Lions Mane Nootropics Expert

Lions Mane Mushroom is known for stimulating Nerve Growth Factor, improving cognition and memory, and relieving depression.

Lions Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is unique in the mushroom family both in appearance and function. Lions Mane Mushroom is extremely effective at stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain.

Known for its powerful effects as a brain tonic, Lions Mane is said to have been used as a tea for thousands of years by Buddhist monks. To enhance brain power, and heighten their ability to focus during meditation.

Lions Mane as a nootropic, is a powerful catalyst for brain cell regeneration helping improve memory and cognition.

The primary active compounds in Lions Mane are hericenones and erinacines. Erinacineshelp your brain produce more Nerve Growth Factor. Erinacines easily cross the blood-brain barrier to boost the production of neurons.

Lions Mane helps:

Lions Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a medicinal mushroom proven to benefit the brain, nerves and immune system.

Unlike other mushrooms sporting a cap and stem, Lions Mane has long, flowing, white tendrils. Resembling a lions mane. Other names include Monkeys Head, Bearded Tooth, Pom Pom Blanc, Hedgehog Mushroom and Satyrs Beard.

This parasitic fungus grows hanging off logs and trees. And is native to North American, Europe and Southeast Asia. In Japan, its called yamabushitake or those who sleep in mountains. Referring to the Shugendo sect of hermitmonks and their long, flowing robes.

As a nootropic, Lions Mane has been shown to be particularly effective in stimulating Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the brain.

NGF is produced in the hippocampus throughout life. Modulating cholinergic receptors and neuroplasticity.[i] And is essential for learning.

Nerve Growth Factor are special proteins that function to regenerate neurons. Lions Mane contains two unique classes of NGFs hericenones anderinacines which easily cross the blood-brain barrier.

Lions Mane, like other medicinal mushrooms, contain high amounts of the antioxidant beta-glucoxylan and four other polysaccharides and polypeptides. Having a significant impact on enhancing your immune system. And decreasing tumor growth.

Lions Mane has also been studied in reducing amyloid plaques. These clumps of beta-amyloid proteins block signals between neurons. And are implicated in Alzheimers and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Lions Mane is also used to treat Lymes Disease, and digestive tract issues.

Here were talking about Lions Mane Mushroom and its effects on brain health and chemistry.

Lions Mane boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.

NGF is required by your brain to keep neurons strong and healthy. When various neurological disorders occur, your brain is unable to produce its own internal source of NGF.

In a study done in Kuala Lumpur in 2013, scientists showed that Lions Mane extract induced NGF synthesis and promoted neurite outgrowth.[ii]

A study by researchers in Japan worked with 30 women. The female subjects had been complaining about menopause, depression, sleep quality and other issues.

The women randomly received Lions Mane-laced cookies or a placebo for 4 weeks. The researchers found that Lions Mane has the possibility to reduce depression and anxiety, and these results suggest a different mechanism from NGF-enhancing action of H. erinaceus. [iii]

Science once believed that the brain could not grow new brain cells. That once our brain developed during childhood, and we reached adulthood, we had all the brain cells wed ever have.

Now we know that neurons can regenerate. But that doesnt mean they will regenerate. A number of health issues can contribute to neurodegeneration.

Decrease in Nerve Growth Factor = Decrease in Long-Term Potentiation affecting long-term memory[iv]

Brain cells die and are not replaced

Neuroplasticity declines resulting in poor memory

Neurotransmitters decline resulting in anxiety, poor mood and depression

All of these age-related changes are contributing factors to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers, Parkinsons and others. And anxiety, depression and mood disorders that affect quality of life.

At least a dozen peer-reviewed studies have been published on Lions Mane benefits to brain health since 1991. Dr. Kawagishi of Japan was first to identify Nerve Growth Factor properties in Lions Mane Mushroom.[v]

In one double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers in Japan worked with 50 80 year old men and women. All suffered from mild cognitive impairment.

The trial subjects received four 250 mg tablets containing 96% of Yamabushitake (Lions Mane) dry powder three times a day for 16 weeks. The men and women were tested at 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks.

At each of the testing periods, the subjects who had used Lions Mane showed a significant improvement in cognitive scores. And their scores were increasing while on Lions Mane supplementation. But 4 weeks after stopping Lions mane supplementation, their cognitive scores decreased significantly.

The researchers concluded that Lions Mane Mushroom is effective in improving mild cognitive impairment.[vi]

You may not experience the effects of supplementing with Lions Mane Mushroom immediately. But many users report with continued use of Lions Mane, a boost in mood and mental energy.

Some report it increases depth perception. And an improvement in sense of smell.

Others testify to improved decision-making, the ability to solve problems and learning. Likely due to Lions Mane ability to improve neuroplasticity.

The overall consensus is Lions Mane Mushrooms ability to lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration.

Lions Mane Mushroom has been used as a food and herbal medicine since ancient times in East Asia. And it has been reported in scientific research that Lions Mane promotes Nerve Growth Factor both in the petri dish as well as in animal and human test subjects.

In this study, researchers examined the effects of Lions Mane on amyloid (25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. Amyloid (25-35) peptide is implicated in diseases like Alzheimers.

Mice were injected with the peptide on days 7 and 14 of the trial. And they were fed a diet containing Lions Mane over 23-days of the experiment. The results showed that Lions Mane prevented short-term and visual recognition memory reduction normally induced by amyloid (25-35) peptide.

They concluded that Lions Mane Mushroom may be useful in the prevention of cognitive dysfunction.[vii]

In this trial, mice were fed Lions Mane 5% freeze-dried powdered extract for 7 days. Researchers found an increase in the level of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) in the hippocampus of the mice. Concluding that Lions Mane contains active compounds that stimulate NGF synthesis.[viii]

In this study done with rats, Lions Mane extract was able to promote neuron regrowth after injury. Rats with gluteal nerve damage were able to walk again after consuming water containing Lions Mane extract.

The researchers concluded that Lions Mane regenerates damaged nerve cells. In this case, the reversal was so profound, the rats went from being totally disabled to walking again.[ix]

Wondering how much Lions Mane to take? Dosing of Lions Mane Mushroom depends on the strength of the extract.

For Lions Mane 10:1 extract (30% polysaccharide), daily dosage is 500 1,000 mg taken 1 to 3 times per day. This means that if you choose a daily dose of 1,000 mg of Lions Mane extract, you should take 500 mg in the morning, and another 500 mg at noon.

Other retail extract dosage of Lions Mane ranges from 300 mg to 3000 mg dosed 1 3 times per day. Check the label and see what the manufacturer recommends. And when first using the supplement, start with the lowest dose and see how your body reacts.

Lions Mane Mushroom is non-toxic and considered very safe. So there are very few side effects reported.

Some neurohackers report itchy skin from higher doses. Likely attributable to a boost in Nerve Growth Factor.

Lions Mane has been tested in animals showing no side effects or toxicity even up to 5 grams per kilogram.

Lions Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) as a nootropic supplement is usually offered as an extract. In powdered form, or in a capsule.

Lions Mane Mushroom can be found in some of higher quality pre-formulated nootropic stacks. For example, Mind Lab Pro contains 11 brain enhancing nootropic compounds including Lions Mane with the full fruit spectrum including hericenonesanderinacines.

I recommend Mind Lab Pro because it addresses all aspects of anxiety resistance, memory and cognitive enhancement, stabilizes mood, brain repair, and maintenance.

This premium nootropic stack is designed to affect neurotransmitters, cognitive energy, brain waves, neuroprotection, and regeneration. See my Mind Lab Pro review for a detailed report.

When choosing a Lions Mane supplement, theres debate over the best form of extraction to achieve the mushrooms full medicinal benefit. Some say your best option is a hot water extraction. Another says alcohol extraction. Another claims both are necessary.

But when it comes to mushrooms, saying that one is more potent than another is just too simplified to be true. This is as much an art as it is science.

Much more important is choosing a supplement that includes the myceliumof Lions Mane Mushroom. In this mushroom, the fruiting body does not contain erinacines which is the compound that boosts Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).

The nootropic benefits of hericenones only found in the fruiting body or top of the mushroom help support your immune system and get rid of Amyloid (25-35) peptide implicated in diseases like Alzheimers.

The challenge is getting a Lions Mane Mushroom extract that contains the full spectrum found in both the mycelium and fruiting body. But the mushroom must be grown in liquid and not a solid substrate like grain. Otherwise youll get ground up grain without the important erinacines needed for increased NGF.

Look at the manufacturers literature and marketing material and find out how their Lions Mane is grown. And read the reviews on shopping sites as well as forums.

Types of Lions Mane available:

And if you decide to pick your own, before consuming any wild mushroom, make sure that it is accurately identified. Mushroom poisoning is a real problem if you pick the wrong one.

For a full list of Mycology societies that may be able to help you, go to the North American Mycological Association website (www.namyco.org).

Lions Mane 500 mg per day

I recommend using Lions Mane as a nootropic supplement.

Your body does not make Lions Mane on its own. So you need to take it as a supplement.

Lions Mane is especially helpful for regenerating brain cells. It prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

And it boosts long-term potentiation for memory and mental sharpness. By stimulating Nerve Growth Factor.

Lions Mane also helps boost mood, tame anxiety and relieve depression. For a better quality of life.

We suggest starting with a dose of 500 mg daily. The best human study used 3000 mg per day. But another researcher found lower concentrations may stimulate NGF better than higher concentrations.[x]

Start at 500 mg per day and see how it works for you. If you dont experience a benefit, boost Lions Mane in small increments of 250 mg per day until you notice an improvement. And make sure you are using a supplement containing the mycelium and fruiting body that isgrown in a liquid medium.

You can buy individual Lions Mane supplements. Or you could try my favorite pre-formulated nootropic stack Mind Lab Pro which includes the full spectrum including hericenonesanderinacines found in Lions Mane Mushroom.

Mind Lab Pro contains a synergistic blend of 11 brain enhancing nootropics covering all aspects of cognition and brain health. See my full Mind Lab Pro review for more.

Lions Mane is a great compliment to a nootropic stack including Aniracetam, Alpha GPC and Omega-3s for an immediate cognitive boost.

REFERENCES

[i]Conner J.M. et. Al. NGF Is Essential for Hippocampal Plasticity and LearningThe Journal of Neuroscience2 September 2009, 29(35): 10883-10889 (source)

[ii]Lai P.L., Naidu M., Sabaratnam V., Wong K.H., David R.P., Kuppusamy U.R., Abdullah N., Malek S.N. Neurotrophic properties of the Lions mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia.International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2013;15(6):539-54. (source)

[iii]Nagano M., Shimizu K., Kondo R., Hayashi C., Sato D., Kitagawa K., Ohnuki K. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake.Biomedical Research. 2010 Aug;31(4):231-7. (source)

[iv]Kelly A., Conroy S., Lynch M.A. Evidence that nerve growth factor plays a role in long-term potentiation in the rat dentate gyrus.Neuropharmacology. 1998 Apr-May;37(4-5):561-70. (source)

[v]Kawagishi H., et. Al. Erinacines A, B and C, strong stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis, from the mycelia of Hericium erinaceumTetrahedron LettersVolume 35, Issue 10, 7 March 1994, Pages 15691572 (source)

[vi]Mori K., Inatomi S., Ouchi K., Azumi Y., Tuchida T. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.Phytotherapy Research. 2009 Mar;23(3):367-72. (source)

[vii]Mori K., Obara Y., Moriya T., Inatomi S., Nakahata N. Effects of Hericium erinaceus on amyloid (25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice.Biomedical Research. 2011 Feb;32(1):67-72. (source)

[viii]Mori K., et. Al. Nerve Growth Factor-Inducing Activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1Human Astrocytoma CellsBiology Pharmaceutical BulletinSeptember 2008 31(9) 17271732 (2008) (source)

[ix]Wong K.H., Naidu M., David P., Abdulla M.A., Abdullah N., Kuppusamy U.R., Sabaratnam V. Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Following Crush Injury to Rat Peroneal Nerve by Aqueous Extract of Medicinal Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae).Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:580752. (source)

[x]Sabaratnam V., Kah-Hui W., Naidu M., David P.R. Neuronal Health Can Culinary and Medicinal Mushrooms Help?Journal of Traditional and Complimentary Medicine2013 Jan-Mar; 3(1): 6268. (source)

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Lions Mane Nootropics Expert