How Does Lion's Mane Affect The Brain?

Do you want to improve brain health naturally? Maybe you should try the mushroom Lion’s Mane, that’s known to improve cognitive function.

Lion’s Mane has multiple benefits for your health – especially brain health. It may improve cognitive function by stimulating brain cells, it’s a natural antioxidant and reduces inflammation, which may be a co-cause of anxiety and depression. Lion’s Mane also protects the heart by reducing oxidized cholesterol and also plays a positive role in gut- and nervous system health. There isn’t a lot of research yet about the dosage of Lion’s Mane and its potential side effects, but it should be safe to consume on a daily basis, without risk of side effects.

In order to address how Lion’s Mane affects the brain, we’ll go through benefits, neurological effects and usage.

What Are The Real Benefits Of Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s mane mushrooms are these unique mushrooms that resemble a lion’s mane while growing.

Research shows that they are commonly used for medicinal purposes in Asian countries as they contain substances that are extremely beneficial for your body, especially your heart, brain and gut.

There’s a huge amount of research that highlights numerous health benefits associated with lion’s mane.

For example, experts suggest that a lion’s mane helps in supporting your cognitive function. It does so by stimulating the growth of your brain cells, with the help of two bioactive compounds, hericenones and erinacines, that are found in it.

Chronic inflammation might be a cause of people experiencing depression and anxiety. However, a study shows that lion’s mane extract contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Furthermore, it also supports nervous system health. Your nervous system plays a crucial role in maintaining your overall well-being.

If you ever experience brain injuries they can lead to severe consequences such as paralysis and other medical conditions that take a long time to recover.

Fortunately, the lion’s mane aids in accelerating recovery from such injuries by protecting and promoting the growth of your nerve cells, thereby reducing the severity of any brain damage.

Another way through which lion’s mane is extremely beneficial is by supporting your digestive health.

Experts propose lion’s mane extract can improve symptoms of gastritis, which includes reducing stomach inflammation and protecting the gastric mucosa.

Moreover, it aids in protecting your body against the development of stomach ulcers by hindering H. pylori’s growth and protecting your stomach lining from damage.

Studies propose that lion’s mane extract might have cancer-fighting abilities. Cancer is caused when your DNA gets damaged, leading to your cells replicating out of control. Consuming lion’s mane helps in slowing cancer’s spread and kills the cancer cells.

A strong immune system is essential for protecting your body against infections and diseases. While a weak immune system puts your body at a much higher risk of suffering from infectious diseases. Surprisingly, the lion’s mane has been studied for its immunomodulatory effects.

Research suggests that it boosts your immunity by increasing the activity of immune cells and enhancing immune response.

Lion’s mane mushroom extract contributes to reducing the risk of heart disease. Since high triglycerides and obesity are believed to be the risk factors for heart disease, lion’s mane mushrooms aid in protection against them.

Study proposes that it does so by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol in your bloodstream. Oxidized cholesterol is the culprit that attaches to the walls of the artery, causing them to harden, and increasing your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Now that you are aware of the various benefits of lion’s mane, particularly for brain health, you may be curious about its neurological effects.

What Are The Neurological Effects Of Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s mane is widely recognized in the field of medicine for its neurological effects.

Neuroprotection is a mechanism that defends your central nervous system against injuries, whether acute, such as trauma or stroke, or chronic neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s.

Lion’s mane possesses neuroprotective properties that aid in slowing the progression of such diseases.

It contains compounds called hericenones and erinacines, which have neuro-regenerative and neuroprotective effects on the body.

Studies propose that the lion’s mane helps in protecting you against diseases like Alzheimer’s, in which your brain starts to degenerate which causes you to lose memory.

Another neurological effect of lion’s mane is that it may enhance cognitive function. It has nerve growth factors that stimulate the growth and maintenance of your brain cell.

Nerve growth factors are vital for the function and development of your nervous system and brain. By increasing the levels of these factors in your brain, the lion’s mane assists in improving your memory, attention, concentration and overall cognitive performance.

It also promotes nerve repair and regeneration. Research shows that a lion’s mane enhances the process of myelination, which is crucial for proper nerve function.

Additionally, experts suggest that the lion’s mane has a positive impact on your mood regulation, supporting your emotional balance and overall mental well-being.

So, if you’re thinking about supplementing with lion’s mane, you may wonder, how exactly does lion’s mane improve your mental well-being?

Does Lion’s Mane Increase Dopamine?

There are two neurotransmitters that have a huge effect on your mood – dopamine and serotonin. Serotonin, known as the “happy hormone,” is responsible for generating feelings of happiness.

Meanwhile, dopamine, referred to as a “feel-good hormone,” is responsible for making you feel the sensations of pleasure, motivation and satisfaction.

When these hormones become imbalanced, you may notice a change in your mood. If you are interested in understanding the causes and methods of changing this imbalance, I recommend checking out my FREE eBook, “Kickstart to Hormonal Balance,” which provides a step-by-step guide to maintaining a lifestyle that promotes a healthy hormonal balance.

Furthermore, the lion’s mane plays an important role in increasing the levels of dopamine and serotonin in your body. Research indicates that the bioactive compounds present in lion’s mane enhance the production of serotonin and dopamine, thereby improving your mental well-being and mood.

As a result, individuals suffering from depression and anxiety are often advised to consume lion’s mane. It is recognized and known as an effective natural remedy for these conditions because it elevates dopamine and serotonin levels.

Now that you are aware of the numerous benefits of lion’s mane, you may be curious about the potential side effects associated with this mushroom.

Can Lion’s Mane Be Harmful?

Fortunately, the majority of studies involving humans conducted on lion’s mane have shown no side effects, making them very safe to consume.

Even the study done on rats when they were given high doses did not result in any adverse effects.

However, there have been rare documented cases where individuals experienced certain issues. Therefore, it is important for you to consider potential side effects or risks:

If you are sensitive or allergic to mushrooms, you should avoid lion’s mane since it belongs to the mushroom species.
In extremely rare instances, some individuals may experience mild gastrointestinal discomforts like bloating, diarrhea, or stomach upset after consuming lion’s mane.

If you encounter any adverse gastrointestinal symptoms, it is advised to discontinue its use and consult a professional.
It is important to note that certain medications may not interact well together. If you are taking any medication, particularly those that impact immune function or blood clotting, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional before using lion’s mane.
Ensuring the consumption of high-quality lion’s mane supplements is crucial to avoid any potential negative effects on your body.
Just like with any other natural supplement, the optimal dosage may vary for each individual.

If you notice any unusual reactions after consuming lion’s mane, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate amount for you.

Since the lion’s mane plays a role in the production of dopamine and serotonin, you may wonder if it has an impact on anxiety.

Can Lion’s Mane Increase Anxiety?

Anxiety is quite prevalent among individuals, characterized by feelings of dread, stress, uneasiness and fear, which can lead you to feeling tense and restless.

According to all the studies done so far, lion’s mane has been found to have no adverse effects on anxiety, nor does it increase it.

Surprisingly, there is a positive correlation between lion’s mane and anxiety reduction. Extracts from lion’s mane have exhibited effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of anxiety.

Animal research has shown that lion’s mane mushroom aids in improving the functionality of the hippocampus, which is a region of your brain responsible for processing emotional responses. When the hippocampus functioning is improved it may reduce anxious behavior.

Considering the positive impact of the lion’s mane on anxiety, the question may arise in your mind: How frequently can lion’s mane be consumed?

Can I Take Lion’s Mane Every Day?

If you’ve been curious about how lion’s mane affects your brain and you want to start taking lion’s mane, you may wonder how often you can use it.

As mentioned earlier, there is limited research available on the side effects of lion’s mane. Further studies are necessary to determine the optimal dosage and safety of lion’s mane supplements.

However, based on the existing research conducted by experts, lion’s mane is generally considered safe and well tolerated.

It is recommended to take an oral dosage of 1 gram per day, and this amount can be consumed daily for up to 16 weeks.