AN OVERVIEW OF THE SMART MUSHROOM

With a long history of usage in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is one of the most renowned medicinal mushrooms famous for its cognitive enhancing abilities to support memory, focus, mood, and overall brain health.

It’s one of the most interesting functional mushrooms and not just because of its wild appearance. This hairy-looking fungus that resembles a lion’s mane as they grow has an abundance of nutritional value and benefits.

Lion’s Mane is also a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mushroom. Scientific research has shown that Lion’s Mane to be effective at protecting against dementia, relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression, and helping stimulate the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF).

When used as an extract, Lion’s Mane acts as a powerful natural nootropic to boost cognitive performance and health. Nootropics are natural ingredients that have beneficial effects on cognitive function, including the ability to boost attention, memory, and creativity, while helping to reduce age-related decline in brain function.

NUTRITIONAL MAKEUP

Lion’s Mane mushroom contains a wide range of nutrients that are essential for bodily function and its reparative abilities. It’s high in beta-glucan polysaccharides, with erinacines and hericenones being the two main compounds that are responsible for the neuroprotective benefits.

Lion’s Mane is also rich in essential amino acids, carbohydrates, and fibre. With minerals including Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium, and vitamins like Folic Acid (vitamin B9), Thiamine (vitamin B1) and Tocopherols (vitamin E), its diverse array of nutrients deliver wide-ranging health benefits.

THE WIDE RANGE OF BENEFITS

Scientific research has shown that Lion's Mane has many health-promoting properties that come with several benefits:

Protection Against Dementia

Supporting brain health through your diet is not a new concept, and Lion's Mane mushroom can aid in keeping your mental function up to speed. Studies have found that Lion’s Mane has an extremely high source of hericenones and erinacines, two compounds that accelerate the growth of brain cells and stimulate the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF).

Scientific research has shown supplementation with Lion's Mane mushroom extract may benefit brain health by stimulating the growth of brain cells and nerve cells by protecting those cells from damage caused by Dementia, boosting cognitive function, memory, and promoting recovery from nervous system injuries.

Relieve Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety

Along the lines of supporting brain health, other studies have been conducted regarding the potential benefits of this mushroom relieving symptoms of depression and anxiety due to its ability to aid in neurogenesis and improve function within the hippocampus (the region of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotional responses).

A Japanese study examined the effects of Hericium erinaceus on symptoms of depression in women. After taking a Lion’s Mane supplement for four weeks, these women reported feeling less depressed than at the beginning of the trial, while the women who were taking a placebo did not report an improvement in their symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory Properties

Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress are believed to be at the core of many modern illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.

Research shows that Lion’s Mane mushrooms contain powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that may help reduce the impact of these illnesses. Lion’s Mane mushrooms are rich in a specific type of carbohydrate called oligosaccharides that have many critical functions including antioxidative and antitumor activities.

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits of this mushroom can help to reduce illnesses related to inflammation, including health risks caused by obesity by limiting inflammation from the fat tissue.

Boosts the Immune System

A strong immune system protects the body from bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing pathogens. On the other hand, a weak immune system puts the body at a higher risk of developing infectious diseases.

Research has shown that Lion’s Mane mushroom can boost immunity by increasing the activity of the intestinal immune system, which protects the body from pathogens that enter the gut through the mouth or nose. These effects are partly due to beneficial changes in gut bacteria that stimulate the immune system.

Supports Gut Health

When it comes to gut health, Lion’s Mane is considered a functional food that acts as a prebiotic, supporting the gastrointestinal tract or gut flora due to the mushroom’s beta-glucan polysaccharide component.

More specifically, studies have shown that Lion's Mane mushrooms may be able to limit the growth of H. pylori, which is a bacteria commonly found in your stomach that can be responsible for causing ulcers in the stomach.

SUMMARY OF THE BENEFITS

• Improves cognitive function
• Supports memory, mood, focus, and concentration
• Stimulates nerve growth factor (NGF)
• Alleviates brain fog and mental fatigue
• Helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
• Enhances the immune system
• Anti-inflammatory health benefits
• Supports digestion and gut health
• Balances the good bacteria in the microbiome
• Speeds recovery of nervous system injuries
• May help reduce heart disease risk

KNOWN SIDE EFFECTS

Lion’s Mane mushroom extract is considered very safe for most people of all ages. If you know or suspect you have an allergy to mushrooms, it's best to avoid Lion’s Mane mushrooms altogether. If you are taking any prescribed anticoagulant or anti-platelet, please consult with your healthcare professional before taking any Lion's Mane mushroom supplement.

SUMMING IT ALL UP

Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is one of the most renowned medicinal mushrooms in the world. When used daily, it can provide powerful short and long-term cognitive enhancing benefits, including to ability to support memory, focus, clarity, and overall brain health.

Scientific research has also shown that Lion’s Mane may be effective at protecting against dementia, relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression, and helping stimulate the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF).

INCORPORATE LION'S MANE INTO YOUR DAILY ROUTINE

Try it in our Focus Elementals nootropic supplement. Our Lion’s Mane mushroom is Di Tao sourced deep within the mountainous region of Zhejiang Province, USDA & EU certified organic, 100% fruiting body, dual extracted, 30% beta-glucans, thoroughly lab-tested for potency and purity, and contains no grains, additives, fillers, or mycelium – making our extract one of the purest and most potent on the market.