Who doesn’t know the drag of brain fog, annoying moments of forgetting the keys, the embarrassment of not remembering your friend’s birthday, the emotional pain of anxiety and depression or even worse a frightening steady mental decline after a certain age?
Well fret not, the answer may be found in an edible and medicinal mushroom called Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus).
Using Lion’s Mane as a nootropic, can be a powerful catalyst for brain cell regeneration helping improve memory and cognition.
Lion's Mane has both history and science to support its use as a cognitive and mood enhancer
WHAT IS LIONS MANE?
Lion’s Mane is a medicinal mushroom widely known for its health properties – particularly its cognitive benefits. While Lion’s Mane has become more mainstream over the years, it was first discovered centuries ago in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In ancient medicine, Lion’s Mane was reserved for royalty and used as a tonic to support overall health. This unique fungus resembles a shaggy Lion’s Mane, which is how it got its name.
Now that you know the history of this mushroom let’s discuss the Lion’s Mane mushroom benefits! Here’s everything you need to know about this medicinal brain fuel.
HOW DOES LIONS MANE IMPROVE MENTAL COGNITION?
Here are 6 ways Lion’s Mane mushroom boost your brain health:
1. Reduce inflammation in the brain helping it to function better, leading to greater problem solving skills and learning capacity.
2. Contains powerful antioxidants that can help reduce oxidative stress, which is a leading cause for memory impairment and trouble with thinking.
3. Stimulates the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) in the brain. This literally helps physically rebuild and strengthen the brain. It can help slow, or even in some cases, reverse neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
4. Nerve growth factor has also been thought to play an important role in helping elevate one’s mood, alleviate anxiety and depression and therefore enjoy increased mental clarity.
5. Helps to stabilize blood sugar, which not only is good for helping to prevent diabetes, but it helps to keep your energy levels more stable throughout the day, which can lead to increased mental clarity.
6. Improves acetylcholine production in the brain which is good for improving memory.
BOTTOM LINE
If you want to remember better, age slower and supercharge your brain cells, lion’s mane may be worth your time. Traditional Chinese Medicine has used Lion’s Mane mushrooms for thousands of years to treat various ailments, detoxify the body, and provide overall well-being and longevity. Modern science has recently begun unraveling the mystery behind how this fungi works to help support memory, focus, immune function, energy, and even reduce anxiety and inflammation. If you decide to add Lion’s Mane to your regimen, please remember to always consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplementation.
