Lion's Mane exhibits anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antidepressant potential and may enhance the nervous system's adaptive capacity to cope with challenging external factors (both physical and psychological). A growing body of scientific research is being conducted on the medicinal properties of Lion's Mane, including its potential use in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. It can also be used to support cognitive function in stroke survivors and those suffering from brain fog.

Lion's Mane Mycelium in Traditional Medicine

Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane, Lion's Mane, Yamabushitake) grows on old or dead deciduous trees and is used as food and medicine in parts of Asia. 

In Chinese, it is called hóu tóu gū ("monkey head mushroom") and in Japanese, yamabushitake ("upper monk mushroom"). In Chinese and Japanese medical systems, it has been traditionally used to strengthen the spleen, nourish the intestines, and as an anti-cancer medicine. 

Lion's Mane mycelium, according to traditional wisdom, is nourishing for the five internal organs (liver, lungs, spleen, heart, and kidneys) and promotes good digestion, overall vitality, and strength. It is also recommended for gastric and duodenal ulcers and chronic gastritis.

The mushroom is also known for its effect on the central nervous system and is used for insomnia, flaccidity (weakness), and hypodynamia, which are characteristic symptoms of Qi deficiency in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Lion's Mane Mushroom Adaptogens – Scientific Research

Modern medicine is slowly recognizing the enormous potential of mushrooms. Over the past few decades, science has begun exploring other potential uses for mushrooms beyond their nutritional and cholesterol-lowering properties.

Scientists and physicians now have greater access to mycelium extracts, which are being used clinically for their anticancer, cardiovascular, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. Functional studies and chemical analyses also confirm their potential as analgesics, antibacterials, antioxidants, and neuroprotective agents. 

Lion's Mane Mycelium for Brain and Nervous System Health

Lion's Mane is such a case – both its mycelium and fruiting bodies show therapeutic potential for brain and nerve health. 

• According to the results tests carried out on animals modeling global ischemic stroke, the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus and compounds isolated from it (a diterpenoid derivative, erinacin A) reduced the ischemic area by 22% at a dose of 50 mg/kg and by 44% at a dose of 300 mg/kg.

This effect was thought to be partly related to the ability of substances derived from Lion's Mane Mushroom to reduce the level of cytokines (pro-inflammatory toxins).

• In another study In animal studies, hericerins and erinacins (substances found in Lion's Mane) isolated from the mushroom have been shown to have neuroprotective properties – they protect nerve cells from degradation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease, thereby slowing down the progression of the disease, delaying its onset or preventing it completely.

• W laboratory tests In vitro, it has been observed that certain carbohydrates (polysaccharides) isolated from Lion's Mane delay the process of destruction of nerve cells by up to 20-50% - therefore they also have a protective effect on neurons.

The same researchers tested the ability of substances contained in Lion's Mane Mushroom to stimulate the growth of adrenal cells and nerve endings in rats. The study demonstrated the mushroom's potential in this regard.

• W behavioral test in wild-type mice, oral supplementation with H. erinaceus resulted in statistically significant improvements in short-term spatial and visual memory.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Japanese patients aged 50 to 80 years diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment, oral consumption of Lion's Mane tablets (250 mg three times daily for 16 weeks) was associated with significant improvements in the Hasegawa Dementia Rating Scale (HDS-R) compared with the control group. Unfortunately, the effects were not sustained long-term after treatment ended. 

The antidepressant potential of Lion's Mane

Currently there is several hypotheses regarding factors contributing to the occurrence of depression:

• The neurotrophic hypothesis of depression concerns the adaptation of the nervous system and the inability of the nervous system to respond adequately or adapt in response to aversive stimuli or stress, which leads to depression.

• The monoamine hypothesis of depression suggests that the core signs and symptoms of depression are related to deficient transmission in neurotransmitter and modulator (monoamine) systems, including noradrenaline, serotonin, and/or dopamine.

• The inflammatory hypothesis states that depressive disorders are associated with an increase in the expression of various pro-inflammatory substances in both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Preclinical and clinical studies showed that H. erinaceus significantly alleviates depressive disorders by acting in several ways: by influencing the expression of neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, by influencing the adaptive capacity of the nervous system, and by exerting anti-inflammatory effects. This indicates a potential role for H. erinaceus as a complementary and alternative therapy in the treatment of depression. 

Nevertheless, current research on the antidepressant effects of H. erinaceus is still relatively early, and the specific mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects require further investigation.

Summary

Research analysis carried out by Polish researchers indicates that research on H. erinaceus and its neuroprotective properties has shown promising results and is an excellent starting point for further research aimed at gaining a deeper understanding of this species and preparing potential drugs/dietary supplements. 

According to the authors, mushrooms show enormous potential as polypharmaceutical drugs due to their rich and complex chemistry and diverse forms of bioactivity. They contain numerous chemical compounds, such as polysaccharides, triterpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, and other components that demonstrate potential therapeutic effects. 

The potential antidepressant effect of the mushroom, given the prevalence of depression and mood disorders, makes Lion's Mane an even more interesting subject of scientific research.

As Polish researchers point out, standardization of dietary supplements based on medicinal mushrooms is still in the early stages of development. There are no uniform standards and protocols regarding the quality and composition of mushroom supplements. 

Such standards would contribute to the development of more advanced and personalized therapies based on medicinal mushrooms and enable consumers to use high-quality products with health benefits.

In our online store you will find an extract containing the full spectrum of Lion's Mane mushroom ingredients in the form of convenient drops: Ollywell Lions Mane 30ml – Lion's Mane extract in drops

Sources:

1. Chong P. S. et al. Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/1/163?ref=bewusstschlafen.de 

3. Spelman K et al. Neurological Activity of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), Journal Compilation 2017: https://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:oUXIOvUJ0NsJ:scholar.google.com/+Lion%E2%80%99s+Mane,+Hericium+erinaceus&hl=pl&as_sdt=0,5&as_vis=1 

4. Tovato A et al. Redox modulation of cellular stress response and lipoxin A4 expression by Hericium Erinaceus in rat brain: relevance to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, Immun Aging. 2016: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4938991/ 

5. Zhang J et al. The neuroprotective properties of Hericium erinaceus in glutamate-damaged differentiated PC12 cells and an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Int J Mol Sci. 2016: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27809277/ 

6. Kuo HC et al. Hericium erinaceus mycelium and its isolated erinacine A protection from MPTP-induced neurotoxicity through the ER stress, triggering an apoptosis cascade, J Transl Med, 2016: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26988860/ 

7. Nakatsugawa M et al. Hericium erinaceum (yamabushitake) extract-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome monitored by serum surfactant proteins, Intern Med 2003: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14714963/ 

8. Szućko-Kociuba I et al. Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus, Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023: https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/24/21/15960