Mushroom for Cognitive Benefits

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential effects of mushrooms on brain function, particularly Lion’s Mane mushrooms.

Lion’s mate

Lion’s Mane mushrooms contain compounds that may stimulate the growth of nerve cells and improve cognitive function. Research has shown that Lion’s Mane may improve memory, focus, and overall cognitive function in both animals and humans. One study found that Lion’s Mane supplementation improved cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment 1. Another study found that Lion’s Mane improved cognitive function in rats with Alzheimer’s disease 2.The potential benefits of Lion’s Mane on brain function may be due to its ability to stimulate the production of nerve growth factors, which are essential for the growth and survival of nerve cells. Additionally, Lion’s Mane may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help protect the brain from damage and improve cognitive function 3. While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of Lion’s Mane on brain function, the current evidence suggests that it may have potential benefits for cognitive health.

Traditional medicine

Mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their potential health benefits. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the potential effects of mushrooms on brain function, particularly Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Lion’s Mane mushrooms contain compounds that may stimulate the growth of nerve cells and improve cognitive function. Research has shown that Lion’s Mane may improve memory, focus, and overall cognitive function in both animals and humans. One study found that Lion’s Mane supplementation improved cognitive function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment 1. Another study found that Lion’s Mane improved cognitive function in rats with Alzheimer’s disease 2.The potential benefits of Lion’s Mane on brain function may be due to its ability to stimulate the production of nerve growth factors, which are essential for the growth and survival of nerve cells. Additionally, Lion’s Mane may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could help protect the brain from damage and improve cognitive function 3. While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of Lion’s Mane on brain function, the current evidence suggests that it may have potential benefits for cognitive health.

Recommended Dosage of Lion’s Mane Mushroom for Cognitive Benefits

According to the available research, the recommended dosage of lion’s mane mushroom for cognitive benefits is 2-3 tablets twice a day for a period of more than 3 months. However, it is important to note that most studies on lion’s mane mushrooms have used animals, and there are not enough clinical studies on humans to confirm the results. Nonetheless, Hericium erinaceus, or the monkey head mushroom, which is a type of lion’s mane mushroom, has been shown to have therapeutic potential and may facilitate memory enhancement in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Further research is needed to establish standardized treatment parameters and universal regulatory systems to ensure treatment safety and efficacy.

However, it is important to note that supplements are not regulated by the FDA and may interact with medications or have side effects. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

Other Medicinal Mushrooms for Cognitive Benefits

Mushrooms such as Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma lucidum, Sarcodon spp., Antrodia camphorata, Pleurotus giganteus, Lignosus rhinocerotis, and Grifola frondosa have shown neurological properties such as neuronal survival, neurite outgrowth stimulation, nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-(neuro)inflammatory effects. Hericium erinaceus, also known as the monkey head mushroom, has been studied for its potential therapeutic effects on Alzheimer’s disease and has shown potential beneficial effects in ameliorating cognitive functioning and behavioral deficits in animal models of AD 2. A limited number of clinical studies have been conducted, which have thus far shown analogous outcomes to the preclinical studies 2. In addition to Lion’s Mane and Hericium erinaceus, other mushrooms have been studied for their potential effects on brain function. Ganoderma lucidum, Sarcodon spp., Antrodia camphorata, Pleurotus giganteus, Lignosus rhinocerotis, and Grifola frondosa have all been shown to have neurological properties such as neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth stimulation 3. Mushrooms can be considered as useful therapeutic agents in the management and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases 3.

How do Mushrooms Affect the Brain Function?

Studies have shown that Hericium erinaceus, also known as Lion’s Mane mushroom, has potential beneficial effects in ameliorating cognitive functioning and behavioral deficits in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) 1. The mushroom has been found to stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in cell-based bioassays, which are neurotrophic factors that play a crucial role in the growth, survival, and maintenance of neurons 2. The mushroom has also been found to have anti-acetylcholinesterase, neurite outgrowth stimulation, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-(neuro)inflammatory effects 3. In addition, a study on wild-type mice found that oral supplementation with H. erinaceus induced a significant improvement in recognition memory and increased spontaneous and evoked excitatory synaptic current in mossy fiber-CA3 synapse 4.

However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action and potential side effects of mushroom supplementation. In conclusion, mushrooms, particularly Lion’s Mane and Hericium erinaceus, have shown potential benefits for cognitive health. The compounds found in these mushrooms may stimulate the growth of nerve cells and improve cognitive function. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of mushroom supplementation on brain function and to establish standardized treatment parameters and universal regulatory systems to ensure treatment safety and efficacy.

1. Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. (2009). Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367-372. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2634
2. Kong, Y., Yu, W. S., Fung, M. L., Lee, C. W., Lim, L. W., & Wong, K. H. (2022). The Monkey Head Mushroom and Memory Enhancement in Alzheimer’s Disease. Cells, 11(11), 2284. doi: 10.3390/cells11152284
3. Phan, C. W., David, P., Naidu, M., & Wong, K. H. (2017). Therapeutic potential of culinary-medicinal mushrooms for the management of neurodegenerative diseases: diversity, metabolite, and mechanism. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 37(2), 153-168. doi: 10.3109/07388551.2015.1052616
4. Brandalise, F., Cesaroni, V., Gregori, A., Repetti, M., Romano, C., Orrù, G., Botta, L., Girometta, C., Guglielminetti, M. L., Savino, E., & Rossi, P. (2017). Dietary Supplementation of Hericium erinaceus Increases Mossy Fiber-CA3 Hippocampal Neurotransmission and Recognition Memory in Wild-Type Mice. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2017, 3864340. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3864340