Lion’s Mane Mushroom - A Nootropic Powder with Style?
The Blonde Bombshell with Cognitive Ability
You may have guessed by the picture where Lion’s Mane gets its name from. The fruiting body of this mushroom (everything growing outside of the ground or wall) has beautiful hanging strands that resemble a lion’s mane.
But that beautiful hair has more to it than just attitude.
The latest research proposes that Lion’s Mane has positive benefits below the hairline, making it a popular nootropic for personal use and scientific study.
Lion’s Mane is one of three mushroom powders we take in a pape everyday as part of our daily general health mix.
Recent Study Findings
Several recent studies show that compounds in the “mane” have antioxidant properties that stimulate nerve cells in the animal's brain.
These show potential to stimulate nerve growth factor or NGF, which is an essential protein for the health of nerve cells that regulates information to the brain (ie. sensory perceptions such as touch, temperature, and pain).
In 2004, a study in Japan was conducted of elderly patients suffering from degenerative neuropathic diseases like Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and spinal cord injuries. All patients received 5 grams of lion mane extract daily for 6 months.
The researchers concluded that 6 out of 7 patients had significantly greater perceptual abilities than before the start of the experiment. [1]
Another study in older adults with mild cognitive impairment found that consuming 3 grams of powdered lion’s mane mushroom daily for four months significantly improved cognitive functioning.
However, these benefits disappeared when supplementation stopped.
More Research into the “Mane” Shroom
More research on humans and animals suggests that Lion’s Mane:
Improves the symptoms of menopause in women [2]
Has an antitumor and anti-inflammatory effect [3]
Can reduce anxiety and depression in mice [4]
Regenerates brain cells and improves hippocampus function [5]
May have an anti-alzheimer nootropic effect [6]
Lion Mane mushrooms grow in the wild in North America, Europe, China, and Japan. They’re often found at the end of summer on the dead trunks of hardwood trees such as oaks and maples.
You can identify it by its round shape and many long, downward-growing spores.
Lion’s mane is considered safe to consume, but you really shouldn’t handle or eat wild mushrooms unless experts have identified them as non-toxic.
This is why we prefer to use bulk powdered fruiting bodies cultivated by experts, and take it in a Blate Pape!