Lion’s Mane
Lion’s mane (Hericium Erinaceus) is a medicinal mushroom. Not to be confused with psychedelic mushrooms or shrooms, lion’s mane has been used for centuries in Asian medicine. Today, it is used in many natural nootropic supplements, which enhances mental cognition. In this article, I will discuss the history of lion’s mane, how lion’s mane works, and supplementation tips.
History
Lion’s mane has many names, including monkey’s head, bearded tooth, satyr’s beard, pom-pom mushroom, and - most commonly - yamabushitake. This mushroom’s names come from its unique appearance. Lion’s mane belongs to the tooth family of mushrooms, which have a unique flowering body that gives them a lion’s mane or beard-like appearance, unlike a typical mushroom.
Lion’s mane grows all across the northern hemisphere. It can be found naturally in North America, Europe, and across Asia. Even though it grows in a variety of regions, it was first used by the Chinese and Japanese. The Chinese used lion’s mane in traditional Chinese medicine as an overall tonic to fortify internal organs and even fight cancer. In Japan, a group of Buddhist monks used a dried lion’s mane powder to enhance their “mental focus” during meditation. To me, it sounds like these monks were getting their hands on some other kind of “shrooms” to help their meditation.
For centuries, lion’s mane was procured by foraging in forests. Lion’s mane is a parasitic fungus that prefers to grow on decaying hardwoods. In 1988, China began to industrially cultivate lion’s mane. Today, lion’s mane grows on farms on many medians, including sawdust, hardwood, and even aqueous solutions.
What does Lion’s mane do?
Lion’s mane is a common natural nootropic (used to enhance memory or cognitive function). Its main bioactive components are hericenones and erinacines. Both of these biochemicals trigger the production of nerve growth factor (NGF).
NGF plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of neurological pathways throughout the body and brain. Furthermore, NGF production is vital to the development of brain pathways and connections into early adulthood. As we age, our production of NGF decreases, which can be a leading contributor to mental disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Supplements that increase NGF production can help treat and prevent mental disorders. Therefore, lion’s mane can improve memory and cognitive function in individuals struggling with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Lion’s mane can also improve mental performance for healthy individuals by increasing NGF production. Individuals who supplement with lion’s mane report having improved memory recall, focus, and critical thinking.
Lion’s mane is not limited to improving just the neural pathways in the brain. Studies have also found that lion’s mane can heal peripheral nerve damage. After lion’s mane supplementation, a group of rats with gluteal nerve damage had significant improvements in the performance and function of the damaged nerve. Further research is needed into the efficacy of lion’s mane’s impact on the human peripheral nervous system. However, lion’s mane has a clear, positive impact on NGF production.
Hericenones and erinacines are not the only bioactive components of lion’s mane. Lion’s mane also contains many anti-inflammatory agents. The interaction between all the bioactive components of lion’s mane and the brain has been found to decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. Lion’s man’s bioactive components are special because they can pass through the blood-brain barrier. This access allows them to have a significant impact on neurological pathways. More research is needed to discover the exact pathway Lion’s mane can decrease feelings of anxiety and depression. It is believed to be more complicated than the hericenones’ and erinacines’ influence on NGF production.
Supplementation Tips
Even though the exact method of lion’s mane impact on some mental functions is unknown, it is safe to consume. There has not been any research into the negative side effects of lion’s mane on humans because it is considered safe by scientists. Doctors still caution that those allergic or sensitive to mushrooms should avoid lion’s mane.
Lion’s mane is commonly taken in doses ranging from 500-1,000mg per day. Lion’s mane can be supplemented from 1-3 times daily depending on the dosage. It is safe to consume higher than this daily dose, but consumption at higher volumes does not provide any additional benefits. Lion’s mane’s effects usually take a few days before they are noticed. Also, the benefits of lion’s mane will decrease after supplementation ends.
When looking for a lion’s mane supplement, there are a couple of things to consider. First consider if it is a full-body or fruiting body supplement. A full-body supplement is preferred. Hericenones are found in the fruiting body of the mushroom and erinacines are found in the stems or mycelium of the mushroom. Therefore, a fruiting body supplement will only contain hericenones but a full-spectrum will contain both.
Secondly consider the state of the mushroom. Lion’s mane can be consumed in powder form, raw, cooked, or in tea. In powder form, you want a supplement with a 10 to 1 (10 pounds of mushrooms to create 1 pound of extract) or higher ratio. Raw and cooked mushrooms need to be properly cleaned. Ensure that you are consuming the entire mushroom to get both the fruiting body and mycelium. When it comes to teas, it is hard to gauge the amount of each active component. If you are trying to stick to a specific dosage each day, it is recommended to avoid this method.
Lion’s mane is a common component in many natural nootropics. Nootropics are currently a growing market with brands like Joe Rogan’s recommended “Alpha Brain,” “mudwater,” and Mindlab Pro’s “universal nootropic”. If you are looking for a full-spectrum nootropic like these with lion’s mane you will want to ensure a few things. First, ensure the dosage lines up with your desired dosage. Many of these supplements will undercut key ingredients to save money. Second, ensure the lion’s mane is a “full body”, not just a “fruiting body”. Lastly, try to find out what the mushrooms were grown on. Mushrooms absorb many of the toxins from the median they grow from, so organic or natural medians are preferred to synthetic products.
Lion’s mane is a great natural supplement that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. It is a nootropic that improves mental performance by increasing focus, memory, and critical thinking, while decreasing feelings of anxiety and depression. The benefits of lion’s mane can be appreciated while actively supplementing but will diminish when supplementation ends. A daily dose of 500-1000mg is recommended from natural sources. If you are looking to improve your mental performance and cognition, lion’s mane might be the supplement for you.
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