Lion’s Mane Mushroom: Medicinal Benefits and Side Effects

Lion’s Mane or Hericium Erinaceus is a medicinal and edible mushroom found in North America, Europe and Asia. They’re a white fungus, with long, shaggy spines or tentacles that resemble a Lion’s mane.

Research within the scientific community is suggesting that this fungus may offer a multitude of health benefits. This medicinal value includes improved cognitive function, heart health, and reduced inflammation, to name a few.

For those looking to skip the detailed information about Lion’s Mane mushrooms and just want to source one of its top products, then check out this hot supplement: Lion’s Mane Mushroom Cognition Capsules (120caps)

Read below for a complete description of the medicinal value and side effects of this fungus.

Helps Reduce Mild Symptoms of Anxiety & Depression

The extracts from the lion’s mane mushroom has medicinal value in the treatment of depression and anxiety.

In a recent study using mice, researchers noted the anti-inflammatory effects of this fungus caused behaviors which displayed less depression and overall better mood among those mice given a steady dose.

Other animal studies found Hericium Erinaceus extract extract helped to regenerate brain cells, improving the function of the brain’s hippocampus area, the region where emotional response and memory processing is handled.

Sharpening one’s emotions and having improved memory can lead to better confidence levels. This could result in one feeling less stressed, more confident, and overall less depressed.

However, more research on humans regarding the lion’s mane is needed to further validate this proposition.

Reduce Risk of Heart Disease

Lion’s mane mushrooms have yielded positive results for combating hyperlipidemia or high blood cholesterol, which plays a major factor in causing heart disease.

One recent study using a control group of rats noted a significant increase in LDL-c’s (good cholesterol) and a significant decrease in HDL-c (bad cholesterol) over a 4wk period being dosed with Hericium erinaceum extract.

Lion’s mane has also shown positive results in combating atherosclerosis, which is a disease of the arteries by fatty plague accumulating around its inner walls.

Another modern study concluded that Hericium erinaceus has the therapeutic potential to prevent the propagation of oxidation of LDL’s, which is a key factor in the outbreak of atherosclerosis.

This is a recipe for healthy heart conditions and serves as great potential for being an effective method to combat heart disease in humans through further research.

Manage Symptoms of Diabetes

Diabetes is the result of elevated glucose levels and decreased serum insulin levels. This is usually the result of bad dieting, but occasionally it can be a genetic problem.

In one study using Wistar rats, results found a significant decrease in serum glucose levels and a significant increase in serum insulin levels after administering Hericium erinaceus extract over a period of 28 days.

The researchers found that Lion’s mane extract successfully blocked the enzyme alpha-glucosidase, which is activated to break down carbohydrates in the small intestine.

By inhibiting this enzyme, Lion’s mane essentially lowered blood sugar levels by keeping the body from digesting and absorbing carbohydrates effectively.

While this extract is a success for lowering blood sugar levels in rats, there’s a real potential for it being a therapeutic supplement for diabetes in humans through further research.

Protect Against Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are caused by changes in the brain where a loss of neurons and their connections seem to occur. Two compounds, Hericenones and erinacines,  are critical in promoting the growth and differentiation of neurons in the brain.

One recent study noted Lion’s mane extract can increase neurite outgrowth within the brain by its natural ability to secrete the abovementioned compounds.

While there have been no evidentiary studies on humans using Lion’s mane extract to combat Alzheimer’s disease, the animal studies have shown significant results in its therapeutic potential.

For anyone interesting in exploring the cognitive effects of Hericium Erinaceus extract, this product provides the highest dosage available per capsule.

Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom 2100mgs Smart Shrooms

Cancer Prevention and Treatment

Cancer is a pervasive disease where cancerous cells replicate out of control due to damages occurring within our DNA strand. Lion’s mane mushroom extract has been suggested through research to have cancer fighting abilities.

One research study in particular noted that the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus isolated a compound called cerebroside E, which had significant inhibitory effects on the spreading of cancerous cells within the human body.

The overall result of this study indicates that Lion’s mane extract has beneficial effects in treating cancer within human patients. What is not known, however, is whether or not the FDA will fund further research to validate these findings and possibly regulate this fungus for treatment of cancer in patients across the USA.

A great way to test the medicinal benefits of Lion’s mane as a possible treatment of cancer is to test them yourself. There is an NGF-optimised alcohol extract on the market that could possibly be a good start. (of course always check with your PCP before taking any supplements)

ORIVeDA Lion’s Mane Extract

This product is the only alcohol extracted Lion’s mane in the world and offers the following ingredients:

• 3% terpenes
• 2% erinacines
• .2% Hericenones (NGF-inducing compounds)
• 8% polyphenols
• 4% beta-glucans

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Safety and Side Effects

The good thing about Lion’s mane, whether in edible, extract, or supplement (capsule) form is there are no concrete side effects for usage within a 16 week period other than mild stomach discomfort.

However, there are a few safety precautions to take if you have the following issues.

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, there is no reliable evidence that taking Hericium erinaceus is safe. Best course of action would be to stay clear of dosing with this supplement during this period.

If you have diabetes, Lion’s mane extract could possibly lower your blood sugar. So be careful to monitor for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) on a regular basis if taking some form of this fungus.

If you have some type of bleeding condition, there is the possibility of it slowing your blood clotting. This could increase the chances of bruising or bleeding excessively from a cut.

The possibility of slowing blood clotting could also be a problem for those undergoing surgery, so be sure to stay clear of taking this supplement a week or two before anything scheduled.

Summary

There are many significant medicinal benefits from taking Lion’s mane mushrooms. Research in animals and test tubes has shown potentially positive results in dealing with many ailments and diseases.

While the research in human trials with this fungus are lacking, there are many current studies underway testing the efficacy of Hericium erinaceus in treating multiple things.

With the lack of side effects on record so far, it may be a good idea to try out a few supplements to see if it positively affects your life.