lion mane nooroots nootropic supplement

Lion's Mane: Nootropic Spotlight

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About the Author

Daniel was awarded a Master of Science degree from Imperial College London. He is currently completing a PhD in Regenerative Medicine at the Francis Crick Institute. 

 

Contents

  • What is Lion's Mane?
  • Lion's Mane Benefits
  • Lion's Mane Mechanism of Action
  • Lion's Mane Side Effects

 

Lion's Mane: A Health Guide to Safe and Effective Supplementation

 

lions mane nooroots nootropic supplements

 

What is Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s mane is a type of mushroom that gets its name from its long, shaggy shape. Lion’s mane has been used as a natural supplement for hundreds of years and is thought to have protective properties over nerves and their function1.

It is also thought to improve nerve development and to promote gut health.  This is due to the bioactive substances they contain2. It also has strong anti-inflammatory and immune boosting abilities that work to support overall health.

 

Lion’s Mane Benefits

Lion’s mane has a long history in homoeopathic and natural medicine which scientists have begun to investigate in recent years. Some of the amazing benefits include:  
  • Enhanced cognitive function: Human studies have shown that lion’s mane can improve cognitive abilities on standardised tests 3,4
  • Neuroprotective properties: Studies have demonstrated that lion's mane has both neuroprotective and neuroregenerative abilities so keep your brain healthy and minimise damage caused by injury, inflammation or aging 1,2,5,6
  • Reduced anxiety and depression: Lion’s mane mushroom supplementation has also been shown to reduce depression and anxiety!7

 

 

Lion’s Mane Mechanism of Action

Lion’s mane mushroom works by crossing the blood-brain barrier and causing reactions within the brain. It contains two compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells. These are called hericenones and erinacines and they act by promoting nerve growth factor synthesis8.

They stimulate the release of nerve growth factor which helps to regenerate nerves in the brain and reduce symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or other neurodegenerative conditions2,9. This process has been documented successfully in animal studies where by rats with nerve injuries were treated with lion’s mane and experienced earlier return of limb function5
 
The most known usage of lion’s mane is in protection or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease or general cognitive decline with age. In animal studies, lion’s mane has been shown to protect from damage caused by amyloid plaques which are thought to be the key mechanism of brain damage in Alzheimer’s disease10,11.
 
Lion’s mane has the amazing ability to reduce inflammation in the brain. This can help to improve function in the areas of the brain associated with mood and emotion. This can reduce anxiety and depression and give us an overall mood boost12,13.

 

Lion’s Mane Side Effects

nooroots formula uses a very safe dose of Lion's Mane. Above this some side effects are mild and only occur at doses more than 1gram daily for 16 weeks14. Recorded side effects include stomach discomfort at this very high dose.

     

Evidence

  1. He X, Wang X, Fang J, et al. Structures, biological activities, and industrial applications of the polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) mushroom: A review. Int J Biol Macromol. 2017;97:228-237. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.01.040
  2. Friedman M. Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds. J Agric Food Chem. 2015;63(32):7108-7123. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.5b02914
  3. Saitsu Y, Nishide A, Kikushima K, Shimizu K, Ohnuki K. Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomed Res Tokyo Jpn. 2019;40(4):125-131. doi:10.2220/biomedres.40.125
  4. 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 PTR. 2009;23(3):367-372. doi:10.1002/ptr.2634
  5. Wong KH, Naidu M, David RP, Bakar R, Sabaratnam V. Neuroregenerative Potential of Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Higher Basidiomycetes), in the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injury (Review). Int J Med Mushrooms. 2012;14(5). doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v14.i5.10
  6. Li IC, Chang HH, Lin CH, et al. Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Front Aging Neurosci. 2020;12:155. doi:10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155
  7. Nagano M, Shimizu K, Kondo R, et al. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. Biomed Res Tokyo Jpn. 2010;31(4):231-237. doi:10.2220/biomedres.31.231
  8. Ma BJ, Shen JW, Yu HY, Ruan Y, Wu TT, Zhao X. Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus. Mycology. 2010;1(2):92-98. doi:10.1080/21501201003735556
  9. Lai PL, Naidu M, Sabaratnam V, et al. Neurotrophic Properties of the Lion’s Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. Int J Med Mushrooms. 2013;15(6). doi:10.1615/IntJMedMushr.v15.i6.30
  10. Spelman K, Sutherland E, Bagade A. Neurological Activity of Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus). J Restor Med. 2017;6(1):19-26. doi:10.14200/jrm.2017.6.0108
  11. Mori K, Obara Y, Moriya T, Inatomi S, Nakahata N. Effects of <I>Hericium erinaceus</I> on amyloid β(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. Biomed Res. 2011;32(1):67-72. doi:10.2220/biomedres.32.67
  12. Ryu S, Kim HG, Kim JY, Kim SY, Cho KO. Hericium erinaceus Extract Reduces Anxiety and Depressive Behaviors by Promoting Hippocampal Neurogenesis in the Adult Mouse Brain. J Med Food. 2018;21(2):174-180. doi:10.1089/jmf.2017.4006
  13. Brandalise F, Cesaroni V, Gregori A, et al. Dietary Supplementation of Hericium erinaceus Increases Mossy Fiber-CA3 Hippocampal Neurotransmission and Recognition Memory in Wild-Type Mice. Evid-Based Complement Altern Med ECAM. 2017;2017:3864340. doi:10.1155/2017/3864340
  14. WebMD. LION’S MANE MUSHROOM: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews. Accessed May 11, 2022. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1536/lions-mane-mushroom
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