How Does Lion’s Mane Work? The Science Behind this Powerful Superfood

How Does Lion’s Mane Work? The Science Behind this Powerful Superfood

Lion’s Mane is now a staple in nootropics, hailed for its ability to improve cognitive functioning, reduce the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, and even fight against cancer and inflammation.

But how do all of these elements come together? How does Lion’s Mane actually work in the body to improve health? 

The answer is a mix of bioactive compounds, including some recently discovered proteins, polysaccharides, and other compounds that work directly on the human body and brain. They are shown to work in animal and cell studies, as well as preclinical trials.

We’ve gathered the best studies to help you understand how Lion’s Mane works, and how to use it so you can begin to improve your overall health. 

Lion’s Mane Key Compounds For Brain Health

Before we dive into the many benefits of Lion’s Mane, it’s important to understand the nitty-gritty of its many compounds and how they work on the human body.

Scientifically known as Hericium erinaceus, Lion’s Mane, like all mushrooms, contains both a fruiting and mycelium body. 

Fruiting Body and Hericenones 

Most people think of the fruiting body when they think of mushrooms, which are the part of the mushroom that sticks out above the ground and produces spores. In Lion’s Mane, these are the white spines that give it its name and unique look.

The fruiting body of Lion’s Mane contains compounds known as Hericenones, which have amazing benefits on nerve regeneration. Researchers and scientists now believe that Hericenones are responsible for most of the mushroom’s ability to restore and protect neurohealth. These include Hericenones A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H. 

Mycelium and Erinacines

Erinacines are yet another powerful compound that plays a key role in how Lion’s Mane works on cognitive health. Erinacines A, B, C, E, F, H, and I can all be found in the mycelium of Lion’s Mane. The mycelium is the part of the mushroom most people don’t see, which is underground and doesn’t produce spores.

Many supplements today include both the mycelium and fruiting bodies of this superfood. Studies have also shown traces of Erinacines extracted from fruiting bodies.

This means that mushroom gummies like Zen Bites, which contain the fruiting bodies of 10 powerful super nootropic mushrooms including Lion’s Mane, will still give you the benefits you need to boost your cognitive health.

Lion’s Mane Other Active Compounds

Erinacines and Hericenones are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the many active compounds in Lion’s Mane. Years of research have uncovered a wealth of compounds in Lion’s Mane that make it the proven superfood it is today.

If you’re wondering how Lion’s Manes works, here are the compounds that give it its power!

Polysaccharides for Gut Health and Immune Health

Not all carbs are bad, and that’s never been more true than with polysaccharides. Polysaccharides are carbohydrates, or sugars, that are found in mushrooms including Lion’s Mane.

It can be found in the fruiting body and is by far the most researched and most promising compound in Lion’s Mane to improve overall physical health.

Some of the many well-studied benefits of the 35 polysaccharides found in Lion’s Mane (and counting) include:

  • Antitumor and immunomodulation
  • Anti-gastric ulcer
  • Neuroprotection and neuroregeneration
  • Anti-oxidation and hepatoprotection
  • Anti-hyperlipidemia
  • Anti-hyperglycemia
  • Anti-fatigue
  • Anti-aging

Some of these benefits are incredibly well-studied, including Polysaccharides' effect on gastric health. Amazingly, studies found that Polysaccharides actually helped inhibit the growth of H. Pylori bacteria. H. Pylori was famously proven to cause many causes of stomach ulcers, showing the power of Polysaccharides and Lion’s Mane on gut health.

Antioxidants for Anti-Cancer Effects

Antioxidants play a big role in helping protect against inflammation and cancer-causing cells. They do this by eliminating the body of free radicals, essentially cleaning up potentially cancerous cells and promoting longevity.

Studies have also found plenty of antioxidants in Lion’s Mane, which can help fight against tumors, clear the body of free radicals, and prevent cell death. These include:

  • Oligosaccharides
  • Proteins
  • Flavonoids
  • Terpenes
  • Phenols
  • Alkaloids
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E

Neurotrophins to Protect Against Alzheimer’s and Boost Memory

From Beta Glucans to new cerebrosides that have anti-cancer effects, the research into Lion’s Mane continues to expand, finding new compounds that make Lion’s Mane as effective as it is on human health.

Of these new compounds, perhaps none is more exciting than the research into neurotrophins in Lion’s Mane. 

As we mentioned earlier, terpenoids like Hericenones have been shown to help protect against neurodegeneration. More specifically, the neurotrophins in Lion’s Mane protect the neuron pathways in the brain that, if damaged, can lead to the development of serious neurodegenerative conditions. These include Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and Huntington’s Disease. 

Lion’s Mane already has a powerhouse of neurotrophins, but in 2023, researchers at the University of Queensland found that Hericenones A, found in the fruiting body, was responsible for helping create new neurons in the brain (known as neuritogenesis) and boosting memory!

This novel study is one of the first to identify specific compounds in Lion’s Mane that have a direct effect on the brain. But, with the ever-growing use of Lion’s Mane for health, it surely won’t be the last.

How Does Lion’s Mane Work for Mental Health?

So we know that Lion’s Mane has tons of bioactive compounds proven by science to positively impact various aspects of health. But, how do you use it to your advantage for mental health? Fortunately, it doesn’t take much for Lion’s Mane to impact your mood.

In fact, a study in young adults found that a simple dose of 600 mg helped improve cognitive functioning within the first 60 minutes! At 28 days, users who took three 600 mg doses of Lion’s Mane had improved stress levels.

With gummies and supplements containing 200-300mg of Lion’s Mane and nootropic extracts, it’s easy to reach the ideal dose to boost mood.

Amazingly, another study on women found that a unique dose of 0.5 g of Lion’s Mane fruit bodies powdered and mixed into cookies alleviated symptoms of depression, anxiety, frustration, and even heart palpitations.

Try our delicious & potent mushroom gummies infused with Lion's Mane!

While the exact reason Lion’s Mane improves stress, mood, and depression remains unknown, what is known is that people report feeling more energized, focused, and suffering from less brain fog like in our Zen Bites reviews!

How to Use Lion’s Mane

You’ll find Lion’s Mane used in tons of Asian cooking, thanks to its taste which is described as mildly sweet and tender. Using Lion’s Mane in cooking is the perfect way to expand your taste buds and still get some of the benefits of Lion’s Mane (mainly its vitamins and minerals).

However, one of the best ways to absorb Lion’s Mane quickly and to see its benefits is to use high-quality supplements and extracts.

From the studies we listed, it’s clear that the fruiting body alone of Lion’s Mane is enough to expose you to the neurotrophins and polysaccharides that play a crucial role in its overall impact on your health. If you find a product containing the Mycelium extract, this can only boost Lion’s Mane effect on your daily health.

Today, there are various forms of Lion’s Mane you can use, including:

  • Capsules
  • Tinctures
  • Gummies
  • Dried form
  • Powder form
  • Concentrated oils

The form that will benefit you entirely depends on the health effects you’re looking for. As we mentioned in the earlier studies on mood and depression, anywhere between 500 mg to 600 mg can have a positive impact on your overall stress levels. It’s easy to get this amount through regular capsules or concentrated forms.

I personally enjoy Lion’s Mane capsules taken with my morning breakfast. Fortunately, you don’t have to take it with food and can simply incorporate Lion’s Mane into your existing daily routine!

Gummies like Zen Bites make it even easier to use Lion’s Mane daily. Our gummies with 10 fruiting body extracts of some of the most well-researched and effective nootropic mushrooms, including Lion’s Mane, are ready to use, easy on the stomach, and effective to help boost your physical and mental health!

Feel the Health Benefits of Lion’s Mane Now

Our Zen Bites gummies are the perfect blend of nootropics that can help beginners and experienced nootropic fanatics get the health boost they need.

From increased mental clarity to decreased brain fog, easy digestion, and delicious flavor, Zen Bites are the perfect way to get your daily dose of Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, and other powerful nootropics.

Try our delicious & potent mushroom gummies infused with Lion's Mane!

Lion’s Mane’s many studied benefits are all found in our fruiting body extract, and it remains unadulterated thanks to our use of high-quality vegan ingredients.

Don’t miss out on your opportunity to incorporate this life-changing nootropic into your routine, and shop online now for your daily dose of Zen Bites!

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