Lion’s Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) is an edible mushroom that has a long history of use in East Asian traditional medicine. It can be consumed raw or cooked, or processed as an herbal dietary supplement.
Valued for its time-honored curative effects for over a thousand years, Lion’s Mane remains widely considered as a “functional food” — delivering benefits that go beyond simple nutrition by supporting optimal health and helping to reduce the risk of chronic disease.
Studied by modern science for its positive effects on cognitive function, digestion, and nerve development, Lion’s Mane Mushroom has been found to contain bioactive compounds with antimicrobial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and immuno-stimulatory properties. This is why more and more people today are rediscovering Lion’s Mane Mushroom as a dietary supplement that can help promote mental clarity and alertness, support Focus in the presence of internal and external stressors, improve concentration, and help maintain a positive mood throughout a busy day.
Here are six health benefits that have been commonly associated with the use of Lion’s Mane Mushroom:
- Improves cognitive function and may help prevent dementia.
As a health supplement, organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom is considered a “nootropic” — cognitive enhancers that are known to improve executive functioning skills, creativity and motivation in healthy individuals. It has been found to contain two bioactive compounds — erinacines and hericenones — which are known to stimulate the growth of brain cells, suggesting the value of Lion’s Mane for the treatment and prevention of dementia
- Helps relieve mild symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Chronic inflammation has been found to be a major contributing factor to anxiety and depression. Laboratory research has found that Lion’s Mane has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce mild symptoms of anxiety and depression. Other studies have also shown its potential in stimulating the production of new brain cells and improving the function of the hippocampus, the structure in the brain which plays a vital role in the regulation and processing of learning, memories, and emotions.
- Supports recovery from nervous system injuries.
Research suggests that the use of Lion’s Mane extracts may assist in the regeneration and repair of nerve cells, helping to speed up recovery from injuries to the nerves, brain, and spinal cord. Nervous system injuries usually take a long time to heal and may even lead to paralysis or decreased mental function. A recent study aimed investigating the possible use of this mushroom in the treatment of injured nerves showed that rats with nerve damage that received a daily dose Lion’s Mane extract displayed quicker nerve regeneration than those that did not, reducing recovery time by as much as 41 per cent.
- Boosts the immune system.
The immune-boosting properties of Lion’s Mane has been the subject of several studies and have so far shown promising results in laboratory testing. Research shows that supplementing with Lion’s Mane extract can increase the activity of the intestinal immune system in a way that supports the colony of healthy bacteria and helps protect the body from disease-causing pathogens that could enter the gut through the mouth or nose. It is also rich in antioxidants which are known to support the immune system and helps stave off the risk of developing infectious diseases.
- May improve digestive health.
Traditional medicine has looked to Lion’s Mane Mushroom for treating digestive problems for over a thousand years. Today, research suggests that the use of Lion’s Mane extract could result in antibacterial activity which helps improve digestion and protects against the development of stomach ulcers. Because it is known to encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut, it could promote digestive health and may help in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress.
Just like other mushrooms, Lion’s Mane is naturally packed with powerful anti-oxidants that reduce the risk of many diseases, and anti-inflammatory properties that promote healing. Because of the versatility and health benefits of this functional food, a recent study on Lion’s Mane described mushrooms as “the new superfood with their many bioactive metabolites and are potential candidates in the field of herbal medicine.” Meanwhile, another research article published last year indicated that Lion’s Mane extracts “could be used to treat oxidative stress-related disorders as they are found to contain antioxidant compounds like phenols and others” and that they also possessed “good antimicrobial and anticancer activity.”
Whether you’re a professional athlete or sports enthusiast, an avid gamer or weekend warrior, a fulltime student, or a busy entrepreneur, you could use some help in keeping yourself centered, focused, motivated and alert — especially in your most demanding and nerve-wracking days.
VitaGaming’s Focus contains powerful adaptogens and anti-oxidants — including Organic Lion’s Mane Mushroom — which provides a natural source for sustained vitality and stamina to get you through a hectic day of work or play, while protecting you from the harmful effects of stress and aging.
Live your best life and enjoy all the healthy benefits of this certified superfood with your daily dose of Focus — it’s all-natural, non-GMO, and absolutely gluten free!
