Lion's Mane is one of the most unique mushrooms in the world. Its name comes from its hollow hairs which resemble a lion's mane. It’s a medicinal mushroom that has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. It contains compounds that support healthy nerve growth and function, making it a great natural health supplement for boosting brain function. In this article, we'll get into some of the features that make lion's mane so unique, including its history and how to use it as a food and supplement.
Health Benefits of Lion's Mane
The benefits of Lion’s Mane are abundant. It has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine as a tonic for promoting longevity and memory. In recent years, it has also become popular among western herbalists as a nootropic supplement. Nootropics are substances that improve cognitive functions such as memory, focus and attention. They can also enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Here is a further list of benefits lion’s mane can have on your health:
•Brain health: It should come as no surprise that the brain ages just as fast as the body. Studies have shown that lion's mane mushroom contains compounds that can help to slow the effects of aging on the brain.
•Cognition: A double-blind (both researchers and participants don’t know what group participants are in), parallel-group (participants are randomly assigned to groups), placebo-controlled trial (one group receives a placebo supplement and the other a supplement containing medicinal ingredients) was performed on 50 to 80-year old Japanese people with mild cognitive impairment. The group taking lion's mane showed increased scores on the cognitive function scale, with the researchers concluding that lion's mane is effective at improving mild cognitive impairment.
•Mood: New animal research suggests that lion's mane could help to reduce symptoms of anxiety in mice. This could be due to its ability to reduce inflammation, a contributor to depression and anxiety.
That's not all lion's mane can do, it has also been shown to be effective in preventing stomach ulcers, helping to support heart health and helping to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which are risk factors for developing chronic disease in the long run.Active Ingredients in Lion’s Mane
Lion's mane contains beta-glucans, which are polysaccharides (chains of sugar molecules) found in the cell walls of fungi and some other organisms. Lion’s mane contains bioactive compounds called hericenones and erinacines that have been shown to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). NGF is a protein that promotes neuron survival, differentiation, and growth. NGF plays an important role in brain development, memory formation, learning, and mood regulation.
Is Lion’s Mane Mushroom Psychedelic?
No. Lion’s Mane is not a psychedelic. It contains compounds which support healthy nerve growth and function, making it a great dietary supplement for boosting brain function without the side effects of psychedelics.
Growing and Finding Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane mushrooms can be found growing on trees. They grow in cool, temperate climates, and are commonly found in North America and Europe.
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are white-to-cream-coloured, with long, spindly stems and frilly caps. They can grow up to 15cm (6 inches) in length, although most specimens are about 10cm (4 inches). They are very similar in appearance to another type of edible mushroom called shaggy manes. Both have long stems and frilly white caps. However, lion’s mane has a more distinct “mane” or tuft of spines at the top of its cap that makes it easy to distinguish from other types of mushrooms.
Nowadays, lion’s mane is harvested for both supplement and culinary uses. People love to cook with lion’s mane, favouring its rich, savoury flavour and similarity in texture to meat.
Lion's Mane Supplements & Dosing
The typical dosage of lion's mane supplement is 1,000 milligrams daily. Research suggests that the best way to take lion's mane is in a concentrated extract form with at least 10 percent alpha-glucan polysaccharides (AGPs).
Although there have been no studies examining the side effects of taking lion's mane, very few incidences have been reported, making side effects from lion's mane rare. It is worth pointing out that people with allergies to mushrooms should avoid taking lion's mane, as it is a fungus.
In conclusion, the many benefits of lion's mane, as well as the low chance of side effects, make it a beneficial add-on to your supplement (and cooking) regime, especially if you are looking to support your brain health.Which Lion’s Mane Supplement is Best?
It’s important to know that you are purchasing a high quality supplement that doesn’t contain additives and offers a highly absorbable formula. However, with the endless options available it’s not always easy to know which brands to trust. When shopping for a lion’s mane supplement, Purica Lion’s Mane powder is a science-backed formula that’s enjoyed by many. Made with micronized mushrooms, this formula is also vegan, gluten and GMO free and is Canadian to boot!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your practitioner prior to taking herbs or nutritional supplements.
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