Boost Your Brain Health with These Top 3 Medicinal Mushrooms
The brain is an incredible organ that has puzzled scientists, doctors, philosophers, and psychologists for centuries. It receives signals from our senses and responds with lightning-fast reactions, firing neurons to produce appropriate responses. But did you know that with the right food and supplements, we can support and enhance our brain health? Research has shown that consuming healthy fats and green leafy vegetables, along with medicinal mushrooms like Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Chaga, can boost memory, cognition, and overall neuron health.
Epigenetics is the study of how our environment affects gene expression, which means that our lifestyle choices and diet can override genetic predispositions to certain diseases. If you're struggling with memory loss, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating, there's hope! By choosing brain-boosting foods and lifestyle habits, we can prevent and even combat neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Dementia. In this article, we'll explore the incredible benefits of Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Chaga mushrooms - three of the most popular and widely studied brain-loving fungi. Get ready to unlock the secrets to a healthier brain!
Table of Contents
Brain Health Significance in Mushrooms
Are you looking for a way to supercharge your brain health and mental well-being? If so, you might want to consider incorporating mushrooms into your diet! Recent research has shown that certain types of mushrooms, such as Lion's Mane, Reishi, and Chaga, are powerful adaptogens that offer immune-modulating support, enhance brain health, and may even help with mild cognitive impairment.
Studies have found that medicinal mushrooms can reduce neuro-inflammation, which is when an inflammatory response occurs within and amongst neurons - our brain cells. This low-grade immune and inflammatory state can degrade and disturb neuron structure and function, leading to fatigue, depression, anxiety, mood changes, and even Alzheimer's and dementia. Fortunately, mushrooms contain bioactive polysaccharide compounds that help reduce the development of beta-amyloid plaque and support the immune response and brain health.
But that's not all! An imbalanced antioxidant system and an excess of oxidative stress can also play a role in neuroinflammation. The good news is that medicinal mushrooms act as potent antioxidants, supporting the body's own synthesis of endogenous antioxidants to protect neurons from damage and decrease neural oxidative stress. By incorporating mushrooms into your diet, you can support your brain health and mental well-being in a natural and delicious way.
But that's not all - Lion's Mane is also a superfood that can modulate the immune system, improve gut health, and even promote anti-aging! This incredible mushroom can also balance the nervous system, lower inflammation, and boost antioxidant activity.
One of the most fascinating things about Lion's Mane is that it stimulates the release of NGF, or nerve growth factor. This can lead to neurite outgrowth, a process in which developing neurons produce new projections as they grow in response to guidance cues. NGF also promotes the repair and regeneration of damaged neurons, which can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, dementia, and Parkinson's. So if you're looking for a natural way to boost your brain health, you might want to consider adding Lion's Mane mushroom to your diet!
Health Benefit
Improving gut health
Lion’s Mane mushroomsBrain Health Issues We Frequently Face
Have you ever wondered about the common brain diseases that are prevalent in Western society today? Well, let me tell you about them! They include:-
- Alzheimer's,
- Sleep disorders,
- Anxiety, and
- Depression.
These diseases can affect neuron function and cause neuroinflammation and mild cognitive impairment. But don't worry, you can support your brain health with a holistic approach and lifestyle changes. And here's a little secret - mushrooms can be a great addition to your diet to boost and support your overall brain health! So why not give it a try and see how it can benefit you?
Top 3 Medicinal Mushrooms Recommended For Brain Health
Did you know that there are certain mushrooms that are particularly good for your brain health? The top three medicinal mushrooms that have been scientifically proven to be effective are Lion's Mane, Chaga, and Reishi mushrooms. These amazing fungi can do wonders for your brain by reducing neuroinflammation, improving cognition, and even helping with anxiety and depression. Plus, they can also help to decrease plaque formation, reduce oxidative stress, and mild cognitive impairment.
What's even more impressive is that these mushrooms can help protect your neurons from damage and support new neural growth, which can lead to the formation of new brain pathways. So if you're looking to boost your brain health, why not give these medicinal mushrooms a try? With all their amazing benefits, you might just be surprised at how much they can do for you!
Lion’s Mane Mushroom
Numerous studies have shown that this amazing fungus has neuroprotective effects, which can lower cellular stress in the brain, improve cognitive function, and even reduce plaque formation that can lead to Alzheimer's and dementia. Lion's Mane contains two powerful compounds - erinacines and hericenones - that are responsible for these benefits.
are an excellent prebiotic and a potent anti-inflammatory that supports a healthy gut and microbiome. Stress can disrupt the balance of bacteria, reduce the production of stomach acid and digestive enzymes, and cause gaps between gut cells, leading to leaky gut and chronic inflammation. By buffering the stress response and supporting the adrenal glands and nervous system, Lion’s Mane helps to alleviate stomach and digestive problems.
Anti-inflammatory benefits
Inflammation is the root cause of many diseases, and it drives dysfunction that causes symptoms and disease formation. Lion’s Mane mushrooms have potent anti-inflammatory properties that balance the immune system and reduce the release and activation of pro-inflammatory pathways such as NF-KappaB and cytokines like TNF-a and IL-6, which are elevated in disease states such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s, depression, and anxiety. The anti-inflammatory benefits of Lion’s Mane mushrooms reduce neuroinflammation and improve overall brain health.
Reducing anxiety and depression
Research has shown that an imbalanced immune response and activation of inflammatory pathways in the body are seen in the pathophysiology of anxiety and depression. Chronic exposure to inflammatory markers is suggested to change neurotransmitter levels and neurocircuit function that’s associated with depressive and anxious states. Lion’s Mane mushroom is a potent antioxidant and anti-stress herb that can buffer the stress response that drives inflammation, making it an effective natural remedy for reducing anxiety and depression.
Improving concentration and memory
The Hippocampus is part of the brain responsible for creating and holding memories. Lion’s Mane mushrooms have been shown to increase levels of NGF – nerve growth factor – in the Hippocampus, which improves memory. When it comes to medicinal mushrooms for brain health, Lion’s Mane may help improve concentration by supporting neuronal health and protecting the myelin sheaths – the fatty substance that surrounds each neuron and increases the speed of nerve impulses improving learning, retention, and memory.
Eliminating free radicals
Free radicals are rogue cells that damage cellular DNA and RNA, leading to inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and cell death. Lion’s Mane is a potent antioxidant that helps to eliminate free radicals and prevent the development of imbalances, pain, and diseases. While the body needs some free radicals to activate the immune system, too many free radicals can throw out the antioxidant system, leading to the development of diseases. Lion’s Mane mushrooms can help to offset and balance out free radicals, thus promoting cellular DNA damage prevention and cell function.
Reishi Mushroom
The Reishi Mushroom, also known as Ganoderma Lucidum, is considered the ultimate "Anti-Stress Herb" among medicinal mushrooms. This amazing fungus has been found to be neuroprotective, aiding in calming an overactive nervous system, supporting the adrenals, and reducing stress and anxiety levels. Additionally, the Reishi mushroom is an excellent source of antioxidants, lowers inflammation, and may even have anti-depressive effects.
Stress is a significant contributor to the production of free radicals, which can disrupt neurotransmitters and lead to neuroinflammation. Thankfully, Reishi mushroom has been shown to promote brain health by reducing the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways like PGE2 and TNFa, which have been linked to neurodegenerative diseases and depression. Let’s have a close look at its significance for your health.
Health Benefits
Stress Reliever
One of the primary benefits of Reishi mushroom is its ability to act as a stress reliever. Reishi contains polysaccharide compounds that help modulate the stress response by supporting the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis). This helps to balance the secretion of stress hormones and decrease cortisol resistance, ultimately reducing symptoms of chronic stress such as high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, and chronic fatigue. Additionally, Reishi is used in TCM to promote harmony and peace to the heart and mind, grounding and balancing anxious and burnt-out individuals.
Immune System Booster
Reishi mushroom is known to modulate the immune system, improving the balance between Th1/Th2 immune activation. This decreases the over-release of pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and TNFa, which can cause inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases. By supporting a healthy immune response, Reishi helps to boost overall brain health and function.
Lung Support
Reishi mushroom has traditionally been used to boost the immune system and fight off viral infections and lung conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Neurodegenerative diseases can cause a decline in respiratory function, reducing oxygenation to tissues and cells which drives hypoxia and cell death. In TCM, the lungs are known as the emotional processing organ of the body, largely associated with breathing. Reishi helps support the lungs and its meridian, improving whole body health.
Anti-Inflammatory
Reishi mushroom contains potent anti-inflammatory adaptogens that help modulate and support the healthy activation of pro-inflammatory pathways and mediators. By reducing inflammation in the body, Reishi greatly improves and supports overall brain health and function.
Helps with Insomnia
The link between sleep and brain health is well-established. Lack of sleep and poor sleep quality accelerate neurodegenerative diseases and cause a decline in cognitive function. Reishi mushroom is able to help improve sleep patterns and sleep quality by calming an overactive mind and stressed nervous system, promoting sleep and relaxation. The triterpenoid compounds in Reishi may also help promote calmness and improve sleep quality.
Anti-Aging Benefits
Reishi mushroom is revered as a superior longevity tonic throughout history. It contains potent anti-aging benefits that work to strengthen vitality, replenish Qi energy, nourish blood, restore Jing essence, and support the heart, kidneys, liver, and brain. All these contribute to promoting one's well-being and extending lifespan. In TCM, Reishi is even known as the "divine mushroom of immortality".
Chaga Mushroom
If you're looking for a natural way to support your wellbeing and protect your cells, Chaga Mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) might be the answer. This incredible mushroom is known as one of the most potent antioxidants on the planet and measures higher on the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) scale than other antioxidant-rich foods such as acai berry, baobab, and turmeric root (18).
Free radicals are known to cause cell death, damage DNA, and negatively impact cell function, leading to inflammation and degradation in the brain and throughout the body. But by consuming a diet rich in antioxidants, like Chaga mushroom, you can help balance your antioxidant system and protect your cells from these damaging effects.
Protective against Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration
Chaga mushroom has been shown to be particularly protective against Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration by acting as an antioxidant and upregulating the Nrf2 pathway, one of the key anti-inflammatory pathways in the body. Additionally, Chaga has been found to inhibit apoptosis and suppress an excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species between cells, helping to balance the antioxidant/pro-oxidant seesaw.
Supporting a healthy gut microbiome
Chaga mushroom also plays an important role in supporting a healthy gut microbiome. Studies have shown a link between a leaky gut and a leaky blood-brain barrier, and when the balance is restored to the gut barrier, this also helps restore balance to the blood-brain barrier (20). By incorporating Chaga mushrooms into your diet, you can support the health of your gut and brain and promote overall well-being.
Health Benefits
Cholesterol Lowering
Chaga mushroom has been used for centuries in traditional folk medicine to support healthy cardiovascular function. Modern studies have shown that Chaga contains hypocholesterolemic properties that can help lower cholesterol levels.
Chaga has been shown to significantly reduce LDL (low-density lipoproteins “bad” cholesterol), free fatty acids, total cholesterol levels, and triglycerides, and increase HDL (high-density lipoproteins “good’ cholesterol), all of which are positive attributes of maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.
Chaga's unique fiber and polysaccharide compound known as chitin helps lower cholesterol levels since cholesterol becomes bound up in chylomicrons in the gut, and is transported to the liver to be recycled or excreted from the body. Furthermore, Chaga's rich antioxidant content supports the liver in its role of creating, recycling, and excreting cholesterol in the body.
Immune System Support
Chaga mushroom is a powerful immune modulator that helps support and maintain a healthy immune system. This medicinal mushroom enhances the activation and activity of NK cells (natural killer cells) that are part of the innate immune system. NK cells enhance the activity of macrophages, our front-line immune cells that first attack and eat up viral or bacterial infected cells, effectively working to remove them from the body.
Chaga also contains betulin and betulinic acid, two unique triterpenoid compounds that provide Chaga with its potential anti-cancer properties and combat cancer cells.
Blood Pressure Reduction
Chaga mushrooms may help support healthy blood pressure and blood pressure reduction because of its high antioxidant content. Antioxidants help lower whole-body inflammation and reduce the formation of plaque within blood vessels that can increase blood pressure.
Chaga is a powerful adaptogen that works on the HPA axis (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis) and buffers the stress response, helping to lower stress and improve blood pressure further through this mechanism.
Anti-Inflammatory
Inflammation is a key driver of all symptoms, disease states and disturbances in the body. Chaga mushroom contains polysaccharides that are naturally anti-inflammatory. Moreover, Chaga has the ability to upregulate the Nrf2 pathway, activating the production of anti-inflammatory compounds such as IL-10.
How Mushrooms Boost Brain Health
Medicinal mushrooms are no ordinary fungi! They're packed with powerful superfood properties that work wonders for brain health. These special mushrooms combat neuroinflammation, increase nerve growth factor (NGF), enhance neuron repair, and reduce oxidative stress to improve cognition, memory, and overall brain health.
Improving Memory with Medicinal Mushrooms
One of the many benefits of medicinal mushrooms is their ability to improve memory. Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus) mushrooms are especially useful in this regard. They stimulate the release of NGF, which improves synaptic communication and repair, making them great for boosting memory. Studies and clinical trials have found that medicinal mushrooms like Lion’s Mane can elicit NGF within the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for storing and creating memories.
Top Medicinal Mushrooms for Brain Health
Scientific studies have revealed that Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Chaga mushrooms are the three most effective medicinal mushrooms for brain health. These powerful fungi protect the brain from neurodegeneration, boost cognitive function, improve memory, mood, focus, concentration, and support diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Why You Should Include Medicinal Mushrooms in Your Diet
Overall, medicinal mushrooms and mushroom consumption are fast becoming some of the most beneficial superfoods for supporting a healthy brain. Lion’s Mane, Chaga, and Reishi mushrooms are the top three most effective medicinal mushrooms for boosting cognitive function and improving brain health without any side effects.
No wonder these mushrooms have caught the attention of elite athletes, entrepreneurs, and hard-working students. They use them to elevate peak mental performance, improve memory loss, mood, alertness, focus, and concentration. These three potent adaptogenic mushrooms protect, nourish, and support healthy brain function.
In conclusion, eating mushrooms is a simple and effective way to improve brain health. But if you're experiencing any issues with your brain, it's important to seek further health information and medical advice from your doctor. Start eating mushrooms today to crush your daily goals, achieve better results!
References
Modulation of neuroinflammatory pathways by medicinal mushrooms, with particular relevance to Alzheimer's disease - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224420305586
Neuroinflammation and neurohormesis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer-linked pathologies: modulation by nutritional mushrooms - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12979-017-0108-1
Discovering the Potentials of Medicinal Mushrooms in Combating Depression – A Review - https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/mrmc/2020/00000020/00000015/art00007
The Role of Inflammation in Depression and Fatigue - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6658985/
Neuroinflammation and neurohormesis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease and Alzheimer-linked pathologies: modulation by nutritional mushrooms - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5813410/
Neurohealth Properties of Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Erinacines - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5987239/
Medicinal Mushrooms a Clinical Guide – Martin Powell
Epigenetics and the Modulation of Neuroinflammation - https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13311-013-0207-4
Epigenetic regulation of astrocyte function in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443917304180
Role of Inflammation in Depression and Treatment Implications - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30368652/
Neuroprotective effects of ganoderma lucidumpolysaccharides against oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5514871/
A preliminary review of studies on adaptogens: comparison of their bioactivity in TCM with that of ginseng-like herbs used worldwide - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6240259/
Neurodegenerative Disorders Increase Decline in Respiratory Muscle Strength in Older Adults - http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/59/12/1838
Sleep in Neurodegenerative Diseases - https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-4939-2089-1_32
Sleep disorders as core symptoms of depression - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181883/
Lifespan – David Sinclair
Spark - John J Ratey
ORAC values - https://www.superfoodly.com/orac-values/
Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides protect against Alzheimer's disease by regulating Nrf2 signaling and exerting antioxidative and antiapoptotic effects -https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0141813019304672
Leaky Gut, Leaky Brain? - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6313445/
Effect of the Inonotus Obliquus Polysaccharides on Blood Lipid Metabolism and Oxidative Stress of Rats Fed High-Fat Diet In Vivo - https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/5305591
Written by Eliza Hedley
Eliza Hedley is a health, mindset and abundance enthusiast obsessed with helping millennial's experience living at a higher level.
Her relaxed new age approach and understanding of nutrition and wellness sees her empowering and coaching individuals to understand that their health is the ultimate asset. Upon experiencing first hand the power and place of tonic herbalism and medicinal mushrooms in everyday life, Eliza’s become an adaptogen fangirl and feels their utilisation in today’s world is essential for abundance and wellbeing.
Website: https://theholisticsister.com
Instagram: @the_holistic_sister_
