How Lion’s Mane Extract Boost Your Brain Power

The brain is responsible for so much of our daily activities and performance. It’s why it’s essential to maintain your brain health in order to live your best life. Fortunately, there are many ways to support your brain’s health. Medicinal mushrooms, such as Lion’s Mane, reishi, cordyceps, and turkey tail, are all known for their antioxidant and mood boosting properties.

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible and medicinal mushroom traditionally used in Chinese and Japanese medicine. Lion’s Mane extract – derived from the Lion’s Mane mushroom – which has recently garnered widespread attention in the health and wellness sectors. Thanks to its various health benefits – ranging from enhancing cognitive function to supporting immune health – interest in Lion’s Mane extract has surged in recent years. In this article, we delve into how Lion’s Mane extract boosts your brain power.

Promotes Neurogenesis

The mushroom Hericium erinaceus is full of bioactive compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier, making it an ideal supplement for brain health. These compounds promote neurogenesis, the process by which new nerve cells are formed in the brain, are key to preserving brain health and cognitive function as we age. This process is particularly important for memory formation and prevents the onset of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.

The lion’s mane mushroom also promotes the rebuilding of myelin, an insulating layer that covers nerves and protects them from injury.  Myelin is essential for optimal neural signal transmission, resulting in effective mental function and memory. In a study, researchers found that the length and branching of neurons exposed to lion’s mane extract increased significantly. The mushrooms also enhanced oligodendrocyte neurogenesis, which is the process of creating new nerve cells. It can also help with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is an intermediate stage between normal age-related cognitive decline and dementia.

Researchers believe that lion’s mane mushroom stimulates a compound called nerve growth factor (NGF), which is important for nerve cell growth and strength. This is also important for protecting the brain against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Nerve growth factor also has antioxidant properties and may have the ability to break up beta amyloid plaques, which are a common marker of Alzheimer’s disease. In a study, patients diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) saw improvements in their cognitive function after consuming lion’s mane extract for 16 weeks.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Despite its appearance, lion’s mane mushroom (Yamabushitake) is an anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting fungus with roots in traditional Chinese medicine. It’s rich in b-glucan polysaccharides and nootropic compounds like erinacines and hericenones, which help boost brain cell growth, called neurogenesis. Lion’s Mane Extract also has been found to promote recovery from neurological injuries and protect against oxidative stress.  This makes it a great choice for supporting your cognitive health and preventing memory loss and dementia, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and poor mood. The anti-inflammatory properties of Lion’s mane mushroom can also help with anxiety and depression. It has been shown to decrease inflammation in the brain, which can cause symptoms like brain fog and memory loss.

Helps Regulate Mood and Relieve Stress

Aside from its innate ability to promote healthy brain function, Hericium erinaceus also has the potential to support mood and relieve stress. A 2010 study found that people who took lion’s mane extract for four weeks experienced less anxiety. It contains a high concentration of GABA, which can help regulate your mood.

Studies have shown that lion’s mane mushroom extract may improve your mood by reducing inflammation in the brain and increasing blood flow to the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory. This could be because the mushroom helps to rebuild myelin, a sheath that surrounds nerve cells and plays a role in optimizing neural signal transmission

It has also been reported that lion’s mane mushroom extract can speed up recovery after brain and spinal cord injuries. It may also promote healing and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in those who have suffered a trauma.In addition, lion’s mane mushroom extract has been found to lower blood sugar and reduce diabetic nerve pain in animals. However, more research needs to be done in humans to confirm these effects.

In conclusion, Lion’s Mane extract is known to stimulate the production of nerve growth factors (NGF), which support neuron growth and repair. Its potential uses in neurodegenerative diseases, anxiety management, and overall cognitive enhancement are incredibly promising.