Although mushrooms have long been used in the kitchen, many mushrooms possess medicinal effects that can have astounding benefits to your overall well-being. Let’s explore the world of mushrooms, and more specifically, the health benefits of Lion’s Mane.

What are Medicinal Mushrooms?

Medicinal, or functional mushrooms, not to be confused with magic mushrooms, offer many health benefits. Magic mushrooms have psychedelic properties due to the presence of psilocybin or psilocin, these properties cause hallucinations and are considered controlled substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, functional mushrooms, on the other hand, can support your immune, respiratory, digestive, and cognitive health. Here are the most common functional mushrooms used in natural health:

  • Reishi: supports immune health with anti-viral properties
  • Shiitake: promotes healthy cholesterol levels
  • Cordyceps: boosts respiratory health & lung function and fights fatigue
  • Maitake: promotes healthy cell growth and blood sugar levels
  • Lion’s Mane: protects cognitive health, memory, focus and supports symptoms of ADHD
  • Chaga: anti-inflammatory benefits, and immune-modulating effects
  • Turkey Tail: enhances cognitive functioning, gut health, and possesses antioxidants for skin health

Origins & Plant History of Lion's Mane

Lion’s Mane is a white, edible mushroom that looks similar to a large pom-pom. They have long, dangling spines that look much like a lion’s mane, hence where it got its name from. These mushrooms can be found growing on dead or living hardwood trees during the summer or autumn in the Northern Hemisphere on continents like Asia, Europe and North America.

Traditionally, this mushroom was used in China, Japan and Korea for its medicinal properties to help reduce feelings of stress, and anxiety and enhance brain function. Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that this mushroom is beneficial for all five internal organs, such as the gut and spleen. Buddhist monks would use this mushroom to increase focus during meditation. All of these uses were due to the active compounds found in Lion’s Mane including:

  • B glucan polysaccharides
  • Hericenones
  • Erinacines
  • Alkaloids
  • Steroids
  • Terpenoids
  • Cerebrosides
  • Phenols

Key Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane

This mushroom can be used for its neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant benefits, as well as its ability to promote healthy cell regeneration.

Cognitive Benefits of Lion’s Mane

Lion’s Mane has long been known to boost brain health, and recent studies are starting to prove these claims. This mushroom can help improve memory and brain cell growth and reduce inflammation to help protect against neurodegeneration.

It can also increase mental performance speed, and one small human study confirmed these claims amongst younger adults who took this mushroom powder.

While limited research is available, there are promising clinical trials that suggest Lion’s Mane can help alleviate symptoms of ADHD.

Although more research is needed, the current findings seem promising. 

Mood Enhancing Benefits

This mushroom also has exceptional mood-enhancing properties to help alleviate feelings of anxiety, stress, and depression due to its hericenones and erinacines compounds.

This functional mushroom helps you feel calm by balancing important neurotransmitters, and its adaptogenic properties help alleviate stress. Animal studies have also found that Lion’s Mane can help regenerate brain cells, which may improve activity in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for processing memories and emotions.

Using Lion’s Mane: Supplement Varieties

This mushroom can come as a stand-alone supplement or in combination with other medicinal mushrooms or adaptogens. Formats vary, and it can be found as a capsule, powder, liquid or coffee blend.

If you’re wondering how much Lion’s Mane to take per day, the general adult dose is 2 capsules, twice a day or 1/4 teaspoon of powder per day. However, you should follow labelling directions on the supplement of your choice or follow your practitioner’s advice.

Since this supplement helps with memory, focus, and concentration it is best to take it in the morning and/or afternoon. Capsules can be taken along with your current morning routine or the powder can be added to your coffee or tea, making it convenient to add to your daily regimen.

Lion’s Mane can be found in most natural health food stores and online.

Important Information

While it is generally safe, some people experience feelings of nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, or a skin rash. If you’re allergic to mushrooms, you should avoid Lion’s Mane. If you experience any of these or other side effects, stop taking it immediately and contact your healthcare provider.

Lion’s Mane may negatively interact with blood-clotting medications such as warfarin or diabetes treatment. If you have had issues with asthma or allergies in the past, speak with your doctor before using this supplement. If you have surgery or dental work scheduled, stop taking this supplement two weeks before and inform your surgeon you’ve been taking Lion’s Mane. If you have emergency surgery, stop taking it immediately and notify your surgeon. Due to a lack of research, those who are pregnant or breastfeeding shouldn’t take mushroom supplements.