Power mushrooms like Reishi , Cordyceps sinensis , and Chaga have been popular in the biohacker scene for quite some time. They contain a wealth of minerals and trace elements, making them a superfood for anyone who wants to push themselves to the limit and perform even better.
But what's so special about the mushroom known as lion's mane, which is also considered a power mushroom? Does it offer similar benefits? And where can you buy it? We'll shed some light on the matter and show you everything lion's mane can do.
Table of contents
1. Lion’s Mane – the name says it all
If you visit your local supermarket in Germany, you will look in vain for lion's mane.
Although it is edible, it is still considered an exotic species because it has very specific environmental requirements and is therefore rarely found in the wild in this country . The tree fungus prefers deciduous forests with high humidity .
Its high demands are just one of the reasons why the mushroom is now increasingly being grown on sawdust substrate – mainly in China and Japan , where it is much better known.
Visually, the mushroom, known in German as lion's mane or hedgehog's beard, is quite impressive. It grows in a kind of ball that weighs up to one kilogram and is covered in numerous "thorns."
As these become longer, they develop into threads hanging down towards the ground.
It's hardly surprising, then, that it's known in France as "Pom-Pom blanc ," which translates roughly as " white pom- pom." And indeed, its bulbous growth is reminiscent of the cheerleading girdles worn by cheerleaders.
When the Chinese look at the lion's mane, however, they associate something completely different, namely a monkey's head, which is why the name Yamabushitake (monkey head mushroom) is also common.
BRAINEFFECT HACK: We offer lion's mane as high-dose HERICIUM CAPSULES or in MUSHROOM COFFEE , which also provides mental power with iron and zinc.
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2. What makes the lion's mane so exciting for high performers?
Like other power mushrooms, lion's mane contains a lot of minerals and trace elements , including iron , magnesium , potassium , zinc , selenium and phosphorus.
They ensure that you are well supplied with oxygen and that your immune system receives the necessary support [1]. It is the trace elements they contain that make Hericium erinaceus a true all-rounder .
The following additional health-promoting effects on your body are said to be due to the ingredients of lion's mane:
- Combating listlessness
- antibacterial effect [2]
- antioxidant effects [3]
- normal function of the nervous system [4]
Scientists have embarked on a search for clues. They have proven, for example, that the pom-pom mushroom contributes to improving mental performance in older people [4].
For four months, the subjects took four 250 mg lion's mane extract tablets three times a day. This appears to be based on the positive effect of the substances hericenone and erinacine on the formation and release of a protein called beta-NGF , also known as nerve growth factor, which allows you to tap into your full mental potential .
However, in order to make a general, health-related statement, many more clinical studies are needed in this context! [5].
However, it is already known that Hericium erinaceus belongs to the nootropics due to its positive effects. Unfortunately, lion's mane has no effect on sleep quality. [6]
But: Giving your all throughout the day is exhausting in the long run and places a lot of demands on your body. If you want to give 100 percent consistently, you can't avoid restful sleep . The natural sleep hormone melatonin helps you fall asleep faster. Your body can normally produce it itself.
However, if you spend too much time using your laptop or phone, you're exposed to too much blue, artificial light, which can inhibit melatonin production. In this case , taking melatonin supplements like our SLEEP products can help you fall asleep faster.
Not only does this powerful mushroom contain important minerals and trace elements, it also boasts a good amino acid balance . Almost all of these essential protein building blocks , i.e., those that the body cannot produce itself, are found in the edible mushroom.
They all keep your body running [7]. For example, your body needs phenylalanine to later produce – via various intermediate stages – the neurotransmitter dopamine , which most people also know as the happiness hormone .
Did you know that it not only helps you feel better, but also plays a key role in processing information ?
If you have a dopamine deficiency, you may also experience difficulty concentrating, which can prevent you from achieving your goals . Your body also cannot produce lysine on its own.
Its value is demonstrated by its interaction with calcium . This essential amino acid helps to store the valuable mineral in bones and teeth .
BRAINEFFECT HACK: Like other power mushrooms, lion's mane contains a wealth of minerals and trace elements, including iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, selenium, and phosphorus. These have several beneficial effects.
So that you can benefit from the positive properties of the individual nutrients in lion's mane every day, we have developed our MUSHROOM COFFEE with lion's mane and the unique spice blend of cinnamon and vanilla.
3. Where can you buy the Lion's Mane mushroom?
Lion's mane is available online primarily in dried form, for example, as a powder or pressed into a capsule . Its highly concentrated ingredients are best consumed with plenty of water —sometimes even in organic quality, recognizable by the corresponding seal.
The lion's mane was produced according to organic farming standards without the use of genetic engineering . This means, among other things, that no synthetic chemicals were used to produce the Hericium extract.
BRAINEFFECT HACK : With us you can get the lion's mane as a unique MUSHROOM COFFEE with a spice mix of vanilla and cinnamon for full enjoyment or as high-dose HERICIUM CAPSULES .
Discover HERICIUM CAPSULES now
4. Conclusion
Thanks to its high concentration of valuable minerals, lion's mane mushroom is a true powerhouse. Those who prefer not to swallow capsules but want to exercise their green thumb and prove themselves a true mushroom grower can also rely on ready-made cultures.
In this case, some patience and leisure are required, as the Hericium erinaceus requires quite high maintenance. The Hericium mushroom grows best if you closely monitor the humidity and temperature daily.
Once a sufficiently large fruiting body has formed after a few weeks, you can harvest it and then fry it in a pan with oil like a schnitzel. Caution: It's best not to wash it beforehand; just remove any dirt with a paper towel to prevent it from absorbing all the water.
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5. Sources
[1] Sheng X, Yan J, Meng Y, Kang Y, Han Z, Tai G, Zhou Y, Cheng H (2017) Food & function. Immunomodulatory effects of Hericium erinaceus derived polysaccharides are mediated by intestinal immunology. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28266682]
[2] Chaiyasut C, Sivamaruthi BS (2017) Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. Anti-hyperglycemic property of Hericium erinaceus – A mini review. [ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169117310390]
[3] Zhang a Z, Lv a G, Pan a H, Pandey b A, He c W, Fan International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. Antioxidant and hepatoprotective potential of endo-polysaccharides from Hericium erinaceus grown on tofu whey. [ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014181301200356X]
[4] Mori K, Inatomi S, Ouchi K, Azumi Y, Tuchida T (2007) Phytotherapy Research. Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18844328]
[5] Mori K, Obara Y, Moriya T, Inatomi S, Nakahata N (2011) Biomedical research. Effects of Hericium erinaceus on amyloid β(25-35) peptide-induced learning and memory deficits in mice. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21383512]
[6] Nagano M, Shimizu K, Kondo R, Hayashi C, Sato D, Kitagawa K, Ohnuki K (2010) Biomedical research. Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20834180]
[7] Chaiyasut C, Sivamaruthi BS (2017) Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine. Anti-hyperglycemic property of Hericium erinaceus – A mini review. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169117310390]
