Mushroom “Lion's Mane” stimulates the growth of nerve cells and improves memory

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According to a recent study, the edible mushroom “Lion's Mane” known as Hericium erinaceus, can stimulate the growth of nerve cells and improve memory. The fungus is found in the northern temperate latitudes of Western Europe, North America, Japan, Russia and China.

By observing the neurotrophic effects of the mushroom extract on rat brain cells, a joint study by Australian and South Korean universities showed that its active compounds can promote neuronal projection, as well as expand and connect with other neurons.

“The active compounds had a significant effect on brain cell growth and memory improvement”,– Professor Frédéric Meunier of the Queensland Brain Institute, who led the experiments using ultra-high-resolution microscopy, said.

“Extracts from these mushrooms have been used in Asian traditional medicine for centuries, but we wanted to scientifically determine their potential effect on brain cells.” ;, – Meunier explained.

In China, the “Lion's Mane” widely used as a herbal remedy for indigestion, neurasthenia and weakness, and as a nourishing food known for its delicate and tasty qualities.

Dr Martinez-Marmo, a research fellow at the Queensland Brain Institute and co-author of the paper, said the findings are important for the treatment and prevention of degenerative cognitive diseases such as Alzheimer's.
to identify biologically active compounds from natural sources that could reach the brain and regulate the growth of neurons, resulting in improved memory formation”,– he said.

A 2013 study found that two compounds found in the lion's mane mushroom can stimulate the growth of brain cells in the laboratory.

In a clinical study published in 2020 in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience , patients with mild Alzheimer's disease after 49 weeks of daily intake of three 350 mg capsules of Hericium erinaceus mycelium showed a significant improvement in cognitive functions, which indicates the potential use of the mushroom for the treatment of dementia.

It was also found that Hericium erinaceus is effective in boosting immunity. A 2018 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found that the mushroom has calming and anti-depressant effects. Another BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies study in 2013 proved that “Lion's Mane” has hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties.

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