Lion's Mane - a Mushroom that Supports Brain Cell Health

Lion’s Mane is a traditional mushroom with a very descriptive common name, as its white globe shape with long shaggy spines resembles the scuff of a lion.

Native to North America, Europe and Asia, it has been used for thousands of years throughout China, Japan and India for its culinary appeal and healthful benefits. Once reserved for royalty, Lion’s Mane is now available at farmers’ markets and natural food stores. Officially known as Hericium erinaceus, this mushroom grows on old oak trees and hardwood logs. It can be eaten raw or cooked, dried or steeped in a tea.

Lion’s Mane fruiting body extract is included in our Brain Awakening™, a simple-to-use capsule that pairs Lion’s Mane with amla and magnesium L-threonate to support healthy cognition and brain function.

Brain Benefits

Our brain controls our body and mind, and it has a powerful impact on our emotions. It works through a complex network of hard-working neurons which can unfortunately weaken and die off. Lion’s Mane contains nootropic compounds that support brain cell health and cognition.

We rely on healthy cognition to help us learn, remember, speak, plan and make judgements – all of our executive functions. It also impacts visual and spatial perceptions and our ability to move.

Two sets of compounds in Lion’s Mane (hericenones and erinacines) support nerve growth factor. While NGF is a huge molecule that has trouble passing through the blood-brain barrier, Lion’s Mane compounds are small enough to pass that barrier and support neuron health.

One study conducted in 2009 of older adults showed healthy cognition at 8, 12 and 16 weeks in participants given Lion’s Mane compared to the control group that received placebos. Lion’s Mane has also been shown to support the hippocampus, the part of the brain involved in processing memories and emotional responses.

Other Benefits

Lion’s Mane has antioxidant effects. These properties contribute to overall system health, particularly cardio health. Preliminary research has shown that it supports fat metabolism. It also blocks alphagludocidase activity, which reduces the breakdown and absorption of carbohydrates and supports healthy blood sugar levels. These characteristics also contribute to supporting health in the digestive system, which in turn helps support healthy immune system function.