Lion's Mane, also known as Hericium erinaceus or "porcupine mushroom" in Norwegian, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. This white, fringed mushroom grows naturally on deciduous trees in Asia, North America and Europe, and has in recent years received a lot of attention in the West - especially for its potential effects on memory, concentration and the nervous system.
Traditional use
In East Asia, Lion's Mane has been valued as both a food and a medicine. Traditionally, it has been used to strengthen the spleen, stomach, and digestion, but also to support cognitive function, especially in the elderly. According to Chinese herbal medicine, it was recommended to "nourish the five internal organs" and "calm the soul."
Modern Research: Nerve Growth and Cognitive Health
The most unique thing about Lion's Mane is its content of hericenones and erinacins – two groups of compounds that can stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), a protein that is essential for the growth and repair of nerve cells in the brain and the rest of the nervous system (1).
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of Japanese people between the ages of 50 and 80 with mild cognitive impairment, participants were given either Lion's Mane or a placebo for 16 weeks. Those taking Lion's Mane showed gradual improvement in cognitive function throughout the period. The effect waned again four weeks after they stopped taking the mushroom, suggesting that continuous use is necessary for its effectiveness. No side effects were reported. The study suggests that Lion's Mane may have a positive effect on mild cognitive impairment (2).
Animal studies have also been conducted that show that Lion's Mane may have a protective effect on nerve cells, including by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress – processes that are involved in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's (3).
Other possible effects
The mushroom has also shown immunomodulatory effects and potential to support digestion, but these areas are currently less well documented.
How to use Lion's Mane?
Lion's Mane is available as powder, capsules, tea and liquid extract. Many people prefer standardized extracts because they contain concentrated amounts of the active ingredients. Extracts with a strength of 10:1, for example, provide ten times the amount of active ingredient as regular dried mushrooms.
The effect appears to be dose-dependent, and most studies use daily doses equivalent to between 500 mg and 3000 mg of extract.
SHIFT Lions Mane contains a high-quality Lion's Mane extract (10:1) made only from the fruiting body, which is the most potent part of the mushroom. A duo extraction process is used to ensure that both water-soluble and fat-soluble active ingredients are extracted. This provides a more complete extract with all the important active ingredients intact. One capsule contains 500 mg of lion's mane extract and the recommended daily dose is 1-2 capsules.
Summary
Lion's Mane is a fascinating medicinal mushroom with a growing research base. Traditional use is supported by recent studies pointing to effects on the nervous system, memory, and mental clarity. Although more research is needed to determine its effects in healthy individuals, Lion's Mane is already a popular dietary supplement for many who want to support the brain in a natural and safe way.
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