Lion’s main is a mushroom, in which yields nootropic properties. It is very distinct looking, as it does not look like majority of mushrooms (it’s absent of any cap). It is an excellent natural nootropic, increasing Nerve Growth Factor levels, improved plasticity, while providing many minerals and amino acids. This makes it a great choice for boosting brain health, memory, and reasoning.
What Exactly Is Lion’s Mane?
As mentioned, lion’s mane is a type of mushroom. It is native to North America, Asia, and Europe. It grows long spine-like pieces, growing out from hardwood. This edible mushroom is best when it is consumed young. When cooked, it tends to have the texture of seafood, often appearing in Chinese vegetable dishes.
It has long been used within traditional Chinese medicine, as it’s considered a medicinal mushroom. There are many benefits in which this mushrooms brings one’s brain and overall health. It has antioxidant effects, it helps reduce blood glucose and blood lipid levels, it stimulates nerve cells, and much more.
Lion’s Mane is a source of minerals such as zinc, iron, potassium, and selenium. It is also a rich source of amino acids, polypeptides, and polysaccharides. This supplement is generally taken in a stack, as it provide long-term positive effects.
Brief History of Lion’s Mane
Both China and Japan have used Lion’s Mane for hundreds of years. Although it is most commonly known as Lion’s Mane, it is also referred to as Bear’s Head or Monkey Head. It has long been used within traditional medicine, and is now commonly prescribed for stomach ailments and cancer prevention.
At one point, this mushroom was reserved only for royalty. Today, Lion’s Mane is highly popular within Asia. You can purchase this mushroom fresh or dried at Chinese markets, as it’s commonly used to replace pork in vegetarian dishes.
How Does It Work?
Lion’s Mane typically works by stimulating Nerve Growth Factor. This hormone helps maintain healthy brain cells, supporting myelination. If you’re unfamiliar with myelin, it is the fatty layer of brain cells that form along our cells’ axons.
When myelin is present, the efficiency of neurons increases, allowing nerves to send electrical signals. When myelination is stimulated, this may help increase memory recall and thought processing speed. Therefore, it’s important that this is maintained.
Nerve Growth Factor is crucial for the growth of neurons, synapses, and the development of new neurons. We once believed that when neurons died, we could not replace them. We now know that Nerve Growth Factor can help develop new neurons later in life. It also helps neurons communicate more effectively, allowing different hemispheres to communicate.
In terms of intelligence, some theories believe that the more connections you have, the fluid your intelligence will be. For these reasons Lion’s Mane is typically added to a stack, as it helps one’s brain adapt, learn, and grow. This supplement can potentially aid Alzheimer’s patients and individuals who suffer from age-related cognitive decline.
What are the Benefit of Lion’s Mane?
There are many benefits associated with this supplement:
Lion’s Mane helps regulate one’s cholesterol and blood sugar. It is also helpful for reducing both the number of allergies and the severity.
Lion’s Mane is most importantly noted for potentially benefiting nerve disorders. There are many possible disorders. Some of the main conditions are Alzheimer’s, dementia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and potentially even autism. There is also research examining the possibility of helping ADHD patients. A study examined 30 Japanese men and women (aged 50-80). Those that had cognitive impairment, showed benefits after consuming 3 grams of powdered Lion’s Mane daily for 16 weeks. Although there were improvements recorded throughout the 16-week trail, Lion’s Mane needs to be taken continuously to yield these cognitive benefits.
By boosting your blood white cell count, Lion’n Mane provides immune boosting effects. An extract of Lion’s Mane was found to improve healing when applied topically. There was also a reduction in scar width and increase blood vessel formation (in comparison to wounds treated with distilled water).
Lion’s Mane stimulates a protein substance known as interferons. As these protein increase, your body is able to heal more effectively. This healing process is believed to take place throughout the entire body, targeting ulcers, stomach issues, and general inflammation.
Are There Any Significant Side-Effects?
To date, there have not been any side-effects reported. As there have been no reports of toxicity, it appears to be extremely safe. Before you begin taking Lion’s Mane, speak with your doctor if it will make you more comfortable. You should also approach them with any questions or concerns.
What’s the Recommended Dosage?
The majority of research studies have been conducted on animals, so a recommended dose tends to be complex. When studying on humans, high doses are generally administered to test for toxicity levels (1000 to 3000 mg per day). The average dose is 500 mg taken once a day, however everyone is unique.
Start with a small dose, seeing how it affects you. You can generally purchase this supplement on its own in both pill and capsule form; or you can consume it within a stack (such as Brain Stack). Remember, be conscious of the purity.
