Have you heard of “lion’s mane” before? Despite the name, it actually has nothing to do with lions. Scientifically named Hericium erinaceus, lion’s mane is a mushroom that got its nickname from its appearance.
Lion’s mane is a nutritious mushroom that grows on the trunks of dead hardwood trees such as oak, and it looks like, well, the mane of a lion!
And just like a lion, this mushroom is powerful. Especially when it comes to the brain. In fact, it’s so good for your brain that it has been classified by many as a nootropic. A nootropic is a compound that is beneficial to the brain.
In today’s blog, we’re going to learn about the brain benefits of lion’s mane. But this mushroom also offers other benefits, which we’ll get into as well.
8 benefits of lion’s mane
Many benefits when it comes to lion’s mane have to do with the brain as it’s such a powerful ingredient when it comes to cognition. Let’s start with the brain benefits, and then we’ll get into some of the other health effects you can expect from taking a high-quality, bioavailable lion’s mane supplement.
1. It protects the brain and enhances cognition
As we get older, our brains can struggle to make new connections, neurons can wear down, and our cognition can suffer as a result.
Thankfully, lion’s mane has been shown to have incredible effects on the brain. Consistent use of lion’s mane has been found to:
🧠 Stimulate the growth of new brain cells. [1]
🧠 Reduce the plaque buildup responsible for dementia. [2]
🧠 Boost brain function and protect against cognitive decline. [3, 4]
🧠 Regenerate damaged brain cells. [5]
🧠 Increase memory by boosting neuron activity. [6, 7]
🧠 Reduce anxiety and depression. [8]
One of the main ways that lion’s mane helps the brain is by boosting levels of brain-nourishing proteins like nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These proteins do wonders for the brain, like increasing the production of neurons, repairing and regenerating old neurons, and strengthening the neurons you do have. One way these proteins strengthen your neurons is by reinforcing the myelin sheath. This is the part of the brain cell used for communicating with other brain cells. Enhancing this function is crucial for faster cognition.
And even if you’re worried that you’re getting up there in age and may be experiencing some form of cognitive decline, lion’s mane can definitely still help you.
Just look at some of this incredible lion’s mane research:
✅ A 2020 study showed that those in the early stages of cognitive decline taking lion’s mane daily saw an increase in brain function within just 4 months. [9]
✅ A 2019 study found that adults taking lion’s mane saw a significant improvement in cognitive functions like memory, along with protection from brain cell deterioration. [10]
✅ Research from 2012 showed that taking lion’s mane could actually regenerate damaged and rundown brain cells. [11]
✅ Lion’s mane has also been found to increase cognition and memory in mice studies. [12]
✅ Multiple studies have shown an improvement in Alzheimer’s Disease symptoms following lion’s mane supplementation. [13]
✅ A 2019 study showed that taking lion’s mane daily decreased depression and anxiety, increased sleep quality, and boosted levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – a protein responsible for producing and protecting neurons. [14]
✅ Research from 2023 looked at the compounds within lion’s mane and found that active compounds within the mushroom improved neuron growth and boosted neurotrophic activity in the brain, resulting in enhanced memory formation. [15]
✅ Research indicates that lion’s mane increases “neurite outgrowth,” which refers to the formation of the more complex areas of a brain cell. This means stronger, more resilient, and longer-laster brain cells. [16]
As you can plainly see, taking lion’s mane does wonders for your brain. If you’re looking to boost cognition, it’s one of the best supplements you can take.
But incredibly, this isn’t even all that lion’s mane can do for you and your health. While most lion’s mane research has been focused on how it impacts cognition, there are other ways lion’s mane can benefit your health.
2. It boosts your mood
Alright, this one does have a bit to do with your brain, but it’s still different from increased memory and faster thinking.
When doing what it does to boost brain health, lion’s mane does several things that translate to better mental health for you.
These include:
😀 Improving the function of the hippocampus, a region of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. [17, 18]
😀 Lowering brain inflammation, which is a common cause of depression and anxiety. [19]
😀 Boosting BDNF levels, as low levels are linked to depression. [14]
It’s no surprise, then, that a 2010 study found that women taking lion’s mane reported more feelings of happiness and less anxiety after just four weeks of use. [15]
3. It promotes a healthy gut
Did you know that an estimated 50-75% of people are unknowingly infected with a harmful gut bacteria called h. pylori? [16]
Well, not only is this unfortunately true, but this bacteria can actually impact functions like hormone production while it quietly lives in your body. And, speaking of brain health, it can also impair brain function by slowing down the brain-gut axis and slowing down communications. People with h. pylori in their systems have been found to have worse reasoning skills, struggle more to recall newly learned information, show poorer logic, and perform much lower in several cognitive tests. [17]
Thankfully, lion’s mane has been shown to help inhibit the growth of and clear out h. pylori and other harmful types of bacteria. [18, 19]
This is just another way that lion’s mane is thought to boost brain function.
But what about just the gut? Don’t worry, lion’s mane has got you covered there as well. As mentioned above, it’s been shown to clear out other harmful bacteria, promoting a healthy gut microbiome. But it also reduces gut inflammation and eases conditions such as ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease. [20, 21, 22, 23]
If you thought that lion’s mane was going to stop there, you haven’t caught on to lion’s mane versatility yet. Because lion’s mane has also been shown to prevent stomach ulcers better than traditional stomach ulcer drugs! Researchers believe that lion’s mane is so effective in inhibiting stomach ulcers because it prevents the growth of h. pylori and protects the stomach lining. [24, 25]
4. It protects the heart
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the world. Thankfully, research has shown that lion’s mane can reduce several risk factors of heart disease.
Lion’s mane protects the heart by:
❤️ Improving fat metabolism and lowering triglyceride levels, with one study in rats showing a 27% reduction in triglyceride levels and a 42% drop in weight gain after just 28 days. [26, 27]
❤️ Preventing the oxidation of cholesterol in the bloodstream, a phenomenon where cholesterol attaches to artery walls, hardens, and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. [28]
❤️ Increasing levels of a compound called hericenone B, which decreases the rate of blood clotting and lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke. [29]
Through these mechanisms, lion’s mane can offer you a healthier heart.
5. It strengthens the nervous system
Back to the brain for a moment, lion’s mane can help your nervous system recover from injury. Your nervous system is comprised of the brain, spinal cord, and other nerves that travel throughout the body.
When an injury occurs within the nervous system – specifically the brain or spinal cord – it can cause debilitating conditions such as paralysis or loss of mental function.
However, lion’s mane research has shown that the mushroom can actually reduce the severity of damage after a traumatic event such as a stroke while speeding up recovery by stimulating the growth and repair of nerve cells. [30, 31]
6. It manages blood sugar levels
Several health issues can arise from poor blood sugar regulation, namely type 2 diabetes, but thankfully lion’s mane can help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Several studies have found that taking lion’s mane daily can significantly lower blood sugar levels. Researchers believe that this is because lion’s mane blocks the activity of alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that can spike blood sugar after eating. [32, 33, 34]
Additionally, lion’s mane can help reduce diabetic nerve pain in the hands and feet. One study showed that after 6 weeks of daily lion’s mane use, mice with diabetic nerve damage saw significantly less pain, reduced blood sugar levels, and increased antioxidant levels. [35]
7. It reduces inflammation
Chronic inflammation is believed to be the root cause of many types of health conditions, including heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and even cancer.
Research shows that lion’s mane contains powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that reduce inflammatory conditions and the damage they cause. [36]
In fact, one study evaluating a large range of mushrooms found that lion’s mane was one of the top mushrooms when it came to antioxidant levels. [37]
And several studies have shown that lion’s mane can reduce inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, proving to be especially useful in managing inflammatory bowel disease, liver damage, and stroke. [38, 39]
8. It boosts immunity
A strong immune system is the key to a healthy body.
Lion’s mane helps boost the immune system in a unique way: by arming the gut microbiome with immune cells. This protects the body from pathogens that enter the body through the mouth or nose. Animal studies have shown that lion’s mane can add four times the protection from harmful bacteria like salmonella. [40, 41, 42]
While this research is exciting and promising, there is still limited research in this area. Though, we are excited to see what future studies reveal!
Getting lion’s mane for your brain (and health)
If you want to get lion’s mane for yourself, there’s something you should know.
Most lion’s mane doesn’t get properly absorbed, with tests showing absorption rates of about 15%. [43]
That’s why Purality Health has infused lion’s mane extract with our nano liposomal absorption technology. This way, you can be confident that you’re getting a FULL dose of lion’s mane each and every day. Plus, it comes in a delicious mocha spray formula!
