Is Lion’s Mane A Blood Thinner
Lions mane mushrooms are anticoagulants, which means they decrease blood clotting. While the adaptogenic mushroom wont act as a blood thinner on its own, it may aid in the blood-thinning properties of certain medications. Therefore, if you are on blood thinners, its best to consult your doctor before you start taking lions mane supplements.
Benefits Beyond The Nervous System
As with many mushrooms, lions mane has a number of other therapeutic actions resulting from its anti-inflammatory and immunosupportive properties, including the following:
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Cancer: One animal study found an extract of lions mane inhibited the spread of colon cancer cells to the lung by 66 to 69 percent the mushroom has also been shown to induce apoptosis in leukemia cells and inhibits angiogenesis
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Thrombosis: Hericenone B appears to potently and specifically inhibit collagen-induced platelet aggregation
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Mild ACE Inhibitor: The exact molecule underlying this effect is not currently known, but it is thought to be a bioactive peptide
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Lipids: Reported to reduce triglycerides and improve LDL and HDL levels
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Fat Metabolism: Increases the expression of several genes involved in fat metabolism
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Wound Healing: Topical application of the extract was found to accelerate wound healing
Lions mane mushroom has earned its right to be in your kitchen pantry and medicine cabinet. Im sure well be seeing many more studies illuminating its therapeutic potential in the near future.
According to Mushroom Forager:
Lions mane has no look-alikes, edible or poisonous, and all forms are edible and delicious in the kitchen.
Originally published: 2016-06-16
Article updated: 2019-07-30
Can Lion’s Mane Prevent Dementia
Research suggests that the adaptogenic mushroom Hericium erinaceushas a positive effect on the mental functions of people with memory loss and dementia.According to a 2020 double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, lions mane mushroom extract significantly improved overall cognitive function in people with early symptoms of Alzheimers disease.If you want to learn more about the mechanisms behind the dementia-preventive properties of this mushroom, check out our detailed post on lions mane and Alzheimers.
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How Things Go Bad
Science once believed that the brain could not grow new brain cells. That once our brain developed during childhood, and we reached adulthood, we had all the brain cells wed ever have.
Now we know that neurons can regenerate. But that doesnt mean they will regenerate. A number of health issues can contribute to neurodegeneration.
Decrease in Nerve Growth Factor = Decrease in Long-Term Potentiation affecting long-term memory
Brain cells die and are not replaced
Neuroplasticity declines resulting in poor memory
Neurotransmitters decline resulting in anxiety, poor mood and depression
All of these age-related changes are contributing factors to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons and others. And anxiety, depression and mood disorders that affect quality of life.
Hericium Erinaceus Triggers Neurite Outgrowth And Regeneration Of Damaged Nerves
These studies are very encouraging, and the consumption of H. erinaceus-fresh or processed is acceptable. There are many preparations available off the counter. However, there should be guidelines and monitoring to ensure safety, efficacy, and other parameters to ensure that these preparations are functional as claimed. The best option will be consumption of fresh mushrooms. The processing has been reported to affect the neurite stimulatory activity of H. erinaceus. Cultivation techniques and conditions may affect the medicinal properties of mushrooms too. Though Hericium erinaceus is a temperate mushroom, it can be cultivated in Malaysia, a tropical country.
Hericium erinaceus cultivation in Malaysia is still in its infancy. The consumers at large do not know the potential of this rather strange-looking mushroom. Realizing the potential of this mushroom, research on the locally grown mushroom will help spearhead the growing as well as the consumption of this mushroom in Malaysia.
Selected culinary and medicinal medicinal mushrooms with neurite outgrowth stimulatory activity. a: H. erinaceus b: P. giganteus c: G. lucidium d: L. rhinocerotis d: G.neo-japonicum
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Lions Mane Mushroom Unparalleled Benefits For Your Brain And Nervous System
Lions Mane is natures gift to your nervous system! Its the only mushroom possessing not one but TWO potent nerve growth factors, showing potential benefits for Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease, mild cognitive impairment, multiple sclerosis, leg cramps, anxiety and more.
What if there were one natural treatment that could restore brain function, regrow damaged nerves and reverse the progression of multiple sclerosis? There may be! Lions mane mushroom has been used medicinally in Asia for centuries, but for some reason its one of the best-kept secrets in the West.
Besides being called “lions mane,” Hericium erinaceus, is known by several other names including bearded tooth mushroom, bearded hedgehog, bearded tooth fungus and others. In Japan, its known as yamabushitake, which means mountain priest mushroom. It has a variety of other names, depending on the country.
In Asia, it is said that lions mane gives you nerves of steel and the memory of a lion, and from what science is revealing, thats apt prose. Thus far, evidence exists that lions mane mushroom confers the following health benefits:
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Improved cognitive function
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Nerve regeneration, remyelination, and increased Nerve Growth Factor
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Improved digestive function and relief from gastritis
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Immunosupportive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
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Anticoagulant mild ACE inhibitor improved lipid profile
Conditions That May Benefit from Lions Mane Mushroom:
Natures First Smart Mushroom
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Find Out How Mushrooms Can Boost Your Immune System
Quick Facts
- In addition to vitamin D, essential for maintaining our immune system, mushrooms also have powerful properties knows as beta-glucans and polysaccharides that are used to treat illness and boost our own immune system
- All medicinal mushrooms including Oyster and Shiitake contain these powerful properties, which have been found to help fight inflammation and balance the immune system. For instance, Beta-glucans can attach themselves to the receptor sites on the immune cells and activate them, allowing them to recognize cancer cells as foreign and create a higher level of response.
- You probably are already aware that Penecillian is derived from a Mold . However, there are many other antibiotics that use different mushroom-based properties as the main effective ingredient. They are also being investigated as a potential solution to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
- Different mushrooms can be used to treat specific illnesses, for instance, Turkey Tail supporting the immune system to help fight cancer or Lions mane for cognitive diseases.
Why have mushrooms developed health superpowers?
Its fascinating to watch a Shiitake block fight mould. It will quarantine it with liquid metabolites , then go in and kill it. These brown metabolites then go on to form a fairly thick skin around the Shiitake block which then protects it, much like our own skin.
How do mushrooms support immunity?
1. REISHI MUSHROOM
4. CHAGA
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Lions Mane And Neurogenesis
Lion’s Mane has taken center stage as the number one natural supplement to support cognitive function due to its abundance of brain boosting compounds called hericenones” and “erinacines.
In the early nineties, organic chemist Hirokazu Kawagishi made a fascinating discovery while studying lions mane mushrooms. He discovered two unique organic compounds that he named “hericenones” and “erinacines” after the mushrooms scientific name, Hericium erinaceus.
In study after study since the 1990s, hericenones and erinacines have been reported to stimulate neurogenesis, stimulate neuron regeneration, and rebuild neurons protective myelin sheaths .
The research has also shown potential success with treating cognitive disorders like Alzheimers and Parkinson’s disease .
Personally, I used lion’s mane mushroom extract to treat neurological Lyme disease that plagued my life for over four years. After only two weeks of steady use, my migraines, insomnia, and brain fog were virtually nonexistent. It’s that powerful.
A wild lion’s mane mushroom I foraged.
Can Lion’s Mane Replace Adderall
Lions mane mushrooms can aid in memory and focus enhancement, and some people find that lions mane mushrooms help them eliminate the need for Adderall. However, always consult with your physician or psychiatrist before making medication changes. Alternatively, you can take lions mane in addition to Adderall, as the fungus wont interfere with the effects of the drug.
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Lions Mane Studies On Neurogenesis
Although there are only a few human studies on the effects of Hericium erinaceus on neurogenesis, available lions mane research suggests the fungus has potent neurotrophic properties.A 2021 study looked at the effects of four compounds found in Hericium erinaceus on brain health, and the results suggest the mushroom shows great potential in memory improvement.Hericium erinaceus promotes the formation of new neurons. This mechanism may be at the root of the medicinal mushrooms mental health benefits. Neurogenesis, the process of new neuron formation in the brain, may have an anti-depressant effect.A study looked at the effects of lions mane neurogenesis properties on depression in animals. The results show that Hericium erinaceus exerts anti-depressant effects, as it reduces inflammation in the brain and promotes the formation of new nerve cells.
Lions Mane Side Effects
Lions Mane Mushroom is non-toxic and considered very safe. So there are very few side effects reported.
Some neurohackers report itchy skin from higher doses. Likely attributable to a boost in Nerve Growth Factor.
Lions Mane has been tested in animals showing no side effects or toxicity even up to 5 grams per kilogram.
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Lions Mane Prevents Cognitive Dysfunction
In this study, researchers examined the effects of Lions Mane on amyloid peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. Amyloid peptide is implicated in diseases like Alzheimers.
Mice were injected with the peptide on days 7 and 14 of the trial. And they were fed a diet containing Lions Mane over 23-days of the experiment. The results showed that Lions Mane prevented short-term and visual recognition memory reduction normally induced by amyloid peptide.
They concluded that Lions Mane Mushroom may be useful in the prevention of cognitive dysfunction.
Best Type Of Lions Mane To Buy
Lions Mane Mushroom as a nootropic supplement is usually offered as an extract. In powdered form, or in a capsule.
Lions Mane Mushroom can be found in some of higher quality pre-formulated nootropic stacks. For example, Mind Lab Pro® contains 11 brain enhancing nootropic compounds including Lions Mane with the full fruit spectrum including hericenones and erinacines.
I recommend Mind Lab Pro® because it addresses all aspects of anxiety resistance, memory and cognitive enhancement, stabilizes mood, brain repair, and maintenance.
This premium nootropic stack is designed to affect neurotransmitters, cognitive energy, brain waves, neuroprotection, and regeneration. See my Mind Lab Pro review for a detailed report.
When choosing a Lions Mane supplement, theres debate over the best form of extraction to achieve the mushrooms full medicinal benefit. Some say your best option is a hot water extraction. Another says alcohol extraction. Another claims both are necessary.
But when it comes to mushrooms, saying that one is more potent than another is just too simplified to be true. This is as much an art as it is science.
Much more important is choosing a supplement that includes the mycelium of Lions Mane Mushroom. In this mushroom, the fruiting body does not contain erinacines which is the compound that boosts Nerve Growth Factor .
Types of Lions Mane available:
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Lions Mane Promotes Nerve Regeneration In Animals
An in vitro animal study looked at the effects of Hericium erinaceus on NGF-mediated neurite outgrowth. The study examined the effects of hericenone K in particular and found that the compound stimulated the production of NGF proteins. This, in turn, promoted neurite overgrowth .Based on the above results, it appears that the lions mane mushroom definitely does promote neurogenesis, at least in animals.
Can You Take Cordyceps And Lion’s Mane Together
Yes, you can take cordyceps and lions mane together, and you will reap more benefits of both fungi by doing so, which is why we included both mushrooms, in addition to chaga, in our granola. Forij granola combines the cancer-fighting properties of cordyceps with the nootropic effects of lions mane and the immunity-boosting properties of chaga.
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Bioactive Compounds Of H Erinaceus That Contribute To Antidepressant
Fruiting bodies and mycelia of H. erinaceus contain a variety of structurally diverse bioactive compounds that can induce the expression of various neurotrophic factors and monoamines , and modulate inflammatory response . At present, most of the identified bioactive compounds that contribute to antidepressant-like effects are mostly associated with NGF-inducing activity. The bioactive compounds of H. erinaceus that affect NGF release can be narrowed down to hericenones and erinacines. The small molecular sizes of hericenones and erinacines allow them to pass easily through the bloodbrain barrier. These two major bioactive compounds have been investigated in most of the studies.
Can You Take Lion’s Mane And Reishi Together
Yes, you can take lions mane mushrooms with any other type of medicinal fungus, including reishi and shiitake mushroom varieties. When it comes to adaptogenic mushrooms, the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts, so the benefits of reishi mushrooms can only be improved upon by taking them with lions make and vice versa.
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What We Can Say Conclusively About Lions Mane And Neurogenesis
Heres what we know to date regarding Hericium erinaceus and nerve growth:
How Does Lions Mane Make You Feel
Lions mane does not have psychotropic properties, so you wont trip on this mushroom. However, you can expect to feel more alert, awake, and focused. With regular use, you may even start to see an improvement in your overall mood, especially if you experience milder symptoms of anxiety or depression.
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Adaptogens Part Ii: Lions Mane
Adaptogens
On to part two of this adaptogens series in which we will discuss the medicinal mushroom, lions mane.
As an Integrative Health Pharmacist, I am passionate about viewing health from a holistic perspective with a multifaceted and multilayered approach. Modalities to achieve treatment goals still include the conventional prescription medications, but also add other practices such as meditation, cannabinoid medicine, dietary supplementation, homeopathy and herbs. Within the eastern and western herbs most popular in our culture today, in particular, there is a subclass called adaptogens which are best characterized by their ability to help the body adapt to external factors over time. Medicinal mushrooms fall into this category although they do not not evoke a mystical experience as a psychedelic mushroom would, they can be nutritional powerhouses and provide patients a range of benefits.
Lions Mane
Very difficult to confuse with other mushrooms, lions mane is distinct in its appearance with a defined cascading waterfall of icicle-like structures attached to a short stalk. Usually found on the sides of decaying hardwood in the forest, you would never know the benefits locked inside these pom pom mushrooms .
Famed for its ability to repair nerve damage
Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, et al. Nerve growth factor-inducing activity in erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biol Pharm Bull 2008 31:1727-1732.
Amyloid Plaques Anxiety And Depression
Lions mane has also been shown to reduce beta-amyloid plaques. Beta-amyloid plaques are proteins that form in the fatty membranes that surround nerve cells, interfering with neurotransmission. These plaques are thought to play a role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
In a compelling animal study, mice were injected with neurotoxic peptides , in order to assess the effects of lions mane on the type of amyloid plaque seen in Alzheimers sufferers. As the plaque developed, the mice lost their ability to memorize the maze, but when they were fed a diet containing lions mane mushroom, their performance in the maze significantly improved. In addition to regaining their former cognitive skills, they gained NEW cognitive skillssomething akin to curiosity, as measured by greater time spent exploring novel objects compared to familiar ones. The reduction of beta amyloid plaques in the mushroom-fed mice was remarkable.
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Surprising Health Benefits Of Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin is a naturally occurring protein that is found in milk and bodily fluids. It is a potent anti-microbial and modulator of the immune system. Several studies have shown that natural lactoferrin has many important roles.
1) Lactoferrin has Antioxidant Properties
Because iron can cause oxidative stress, lactoferrin can reduce oxidative stress by binding and removing iron, which prevents cell damage or cell death. Lactoferrin supplementation can support the immune system as an antioxidant.
2) Lactoferrin Modulates the Immune System
There are lactoferrin receptors on many immune cells, so lactoferrin directly affects how these cells function.
In infants lactoferrin is crucial to the development of natural immune system function to prevent infection.
In mice treated with chemotherapy, treatment with lactoferrin post chemotherapy accelerated the reconstitution of the immune system, reducing the chances for infection following chemotherapy treatment.
In mice suffering from colitis-associated colorectal dysplasia, treatment with lactoferrin reduced their overall deficiency and also reduced the symptoms and inflammation caused by the dysplasia.
3) Lactoferrin Protects Against Inflammation
Although the direct mechanism has not been established yet, lactoferrin is still shown to be effective in preventing inflammation in humans.
4) Lactoferrin Helps with Allergies and Asthma
Antimicrobial Benefits:
5) Lactoferrin Helps with Bacterial Infections