Lion’s Mane - A New Study into improved cognitive performance
Sources
Nutrients Journal: Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion’s Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance
Michael B. La Monica , Betsy Raub , Ethan J. Ziegenfuss, Shelley Hartshorn, Jodi Grdic, Ashley Gustat, Jennifer Sandrock and Tim N. Ziegenfuss
Japan Journal of Biomedical Research: Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
Yuusuke SAITSU, Akemi NISHIDE, Kenji KIKUSHIMA, Kuniyoshi SHIMIZU, Koichiro OHNUKI
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/15/24/5018
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effects of guayusa extract and Nordic Lion’s Mane (LM) on cognition. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design, we examined the effects of a single dose of 650 mg guayusa extract (AMT: AmaTea® Max) vs. 1 g Lion’s Mane (LM) vs. placebo (PL).
Participants attended three testing visits consisting of neuropsychological tests (Go/No-go, N-Back, and Serial 7 s tasks) assessing performance, subjective assessments of cognitive perception, and vital signs.
Lion’s Mane significantly improved the number of attempts during Serial 7s and reaction time during N-Back and improved Go stimulus reaction time in Go/No-go. Lion’s Mane improved subjective ratings of “happiness compared to peers” and “getting the most out of everything” and this occurred earlier in Lion’s Mane (i.e., 1 h post ingestion).
Lion’s Mane helped improve working memory, complex attention, and reaction time 2 h post ingestion and perceptions of happiness over a 2 h period.
Results
Lion’s Mane helped improve working memory, complex attention, and reaction time 2 h post ingestion and perceptions of happiness over a 2 h period. Although this study shows that continuous intake of Lion’s Mane is not necessary to stimulate positive cognitive benefits, a longer duration or higher doses of Lion’s Mane use may be needed to remodel nerve structures in the brain and potentially provide even greater effects acutely and/or chronically. In addition, the antioxidant effects of Lion’s Mane may provide additional health benefits or more consistent improvements in cognition with chronic use. Future studies should utilize EEG and/or fMRI data to provide more insight into the cognitive improvements we observed
Conclusions
The single-dose Lion’s Mane dosage of 1g fresh fruiting body is incredibly low to have indicated improvements in working memory, complex attention, reaction time and perceptions of happiness. This is the first known study to have shown through rigorous process in human subjects that Lion’s Mane fruiting bodies can have these positive impacts with no noted side effects. Further studies will hopefully add to this baseline of positive research.