The Brain Boosting Benefits of this Fluffy Fungi
Lion's Mane sounds like an ingredient in a witch’s brew. Like it could be easily tossed into a Calderon and become part of the perfect potion. This isn’t too far off. Lion's Mane powder, when consumed, has been shown to help the body from the inside out, improving cognition, uplifting mood, and warding off diseases. Although unrelated to the king of the jungle, the information below will show how Lion's Mane is mushroom royalty.
What is Lions Mane Mushroom Powder
Lion's Mane is a species of mushroom known as a saprotroph, which means that it feeds on dead decaying matter (sounds super appetising, right?) Because of this, Lion's Mane is most commonly found hanging off of old trees. Its distinct appearance is what leads to its name. The fluffy mushroom starts out short and white and grows into long dangling spines, which resembles a lion’s mane. It is found across the Northern Hemisphere and has been used medicinally in China for over 1000 years. They are a rare natural species but, as of late, have been produced for various supplements.
Lion's Mane Mushroom Health Benefits
Cognition
One of the most common reasons for taking Lion’s Mane is its effects on focus and the brain. It’s a nootropic which is a drug class reserved for cognition enhancers. It is said to help with studying and assist those with minor memory impairments. This is because it reduces inflammation, which aids in blood flow and the transportation of oxygen. Better access to oxygen, in turn, leads to higher brain functioning.
According to studies performed on animals, Lion’s mane mushrooms can also help with Alzheimer’s disease. Lion’s Mane helps stimulate the production of NFG (Nerve growth factor) and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which support overall brain health. The increased production also prevents further damage to existing cells by the disease.
Anxiety & Depression
Clearly, Lion's Mane has an impact on what’s going on upstairs. All these brain benefits include an uplift in mood. In a 2010 study conducted on 30 women, many reported decreased anxiety, greater mood stability, and better concentration after only four weeks of use. Furthermore, Lion's Mane helps with the production and healthy maturation of nerve cells, which is thought to be disrupted in individuals with mood disorders.
Immunity
Lion's Mane mushroom has many properties that bolster the immune system. It increases activity in the intestinal immune system, which protects the body from ingested diseases. As mentioned above, it also reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, which are both linked to illnesses such as heart disease.
How to use Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder
You may be thinking that something this healthy and good for you must taste gross, but this is surprisingly not the case! Unlike most medicinal mushrooms, Lion's Mane doesn’t have an unpleasant flavour. In fact, when prepared correctly, whole Lion’s Mane is even said to taste like lobster or crab! However, whole Lion’s Mane can be pretty expensive to acquire, hard to come by, and time-consuming to cook. The easiest way to consume Lion's Mane is in powdered form mixed in with your morning coffee or worked into a delicious smoothie. You’ll be able to enjoy all of its benefits right from the start of your day, creating your very own magic potion.
Organicule Lion's Mane Mushroom Powder
