Lion Mane ADHD: Does It Help?

What is a Lion's Mane?

The edible mushroom known as Lion's Mane belongs to the Hericiaceae family. It tends to occur in East Asian countries such as Japan and China. The fully grown mushroom is easily recognisable, characterised by several long, settling fleshy spines with a white hue. Traditionally, the use of lion's Mane as a herbal medicine has been well-documented in East Asian countries for its medicinal qualities. The lion's mane mushroom has a rich history of medicinal and culinary use in Asia and Europe. The use of medicinal mushrooms has been traced back to 450 BCE when the Greek physician Hippocrates made significant discoveries about their potential anti-inflammatory properties and ability to aid in wound cauterisation. Intriguingly, Lion's Mane thrives on old or dead broadleaf tree trunks. Seasonally, broadleaf trees shed their leaves and disperse their seeds using some vessel, often in the form of fruit.

The lion's Mane consists of two components: the mushroom, the visible fruiting body, and the mycelium, a root-like structure located at the bottom. Potentially health-promoting substances are present in the fruiting body and the root-like mycelium.

What is the Nutritional Composition of Lion's Mane?

The flavour of lion's mane mushrooms is frequently compared to seafood. Lion's mane mushrooms contain vitamins thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. They also contain essential minerals like manganese, zinc, and potassium.

Active Ingredients

The compounds found in Lion's Mane, specifically erinacines and hericenones, have been researched due to their potential neuroprotective properties. It is widely believed that these compounds stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), potentially contributing to nerve regeneration and plasticity. The constituents found in mushrooms support the supposed psychological and neurosupportive effects.

What are the Health Benefits of Lion's Mane?

The lion's mane mushroom has several potential advantages for mental, cognitive, and physical health. Mushrooms are known for being a rich source of natural bioactive compounds and beneficial chemicals frequently found in specific foods and plants. Consequently, it showcases properties that combat diseases such as cancer, microbes, and oxidative damage. Research indicates that the lion's Mane has the potential to safeguard nerves against disease or decline. Furthermore, this mushroom exhibits various other health-promoting advantages, including: 

1. It helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.
2. Helps lower elevated blood pressure levels
3. Encourages normal energy levels and fights exhaustion
4. Assists in the prevention of excessive accumulation of blood lipids
5. Supports cardiovascular well-being
6. It slows the process of biological ageing and helps maintain general wellness.
7. It also protects the liver and kidneys.

What Causes ADHD?

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that impacts people of all ages, although it is commonly identified during childhood. ADHD is characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which drastically affect an individual's functioning in school, work, or social settings. ADHD is a multifaceted condition with various causes, such as genetic factors, environmental factors, and brain chemistry. Inattention in ADHD manifests as challenges in maintaining focus, a tendency to forget things, and a propensity to get easily sidetracked. On the other hand, signs of hyperactivity are restlessness, constant fidgeting, and an inability to remain seated for extended periods. Symptoms of impulsivity include talking over other people, answering questions without considering the repercussions, and interrupting them.

Impacts on Brain Activity

One of the most essential topics everyone reads about Lion's Mane is its impact on protecting and improving the brain. Certain chemical compounds in the fruit bodies and mycelium cause these effects. These two are known as hericenones and erinacines and are tiny molecules capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier. One possible mode of action is the augmentation of the impact on the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF). Its roles include promoting and maintaining the survival of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems.

After this, it is also important to note that NGF influences the immune and hormonal systems of the body. If Lion's Mane is supplemented into the diet, then its impact on the myelin part of the human brain is likely to be positive as regards the part that has to do with the brain. The neuroprotective effect of Lion's Mane extract is attributable to the antioxidant property present in the Lion's Mane extract in the brain. Lion's Mane extracts have been seen to positively affect the brain in several aspects, which is why they are used to improve brain functioning or treat specific conditions.

It has been established that Lion’s Mane fungus  improves the synthesis of a protein called Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). Lower levels of BDNF have been associated with mood disorders and these are mostly evident in those that are exposed to chronic stress. Exercise also boosts the level of BDNF and this leads to the inference that there is; a link between the benefits accruing from the consumption of functional mushrooms and exercise.

Lion's Mane is an herbal medicine that may have therapeutic benefits for dementia. In general, it has been considered a vital treatment for dementia, and the first clinical trials that have included it as a treatment option have been quite positive. Overall, the patients' FIM scores increased, and the disease progression was slower than in the control group. Recently, a few studies have provided some insights about the possibility of using Lion's Mane to address ADHD. It has been claimed that Lion's Mane strictly boosts cognitive functions by stimulating the synthesis of nerve growth factor.

There is evidence emerging that Lion's Mane improves brain function so that it can be used in conjunction with the standard protocols for ADHD. However, as this research also demonstrates, more needs to be done to establish whether Lion's Mane helps in the management of ADHD. This means there is a need for more clinical research to get more precise information and answers.

Lion's Mane: Possible Advantages of ADHD

In fact, there are benefits for anyone with Lion's Mane, irrespective of the diagnosed condition being ADHD. Although these benefits are quantified, one states that these are pretty substantial.

Enhanced intellectual function:

Science also supports the idea that Lion's mane mushrooms enhance and sharpen focus, concentration, and working memories in youthful adults. This could be especially helpful to learners diagnosed with ADHD, who struggle with attention and memory.

Decreased inflammation:

Lion's Mane is also specifically known to help ease inflammation, which is a component that is believed to be responsible for some of the symptoms seen in ADHD, as well as general cognitive decline.

Enhanced nerve growth factor (NGF):

This substance is nerve growth factor that has been upgraded to increase the efficiency of nerve regrowth.

Some substances found in lion's Mane are Herceptin and Francine, which enhance the secretion of the protein NGF. NGF is vital in the advancement and sustenance of neurons in the human brain. Specifically, an increased level of NGF could increase neuronal growth and repair within the brain, which improves one's cognitive function and possibly has a bearing on ADHD symptoms.

Neurotransmitter modification:

The three cholinergic receptors, Receiver operating characteristic (ACh), Dopamine, and Phosphodiesterase-4, are all heavily involved in cognitive function. A Lion's Mane boosts these receptors. People with ADHD benefit from this in several ways, including in areas related to concentration, focus, and attitude.

How to use Lion's Mane?

Currently, there is no record of high toxicity in the consumption of lion's mane mushrooms, thus affirming that they are edible mushrooms. These items are consumed in different forms and conditions, including raw, cooked, dried, and even soaked. If consumed in its unprocessed state, the texture and flavor of this edible mushroom are said to be similar to seafood, especially crab or even lobster, only that it is quite chewy.

Of course, there are some negative aspects of taking fresh lion's mane mushrooms and one of them is that fresh ones can be bought in local stores or supermarkets. But recently, the supplements from Lion's Mane have become very common. It is possible to get the supplements in tablet form, capsule, powder, and potion form. People are generally encouraged to try a lower dose first while taking Lion's Mane supplement with foods known to enhance its absorbability. However, it is advisable that one must consult their doctor before taking any of these supplements. Secondly, if they are new to the product, they must read the label on the particular supplement as they indicate the correct way of using it.

What are the Side effects of Lion's Mane?

Very few side effects have been noted to occur after using lion's mane mushroom supplements. Among the possible adverse effects are: They include:

1. Distressed abdomen
2. Severe nausea
3. Acute diarrhoea
4. Skin rash (It has been used by applying topically in the form of an ointment, gel or cream)

Conclusive evidence shows that lion's mane mushroom does not negatively impact human health, and those who consume it do not suffer from any side effects; this shows that the mushroom can be taken in moderate amounts without causing any damage to the body.

People Also Ask

How long does it usually take for Lion’s mane to improve the symptoms of ADHD?

Lion’s mane works by promoting the process of neurogenesis that enhances the cognitive functions. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. The time taken for lion’s mane mushroom to improve the symptoms of ADHD varies due to its dependency on factors such as the affected individual and the severity of condition. Some individuals may report improvement in their ability to focus and concentrate for longer than usual along with improved memory within a few weeks of regular use. Some others may may take longer than this and experience little side effects in the initial weeks of its use.

What is the recommended dosage of Lion’s mane for the management of ADHD?
The recommended dosage of Lion’s mane for the management of ADHD often ranges from 500 mg to 3000 mg. This range of dosage depends on the supplemental form and individual health needs and goals. It is often advised to start with a lower dose and consult a healthcare expert to tailor the dosage gradually according to the individual health conditions.

Conclusion

The edible mushroom known as Lion's Mane belongs to the Hericiaceae family. The fully grown mushroom is easily recognisable, characterised by several long, settling fleshy spines with a white hue. Lion's Mane thrives on old or dead broadleaf tree trunks. The lion's Mane consists of two components: the mushroom, the visible fruiting body, and the mycelium, a root-like structure located at the bottom. Potentially health-promoting substances are present in the fruiting body and the root-like mycelium. The compounds found in Lion's Mane, specifically erinacines and hericenones, have been researched due to their potential neuroprotective properties and found to stimulate the production of nerve growth factors. Science also supports the idea that Lion's mane mushrooms enhance and sharpen focus, concentration, and working memories in youthful adults.

The lion's mane mushroom has several potential advantages for mental, cognitive, and physical health. Mushrooms are known for being a rich source of natural bioactive compounds and beneficial chemicals frequently found in specific foods and plants. Furthermore, this mushroom exhibit various other health-promoting advantages, including maintain stable blood sugar levels, helps lower elevated blood pressure levels, encourages normal energy levels and fights exhaustion, assists in the prevention of excessive accumulation of blood lipids, supports cardiovascular well-being, protects the liver and kidneys, slows the process of biological ageing and helps maintain general wellness.

Certain chemical compounds in the fruit bodies and mycelium of lion’s mane cause neuroprotective and neuroprotective effects. These two are known as hericenones and erinacines and are tiny molecules capable of passing through the blood-brain barrier. One possible mode of action is the augmentation of the impact on the nerve growth factor. Its roles include promoting and maintaining the survival of neurones in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The neuroprotective effect of Lion's Mane extract is attributable to the antioxidant property present in the Lion's Mane extract in the brain. Lion's Mane extracts have been seen to positively affect the brain in several aspects, which is why they are used to improve brain functioning or treat specific conditions.