Scientific References
Stimulation of the nerve growth factor:
Neurotrophic factors are proteins that act on neurons and promote their growth and differentiation into different cell types (1). Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is one such factor. In-vitro experiments have shown that the isolated compounds hericenones and erinacins from the medicinal fungus Hericium erinaceus can induce the synthesis of NGF in nerve cells. (2)
In addition to inducing NGF synthesis in nerve cells, Hericium erinaceus also has neuroprotective and regenerative properties for certain types of neurons. (3)
Hericium erinaceus has even greater activity than NGF. This was demonstrated by a study conducted by a team from the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University in Turkey, who studied the effects of these two compounds on neuronal cultures in-vitro. The neurons were artificially “injured” and then their recovery from the effects of NGF, the fungus, and the combination of the two was studied. The researchers concluded that Hericium erinaceus may be a neuroprotective and regenerative candidate for peripheral nerve injury. (4)
It has been shown that damage to the peripheral or central nervous system can result in neuropathic pain (5). And since H. erinaceus mycelium significantly promotes nerve regeneration through the stimulation of neurotropic factors (6), it may have analgesic potential. This potential was studied in mice by administering extracts of H. erinaceus mycelium and subjecting them to heat. The results showed that the time taken for the mice to lift their paws from the hot plate was significantly delayed, indicating a very strong potential for pain relief. (7)
Compounds from Hericium erinaceus, particularly erinacin A, have the capacity to protect and regenerate nerve cells. This, combined with its ability to promote NGF synthesis, allows this fungus to delay nerve cell death in animals suffering from neurodegenerative disorders, as shown in multiple in vitro experiments (8). Furthermore, the same studies have demonstrated the safety of the fungus in both humans and animals.
Brain Boost and memory improvement
Consumption of a daily dose of Powermind Lion’s Mane improves the memory and cognitive abilities of the brain and allows for better performance in tasks that require high brain activity. The bioactive substances contained in the lion’s mane mushroom allow to improve the capacities of the brain and to boost it so that it is more efficient during the tasks it performs. It also significantly improves memory (9).
A study was conducted in Japan in 2009 (10) to determine the effects of lion’s mane mushroom on the cognitive abilities of people aged from 50 to 80. During 16 weeks, this group of people took a daily dose of lion’s mane mushroom and was tested for cognitive function several times. The results showed that this group performed better than a control group. However, 4 weeks after the group stopped taking lion’s mane mushroom, they were tested and the results declined, demonstrating that the benefits of lion’s mane on the brain were not permanent, and that daily ingestion was necessary to benefit from its brain-boosting actions.
Action on the mood and depression:
Lion’s mane mushroom has been used for a long time as a treatment for anxiety and depression. Studies have been conducted on mice to explore the action of the mushroom on the body; including the antidepressant effects of the erinacin it contains (11).
Lion’s Mane mushroom allows fighting against depression and anxiety, according to a study (12), daily consumption allows one to be much less anxious and irritable, to fight against the disorders of concentration. It has also been shown in the same study that lion’s mane mushroom combats depression by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis in the adult mouse brain.
According to a study (13), these beneficial effects are mainly due to the presence of substances promoting relaxation, well-being, but also by improving the quality of sleep.
Immune Support
Researchers found in an animal study that lion’s mane mushroom reduced mortality in the study subjects by increasing their resistance to infection and by increasing the uptake of bacteria by white blood cells.
Beta-glucan (14), a component of the mushroom, was shown to play an important role in stimulating innate immune cells.
Taking a daily dose of lion’s Mane extracts can help to boost immunity and to provide support to effectively fight infections and diseases.
Action on neurodegenerative diseases:
Researchers have conducted several studies to identify the properties of the lion’s mane mushroom and its beneficial effects on neurodegenerative diseases.
Hericenone and Erinacin contained in the power mind lion’s mane help to protect against Alzheimer’s disease by reducing the symptoms of memory loss. Animal studies have shown that the lion’s mane mushroom and its extracts significantly helped to prevent neuronal damage caused by beta-amyloid plaques (plaques that accumulate in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease patients). (15)
To date, no human studies have been conducted to confirm the beneficial effect of lion’s mane mushroom on Alzheimer’s patients, but it does appear to stimulate mental functioning. Indeed, a study was conducted on elderly people with mild cognitive impairment. The results of the study showed that the daily consumption of 3 grams of lion’s mane powder over a period of 4 months had the effect of considerably improving the brain capacity of the patients, but that these improvements only lasted as long as the treatment was continued. (16)
Hericenone and erinacin, two bioactive compounds found in lion’s mane, stimulate the formation of NGF in brain cells, resulting in a 60% increase in nerve cell proliferation. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are all neurodegenerative disorders that could benefit from this impact. (17)
Several studies have addressed the neuroprotective properties of lion’s mane mushroom, in particular, the chemical profile of this fungus that has been the subject of active studies by Kawagishi and his co-researchers. In one of their studies, it was shown that the polysaccharides contained in the aqueous extract of the mushroom induce neuronal differentiation and thus promote neuronal survival. (18). It has also been shown that the chemical components of lion’s mane mushroom can reduce the risk of cell death caused by neurodegenerative diseases (19).
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.