Lion’s mane is a functional mushroom that has a well-earned reputation for balancing general well-being and supporting brain function and clarity. Learn about the benefits of lion’s mane and how to choose the best product for your needs in this blog post.
Lion’s mane mushroom has been used in traditional Chinese herbal practices and cuisine for centuries. The lion’s mane mushroom extract is gaining more popularity in the West due to its helpful properties that aid in sleep, digestion, bodily functions, concentration, and energy levels. It is unsurpassed in its naturally occurring compounds, including those that support Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which maintains our brain and cognitive function. Lion’s mane promotes mental clarity, focus, and memory by offering nourishment to our neurons and cerebral system. It’s no wonder lion’s mane has become a popular nootropic.
If you’re curious about the benefits of lion’s mane supplements, read on. This helpful guide will talk about how lion’s mane is a powerful support for brain cell regeneration and immune response, and tips for finding the best lion’s mane supplement for you.
What Is Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is a mushroom typically found in Europe, Asia, and North America. The lion’s mane mushroom was given its name because of its distinctive tendrils and strands that cascade from the mushroom cap. Other names for this mushroom are “the smart mushroom”, “monkey head mushroom”, “pom-pom mushroom”, “bearded tooth mushroom”, and others.
The lion’s mane mushroom is typically found growing on the trunks of dead or injured hardwood trees, or fallen logs. Unlike other mushroom varieties, lion’s mane likes to grow up high – sometimes more than 40 feet in the air. For centuries, the lion’s mane mushroom has been an integral part of traditional Chinese herbal practices and cuisine. Nowadays, Western society is realizing the benefits of lion’s mane for promoting overall health, and more and more people are adding lion’s mane supplements to their daily rituals.
Why Should You Introduce Lion’s Mane To Your Diet?
There are several mental and physical health benefits to introducing lion’s mane supplement into your diet, as the supplement promotes balance in both mental and physical health:
- Promotes mental clarity, focus, and memory by offering nourishment to our neurons and cerebral system
- It may help to promote beneficial gut bacteria for a healthy immune response
- May support your body’s natural ability to combat occasional stress or low mood
There are many reasons to consider implementing a lion’s mane supplement in your daily routine. You can consume lion’s mane supplements in many ways, and the rest of this post will help you to choose a lion’s mane supplement that will be the best fit for you.
How Can You Consume Lion’s Mane?
If you’ve decided to implement lion’s mane in your daily rituals – good for you! Now, let’s discuss the different ways you can take the lion’s mane mushroom.
Powder
If you’re a fan of a delicious morning smoothie or nighttime moon milk, you might consider opting for the best lion’s mane powder. You can easily incorporate lion’s mane mushrooms into your favorite beverages in powder form. Consuming lion’s mane mushroom in powder form allows you to receive the benefits quickly, as your stomach will easily digest and absorb the liquid.
Lion’s mane powder comes in many different flavors, allowing you to choose the right flavor for your smoothies, protein shakes, or moon milk. The best lion’s mane powder will be the one that suits the flavor profile of your usual beverages.
Capsules Or Tablets
If you’re looking for a way to take your lion’s mane mushroom extract without fuss or hassle, then capsules or tablets might be the right choice. Lion’s mane capsules may take a little longer to get into your system, but you’ll be able to get your lion’s mane dosage quickly and conveniently.
One of the major benefits of taking lion’s mane supplements in capsule form is that you don’t have to deal with any unpleasant flavor – simply swallow the pill with a glass of water and enjoy the benefits.
Gummies
Gummies are a fun and great way to get your daily dosage of lion’s mane mushrooms. You can get mushroom gummies in various flavors – all tailored to provide you with different results. The options you can choose from include:
- Energy – these gummies are curated to get you through the day with energy and vigor. You can use these gummies to support alertness, athletic function, and metabolism.
- Calm – these gummies are tailored to encourage relaxation and support restoration from occasional stress. These gummies also balance immune function and cardiovascular health.
- Focus – these gummies are filled with ingredients that will help you achieve more mental clarity throughout your day. The focus gummies support a healthy gut, promote cerebral and cognitive health, and balance your nervous system.
Gummies are a fun way to take your lion’s mane extract and enjoy a delicious flavor!
Liquids And Tinctures
Like the lion’s mane powder, you can use liquids and tinctures to add lion’s mane mushrooms to your usual beverages. You can incorporate lion’s mane into your usual morning cup of coffee or tea, protein shake, smoothie, or oatmeal.
Or, if you’d prefer, you can simply apply the liquid or tincture underneath your tongue using the handy pipette. Since there are many blood vessels and capillaries underneath your tongue, the lion’s mane mushroom extracts will absorb into your bloodstream quickly.
Tips To Purchase Lion’s Mane
If you’ve decided which lion’s mane product you’re interested in, you need to look for a reputable lion’s mane extract provider that will offer you the best lion’s mane supplements on the market.
Read The Labels
You need to know exactly what’s in the lion’s mane product you’re buying. If you have any allergies, you must ensure that the gummies or powders you’re buying don’t contain ingredients that could spark an allergic reaction.
To find the best lion’s mane supplement, you should look for lion’s mane products that contain low levels of starch, and high levels of beta-glucans, as these will be the highest quality products. Also look for organic lion’s mane mushrooms without fillers, heavy metals, or pesticides.
Avoid Products That Lack Information About The Mushroom Extract
The quality of lion’s mane mushrooms matters. If the product lacks information about mushroom extracts, you should avoid purchasing this product. Look for USDA-certified organic, non-GMO, and ethically sourced lion’s mane mushrooms. You should also ensure that no artificial colors or flavors are used in its production.
Always Find Trusted Sources For Buying Lion’s Mane
If you’re unsure whether a company is trustworthy and competitively priced, you should compare several companies. If you look at several different companies, you will gauge which products are priced too high and which are priced too low (which could indicate that their products are of low quality). Also, check reviews from independent sources to see what customers are saying about the company.
You should also check whether the products have been tested and approved. All powders, tinctures, and gummies the company sells should be analytically tested to prove that the products contain beneficial compounds.
FAQ
In case you have any more questions about the beautiful lion’s mane mushrooms, take a look at our FAQs!
Is It Safe To Take Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane mushrooms are generally regarded as safe as long as you stick to the recommended daily dose. Before taking any mushroom supplement, consulting your primary health practitioner is always recommended.
Does Lion’s Mane Get You High?
No. Lion’s mane does not make you high. Hallucinogenic mushrooms (the ones that do make you high) contain a compound called psilocybin, which is the ingredient that causes psychoactive effects. The lion’s mane mushrooms do not have psilocybin, which is why they are not hallucinogenic or mind-altering. So, if you’re worried that a lion’s mane might impair your mental function, don’t worry, it’s the exact opposite!
Is There Anyone Who Should NOT Take Lion’s Mane?
Lion’s mane is usually very safe to ingest. It is always a good idea to talk with your primary health practitioner before taking any supplements if you have any doubts.
Can You Take Lion’s Mane Every Day?
Yes! You should take it daily to receive the health benefits of lion’s mane powder, gummies, or tinctures. As long as you stick to the daily recommended dosage, it is perfectly safe – and even beneficial – to take lion’s mane every day.
How Much Lion’s Mane Can I Take?
Lion’s mane overdoses are effectively unheard of. However, it’s always best to follow the dosage instructions on the label for the best results. This is the best way to ensure the maximum health benefits to your immune system and brain function by this valuable mushroom.
How Long Does It Take For Lion’s Mane To Act In The Body?
Lion’s mane does not take long to act in the body, therefore you can start to feel the effects in as little as 2-5 days of regular use up to 1 month.
Can I Experience Withdrawal If I Stop Taking Lion’s Mane?
No. Unlike other nootropics, lion’s mane is not an addictive substance, and you will not experience withdrawal when you stop taking it.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many health benefits you can gain from incorporating lion’s mane mushroom supplements into your daily routine. Use our tips to find the best quality lion’s mane products made with only the purest ingredients.