Do you want to improve your mental and physical stamina? Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus), a type of mushroom that is both edible and medicinal, could be the key.
This peculiar-looking mushroom, indigenous to many northern regions (including North America, Europe, China, and Japan), has made its way into our medical arsenal as a treatment for various ailments and a booster for physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Gains in Mental Capacity
Of course, everyone would benefit from having a more acute mind. We are bombarded daily by a plethora of information.
In a 16-week study conducted in Japan, men and women between 50 and 80 took Lion’s Mane. Participants who took a daily dose of the mushroom outperformed the control group on cognitive function tests at various points in the study.
Four weeks later, these improvements were lost when the intervention was halted. Therefore, it would appear that the positive effects of Lion’s Mane on brain health concerning cognition are temporary. Instead, the advantage was proportional to the frequency with which the mushroom was consumed. Lion’s Mane is also an edible mushroom, suggesting a very high level of safety. At The Alchemist’s Kitchen, we offer a tincture to simply dosing.
In another recent scientific study, researchers in Milan, Italy, looked into the effects of lion’s Mane on the mental health of overweight individuals who were already showing signs of improvement. The study used two enzyme kits to determine the concentrations of BDNF and proBDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) in the blood. Lion’s mane mushroom effectively reduced depression, sleep disorders, and anxiety when taken daily for eight weeks. The levels of pro-BDNF in the bloodstream rose after consuming the mushroom, but BDNF levels remained unchanged.
Controlling Emotions
Past generations have turned to Lion’s Mane for relief from stress and depression. The biochemical mechanisms underlying this phenomenon have recently been investigated in mice studies. Emotional bumps can be ironed out with a daily dose of Lion’s Mane, which appears to work by promoting the health and growth of nerves within the hippocampus rather than by influencing neurotransmitters directly (like most anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs). As item 1 above, the hippocampus plays a crucial role in emotional regulation and memory storage.
As a follow-up to our discussion of how the hippocampus fosters new nerve growth, a new study has found that using Lion’s Mane Mushroom helps to protect neurons from dying after seizures. At doses of 60 and 120 mg/kg, Lion’s Mane significantly reduced the number of hippocampal cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2)-expressing cells.
Calms the Nerves
After more than two years of a worldwide pandemic, it’s safe to say that we could use some help coping with the chronic stress it has caused. There is evidence that the Lion’s Mane Mushroom can help with sleep disturbances and anxiety relief.
Mice were subjected to a tail suspension test for 15 minutes a day for nine days straight as part of a study examining sleep disturbances. Specifically, Lion’s Mane was orally administered to the mice 20 minutes before the TST test to evaluate its impact on sleep.
The study’s findings demonstrated that the mycelium of the Lion’s Mane mushroom could regulate specific brain pathways, producing an effect similar to that of an antidepressant. Mice given oral doses of the mushroom exhibited no sleep disruptions.
Wellness in the Digestive System
Perhaps you’re familiar with “the second brain of the body” to describe the digestive system. You can learn more about the topic by reading books like The Second Brain by Michael Gershon and The Brain Maker by David Perlmutter.
The state of your digestive system and the composition of your gut flora directly impact your ability to achieve excellence in your mental endeavors. The beneficial effects of Lion’s Mane on the digestive system may extend to the brain in a roundabout way.
Stimulates the Outgrowth of Neurites
Because of the growing prevalence of neurological disorders, it is clear that there is a pressing need for therapies that protect the integrity of the nervous system. Why not make taking Lion’s Mane for focus as a regular part of your routine to take charge of your mental well-being?
Neurites’ outgrowth from neurons is critical in determining which pathways to take. A particular study found by CWP showed that Lion’s mane mushrooms increase levels of nerve growth factor in humans. In addition, it has been shown to stimulate neurite outgrowth in some cell lines.
Do you want to improve your ability to concentrate, feel more content and joyful, have more energy, and have better digestion? Then you need to introduce an ancient and powerful mushroom into your life, and Clarity Mushroom Tincture from The Alchemist’s Kitchen makes it easy to do just that.
The Brain: Botanical Elixir from The Alchemist’s Kitchen is yet another fantastic choice for a daily cognitive boost. If you want to be the best version of yourself, Lion’s Mane for focus can help you do that.
