Medicinal mushrooms are a popular supplement, health food and nutraceutical, associated with endless claims about their mind-enhancing effects.
The search term “lion’s mane”—among the most popular medicinal mushroom supplements—has doubled since 2022, according to data from Google Trends, but the research on its health effects is quite limited.
“Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a type of edible and functional mushroom also known for its distinctive appearance, resembling a white, stringy mane of a lion,” Sophie Barrett, education lead at mushroom bioscience company Hifas da Terra, told Newsweek.
“Many people believe that Lion’s Mane can enhance cognitive function, improve memory, and support nerve health. It is also thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-supportive properties.
“Some enthusiasts claim it can help with anxiety, depression, as well as protecting against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.”
A pivotal paper researching the effects of lion’s mane, and possibly one of the reasons it has become more popular in the last year, was a study by Northumbria University, U.K., researching the benefits of lion’s mane supplements among healthy young people.
Up to this point, studies had mainly been done on older adults and on animals—but the Northumbria scientists found potential benefits for brain performance and mental stress among their 41 young, healthy, human participants after taking lion’s mane.
One of the study’s lead researchers, Ellen Smith, told Newsweek that there were numerous potential mechanisms that might mean lion’s mane could have an effect on the brain, but that research was still in its early stages.
“When we look at the scientific evidence to support these claims [about lion’s mane enhancing brain function], it is limited mostly to older adults with some form of cognitive decline,” said Smith.
“However, in these trials, researchers have seen improvements in cognitive decline scores. There’s also some evidence of reductions in anxiety and depression scores.
“In younger adults—including work from our own study—emerging evidence tentatively suggests some improvements in cognitive task performance, such as quicker reaction times and some changes to mood scores.”
A rare lion’s mane mushroom in a Dutch forest. Lion’s mane is found in North America, Europe and Asia, growing on hardwood trees, and is traditionally used in Chinese medicine, Sophie Barrett told Newsweek.
wavipicture/Getty Images
Barrett explained that lion’s mane contained some compounds that research has shown can stimulate nerve growth factor production, essential for the growth and maintenance of neurons.
And, she added, some studies on animals and humans pointed to “promising health benefits” such as improved cognitive function, memory and mood regulation.
“Some claims about medicinal mushrooms can be overblown, particularly those suggesting they are miracle cures for serious diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s,” said Barrett.
“Exaggerated claims can lead to unrealistic expectations and may overshadow the real benefits these mushrooms offer.
“It’s important for consumers to approach such claims with a critical eye and consult healthcare professionals before using mushrooms for medicinal purposes.”
Smith agreed, saying: “It’s really very early days when it comes to determining the efficacy of Lion’s mane and there simply isn’t enough evidence yet to support some of those claims we see in the media.
“To be able to support—or disprove—the claims we need more, larger trials that are more ambitiously designed.
“Lion’s mane is definitely the most studied mushroom at the moment, and the evidence for that is still very limited.”
For that reason, Smith said it was too early to recommend taking lion’s mane supplements—but Barrett said there were plenty of ways to take medicinal mushrooms safely, as long as individuals “follow the recommended dosages provided by reputable manufacturers and consult with a healthcare provider.”
Finally, Barrett shared some three fun facts about lion’s mane with Newsweek.
Firstly, she said: “Lion’s Mane is not only beneficial for humans but also for the environment. It can help decompose dead trees, playing a vital role in forest ecosystems.”
Secondly: “In Japanese culture, Lion’s Mane is sometimes called ‘yamabushitake,’ which translates to ‘mountain priest mushroom,’ reflecting its historical use by Buddhist monks for enhancing focus during meditation.”
And finally: “Aside from its potential cognitive benefits, Lion’s Mane is a culinary delight. When cooked, it has a texture and taste similar to seafood, often compared to crab or lobster.”
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