Index
Highlights
- Lion’s mane has shown to be able to boost brain function improving memory, learning and focus.
- Studies have shown improvements in memory, vision and brain activity for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.
- In studies it was discovered that Lion’s Mane can boost the nerve growth factor (NGF).
- Lion’s Mane can help combat brain fog, a common problem that affects cognitive function and impacts focus and memory.
Clinical Studies on Lion's Mane and Cognitive Impairment
Study 1: How Lion’s Mane Can Improve Brain Function
- Department of Biological and Environmental Chemistry, Kindai University. Radiation Effects Association. Department of Optical Imaging, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine.
- Department of Agro-environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University.
- 2019
- Phase 2
- RCT
- The study tested how eating Lion’s Mane mushroom for 12 weeks can improve brain functions in a group of people.
- The study used three tests to measure memory, attention, and learning skills. One test (MMSE) showed that Lion’s Mane mushroom helped the brain and prevented it from getting worse.
- Lion’s Mane mushroom has compounds that can affect the brain networks and improve their performance.
Study 2: Lion’s Mane Can Help Boost Nerve Cell Growth & Survival
- Mushroom Research Centre, Fungal Biotechnology Lab, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- 2013
- Preclinical Study
- Lion's Mane contains compounds that stimulate NGF production, crucial for neuron growth.
- A study showed that combining NGF with the mushroom greatly enhances neurite outgrowth in nerve cells.
- The mushroom extract is non-toxic
Study 3: Lion’s Mane Could Prevent Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease: A pilot Study With Real And Placebo Pills
Affiliations:
- Biotech Research Institute, Grape King Bio Ltd., Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
- Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
- Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan.
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
- Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Nutraceutical Biotechnology, Shih Chien University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
- Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan.
Essential Features:
- 2020
- Phase 2
- RCT
Key Characteristics and Findings:
- Lions Mane capsules improved cognitive function and vision in mild Alzheimer’s patients over a duration of 49 weeks.
- Brain scans showed stable activity in the mushroom group, unlike the placebo group.
- The treatment was safe, with few mild side effects reported.
Summary
The research aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Lion's Mane for individuals with mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).
Over a 49-week clinical trial, participants were administered three daily capsules of Lion's Mane, each containing 5 mg/g of erinacine A, while a control group received placebo capsules. Comprehensive assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention, including cognitive tests, ophthalmic examinations, blood biomarker analysis, and neuroimaging.
The findings indicated that the the Lion's Mane group experienced significant cognitive improvements, enhanced visual acuity, and healthier brain activity, as evidenced by memory test performance and neuroimaging results. In contrast, the placebo group showed no improvement, with some individuals experiencing further cognitive decline.
The study concluded that Lion's Mane is not only safe to use but also a potentially effective treatment for AD, offering benefits in memory and visual function, with a possible role in mitigating symptoms of Brain Fog.
Study 4: How Lion’s Mane Can Boost Brain Activity And Memory
Affiliations:
- Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology (DBB) "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
- MycoMedica d.o.o., Podkoren 72, 4280 Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.
- O. B. L. Department of Surgical Sciences, V. Ospedale 54, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Via S. Epifanio 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Via S. Epifanio 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Miconet s.r.l, Academic Spin-Off of the University of Pavia, Via Moruzzi 13, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology (DBB) "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Miconet s.r.l, Academic Spin-Off of the University of Pavia, Via Moruzzi 13, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Essential Features:
- 2017
- Preclinical study
Key Characteristics and Findings:
- In Alzheimer’s models, Lion's Mane has been shown to prevent memory impairment, and recent studies suggest it also promotes nerve growth and differentiation.
- Even in healthy mice, Lion's Mane improves memory and stimulates brain cell activity, suggesting it may boost brain function in non-diseased states.
Summary
The research investigated the potential health benefits of Lion's Mane focusing on its capacity to enhance the immune system and cognitive functions.
In a controlled laboratory setting, mice diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease were administered Lion's Mane, resulting in a notable prevention of memory deficits typically associated with the condition. Additionally, the mushroom exhibited remarkable effects on neuronal cells.
This pioneering study also explored the impact of Lion's Mane on brain function in non-pathological conditions. Utilizing a cohort of healthy mice, the researchers observed an improvement in recognition memory following dietary supplementation with the mushroom.
Furthermore, an increase in synaptic activity within the hippocampal region was documented, suggesting enhanced neuronal connectivity.
These findings suggest that Lion’s Mane has the potential to positively influence brain health and cognitive function, offering benefits not only to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease but also to those seeking cognitive enhancement or Brain Fog mitigation in a healthy population.
Study 5: How Lion’s Mane Can Boost Memory
Affiliations:
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani" (DBB), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
- Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani" (DBB), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy;
- Department of Earth andEnvironmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
- O.B.L. Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
Essential Features:
- 2018
- Preclinical study
Key Characteristics and Findings:
- Lion's Mane shows promise for neuroprotection and may help treat cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
- In mice, a two-month diet including Lion's Mane led to more active behavior but did not enhance spatial memory, suggesting selective cognitive benefits.
- The study supports the dual-process theory of memory, where Lion's Mane improves recognition memory, potentially involving the perirhinal cortex, without affecting spatial memory linked to the hippocampus.
Summary
The study aimed to investigate the cognitive effects of Lion's Mane on mice. Over a two-month period, researchers supplemented the diets of mice with Lion’s Mane and subsequently assessed their performance in maze navigation tasks.
The results indicated that while Lion’s Mane increased overall activity levels in the mice, it did not enhance their spatial navigation abilities within the mazes. However, the supplementation did lead to improvements in recognition memory, as evidenced by the mice’s ability to recall previously encountered objects and locations.
This aspect of memory, crucial for both learning and daily functioning, suggests that Lion’s Mane may have beneficial effects on recognition memory.
Such findings hold potential implications for individuals experiencing cognitive impairments, such as Brain Fog.
Study 6: How Lion’s Mane mushroom can make more nerve growth factor in human brain cells
Affiliations:
- Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.
Essential Features:
- 2008
- Phase 2
- RCT
Key Characteristics and Findings:
- Lion's Mane uniquely promotes NGF gene expression and protein secretion in human astrocytoma cells, enhancing neurite growth.
- The mushroom’s effect on NGF expression is mediated through the JNK signaling pathway, not by hericenones C, D, and E.
- In mice, Lion's Mane increases NGF mRNA levels in the hippocampus, suggesting potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
Summary
In a rigorously controlled clinical trial, a cohort of elderly Japanese individuals, aged 50 to 80, exhibited cognitive improvements following oral administration of Lion’s Mane.
The investigative team assessed the neurotrophic impact of four commonly consumed mushrooms - Lion's Mane, Eringi, Maitake, and Himematsutake - particularly their influence on gene expression related to nerve growth within neuronal cells. Among the tested mushrooms, only the extract derived from Lion's Mane demonstrated a significant capacity to enhance NGF synthesis. The extract not only elevated NGF protein secretion but also amplified neurite extension in PC12 cells, a standard cellular model for neuroscientific studies.
Lion's Mane stands out as an exceptional mushroom, celebrated for its array of health benefits, notably its positive influence on cognitive function and overall brain health. Its properties suggest a supportive role for individuals experiencing cognitive haze or Brain Fog, enhancing mental clarity and focus.
With its long, flowing, white spines that look like a lion’s mane, this mushroom has piqued the interest of both traditional medicine and modern research. It’s unique in the fungal kingdom for its potential to support neural health, improve mental clarity, and provide a natural remedy for conditions like Brain Fog.
How do I Find A Good Quality Lion's Mane Supplement?
Choosing a good quality mushroom supplement can be a daunting task, as there are many options available in the market. However, there are a few key things to consider when selecting a high-quality mushroom supplement.
Find Out More
What Dose Of Lion's Mane Should I Take?
For those seeking to improve cognitive function using Lion's Mane, the recommended dosage typically ranges from 3 to 5 grams per day. However, it's important to approach supplementation thoughtfully:
Definition of Terms
1. Phases of Clinical Trials- Preclinical Studies: Researchers use laboratory and animal studies to test a new drug’s safety and efficacy before trying it on people.
- Phase 0 Trials: Researchers give very small doses of a new drug to a few people to see if it is safe enough for phase 1 trials. They do not expect the drug to work at this stage.
- Phase 1 Trials: Researchers test a new drug on a small group of people (20-100) to find out its most common and serious side effects and how the body processes and eliminates it.
- Phase 2 Trials: Researchers test a new drug on a larger group of people (several hundred) to confirm its safety and measure its effectiveness. They also compare it with existing treatments or a placebo.
- Phase 3 Trials: Researchers test a new drug on a very large group of people (several hundred to several thousand) to prove its effectiveness and safety. They also collect more data on the drug’s benefits and possible risks. If the drug passes this phase, the manufacturer can apply for approval to sell it to the public.
- Phase 4 Trials: Researchers monitor a new drug’s long-term effects and safety after it has been approved and sold. They also compare it with other drugs in the market and look for any rare or unexpected side effects.
- Saitsu, Y., Nishide, A., Kikushima, K., Shimizu, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2019). Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomedical research (Tokyo, Japan), 40(4), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.40.125
- Lai, P. L., Naidu, M., Sabaratnam, V., Wong, K. H., David, R. P., Kuppusamy, U. R., Abdullah, N., & Malek, S. N. (2013). Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 15(6), 539–554. https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i6.30
- Li, I. C., Chang, H. H., Lin, C. H., Chen, W. P., Lu, T. H., Lee, L. Y., Chen, Y. W., Chen, Y. P., Chen, C. C., & Lin, D. P. (2020). Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 12, 155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155
- Brandalise, F., Cesaroni, V., Gregori, A., Repetti, M., Romano, C., Orrù, G., Botta, L., Girometta, C., Guglielminetti, M. L., Savino, E., & Rossi, P. (2017). Dietary Supplementation of Hericium erinaceus Increases Mossy Fiber-CA3 Hippocampal Neurotransmission and Recognition Memory in Wild-Type Mice. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2017, 3864340. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3864340
- Rossi, P., Cesaroni, V., Brandalise, F., Occhinegro, A., Ratto, D., Perrucci, F., Lanaia, V., Girometta, C., Orrù, G., & Savino, E. (2018). Dietary Supplementation of Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Agaricomycetes), and Spatial Memory in Wild-Type Mice. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 20(5), 485–494. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018026241
- Mori, K., Obara, Y., Hirota, M., Azumi, Y., Kinugasa, S., Inatomi, S., & Nakahata, N. (2008). Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin, 31(9), 1727–1732. https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.31.1727
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