6 Benefits Of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms

If you are interested in holistic health, you have most likely come across Lion’s mane. This medicinal mushroom is particularly well-known for its unique name and extensive, well-established benefits for human health.

Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), or hedgehog mushroom, is one of the most popular supplements to take. It's been popularized in traditional Chinese medicine but has now made its way to the mainstream of holistic wellness.

In this article, we’re going to introduce you to the benefits of Lion’s mane: what it is, what it’s used for, and how it can improve key markers of your health like cognitive function and mood. 

Let’s get started!

Lion’s mane is a type of medicinal mushroom. It’s a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine used for improving issues related to cognitive function. It is also colloquially known as the hedgehog mushroom due to its unusual appearance. The mushroom looks as if it has spikes sticking out around it, kind of like a hedgehog.

This medicinal mushroom is safe for human consumption and grows in North America, Asia, and some parts of Europe. The ways to consume this mushroom are varied, but common ways are:

• Raw
• Cooked
• Dried
• Used in tea
• In supplement form

The way you consume this supplement can affect how it is absorbed and metabolized, thus altering the effects. Arguably, for the therapeutic benefits, the best way to take Lion’s mane is in supplement form. This ensures the properties are extracted optimally and the bioavailability is maximized.

Medicinal mushrooms have a number of well-established, evidence-based benefits for human consumption and are a key component in many holistic, complementary, and alternative health practices.

Lion’s mane contains polysaccharides called beta-glucans, as well as an abundance of antioxidants. A study published in 2012 examined the nutrient profile of 14 different culinary-medicinal mushrooms including Lion's mane. The researchers found that Lion’s mane contained the fourth-highest concentration of antioxidant compounds when compared with other mushroom species.

The nutritional properties of Lion’s mane are the reason why it is associated with so many benefits. Before we get into the specific benefits of Lion’s mane supplements, here are some of the conditions they are used to treat:

• Mental health conditions like depression and anxiety
• Inflammation
• Cognitive function - focus, memory recall, mood
• Neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
• Heart disease
• Cancer
• Ulcers
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol

As you can see, the conditions that can be treated with Lion’s mane are numerous. To understand how this ingredient is able to have such a powerful therapeutic effect, let’s take a deeper look into the top benefits of Lion’s mane mushrooms.

1. Anti-Inflammatory

Scientists believe that high levels of inflammation and free radical damage are the precursors to all diseases, as explored in a 2009 study. Many aspects of our modern lives cause inflammation, including:

• Stress
• Inflammatory diet
• Vitamin deficiency
• Hormonal imbalances
• Lack of sleep
• Toxin and chemical exposure

Levels of chronic, low-grade inflammation are higher than ever, and the key to reducing this is through dietary and lifestyle interventions. Antioxidants found in natural foods are able to reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals. One of the most advertised benefits of Lion’s mane is its antioxidant capacity, as mentioned previously.

 

To understand how antioxidants work in the body to fight inflammation, here’s an analogy: free radicals are the rebellious fighters trying to take down the state (your body), causing destruction everywhere (inflammation). Antioxidants are the state’s army, protecting the ‘state’ from being overthrown.

Consuming a Lion’s mane supplement regularly will fight inflammation to help prevent the conditions associated with this symptom including cancer, neurological disease, digestive issues, skin conditions like acne, and premature aging.

3. Natural Nootropic

Nootropics are cognitive enhancers, meaning they increase your ability to perform thinking-related tasks including memory recall, information processing, and speech. They can also boost attention span and reaction time.

 

While nootropics are extremely popular and effective supplements, they are often stimulants. For example, caffeine is an effective cognitive enhancer, but for some, it can cause anxiety, jitters, or digestive issues. This is where Lion’s mane comes in.

A study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms found that Lion’s mane contains hericenones and erinacines. These are two natural compounds that stimulate neurotrophic growth factor which induces the synthesis of nerve cells. This essentially increases the size and capacity of your brain.

 

A randomized controlled trial observed the cognitive effects of Lion’s mane. The researchers gave a Lion’s mane supplement to a group of adults who were experiencing mild cognitive impairment. Mild cognitive impairment was defined as brain fog, struggling to focus, poor memory, etc - all very common! After four months of daily supplementation with Lion's mane, the participants noted significant improvements in cognitive function.

4. Natural Mood Enhancer

As mentioned earlier, one of the most common uses for Lion’s mane is to treat depression and anxiety. To preface our analysis on this, it’s important to note that there are many factors that give rise to mood disorders including genetics, social relationships, predisposition, and inflammation. They can all contribute to the occurrence and severity of the condition. While Lion’s mane may not be effective for severe depression, it has been shown to improve mild to moderate symptoms.

 

A study published in 2017 found that Lion’s mane improved the function of the hippocampus in wild mice. In humans, this region of the brain is commonly impaired in patients with mental health disorders.

A study published in 2010 conducted a 4-week randomized controlled trial to examine the effects of Lion's mane in a group of female participants experiencing depression and/or anxiety. Compared to the placebo group, those who took Lion’s mane daily experienced a reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms. The participants in this group also felt less irritated and were better able to concentrate.

There are two main mechanisms responsible for this:

 

1.     Reducing inflammation in the brain

2.     Stimulating nerve growth factor synthesis

 

Both of these mechanisms improve markers of cognitive function.

5. Neuroprotective

Another well-established benefit of Lion’s mane is its ability to prevent and improve dementia in neurological disorders like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. This is why Lion’s mane is often referred to in research as neuroprotective. The bioactive compounds in Lion’s mane are able to pass through the blood-brain barrier, allowing them to target specific neurological dysfunctions.

Up to 1 billion people in the world suffer from neurological disorders, according to research conducted by the United Nations in 2007. Finding a natural remedy to help alleviate and prevent this condition can have profound implications for the world’s neurological health.

A 2016 study examining the neuroprotective effects of Lion’s mane found that it was able to induce cell differentiation, reverse the reduction of cell viability, and enhance the nuclear apoptosis rate of Parkinson’s cells. Moreover, it was also able to “suppress intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation”, i.e. combat inflammation.

 

In another study, participants took 3 grams of Lion’s mane per day for 16 weeks. At the end of the trial, a significant improvement in mental functioning was observed. However, this only lasted as long as supplementation continued.

 

So keep taking your supplement daily!