Main Takeaways

  • In a thunk funk? Try Lion's Mane!

    The compounds derived from the Lion's Mane mushroom have demonstrated neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing effects.

  • Research is on-going

    While much of the research on the effects of Lion's Mane extracts has been confined to in-vitro tests and animal models, clinical research is underway.

  • Implications for cognitive diseases

    The compounds derived from the Lion's Mane mushroom may be useful tools in addressing cognitive diseases, such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Dementia.

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The Brain Fungus

The Lion’s Mane mushroom produces notable bioactive compounds, erinacines and hericinones. These compounds have demonstrated neuroprotective and cognition-enhancing effects, both in vivo (in living things) and in vitro (in a test tube). Specifically, observed effects were improved memory, focus, and cognitive performance. Several preliminary human trials suggest these compounds can help alleviate the effects of cognitive diseases and balance mood, while users commonly report improved digestion as well.

Hericinones and the nervous system

In-vitro, hericinones from the Lion’s Mane mushroom have been observed to promote the the branching of neurites, which are protrusions from a nerve cell. Research also suggests their ability to stimulate the growth of axons, a type of neurite that transmits information away from the original nerve cell to other nerve cells, muscles, and glands throughout the body. As well, hericinones may also increase the expression of neurotrophins, which are a type of protein that regulate the survival, development, and function of neurons. An increase in neurotrophin expression is associated with enhanced memory performance.

Lion's Mane and cognitive disease

Compounds extracted from the Lion’s Mane mushroom may positively affect areas of the brain associated with cognitive function, memory, and neurological ‘flexibility’ - or the brains ability to maintain and create synaptic connections.

This is important because several disorders of the brain, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and more, are associated with a dysfunction in the mechanisms that hericinones and erinacines may bolster.

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Suggested Readings

Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling enhancing spatial memory. Martínez-Mármol et al., 2023, Journal of Neurochemistry. 

Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Suppresses H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-Induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia. Kushairi et al., 2019, Antioxidants. 

Hericium erinaceus in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, How Far from the Shoreline? Brandalise et al., 2023, J Fungi (Basel). 

Extracts from Hericium erinaceus relieve inflammatory bowel disease by regulating immunity and gut microbiota. Diling et al., 2017, Oncotarget.