Improve Cognition and Memory With Lion’s Mane Mushroom
- David Roach
- Jul 21, 2015
- 4 min read
Cognitive abilities such as memory storage and recollection, learning, problem solving and reasoning are key to how we able to preform in this complex world we live in. Being able to realize the depth of a situation, analyze it and proceed with the best path is a key process to success and well being in life. The cognitive abilities that help us with these processes of evaluation, memory recollection and decision making are encoded by nerve cells and connections they make with other nerve cells. The health of these cells are key to proper memory and cognition. Lion’s mane mushroom is a supplement that is capable of stimulating the growth, protection and proper maintenance of nerve cells. Find out more below.
What is Lion’s Mane Mushroom?
Lion’s mane mushroom, also known by its latin name Hericium erinaceus and by its Japanese name Yamabushitake, is a cognitive stimulating/improving mushroom native to North America, Europa and Asia. It has long been used for medicinal purposes by traditional Chinese healers and has recently gained attention for being a possible natural alternative to treating dementia and cognitive decline in the elderly.
Many healthy young people have also reported increased cognitive abilities with the use of it as well. However, there are no formal studies on the effects of lion’s mane on healthy young people but that is usually the case with most supplements, herbs and drugs. Clinical trials and studies are most often conducted to solve a current medical issue, not to enhance the function of a healthy person.
How Does Lion’s Mane Mushroom Stimulate Cognition and Improve Memory?
The exact mechanisms of action that lion mane employs are not yet known due to the sheer number of biological and chemical compounds in it. However, one mechanism of action that it employs in improving cognition has been discovered and there are human and animal studies that have proven lion mane’s positive effects on cognition.
Lion’s mane is known to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) gene expression . NGF is a small protein that is important in the growth, survival and upkeep of nerve cells. Using nerve growth factor to treat cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s disease is a hot area of research. Ensuring the survival and proper maintenance of nerve cells can improve cognitive abilities including memory, learning, reasoning and problem solving.
However, one issue is that researchers have run into is that because NGF is a protein, it is not able to cross the blood brain barrier, therefore in order to increase amounts of NGF in the brain, the gene that encodes the synthesis of it in the brain must be stimulated (like lion mane does). Furthermore, the speculated biological compounds in lion’s mane that may be responsible for stimulating the synthesis of NGF were extracted and named Hericenones C, D and E.
In addition to prolonging the life of nerve cells, lion’s mane also stimulates the formation of myelin which is a protective sheath that covers the axon branches of nerve cells .
nervecellanatomy Improve Cognition and Memory With Lions Mane Mushroom
Basic Anatomy of A Nerve Cell
Lion’s mane has also shown the potential to treat depression and anxiety. In a study conducted on 30 participants who suffer from depression and anxiety, the results of lion’s mane administration displayed a reduction of the symptoms of anxiety and depression .
One human study displayed lion mane’s ability to improve cognition in the elderly (and possibly in the healthy as well). The study involved 50 elderly patients with slight cognitive impairments that were given four 250 mg tablets of dry 96% lion’s mane mushroom extract 3 times daily for about 16 weeks. The researchers tested the patients on their cognitive ability by using a cognitive function scale based on the Revised Hasegawa Dementia Scale (HDS-R) and were tested before they were given the mushroom extract and every 4 weeks while they were taking the extract. The test scores of the patients significantly rose every 4 weeks and remained high for a few weeks after the patients stopped taking the supplement.
Animal studies, such as this one, have displayed lion mane’s ability to enhance adrenal nerve cells.
What Is The Recommended Dose And Are There Side Effects?
There is no official recommended dose as of now but a human study, mentioned above, of lion’s mane employed 3 doses of 1000 mg daily and was highly effective in improving cognition, therefore one could assume that this was a good dose to start from.
No adverse effects have been reported.
Getting the most out of Lions Mane Extract
Lions Mane Extract powder has a pleasant flavour that can be enjoyed in many ways, it makes a wonderfully healthy addition to your usual cuppa. Lions Mane Extract powder may also be used as an additional ingredient in your choice of rawfood meals and snacks – it’s highly concentrated too, so only a tiny amount is required for a demonstrable nutrient boost.
Lions Mane Extract can be added to nearly anything to give you the memory boost you need and deserve. Add Lions Mane Extract to coffee, juices, mixed drinks and water. You can even add them to foods, elixirs, water, teas, tonics, smoothies, homemade ice cream and chocolate, puddings, fruit and/or vegetable juices, etc.
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