Lion’s Mane: a Key Functional Mushroom

Feb 24, 2023

Lion’s Mane: a Key Functional Mushroom

Discover the benefits of Lion's Mane—a functional mushroom—for cognitive health, nerve function, and improved immune performance.

The Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) should be a daily supplement for anyone looking to support their cognitive health and nerve function. This mushroom has a rich history of medicinal use in Southeast Asia and traditional Chinese medicine, where it was considered a "superior" herb for its therapeutic properties. Recent research has reinforced these traditional uses, with numerous studies providing evidence for the effectiveness of Lion's Mane. Paul Stamets, a renowned mycologist and authority on mushrooms, is a proponent of Lion's Mane and regularly consumes it for its potential benefits towards healthy aging.

Given all the positive light that has been shed on this functional mushroom, HempLucid has utilized it as an ingredient in two of our products: our Focus Mushroom Gummies and our Stress Stacks Capsules—which also contain other functional mushrooms and herbs to offer solutions for everyday health and wellness needs.

Because of these benefits and more, we knew we wanted to highlight Lion's Mane in our Functional Mushroom products. You can find pure Lion's Mane extract in our Focus Mushroom Gummies and Stress Stack Capsules — along with other functional mushroom and herbal solutions. Together, these blends make it easier than ever to care for your daily health and wellness needs.

Now, let's dive into the details of what makes Lion's Mane a key functional mushroom.

Improved Cognitive Function

Who doesn't want their brain to work better? Studies on Lion's Mane have shown positive results with its use in the realms of enhancing memory and concentration. Due to these factors, Lion's Mane is widely considered to be nootropic—essentially a supplement that boosts brain performance. Consuming Lion's Mane may help improve memory and concentration in healthy individuals and in those with mild cognitive impairment. Here's how:

  • Increasing Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) : Compounds in Lion's Mane have been shown in studies to potentially increase the levels of NGF in the brain. NGF plays an important role in the growth and survival of nerve cells, which is important for cognitive function, including memory and concentration.
  • Reducing inflammation: Lion's mane may have anti-inflammatory effects, which could be beneficial for reducing inflammation in the brain, which is a known contributing factor to cognitive decline. We'll go more in depth on this later.
  • Enhancing neurotransmitters: Some studies have shown promising results in Lion's Mane's ability to enhance neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain. This enhancement may lead to improved cognitive function and concentration.
  • Reducing stress: Additional studies have also suggested that Lion's Mane may have stress-reducing effects. Lower stress levels are tied to improved cognitive function, including better memory and improved abilities to concentrate.
  • Reducing depression symptoms: In studies unrelated to depression, it was noted that Lion's Mane supplementation may benefit those suffering from symptoms of depression. It is suggested that the benefits to depressive symptoms likely come from the Lion's Mane's cognitive health benefits..

Nerve Growth and Repair

Scientists studying Lion's Mane have noted in their research that compounds in Lion's Mane may promote the growth and repair of nerve cells—including neurogenesis, the process by which new neurons are formed in the brain. This could be beneficial for people with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, and other conditions related to damaged nerve cells.

Lion's Mane's may also support reduced nerve inflammation, offering symptom relief for many health conditions.

Research has shown that Lion's Mane may support the myelin sheath—an insulating layer that forms around nerves, including those in the brain and spinal cord. Health of the Myelin Sheath is directly related to optimized and efficient neural signal transmission.

Additionally, studies have shown that consuming Lion's Mane may help enhance overall nerve function and improve symptoms in people with peripheral neuropathy—a condition resulting from damage to the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord.

Reduced Inflammation

By this time, everyone should be aware that reduced inflammation is linked to numerous positive benefits across nearly all areas of personal wellness. Compounds within the Lion's Mane mushroom have been shown to help reduce inflammation by Inhibiting cytokines—molecules that promote inflammation in the body.

Some research has shown that Lion's Mane may also help modulate the immune system by increasing the production of certain immune cells, and reducing inflammation. Additional studies have suggested that Lion's Mane may also have antioxidant properties that can help to reduce oxidative stress, a known contributing factor with inflammation.

Improved Immune System Performance

Given the recent state of the world, improved immune performance is something everyone could benefit from. Consuming Lion's Mane may increase the production of certain immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, which play an important role in fighting off infections and disease. Additionally, Lion's Mane may also enhance the activity of immune cells, making them more effective in their function. 

Studies have also shown that Lion's Mane may have a regulating effect on the immune system, helping to balance the activity of different immune cells, reducing auto-immunity issues and complications.

In Summary

The Lion's Mane mushroom offers a wide range of benefits for cognitive health, nerve function, mental performance, aging, stress, anxiety, and more. By incorporating Lion's Mane into your diet, you can enhance your overall well-being. 

Ready to discover the health benefits of the Lion's Mane mushroom for yourself?

HempLucid has included Lion's Mane in two of our best-loved products: our Focus Mushroom Gummies and Stress Stacks Capsules, which combine other functional mushrooms, herbs, and cannabinoids for added benefits.

And you can try them both out right now for 30 days, thanks to our HempLucid Money-Back Guarantee. 

Be sure to explore all of our Functional Mushroom offerings to unlock the full potential of this and other powerful mushrooms!