Research focused on the the many health benefits of Lions Mane Mushroom
Lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines. Most research to date have focused on animal studies but there are some interesting recent studies involving humans that suggest interesting
Studies that focus on the effect of Lions Mane Mushrooms as a strategy to combat Alzheimers
· Animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimers disease a degenerative brain disease that causes progressive memory loss. Lion’s mane mushrooms have compounds that stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), which helps grow brain cells and may enhance memory and focus. Lab research also suggests that lion’s mane may help grow and repair nerve cells after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), like a stroke. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6720269/
· A 2020 study of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease found that supplementation with 1 gram of lion’s mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores compared with a placebo https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7283924/
Lions Mane Mushrooms may impact the recovery profile of spinal cord injury & stroke
· In vitro studies have found that lion’s mane mushroom extract may help speed recovery from Brain or spinal cord injuries by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells. It may also help reduce the severity of brain damage after a stroke.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26853959/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25159861/
Studies that focus on the effect of Lions Mane Mushrooms on mood and depression
· Animal research has found that lion’s mane mushroom extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29364170/
· Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. Researchers believe that improved hippocampus functioning may explain the reductions in anxious and depressive behaviors in mice receiving these extracts. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29091526/ https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5237458/
Protects against ulcers in the digestive tract, Two major factors typically cause stomach ulcers: overgrowth of the bacteria H. pylori and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach that’s often due to long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Lion’s mane extract may protect against the development of stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage