Western civilization has a common prejudice against traditional alternative medicine. However, in recent years, they appear to be gaining popularity, with more research into their possible advantages and more doctors suggesting them. A medicinal fungus called Lion’s Mane is one of them. It gets its name from its fluffy look, which looks like a lion’s Mane.
What Are Their Potential Benefits?
Lion’s Mane Could Help You Think Better
Supporters of Lion’s Mane mushrooms claim that they can boost brain health through neurogenesis, which involves the formation of new neurons in the brain. This claim is then expanded to include the assumption that Lion’s Mane mushrooms can aid in the treatment of memory disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
One study appears to back up this notion, finding that subjects who took powdered Lion’s Mane extract for 3 months enhanced their cognitive function. Although this does not necessarily imply that Lion’s Mane will make you smarter, data suggests that it may assist guard against cognitive impairment conditions such as epilepsy.
Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Lion’s Mane
Another notable advantage of Lion’s Mane mushrooms is their ability to lower oxidative stress and inflammation throughout the body. The antioxidant activity of these mushrooms was discovered in this investigation.
Another study discovered that Lion’s Mane might have anti-inflammatory properties. Reduced inflammation and oxidative stress may enhance heart health and blood sugar management, benefiting cardiovascular illnesses and diabetes. In addition, many other inflammatory disorders, such as psoriasis may benefit from Lion’s Mane.
Lion’s Mane Could Help With Mood Disorders
One of the most popular uses for Lion’s Mane mushrooms is to improve sleep. It’s not unreasonable to believe that Lion’s Mane powder can help with insomnia for two reasons:
Lion’s Mane has an energizing impact that helps with weariness, resulting in better circadian rhythm control and easier sleep in the evening when taken in the morning.
Due to an overall boost in wellbeing, the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory qualities indicated above to assist your body fall asleep easier.
Lion’s Mane may also help with anxiety and sadness, apart from its sleep-promoting properties. Inflammation could substantially contribute to many diseases’ symptoms, even if it does not treat the ailment directly way antidepressants and anxiolytics do.
In addition, Lion’s Mane may affect autism symptoms. Although there is no scientific proof to back this up in humans, it is possible that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities of Lion’s Mane could help with autism symptoms. The neurogenerative qualities of Lion’s Mane may also aid with tinnitus problems.
Lion’s Mane Could Help Prevent Cancer
Although this claim has never been explicitly tested in humans, several studies have revealed that Lion’s Mane mushroom powder has anti-tumour effects, preventing cancer cells from spreading and causing them to die more quickly than usual. This direct effect, together with the immune system benefits, and the reduction in oxidative stress, results in an overall increase in cancer protection.
Is Lion’s Mane Really Worth It?
Despite the numerous potential benefits of Lion’s Mane, the danger of side effects has been relatively low. Even though no studies have looked into the long-term consequences on people, there is no evidence that it might cause harm, even when researchers gave high dosages to rats over a lengthy time.
This isn’t to mean that you won’t have any negative reactions. Everyone is different; therefore, minor to significant adverse effects are possible, especially if you have a mushroom allergy. If you have any concerns, speak with your doctor to learn more about your predisposition to adverse reactions to mushrooms.
