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Banishing Brain Fog: Lion's Mane Clinical Literature and Trials for Enhanced Focus

Banishing Brain Fog: Lion's Mane Clinical Literature and Trials for Enhanced Focus

The cognitive benefits of Lion’s Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) are attributed to its unique bioactive compounds, particularly hericenones and erinacines. These compounds have been a focus of clinical research due to their potential to influence brain health, including their role in stimulating the production of nerve growth factor (NGF).

 

Index

  • Clinical Studies on Lion's Mane and Cognitive Impairment
  • What Dose Of Lion's Mane Should I Take?
  •  

    Highlights

    • Lion’s mane has shown to be able to boost brain function improving memory, learning and focus. 
    • Studies have shown improvements in memory, vision and brain activity for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease.
    • In studies it was discovered that Lion’s Mane can boost the nerve growth factor (NGF). 
    • Lion’s Mane can help combat brain fog, a common problem that affects cognitive function and impacts focus and memory.

     

    Clinical Studies on Lion's Mane and Cognitive Impairment

    Study 1: How Lion’s Mane Can Improve Brain Function

    Affiliations: 
    1. Department of Biological and Environmental Chemistry, Kindai University. Radiation Effects Association. Department of Optical Imaging, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine.  
    2. Department of Agro-environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University.
    Essential Features: 
    • 2019  
    • Phase 2  
    • RCT  
    Key Characteristics and Findings: 
    • The study tested how eating Lion’s Mane mushroom for 12 weeks can improve brain functions in a group of people. 
    • The study used three tests to measure memory, attention, and learning skills. One test (MMSE) showed that Lion’s Mane mushroom helped the brain and prevented it from getting worse. 
    • Lion’s Mane mushroom has compounds that can affect the brain networks and improve their performance. 
    Summary 
    The study, which examined the effects of Lion’s Mane supplementation on human participants, found that Lion’s Mane has the potential to enhance cognitive function and reduce brain fog. 
    The researchers administered supplements containing Lion's Mane to the participants for 12 weeks and evaluated their memory, attention, and learning abilities with three different tests. 
    The results indicated that the participants who received Lion’s Mane performed significantly better than the ones who did not. They improved their cognitive functions and prevented further decline. The researchers attributed this to the presence compounds in the mushroom that stimulated the brain’s activity. 
    These compounds are known as hericenones and erinacines, which have been found to have the ability to strengthen the brain’s networks and improve cognitive function. 

      Study 2: Lion’s Mane Can Help Boost Nerve Cell Growth & Survival 

      Affiliations:
      1. Mushroom Research Centre, Fungal Biotechnology Lab, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  
      Essential Features: 
      • 2013 
      • Preclinical Study 
      Key Characteristics and Findings:
      • Lion's Mane contains compounds that stimulate NGF production, crucial for neuron growth. 
      • A study showed that combining NGF with the mushroom greatly enhances neurite outgrowth in nerve cells. 
      • The mushroom extract is non-toxic
      Summary 
      The research investigated the effects of Lion's Mane, on the induction of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in neuronal cells. 
      The findings revealed that Lion’s Mane significantly stimulated NGF production within these cells. Further analysis demonstrated that the interaction between Lion’s Mane extract and NGF led to a substantial increase in neurite outgrowth, with a notable enhancement of 60.6% observed. This suggests a synergistic effect of the mushroom on neuronal development and regeneration. 
      Additionally, the study verified the cytocompatibility of Lion's Mane, confirming its non-toxicity to human lung fibroblast and neuroblastoma-glioma cell lines. 
      These results imply that Lion’s Mane harbors bioactive compounds capable of promoting neuronal growth and differentiation by augmenting NGF levels and neurite extension. Such properties may hold therapeutic potential for addressing neural damage, neurodegenerative conditions, and cognitive impairments like brain fog. 

      Study 3: Lion’s Mane Could Prevent Early Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease: A pilot Study With Real And Placebo Pills

      Affiliations:

      1. Biotech Research Institute, Grape King Bio Ltd., Taoyuan City, Taiwan.
      2. Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan. 
      3. Department of Medical Laboratory and Biotechnology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung City, Taiwan. 
      4. Institute of Food Science and Technology, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan. 
      5. Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Nutraceutical Biotechnology, Shih Chien University, Taipei City, Taiwan. 
      6. Department of Bioscience Technology, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan City, Taiwan. 
      7. Department of Ophthalmology, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung City, Taiwan.

      Essential Features: 

      • 2020 
      • Phase 2 
      • RCT 

      Key Characteristics and Findings:

      • Lions Mane capsules improved cognitive function and vision in mild Alzheimer’s patients over a duration of 49 weeks. 
      • Brain scans showed stable activity in the mushroom group, unlike the placebo group. 
      • The treatment was safe, with few mild side effects reported. 

      Summary

      The research aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of Lion's Mane for individuals with mild Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). 

      Over a 49-week clinical trial, participants were administered three daily capsules of Lion's Mane, each containing 5 mg/g of erinacine A, while a control group received placebo capsules. Comprehensive assessments were conducted pre- and post-intervention, including cognitive tests, ophthalmic examinations, blood biomarker analysis, and neuroimaging. 

      The findings indicated that the the Lion's Mane group experienced significant cognitive improvements, enhanced visual acuity, and healthier brain activity, as evidenced by memory test performance and neuroimaging results. In contrast, the placebo group showed no improvement, with some individuals experiencing further cognitive decline. 

      The study concluded that Lion's Mane is not only safe to use but also a potentially effective treatment for AD, offering benefits in memory and visual function, with a possible role in mitigating symptoms of Brain Fog. 

      Study 4: How Lion’s Mane Can Boost Brain Activity And Memory

      Affiliations:

      1. Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
      2. Department of Biology and Biotechnology (DBB) "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
      3. MycoMedica d.o.o., Podkoren 72, 4280 Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. 
      4. O. B. L. Department of Surgical Sciences, V. Ospedale 54, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy. 
      5. Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Via S. Epifanio 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy. 
      6. Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Via S. Epifanio 14, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Miconet s.r.l, Academic Spin-Off of the University of Pavia, Via Moruzzi 13, 27100 Pavia, Italy. 
      7. Department of Biology and Biotechnology (DBB) "L. Spallanzani", University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 1, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Miconet s.r.l, Academic Spin-Off of the University of Pavia, Via Moruzzi 13, 27100 Pavia, Italy.

      Essential Features:

      • 2017 
      • Preclinical study

      Key Characteristics and Findings:

      • In Alzheimer’s models, Lion's Mane has been shown to prevent memory impairment, and recent studies suggest it also promotes nerve growth and differentiation. 
      • Even in healthy mice, Lion's Mane improves memory and stimulates brain cell activity, suggesting it may boost brain function in non-diseased states.

      Summary

      The research investigated the potential health benefits of Lion's Mane focusing on its capacity to enhance the immune system and cognitive functions. 

      In a controlled laboratory setting, mice diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease were administered Lion's Mane, resulting in a notable prevention of memory deficits typically associated with the condition. Additionally, the mushroom exhibited remarkable effects on neuronal cells.

      This pioneering study also explored the impact of Lion's Mane on brain function in non-pathological conditions. Utilizing a cohort of healthy mice, the researchers observed an improvement in recognition memory following dietary supplementation with the mushroom. 

      Furthermore, an increase in synaptic activity within the hippocampal region was documented, suggesting enhanced neuronal connectivity.

      These findings suggest that Lion’s Mane has the potential to positively influence brain health and cognitive function, offering benefits not only to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease but also to those seeking cognitive enhancement or Brain Fog mitigation in a healthy population. 

      Study 5: How Lion’s Mane Can Boost Memory

      Affiliations:

      1. Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani" (DBB), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. 
      2. Department of Biology and Biotechnology "L. Spallanzani" (DBB), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; 
      3. Department of Earth andEnvironmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. Brain Research Institute, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 
      4. Department of Earth and Environmental Science (DSTA), University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. 
      5. O.B.L. Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.

      Essential Features:

      • 2018 
      • Preclinical study

      Key Characteristics and Findings:

      • Lion's Mane shows promise for neuroprotection and may help treat cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease. 
      • In mice, a two-month diet including Lion's Mane led to more active behavior but did not enhance spatial memory, suggesting selective cognitive benefits. 
      • The study supports the dual-process theory of memory, where Lion's Mane improves recognition memory, potentially involving the perirhinal cortex, without affecting spatial memory linked to the hippocampus.

      Summary

      The study aimed to investigate the cognitive effects of Lion's Mane on mice. Over a two-month period, researchers supplemented the diets of mice with Lion’s Mane and subsequently assessed their performance in maze navigation tasks.

      The results indicated that while Lion’s Mane increased overall activity levels in the mice, it did not enhance their spatial navigation abilities within the mazes. However, the supplementation did lead to improvements in recognition memory, as evidenced by the mice’s ability to recall previously encountered objects and locations.

      This aspect of memory, crucial for both learning and daily functioning, suggests that Lion’s Mane may have beneficial effects on recognition memory. 

      Such findings hold potential implications for individuals experiencing cognitive impairments, such as Brain Fog. 

      Study 6: How Lion’s Mane mushroom can make more nerve growth factor in human brain cells

      Affiliations:

      1. Department of Cellular Signaling, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Aramaki, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Japan.

      Essential Features:

      • 2008
      • Phase 2
      • RCT

      Key Characteristics and Findings:

      • Lion's Mane uniquely promotes NGF gene expression and protein secretion in human astrocytoma cells, enhancing neurite growth.
      • The mushroom’s effect on NGF expression is mediated through the JNK signaling pathway, not by hericenones C, D, and E.
      • In mice, Lion's Mane increases NGF mRNA levels in the hippocampus, suggesting potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

      Summary

      In a rigorously controlled clinical trial, a cohort of elderly Japanese individuals, aged 50 to 80, exhibited cognitive improvements following oral administration of Lion’s Mane. 

      The investigative team assessed the neurotrophic impact of four commonly consumed mushrooms - Lion's Mane, Eringi, Maitake, and Himematsutake - particularly their influence on gene expression related to nerve growth within neuronal cells. Among the tested mushrooms, only the extract derived from Lion's Mane demonstrated a significant capacity to enhance NGF synthesis. The extract not only elevated NGF protein secretion but also amplified neurite extension in PC12 cells, a standard cellular model for neuroscientific studies. 

      Lion's Mane stands out as an exceptional mushroom, celebrated for its array of health benefits, notably its positive influence on cognitive function and overall brain health. Its properties suggest a supportive role for individuals experiencing cognitive haze or Brain Fog, enhancing mental clarity and focus. 

      With its long, flowing, white spines that look like a lion’s mane, this mushroom has piqued the interest of both traditional medicine and modern research. It’s unique in the fungal kingdom for its potential to support neural health, improve mental clarity, and provide a natural remedy for conditions like Brain Fog. 

      How do I Find A Good Quality Lion's Mane Supplement?

      Choosing a good quality mushroom supplement can be a daunting task, as there are many options available in the market. However, there are a few key things to consider when selecting a high-quality mushroom supplement.

      Find Out More

       

      What Dose Of Lion's Mane Should I Take?

      For those seeking to improve cognitive function using Lion's Mane, the recommended dosage typically ranges from 3 to 5 grams per day. However, it's important to approach supplementation thoughtfully:

      Start with a Lower Dose: Begin with a smaller amount and gradually increase to the suggested range. This approach allows your body to adjust to the supplement and helps you monitor any changes or reactions.
      Considerations for Sensitive Constitutions: If you have a sensitive constitution, it's advisable to divide your daily dose into two separate servings. Additionally, taking Lion's Mane with food can help mitigate any potential digestive discomfort and facilitate better absorption.
      Personalization of Dosage: Everyone's body reacts differently, so it's essential to listen to your own and adjust the dosage accordingly. If uncertain, consulting with a healthcare professional for personalised advice is always recommended.
      This gradual and careful approach ensures that you maximise the cognitive benefits of Lion's Mane while minimising any potential adverse effects.
      The Lion's Mane mushroom, emerges as a promising natural ally in the fight against brain fog and cognitive decline. With its potent active compounds and a growing body of clinical evidence, it's worth considering as part of a holistic approach to brain health.

      Definition of Terms

      1. Phases of Clinical Trials
      Understanding the different phases (Phase 0 through Phase 4) of clinical trials helps in comprehending how drugs, therapies, or medical devices move from early development to market approval.
      • Preclinical Studies: Researchers use laboratory and animal studies to test a new drug’s safety and efficacy before trying it on people. 
      • Phase 0 Trials: Researchers give very small doses of a new drug to a few people to see if it is safe enough for phase 1 trials. They do not expect the drug to work at this stage. 
      • Phase 1 Trials: Researchers test a new drug on a small group of people (20-100) to find out its most common and serious side effects and how the body processes and eliminates it. 
      • Phase 2 Trials: Researchers test a new drug on a larger group of people (several hundred) to confirm its safety and measure its effectiveness. They also compare it with existing treatments or a placebo. 
      • Phase 3 Trials: Researchers test a new drug on a very large group of people (several hundred to several thousand) to prove its effectiveness and safety. They also collect more data on the drug’s benefits and possible risks. If the drug passes this phase, the manufacturer can apply for approval to sell it to the public. 
      • Phase 4 Trials: Researchers monitor a new drug’s long-term effects and safety after it has been approved and sold. They also compare it with other drugs in the market and look for any rare or unexpected side effects. 
      2. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
      Recognizing the importance of RCTs, which are considered the gold standard in testing new treatments, helps in assessing the reliability of research findings. 
      3. Blind Studies (Double-Blind, Single-Blind) 
      Knowledge about blinding in studies is crucial for understanding how bias is minimized in research. 
      4. Placebos and Control Groups
      Understanding the role of placebos and control groups helps in interpreting the effectiveness of a new treatment compared to standard treatments or no treatment. 
      5. Peer Review and Publication 
      Knowing that reputable scientific studies are typically peer-reviewed and published in scientific journals can assist in evaluating the credibility of the information.
      References
      1. Saitsu, Y., Nishide, A., Kikushima, K., Shimizu, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2019). Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomedical research (Tokyo, Japan), 40(4), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.40.125 
      2. Lai, P. L., Naidu, M., Sabaratnam, V., Wong, K. H., David, R. P., Kuppusamy, U. R., Abdullah, N., & Malek, S. N. (2013). Neurotrophic properties of the Lion's mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes) from Malaysia. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 15(6), 539–554. https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushr.v15.i6.30 
      3. Li, I. C., Chang, H. H., Lin, C. H., Chen, W. P., Lu, T. H., Lee, L. Y., Chen, Y. W., Chen, Y. P., Chen, C. C., & Lin, D. P. (2020). Prevention of Early Alzheimer's Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study. Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 12, 155. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.00155 
      4. Brandalise, F., Cesaroni, V., Gregori, A., Repetti, M., Romano, C., Orrù, G., Botta, L., Girometta, C., Guglielminetti, M. L., Savino, E., & Rossi, P. (2017). Dietary Supplementation of Hericium erinaceus Increases Mossy Fiber-CA3 Hippocampal Neurotransmission and Recognition Memory in Wild-Type Mice. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2017, 3864340. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/3864340 
      5. Rossi, P., Cesaroni, V., Brandalise, F., Occhinegro, A., Ratto, D., Perrucci, F., Lanaia, V., Girometta, C., Orrù, G., & Savino, E. (2018). Dietary Supplementation of Lion's Mane Medicinal Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Agaricomycetes), and Spatial Memory in Wild-Type Mice. International journal of medicinal mushrooms, 20(5), 485–494. https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2018026241 
      6. Mori, K., Obara, Y., Hirota, M., Azumi, Y., Kinugasa, S., Inatomi, S., & Nakahata, N. (2008). Nerve growth factor-inducing activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin, 31(9), 1727–1732. https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.31.1727
      Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health care plan.

       

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