Lion’s Mane: 6 Powerful Benefits for Your Body and Brain

When it comes to medicinal mushrooms, Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) leads the way in supporting brain function, cognitive health, and immunity. Used in traditional East Asian culinary medicine for thousands of years, scientists are now unravelling the secrets of this unique mushroom. As a result, many of these traditional uses are backed by modern day research. So, let’s explore the powerful benefits of Lions’ Mane for your body and brain and discover what makes our Nordic Lion’s Mane so special.

The powerful health benefits of Lion’s Mane

The main active ingredients in Lion’s Mane are hericenones, erinacines, and polysaccharides like beta-glucans [1]. Lion’s Mane also contains different proteins, terpenoids, cerebrosides, phenols, and sterols that work synergistically to provide health benefits [1].

Memory and concentration

Erinacines in Lion’s Mane demonstrate what’s known as a “nootropic” effect [2]. Nootropics are substances that can enhance cognitive function and optimise memory, concentration, mental clarity, and focus. 

This nootropic effect is backed by research: Nordic Lion’s Mane extract (the same type we use in our Lion’s Mane supplement) has been shown to improve working memory, complex attention, and happiness scores in healthy individuals [2].

Nerve function

Hericenones and erinacines in Lion’s Mane can stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) [2] which plays a vital role in promoting healthy nerve growth, nerve regeneration after injury, and pain perception. 

These compounds may also play a role in modulating neuroinflammation in the brain, a precursor state to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia [3].

Managing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia

Alongside Nerve Growth Factor, Lion’s Mane is known to increase levels of pro-BDNF, the precursor to Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).  BDNF is a protein that promotes neuroplasticity, the way neurons reshape and reorganise themselves when you learn new information and have new experiences.

Because of these effects on NGF and BDNF, Lion’s Mane demonstrates positive effects on Mild Cognitive Impairment [4] and dementia, including Alzheimer’s [5].

Mental health

The active compounds in Lion’s Mane include the serotonin precursor 5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). Serotonin is a crucial neurotransmitter involved in regulating sleep, mood, appetite, and digestion. 

Studies show that Lion’s Mane can be helpful for managing low mood, depression, and anxiety [6,7]. This may be due to the presence of 5-HTP and also the positive effect Lion’s Mane has on the gut microbiome which in turn influences mood balance and mental wellbeing.

Balance and diversity of the gut microbiome

Microbiome profiling shows that supplemental Lion’s Mane increases the relative abundance of beneficial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producing bacteria in the gut microbiota. It can also decrease numbers of pathobionts - bacteria which can become harmful if allowed to proliferate [8].

Immune function 

Polysaccharides in Lion’s Mane help modulate the immune response and regulate immune cell activity, providing overall immune support. Animal studies show Lion’s Mane enhances cell-mediated and antibody-mediated immunity, Natural Killer cell activity, and the secretion of secretory IgA [9].

Why choose Nordic Lion’s Mane?

A lot of mushroom products available today are made with cheap, mass produced mushrooms from China. In line with our principles of selecting the best quality ingredients in effective dosages, we choose to use Nordic Lion’s Mane grown in Finland and the Netherlands. 

The mushroom extraction process takes place in Finland using a non-toxic ultrasonic-assisted extraction method. This guarantees our Lion’s Mane supplement is organic, chemical free, pure, and powerfully effective.

Why use ultrasonic-assisted extraction?

Without an extraction process the active compounds in Lion’s Mane remain inaccessible, bound up in the tough cell walls of the mushroom.

There are many forms of extraction used to produce mushroom products. We use ultrasonic-assisted extraction, a non-toxic, chemical-free method that allows us to access the active components in an environmentally responsible way. 

This extraction method is safer and more effective compared to conventional techniques. It provides:

• A greater yield of active components.

• A shorter and faster extraction time.

• Reduced reliance on additional extraction steps. 

• Reduced thermal degradation of heat sensitive mushroom constituents thanks to lower temperatures compared with conventional methods. 

• A less energy intensive process which is more environmentally sustainable compared to conventional extraction processes. 

• No harsh extraction solvents: instead, this process uses Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) solvents such as water to achieve full-spectrum extracts.

Who can benefit from Lion’s Mane?

Lion’s Mane may benefit those looking to:

• Optimise cognitive function – especially memory, concentration, attention, and focus.

• Support healthy nerve function and recovery from nervous system injuries.

• Manage symptoms of Mild Cognitive Decline or dementia.

• Support their mental wellbeing and manage anxiety and/or depression.

• Optimise immune function.

• Support a healthy gut microbiome.

We hope you’ve enjoyed this introduction to the powerful health benefits of Lion’s Mane. You can find out more about our Nordic Lion’s Mane here and you might also enjoy reading;

Top 8 Foods you Should Eat for Fighting and Preventing Dementia

Top 8 Vitamins  for a Natural Energy Boost to Fight Fatigue

7 Foods you Should Eat for an Immune System Boost

Shop our Nordic Lion's Mane today!

References

1. Qiu, Y., Lin, G., Liu, W., Zhang, F., Linhardt, R. J., Wang, X., & Zhang, A. 2024. Bioactive substances in Hericium erinaceus and their biological properties: A review. Food Science and Human Wellness, 13(4), 1825-1844. https://doi.org/10.26599/FSHW.2022.9250152

2. Docherty, S., Doughty, F. L., & Smith, E. F. 2023. The Acute and Chronic Effects of Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplementation on Cognitive Function, Stress and Mood in Young Adults: A Double-Blind, Parallel Groups, Pilot Study. Nutrients, 15(22), 4842. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15224842 

3. Kushairi, N., Phan, C. W., Sabaratnam, V., David, P., & Naidu, M. 2019. Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. Suppresses H2O2-Induced Oxidative Damage and LPS-Induced Inflammation in HT22 Hippocampal Neurons and BV2 Microglia. Antioxidants, 8(8), 261. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8080261 

4. Mori, K., Inatomi, S., Ouchi, K., Azumi, Y., & Tuchida, T. 2009. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: A double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research, 23(3), 367-372. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2634 

5. Tsai-Teng, T., Chin-Chu, C., Li-Ya, L., Wan-Ping, C., Chung-Kuang, L., Chien-Chang, S., Chi-Ying, H. F., Chien-Chih, C., & Shiao, J. 2016. Erinacine A-enriched Hericium erinaceus mycelium ameliorates Alzheimer’s disease-related pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. Journal of Biomedical Science, 23, 49. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-016-0266-z 

6. Fijałkowska, A., Jędrejko, K., Ziaja, M., Kała, K., & Muszyńska, B. 2022. Edible Mushrooms as a Potential Component of Dietary Interventions for Major Depressive Disorder. Foods, 11(10), 1489. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods11101489 

7. Vigna, L., Morelli, F., Agnelli, G. M., Napolitano, F., Ratto, D., Occhinegro, A., Iorio, C. D., Savino, E., Girometta, C., Brandalise, F., & Rossi, P. 2019. Hericium erinaceus Improves Mood and Sleep Disorders in Patients Affected by Overweight or Obesity: Could Circulating Pro-BDNF and BDNF Be Potential Biomarkers? Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : ECAM, 2019, 7861297. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7861297 

8. Xie, X., Geng, Y., Guan, Q., Ren, Y., Guo, L., Lv, Q., Lu, Z., Shi, J., & Xu, Z. 2021. Influence of Short-Term Consumption of Hericium erinaceus on Serum Biochemical Markers and the Changes of the Gut Microbiota: A Pilot Study. Nutrients, 13(3), 1008. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13031008 

9. Sheng, X., Yan, J., Meng, Y., Kang, Y., Han, Z., Tai, G., Zhou, Y., & Cheng, H. 2017. Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology. Food & Function, 8(3), 1020–1027. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7fo00071e