Known for their distinctive, shaggy appearance, lion’s mane mushrooms are large, white fungi that resemble – you guessed it – a majestic lion’s mane as they grow!
Mushroom supplements have exploded in popularity within the health and wellness community over the last few years, and these super-shrooms have been at the forefront of the revolution.
Jam-packed with bioactive compounds, lion’s mane mushrooms are thought to have a variety of beneficial effects on the body – particularly on the brain, heart, and gut.
Regular supplementation is believed to improve memory and focus, combat stress and anxiety, and support healthy immune system function! It’s no wonder, then, that lion’s mane has quickly become everyone’s favourite fungus.
In this guide, we’re going to explore all the benefits of lion’s mane, the potential side effects, and how you should add this powerful nootropic supplement to your daily routine.
Lion’s Mane Benefits – What Are They?
Lion’s mane, also known as Hericium erinaceus, grows on the trunks of dead hardwood trees throughout the regions of Asia, North America, and Europe.
They’ve been a staple of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries, even receiving praise from the father of modern medicine, the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates.
While research is still ongoing, scientists have now begun to uncover the exact potential health benefits of lion’s mane mushrooms. This is thought to be due to their high concentration of vitamins (such as niacin, thiamine, and riboflavin) as well as minerals (such as zinc, manganese, and potassium).
So, without further ado, let’s take a deep dive into all the benefits lion’s mane has to offer!
Stimulate Nerve Growth
Lion’s mane mushrooms are perhaps most prized for their brain-boosting properties. Widely considered a true nootropic, this supplement is thought to improve your focus, learning, and memory.
Scientific studies have demonstrated that lion’s mane is an excellent source of hericenones and erinacines, bioactive compounds thought to stimulate nerve growth in the brain.
By encouraging neurite outgrowth, lion’s mane is thought to pave the way for new neural pathways, potentially enhancing your overall brain function!
Reduce Anxiety and Depression
Lion’s mane is classified as an adaptogen. What’s an adaptogen, you ask?
Well, they’re a set of beneficial mushrooms and herbs that help to regulate hormone levels in the brain, particularly the “stress hormone” cortisol. When cortisol levels are too high, it can cause us to feel anxious or stressed.
By regulating your hormones, adaptogens can bring these back down to normal levels, helping to improve your mood while eliminating fatigue. Through this function, lion’s mane has been found to decrease stress and anxiety.
Further research has also suggested that lion’s mane renews hippocampal brain cells, further helping to reduce anxiety and better control emotional reactions.
Combat Inflammation and Free Radicals
As we age or undergo stress, our body can experience oxidative damage at the hands of free radicals, harmful and unstable molecules which react violently to our cells.
Our brains are particularly vulnerable to the impact of free radicals, but they can also cause inflammation and decline in other areas, such as our heart and joints.
Many health conditions, such as heart disease, arthritis, and even cancer, have been linked to chronic inflammation and free radicals.
Fortunately, lion’s mane is jam-packed with powerful antioxidants, which neutralise free radicals. It also possesses anti-inflammatory properties, which could help to reverse the effects – and potential implications – of inflammation.
Thanks to these properties, lion’s mane is thought to protect the brain against cognitive decline, while helping to ease inflammation around the board.
Supporting Your Immune System
Lion’s mane doesn’t just improve your mood and focus; this potent mushroom is also thought to help give your immune system a major boost.
One of the ways it’s thought to do this is by supporting your bacterial gut flora with its prebiotic fibres – namely, polysaccharides. Prebiotic fibres act as food for the healthy microflora in your gut, supporting a healthy internal system.
Having a healthy gut flora is vital, as these bacteria can stimulate your intestinal immune cells, helping to fight a variety of diseases and infections!
Additional research has shown that these polysaccharides also helped to increase the production of white blood cells, which serve as the backbone of your immune system.
Improving Your Sleep
Another happy perk from lion’s mane mushrooms’ powerful adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory properties is its impact on sleep!
One of the biggest speedbumps in the way of a good night’s sleep is our mood. If you’re feeling stressed or anxious, it’s hard to unwind and settle into the rest you need.
Fortunately, lion’s mane has been shown to fight the symptoms of anxiety and depression while boosting levels of serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for healthy mood and sleep patterns.
A 2019 study found that taking lion’s mane capsules for eight weeks helped to significantly combat sleep disorders, promoting healthy sleep patterns by soothing neural inflammation and regulating mood.
Lion’s Mane Side Effects – What Are They?
While research is still ongoing, no serious side effects have currently been reported or uncovered as a result of long-term lion’s mane supplementation.
In the unlikely event you do notice any side effects, like a mild rash or nausea, discontinue taking the supplement and consult your doctor.
Before adding any supplement to your routine, it’s always best to get your doctor’s advice to make sure you avoid any adverse interactions with any current medications you’re taking.
Always stick to the recommended dose as stated on the packaging of your supplement. We advise that you take one of our 2000mg lion’s mane capsules a day for the best results!
What Makes a Good Lion’s Mane Supplement?
When you’re looking for a lion’s mane supplement, it’s important you find a high-strength product made by a trusted manufacturer, crafted without filling agents or hidden nasties.
Our pure 2000mg Lion’s Mane supplements are produced right here in the UK by our in-house scientists. Each capsule is filled according to the highest GMP standards with a 5:1 standardised extract, ensuring consistent, premium quality with every dose.
People choose to consume lion’s mane in a number of different ways: some slice it up and add it to food, others enjoy it in coffee, while most prefer to simply take a regular pill to ensure a regular and consistent dosage.
The easiest way to enjoy our vegan and halal lion’s mane capsules is to take one a day with a glass of water. With that being said, you can also pop open the capsules to add them to your food or coffee, giving you the freedom to incorporate them into your routine however you wish!
Is Lion’s Mane Right for Me?
Lion’s mane is one of the most popular supplements in the world – and rightfully so!
If you’re looking to think sharper and feel more positive in your day-to-day life (all while boosting your immunity and supporting your sleep), you can’t go wrong with this powerful nootropic.
There are a large variety of supplements and nootropics out there, and finding the one for you can seem overwhelming.
If you think you need a helping hand making a choice, take a look at our handy supplements quiz! This will take account of all of your needs, guiding you to the right solution for you in just a few minutes.
All of our supplements are hand-picked by our scientists based on hard science and clinical research, so no matter which of our Fitimins you choose, you’re sure to be on the way to optimal well-being.