Your Cart is Empty
Mushroom teas, or shroom teas as they are known in popular culture, are not just a recent fad. Mushrooms have been used for years in Asian cuisine and medicine for their nutritional, medicinal, and mood boosting properties. Lion's mane mushroom is one such mushroom that has crossed over into the western hemisphere due to its anti-anxiety properties. Check out some of the most common lion's mane mushroom anxiety benefits.
This may not directly relate to lion's mane mushroom anxiety benefits, but it's still an important characteristic of the mushroom. One of the most common aspects of aging is a loss of cognitive function. This is caused by absence of two main factors:
Lion's mane mushroom stimulates the production of these two compounds, which in turn improve cognitive function by protecting brain cells from damage.
Lion's mane also helps eliminate amyloid plaques, which are responsible for the destruction of healthy brain cells, leading to loss of cognition. According to research, the NGF molecule is too large to cross the blood-brain barrier. Compounds in lion's mane mushroom, however, can cross this barrier and stimulate formation of NGF.
An emerging cause of loss of cognition due to age is cell damage by free radicals. Lion's mane mushroom contains powerful antioxidants which eliminate free radicals and prevent brain cell damage.
Antioxidants in lion's mane mushrooms also reduce inflammation, which improves blood flow in the brain. Improved flow of blood brings with it more oxygen, which is good for the health of brain cells. Healthy brain cells lead to better memory and focus.
Lion's mane mushroom also raises the levels of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which is associated with learning, focus, and memory. This slows down mental decline due to age.
One of the most popular lion's mane mushroom anxiety benefits is its mood boosting property. The mushrooms have a number of compounds that contribute to increased feelings of wellbeing after consuming them.
The compound amycenone is thought to be responsible for the antidepressant qualities of lion's mane mushrooms. It lowers inflammation, which is thought to be one of the causes of depression and anxiety.
Lion's mane mushrooms also promote the growth of nerves in the hippocampus region of the brain, which is the part that controls memory and emotions. This is a better way of controlling mood compared to influencing neurotransmitters, which is what most anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medications do.
Of course, mushrooms shouldn't replace anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication as they have only been shown to be useful for mild symptoms of anxiety and low moods.
Conditions like stroke cause damage to the nervous system, which needs to be repaired for wholesome recovery to take place. Lion's mane mushroom has been found to help with the repair and regeneration of damaged nerves.
A study done on mice that had undergone stroke found that lion's mane mushroom reduced inflammation and significantly reduced the damage inflicted on the brain cells by the stroke.
At face value, digestion doesn't seem to be remotely connected to mental health, but you will be surprised to know that it is. Recent research on the digestive system has led to it being nicknamed the body's "second brain" due to the interaction between friendly gut microbes and the central nervous system. As more research is done, it is becoming clearer that healthy gut bacteria are crucial to a healthy nervous system.
Lion's mane mushroom extract prevents cell and tissue damage in the gut by reducing inflammation. This helps prevent digestive disorders like Crohn's disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and ulcerative colitis.
The mushroom is also thought to protect against stomach ulcers caused by the bacteria H. pylori by inhibiting its growth. It's also been found to prevent the formation of alcohol-induced ulcers in the stomach without the usual side effects caused by anti-acidity drugs.
There is no doubt that fatigue is a big factor in our emotional and mental health. Sometimes all you need is extra energy for brain function to improve. The antioxidants in lion's mane mushroom lower inflammation, which leads to more physical energy. This good feeling spreads throughout the body and is an important contributor to mental health as well.
While this isn't exactly a lion's mane mushroom anxiety benefit, it's important for overall bodily health. The state of your body contributes greatly to your mental health, and if any part of the body is unwell, it will affect your mental well-being.
High levels of triglycerides in the body and obesity are major risk factors for heart disease. Lion's mane mushroom brings down triglyceride levels and improves the metabolism of fat, reducing the risk of obesity and the resulting heart problems that come with it.
Another major factor in heart disease is the oxidation of cholesterol present in the blood, which leads to hardening of arteries and an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Compounds in lion's mane mushrooms can prevent this by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol.
The compound hericenone B in the mushrooms also reduces the rates of blood clotting, which in turn reduces the likelihood of a stroke happening.
To get the most out of lion's mane mushroom anxiety benefits, you need to consistently include it in your diet. You can do this in a number of ways.
Life gets rich and this can upset your emotional and mental balance. Fortunately, lion's mane mushroom anxiety benefits are readily available in different forms.
