Get your mental performance roaring with a lion’s mane nootropic supplement

If you’re looking to get your mental performance roaring, consider adding a nootropic supplement called lion’s mane to your daily regimen.

Also known as yamabushitake or Hericium erinaceus, lion’s mane is a potent edible mushroom that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and is also a popular ingredient in East Asian cuisines.

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Bioactive compounds

Named for its unique shaggy appearance, the mushroom grows in regions in North America, Europe and Asia.

Lion’s mane mushrooms contain various bioactive compounds that may improve the brain’s regenerative function to aid brain cell recovery and potentially offer neuroprotective properties while supporting mental clarity and better sleep.

Available research also suggests a possible benefit on certain measures of memory and cognitive function along with improvements in depression, anxiety, and fatigue.

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Possible cognitive, neuroprotective benefits

Findings from a placebo-controlled trial¹ published in Phytotherapy Research suggest that lion’s mane may improve symptoms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older age.

During the study, adults (Japanese men) aged between 50 and 80 took four tablets containing 250mg of lion’s mane three times a day for 16 weeks.

Cognitive function scale testing showed that the participants taking lion’s mane scored higher than the placebo group, and their cognitive ability improved while taking the supplement.

However, cognitive test scores decreased significantly just four weeks after discontinuing use.

In terms of its neuroprotective benefits, a 2021 study² published in the journal Antioxidants found that lion’s mane (and another type of mushroom known as coriolus versicolor or turkey tail) exhibit neuroprotective effects against the inflammation and oxidative stress often associated with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which may increase a person’s risk of developing conditions like Parkinson’s disease.

Lion’s mane’s potential neuroprotective benefits may relate to its impact on nerve growth. The mushroom contains compounds called hericenones and erinacines, which may stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain³, which plays a crucial role in brain cell health and communication, and some believe it may help protect against cognitive decline.

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Positive effect on mood

Lion’s mane might also offer relief from anxiety and depression symptoms, with animal and human studies demonstrating positive results.

For instance, a small study⁴ in mice found that a lion’s mane supplement increased dopamine and serotonin production in stressed mice while a small study⁵ involving menopausal women found that those consuming lion’s mane for four weeks reported reduced anxiety and depression compared to the placebo group.

A pilot study⁶ that investigated the acute and chronic (28-day) cognitive and mood-enhancing effects of lion’s mane in a healthy, young adult cohort emerged with similar results, showing improved “speed of performance” and reductions in “subjective stress in healthy, young adults”.

While the researchers in the mice study suspect that the NGF-boosting properties and anti-inflammatory effects of lion’s mane contribute to this positive effect on mood, the research on the menopausal women suggests a different mechanism from the NGF-enhancing action of lion’s mane.

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Immunomodulating properties

Lion’s mane may also modulate the immune system⁷, enhancing its ability to defend against pathogens and maintain optimal function.

Lion’s mane also provides antioxidant and anti-inflammatory support, which helps combat oxidative stress and free radical damage in the body, and contains unique polysaccharides, including beta-glucans, which have been studied for their immunomodulating properties.

Lion’s mane in supplement form

Lion’s mane mushrooms are typically included in supplements in the form of an extract, such as Biogen Lion’s Mane Extract.

Each convenient one-a-day capsule contains lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) as 200mg of a 10:1 extract, delivering 2,000mg per dose.

Add Biogen Lion’s Mane Extract to your daily supplement plan to enjoy the antioxidant and immuno-modulating properties of Lion’s Mane with ease.

Important considerations

While the research on lion’s mane is still progressing with larger, more robust studies looking to confirm its effectiveness, the initial results seem to support its use as a natural brain booster and mood regulator.

However, lion’s mane may interact with certain medications. As such, it is important to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before taking any supplement that contains this nootropic ingredient.

References:

1. 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.
2. D’Amico R, Salinaro AT, et al. Hericium erinaceus and Coriolus versicolor Modulate Molecular and Biochemical Changes after Traumatic Brain Injury. Antioxidants. 2021;10(6):898.
3. Lai PL, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V, Wong KH, David RP, Kuppusamy UR, Abdullah N, Malek SN. Neurotrophic properties of the Lion’s mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013;15(6):539-54. doi: 10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i6.30. PMID: 24266378.
4. Chiu C-H, Chyau C-C, Chen C-C, Lee L-Y, Chen W-P, Liu J-L, Lin W-H, Mong M-C. Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Produces Antidepressant-Like Effects through Modulating BDNF/PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling in Mice. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2018; 19(2):341. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020341.
5. Nagano M, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Hayashi C, Sato D, Kitagawa K, Ohnuki K. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomed Res. 2010 Aug;31(4):231-7. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.31.231. PMID: 20834180.
6. 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.

7. Sheng X, Yan J, Meng Y, Kang Y, Han Z, Tai G, Zhou Y, Cheng H. Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology. Food Funct. 2017 Mar 22;8(3):1020-1027. doi: 10.1039/c7fo00071e. PMID: 28266682.

Author: Pedro van Gaalen

When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.

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