inhibitor of LDL oxidation and HMG CoA activity, suggesting therapeutic potential for the prevention of cardiovascular disease mediated by oxidative stress. This is shown in animal studies but has yet to be studies in a human population
Hiwatashi et al. Yamabushitake mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) improved lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet. Biosci. 2010;74(7):1447–1451.
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.
Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.