Lions Mane

Health Benefits

Could Protect Against Dementia

The brain’s ability to grow and form new connections often declines with age, which may explain why mental functioning worsens in some older adults .

Studies have found that lion’s mane mushrooms contain two special compounds that can stimulate the growth of brain cells: hericenones and erinacines. These compounds are not found in any other food source!

Additionally, animal studies have found that lion’s mane may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease. 

In fact, lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts have been shown to reduce symptoms of memory loss in mice, as well as prevent neuronal damage caused by amyloid-beta plaques, which accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease.

A 2020 study of people with mild Alzheimer’s disease found that supplementation with 1 gram of lion’s mane mushroom daily for 49 weeks significantly improved cognitive test scores compared with a placebo. This is incredible news for so many people.

The ability of lion’s mane mushroom to promote nerve growth and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s-related damage may explain some of its beneficial effects on brain health.

However, it’s important to note that most of the research has been conducted on animals or in test tubes. Therefore, more human studies are needed.

Helps Relieve Mild Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Up to one-third of people living in developed countries experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. It's virtually an epidemic now. 

While there are many causes of anxiety and depression, chronic inflammation could be a major contributing factor.

Animal research has found that lion’s mane extract has anti-inflammatory effects that can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in mice.

Other animal studies have found that lion’s mane extract can also help regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. 

Researchers believe that this improved hippocampus functioning may explain the reductions in anxiety and depression seen in the mice receiving these extracts.

While these animal studies are promising, there is very little research involving humans.

One small 2010 study of menopausal women found that eating cookies containing lion’s mane mushrooms daily for 1 month helped reduce self-reported feelings of irritation and anxiety.

May Speed Recovery from Nervous System Injuries

The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves that travel throughout the body. These components work together to send and transmit signals that control almost every bodily function.

Brain or spinal cord injuries can cause various severe medical outcomes. They often cause paralysis and/or loss of mental functions and take a long time to heal.

However, research has found that lion’s mane extract may help speed recovery from these types of injuries by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells . It may also help reduce the severity of brain damage after a stroke.

Sadly, no studies have been conducted involving humans to determine if lion’s mane would have the same therapeutic effect on nervous system injuries as animal research has suggested. We do have many anecdotal stories from humans but they are not in a clinical setting such as a placebo controlled study yet. Hopefully, that happens one day soon but in the meantime, the animal studies are very encouraging. 

Protects Against Ulcers in the Digestive Tract

Ulcers can form anywhere along the digestive tract, including the stomach, small intestine, and large intestine. 

Two major factors typically cause stomach ulcers: overgrowth of the bacteria H. pylori and damage to the mucous layer of the stomach that’s often due to long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Lion’s mane extract may help protect against stomach ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori and protecting the stomach lining from damage.

Several older studies have found that lion’s mane extract can prevent the growth of H. pylori in a test tube, but no studies have tested whether the extract has the same effects inside the stomach.

Another 2013 animal study found that lion’s mane extract was MORE effective at preventing alcohol-induced stomach ulcers than traditional acid-lowering drugs — and without any negative side effects. 

Lion’s mane extract may also reduce inflammation and prevent tissue damage in other intestinal areas. In fact, they may help treat  diseases like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s disease.

A 2016 study of people with ulcerative colitis found that taking a mushroom supplement containing 14% lion’s mane extract significantly reduced symptoms and improved quality of life after 3 weeks. That's pretty fast! 

However, when the same study was repeated in patients with Crohn’s disease, the benefits were roughly the same as with placebo.

It’s important to note that the herbal supplement used in these studies included several types of mushrooms, so it’s difficult to conclude about the effects of lion’s mane specifically.

In general, research suggests that lion’s mane extract may help inhibit the development of ulcers, but more research involving humans is needed.

Reduces Risk of Heart Disease

Heart disease is among the top issues that plague humanity in our western world. Major risk factors for heart disease include the following:

• obesity

• high triglycerides

• large amounts of oxidized cholesterol

• an increased tendency to get blood clots

Research shows that lion’s mane extract can influence some of these factors and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Animal studies of rats and mice have found that lion’s mane mushroom extract improves fat metabolism and lowers triglyceride levels.

One 2010 study of rats fed a high fat diet and given daily doses of lion’s mane extract showed 27% lower triglyceride levels and 42% less weight gain after 28 days. WOW! 

Since obesity and high triglycerides are both considered risk factors for heart disease, this is one way that lion’s mane mushrooms contribute to heart health.

Test-tube studies have also found that lion’s mane extract can help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol in the bloodstream.

Oxidized cholesterol molecules tend to attach to artery walls, causing them to harden and increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Reducing oxidation is beneficial for heart health. ANOTHER WOW! 

What’s more, lion’s mane mushrooms contain a compound called hericenone B, which can decrease the rate of blood clotting and lower the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Lion’s mane mushrooms appear to benefit the heart and blood vessels in multiple ways, but studies involving humans are needed to support this.

 

Helps Manage Diabetes Symptoms

Diabetes is a terrible disease that occurs when the body’s ability to control blood sugar levels is impaired. As a result, levels are consistently elevated.

Chronically high blood sugar levels eventually cause complications like kidney disease, nerve damage in the hands and feet, vision loss and so much more.

Lion’s mane mushroom may be beneficial for diabetes management by improving blood sugar management and reducing some of these side effects.

Several animal studies have shown that lion’s mane can cause significantly lower blood sugar levels in both normal and diabetic mice, even at daily dosages as low as 2.7 milligrams (mg) per pound (6 mg per kg) of body weight.

One way that it lowers blood sugars is by blocking the activity of the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which breaks down carbs in the small intestine.

When this enzyme is blocked, the body is unable to digest and absorb carbs as effectively, which results in lower blood sugar levels.

In addition to lowering blood sugars, it may also reduce diabetic nerve pain in the hands and feet.

In mice with diabetic nerve damage, 6 weeks of daily lion’s mane extract significantly reduced pain, lowered blood sugar levels, and even increased antioxidant levels. This is life changing for diabetic patients. 

 

May Help Fight Cancer

Cancer occurs when your DNA becomes damaged, causing your cells to divide and replicate out of control.

Research suggests that lion’s mane like turkey tail mushrooms have cancer-fighting abilities thanks to several of its unique compounds.

Notably, when lion’s mane extract is mixed with human cancer cells in a test tube, they caused the cancer cells to die faster. This has been demonstrated with several types of cancer cells, including liver, colon, stomach, and blood cancer cells. In addition to killing cancer cells, lion’s mane extract has also been shown to slow the spread of cancer.

One 2013 study of mice with colon cancer found that taking lion’s mane reduced the spread of cancer to the lungs by 69%. WOW! 

Another 2014 study found that it was more effective than traditional cancer drugs at slowing tumor growth in mice, in addition to having fewer side effects.

However, the anticancer effects of lion’s mane mushroom have never been tested in humans, so more research is needed.
 

Reduces Inflammation and Oxidative Stress

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to be the root causes of most modern illnesses. 

Research shows that lion’s mane contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help reduce the impact of these illnesses.

In fact, a 2012 study examining the antioxidant abilities of 14 different mushroom species found that lion’s mane had the fourth highest antioxidant activity and recommended it be considered a good dietary source of antioxidants.

Several animal studies have found that lion’s mane extracts reduced markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in rodents and may be especially useful in managing inflammatory bowel disease, liver damage, and stroke.

Lion’s mane mushrooms may also help reduce some of the health risks associated with obesity, as they have shown they can decrease the amount of inflammation fat tissues release.

As always, more studies are needed  in humans, but the results from lab and animal studies are very exciting. 
 

Boosts the Immune System

A strong immune system protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens.

On the other hand, a weak immune system puts the body at a higher risk of developing infectious diseases.

Animal research shows that lion’s mane can boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which protects the body from unwanted pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose, as most of them do. 

These effects may partly be due to beneficial changes in gut bacteria that stimulate the immune system.

A 2012 study even found that supplementing with lion’s mane extract daily nearly quadrupled the lifespan of mice injected with a lethal dose of salmonella bacteria. Amazing. 

The immune-boosting effects of lion’s mane mushrooms are very promising but again, more research is needed.