If you've ever felt overwhelmed, distracted, or had difficulty focusing on the task at hand, it's likely that you've looked for ways to help stay focused and motivated. As such, many people these days are turning to natural aids like functional mushroom supplements using Lion’s Mane.Recent research suggests that certain varieties of mushrooms could just be what we need to improve our mental focus. In particular, benefits have been seen from supplementing with Lion's Mane mushrooms which may provide a range of cognitive and other health benefits. In this article, we'll look at why Lion's Mane mushrooms in particular may help boost your focus and concentration levels as well as practical advice about when and how best to use them. Is There Evidence in Western Research for Lion’s Mane and Improved Mental Clarity? In Western science, health claims for supplements require incontrovertible proof of benefits. This requires a heavy burden of evidence following extensive testing and trials. Today, there are no clear-cut conclusions we can draw on to say whether Lion’s Mane mushrooms improve mental clarity, yet. However, scientists have found Lion’s Mane interesting enough to investigate its potential for stimulating the growth of brain cells. Lion’s Mane is known to contain erinacines and hericenones which help stimulate the synthesis of important proteins called nerve-growth factors (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF). (1) (2) (3) (4) These proteins are vital for normal nerve cell functioning. Promoting BDNF and NGF synthesis through proteins present in Lion’s Mane has been shown in numerous studies to act as a protective mechanism against neurological diseases and provide boost for memory and focus through aiding nerve cell functioning.Lion’s Mane mushrooms are also believed to contain anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce brain fog and fatigue. We can assert that Lion’s Mane is safe for most people to use and we do know that many people associate it with greater mental clarity. Interestingly, functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane contain natural nutritional compounds that don’t occur elsewhere. Science is still working on what these compounds do, but they could add what your body and brain is lacking and need to function effectively to feel at your best and brightest. Lion’s Mane and Mental Clarity: A Historical Perspective The historical use of Lion’s Mane mushrooms to improve mental clarity suggests that they have been considered to have benefits for centuries. Buddhist monks believed that Lion's Mane mushrooms helped them achieve greater cognitive focus and clarity. While in China, they were considered an overall tonic for improved organ functioning and gut health. In Japan, Lion’s Mane mushrooms are named after these monks, the Yamabushi, resulting in the name “Yamabushitake” being applied to Lion’s Mane. How to Take Lion’s Mane Capsules for Mental Focus If you’re ready to try using Lion’s Mane mushrooms to increase mental focus, adding it to your daily diet is easier and more convenient than you might have believed possible. Simply choose FOCUS by Grass & Co’s Mushrooms. It offers you a safe, organically-grown source of Lion’s Mane mushrooms in a capsule format that’s convenient to incorporate into your daily rituals. The independently tested formulation is complemented with Ginseng, Omega 3, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D to support mental performance. We recommend using two of our FOCUS capsules to deliver a total of 600mg of Lion’s Mane Mushrooms as your daily dose. And, if your aims are to achieve a calm, alert state of mind that promotes clear thinking and focus, we recommend that you use the Lion’s Mane supplement during the day rather than at night. When trying FOCUS Lion’s Mane Mushrooms supplements, as with any supplements, you need to be aware that it may take a short while for you to notice any results. Some people may feel a difference almost immediately, but others will need to use Lion’s Mane Mushrooms supplements for two to three weeks before noticing any significant effect. After that, maintaining your daily servings of FOCUS Lion’s Mane Mushrooms supplements will keep up the good work. Grass & Co. and its materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent any disease. The information and products presented on this site are not intended for medical use nor do they make any medical claims. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programmes. Bibliography (1) Kawagishi , H., Ando, M., Sakamoto, H., Ojima, F., Ishiguro, Y., Nobuo, U., & Furukawa, S. (2001, March 5). Hericenones C, D and E, stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF)-synthesis, from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum. Elsevier . Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-4039(91)80039-9 (2) Kawagishi , H., Ando, M., Sakamoto, H., Ojima, F., Ishiguro, Y., Nobuo, U., & Furukawa, S. (2001, March 12). Chromans, Hericenones F, G and H from the mushroom Hericium erinaceum. Elsevier. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(92)80127-Z Studies detail pharmacokinetics of specific benzaldehyde molecules, Hericenones, present in Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceum) and how such compounds stimulate NGF synthesis (nerve growth factor) (3) Ryu, S. H., Hong, S. M., Khan, Z., Lee, S. K., Lee, J. K., Vishwanath, M., & Turk, A. (2021, January). Neurotrophic isoindolinones from the fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus . Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry letters. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127714 Investigation of the neurotrophic effect of isolated compounds demonstrated that isohericerinol A strongly increased the nerve growth factor (NGF) production in C6 glioma cells followed by corallocin A and hericerin. Increased NGF production by these compounds promoted the neurite outgrowth in N2a neuronal cells. Western blot analysis also showed the increased protein expression of NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and synaptophysin (SYP) in C6-N2a cells. Taken together, our present study characterized the neurotrophic constituents of H. erinaceus, which may support the potential use of memory improvement. (4) Ma, B.-J., Shen, J.-W., Zhao, X., Wu, T.-T., Ruan, Y., & Yu, H.-Y. (2010, April 29). Hericenones and erinacines: Stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved December 27, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.1080/21501201003735556 Nerve growth factor (NGF) has potent biological activities, such as preventing neuronal death and promoting neurite outgrowth, and is essential to maintain and organize neurons functionally. It cannot cross the blood brain barrier, Hericium erinaceus is a mushroom belonging to the family Hericiaceae and has been known as Chinese medicine or food in China and Japan without harmful effects. H. erinaceus grows on old or dead broadleaf trees and has been used as a medicine for treatment of gastricism in traditional Chinese medicine for more than 1000 years. This report covers the isolation and structural elucidation of hericenones and erinacines from the fruiting body and mycelium, and their biological activity of stimulating NGF biosynthesis. In addition, this report examines the research on erinacines produced by H. erinaceus grown in mycelial culture and the cultural conditions for the fermentation of H. erinaceus. Conclusion that Hericenones and erinacines exhibit the activity of promoting NGF synthesis. Hericenones and erinacines are low-molecular weight compounds that easily cross the blood–brain barrier. NGF cannot pass the blood brain barrier thus why hericenones and erinacines are seen as valuable natural fungi compounds for improving brain function. More about functional mushrooms
