Lion’s Mane & Reishi for Cognitive Health | The House of Mogu Mycology Research Library

Lion’s Mane & Reishi for Cognitive Health | The House of Mogu Mycology Research Library

brain-healthfunctional mushroomslion’s-mane-researchmemory-supportmycology research libraryoutcome: cognitiveoutcome: memoryoutcome: neurological-supportspecies: lions manespecies: reishithe-house-of-mogu
       
Mycology Research Library (MRL)

Cognitive Decline & Mild Alzheimer’s: Lion’s Mane (+ Reishi) Evidence Digest

What current studies suggest about Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) for cognition, memory, and neurological support—spanning human trials and mechanistic research on NGF, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory pathways.

species: lions-mane species: reishi outcome: cognitive outcome: neurological-support outcome: memory type: clinical

What the science says (plain English)

  • Human signal for early Alzheimer’s / MCI: Pilot clinical work with erinacine-enriched Lion’s Mane mycelia reports cognitive improvements in early AD/MCI cohorts.
  • Neurotrophic support: Preclinical data show Lion’s Mane compounds (erinacines, hericenones) promote NGF signaling and neurite outgrowth, aligning with memory support.
  • Neuroprotection & antioxidant tone: Both Lion’s Mane and Reishi demonstrate reductions in oxidative stress and apoptotic signaling in models of cognitive impairment.
  • Complementary roles: Lion’s Mane is most associated with neuroregeneration/NGF pathways; Reishi contributes anti-inflammatory and antioxidant support that may be synergistic.

How might it work?

  • NGF & neurite outgrowth: Erinacines/hericenones from Lion’s Mane upregulate nerve growth factor and support synaptic plasticity.
  • Anti-inflammatory / antioxidant: Triterpenoids and polysaccharides from both species may reduce neuroinflammation and ROS-driven damage.
  • β-amyloid / apoptosis pathways: Models show attenuation of amyloid-related pathology and apoptotic markers, potentially preserving neuronal networks.

Key takeaways

  • Evidence for Lion’s Mane in mild cognitive impairment/early AD is encouraging but preliminary (small human trials + mechanistic depth).
  • Reishi’s role is supportive (antioxidant/anti-inflammatory); human cognition data are more limited than Lion’s Mane but mechanistic signals are relevant.
  • Best framed as adjunctive to clinician-guided care, paired with sleep, movement, cognitive training, and cardiometabolic hygiene.

Suggested “research dose” context

Literature summaries commonly cite Lion’s Mane 3–5 g/day (fruiting body or erinacine-enriched mycelial preparations) and Reishi 1–3 g/day of extract in research settings for cognitive/neurological endpoints. Educational context only—consult a qualified professional for personal use.

Not medical advice. Cognitive decline warrants medical evaluation and ongoing monitoring.

References (selected, MLA)

  1. Li, I-Chen, et al. “Neurohealth Properties of Hericium erinaceus Mycelia Enriched with Erinacines.” Behavioural Neurology, vol. 2018, 2018, Article ID 5802634, doi:10.1155/2018/5802634.
  2. Szućko-Kociuba, Izabela, et al. “Neurotrophic and Neuroprotective Effects of Hericium erinaceus.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 24, no. 21, 2023, p. 15960.
  3. Tripodi, Farida, et al. “Anti-Aging and Neuroprotective Properties of Grifola frondosa and Hericium erinaceus Extracts.” Nutrients, vol. 14, no. 20, 2022, p. 4368, doi:10.3390/nu14204368.
  4. Tzeng, Tsai-Teng, et al. “Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelium Ameliorates Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Pathologies in APPswe/PS1dE9 Transgenic Mice.” Journal of Biomedical Science, vol. 23, no. 1, 2016, p. 49.
  5. Valu, Mihai-Vlad, et al. “Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. Ethanolic Extract with Antioxidant Properties on Scopolamine-Induced Memory Deficits in a Zebrafish Model of Cognitive Impairment.” Journal of Fungi, vol. 7, no. 6, 2021, p. 477.
  6. Li, I-Chen, et al. “Prevention of Early Alzheimer’s Disease by Erinacine A-Enriched Hericium erinaceus Mycelia: Pilot Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study.” Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, vol. 12, 2020, article 155.
  7. Yu, Nanhui, et al. “Ganoderma lucidum Triterpenoids (GLTs) Reduce Neuronal Apoptosis via Inhibition of ROCK Signal Pathway in APP/PS1 Transgenic Alzheimer’s Disease Mice.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, vol. 2020, 2020, Article ID 9894037, doi:10.1155/2020/9894037.
  8. Brandalise, Federico, et al. “Hericium erinaceus in Neurodegenerative Diseases: From Bench to Bedside and Beyond, How Far from the Shoreline?” Journal of Fungi, vol. 9, no. 5, 2023, p. 551.
  9. Wong, Kah-Hui, et al. “Neuroregenerative Potential of Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Higher Basidiomycetes), in the Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injury.” International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, vol. 14, no. 5, 2012, pp. 427–446.
  10. Spelman, Kevin, et al. “Neurological Activity of Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus).” Journal of Restorative Medicine, vol. 6, no. 1, 2017, pp. 19–26.

Browse Lion’s Mane research Browse Reishi research Outcome: Cognitive Back to MRL Index

Educational content only. Not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional, especially if pregnant, nursing, pre-op, or taking medications.

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