Written by Chris Claussen, Co-Founder, Chief Innovation Officer
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About the Author: Chris has over 20 years of experience in product and business development. For the past five years he has focused exclusively on innovative product development in the functional foods and functional mushrooms space. Chris brings experience exploring, experimenting, and conducting extensive research on the relationship between functional foods/ mushrooms and metabolic, brain, and mental health. |
How Lion’s Mane Mushroom Benefits Brain Health
When Joe and I began exploring the mechanisms behind living a lifestyle that supports brain health, we quickly realized that cognitive health is a complex puzzle. Many factors affect the brain and its ability to function at optimal levels. One of our early discoveries was that natural ingredients like Lion's Mane mushrooms have the potential to give us a serious boost in brain health and even contribute to growing new brain cells.
Lion's Mane mushroom has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for its powerful brain health benefits. Recently, there has been a growing body of research indicating that Lion's Mane mushroom extracts may have significant benefits for improving brain health leading to a surge in interest and popularity here in North America.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom & Neurogenesis
Lion's Mane mushroom extracts possess a powerful ability to improve brain health through neurogenesis. Neurogenesis is the process by which new nerve cells are created in the brain, and it plays a crucial role in maintaining brain health and function. Studies have shown that Lion's Mane mushroom extracts contain compounds called erinacines and hericenones, which have been found to stimulate the growth of nerve cells in the brain. Yes, our brains have the potential to get stronger and improve as we age and incorporating Lion’s Mane extracts can play an important role in the process.
Within a few weeks of taking Lion’s Mane daily, Joe and I both could feel a new sense of mental acuity. Personally, the slight feeling of brain-fog had vanished, and I felt mentally “quicker”. One possible explanation of this improvement in brain function may be in Lion’s Mane’s ability to enhance both Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). NGF and BDNF are important proteins that play a critical role in the development and function of the brain. By promoting the growth and differentiation of neurons, strengthening connections between neurons, and protecting neurons from damage, NGF and BDNF help maintain brain health and function. Lion's Mane mushroom has been found to have a significant impact on the levels of NGF and BDNF in the brain. The mushroom contains bioactive compounds such as hericenones and erinacines that have been shown to stimulate the production of NGF and BDNF in the brain.
Lion’s Mane Mushroom & Protection from Nerve Damage
Lion's Mane mushroom may also help protect the brain from damage caused by oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, leading to damage to cells and tissues. Research also shows that chronic inflammation also causes damage in your body's cells and tissues leading to an increase in the aging process. Lion's Mane mushroom have powerful antioxidant properties that can help neutralize free radicals and protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation.
First Person’s Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
At First Person we are committed to providing the most efficacious brain health products available. After extensive market research, we were discouraged by the lack of pure, organic, filler-free Lion’s Mane extracts that truly delivered on potency and efficacy. So, our team decided to take matters into our own hands – literally! We built our own mushroom farm in the Pacific Northwest and developed our proprietary extraction method for fully releasing all the valuable medicinal compounds from within the cell walls of the Lion’s Mane mushrooms. This allows us to provide unparalleled products when it comes to improving mood, concentration, and memory as well sharpening critical thinking skills with enhanced productivity in both work and daily life.
