Life

Nature’s remedy for optimal brain health: What is the Mushroom Lions Mane and why should I take it?

Ageing is part of life, but what if we could slow down the decline of degeneration and increase our brain’s longevity by supporting our brain health, and lowering our risks of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease? Dementia is often thought to be a specific disease, but it’s actually an umbrella term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia with vascular dementia being the second, whereby vascular dementia is caused by impaired blood flow to the brain. Many people believe that Alzheimer’s disease starts when people begin to have symptoms of memory loss, when in fact, it starts decades earlier, in our 30s and 40s. Alzheimer’s disease can manifest itself from various sources: amyloid or tau protein depositions, vascular damage or chronic inflammation; and whilst there is a genetic predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease, the UK’s Alzheimer’s Society has recognised that 99 in 100 cases of Alzheimer’s disease are not inherited; instead, our lifestyle factors play a bigger role in the contribution to neurodegenerative diseases. Whilst this statement can seem very alarming, there is also something incredibly empowering about knowing that we can potentially prevent cognitive decline through our lifestyle and through knowledge.

 

BDNF – the potential key to longevity

Neurodegeneration refers to the nerve cells in the brain or peripheral nervous system losing function over time and ultimately dying, which can lead to a whole body of cognitive complications. Neurotrophins are a family of proteins that ensure the survival, development, and function of neurons. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that is an important protein implicated in long-term memory and a key molecule for human longevity and brain health, it has been described in a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, as well as psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and major depressive disorder. Research shows that higher serum levels of BDNF are linked to a reduced risk of dementia [1] and that because Alzheimer’s disease is due to degeneration, neurotrophic factors such as BDNF may help slow down the progression of this disease and serve as an optimising strategy for neurodegenerative disease prevention [2]. BDNF is also implicated in major depressive disorders, whereby dysfunction or decreased BDNF levels lead to deteriorated neuroplasticity which eventually leads to depression; thus, it is evident that BDNF plays a key role in moderating brain function and brain health.

BDNF is an interesting molecule because it is released during aerobic exercise; learning and cognitive stimulation; and more recently, a new body of evidence is starting to emerge on BDNF being increased through the supplementation of Lion’s Mane. A recent study that came out earlier this year [3] showed that both in vitro and in vivo mice studies confirmed that bioactive compounds in Lion’s Mane can cross the blood-brain barrier to elicit neuroprotective effects, resulting in significantly enhanced hippocampal memory and improved cognitive performance. A randomized controlled trial in humans [4] showed that Lions Mane supplementation versus placebo resulted in significantly improved cognitive functions and that it may pose as a convenient method for dementia prevention and hopefully depression too. We’re standing at the forefront of functional mushrooms, watching their benefits unfold right before us, and whilst it’s true that yes, we need human clinical trials to confirm the benefits in humans, it’s only a matter of time before we shift more of these studies across into the human lab.

Both Mind and Relax contain Lion’s Mane as a key ingredient, and therefore, incorporating this alongside a healthy lifestyle could synergistically propel you to optimal brain health:

  1. Exercise – increases BDNF.
  2. Cognitive Stimulation, such as learning and experiencing new things – increases BDNF.
  3. Sleep – lack of sleep impairs BDNF function.
  4. Cold and Heat Exposure – increases BDNF.
  5. Lion’s Mane Supplementation – increases BDNF.

 

Women holding PhD Relax

Relax

Relax nootropic capsules contain Ashwagandha alongside Lion’s Mane which is best known for its ability to reduce stress by reducing the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a system that is responsible for regulating your stress response. Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce levels of cortisol compared with those who took a placebo, alleviating symptoms of stress and anxiety in participants [5].

Folic acid, another ingredient in Relax is crucial for the nervous stem and it has been estimated that low levels of folic acid increase the risk of memory decline by about 90%

Folic acid has crucial functions in the nervous system and its necessity becomes more important in individuals in their later life. It has been estimated that low serum folic acid levels increase the risk of memory decline by about 90% [6]. Bacopa Monnieri Extract has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for memory improvement, and insomnia, and has also been used as an anxiolytic. The literature on Bacopa Monnieri is limited, but anecdotal evidence claims it has been used in the treatment of ADHD, possibly through its anxiolytic effects. Lastly, Tyrosine, another key ingredient in Relax, is an essential ingredient in the production of several neurotransmitters including norepinephrine and dopamine; both key molecules in the regulation of mood and a potential key regulator in depression, but this is yet to be confirmed in clinical trials. Tyrosine has also been shown to alleviate symptoms of sleep deprivation by improving concentration, working memory and cognitive flexibility, the ability to switch between tasks more easily [7].

Sometimes, we need to switch off to support our brain health, so that we can recover efficiently. The Relax capsules are the perfect blend to help you relax amidst the chaos; perfect for anyone who is looking to switch off from a busy life.

Person taking lid off PhD Mind tub

Mind

In a world where we are increasingly required to perform optimally and don’t always have the opportunity to rest properly, a supplement like Mind is invaluable. Curated to optimise mental performance, support cognitive functions, and reduce fatigue, Mind is a perfect blend of nootropics that can aid you in improving mental performance daily. In a busy and distracting world, Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to improve focus, memory and mental clarity, and there is even speculation that it could be an effective supplement in supporting ADHD medication [8], though the data on this is still limited, but nonetheless, a recommended nootropic for improved attention. Cocoa Seed Extract has been shown to be an effective stimulant without leaving you jittery and nervous, like caffeine sometimes can. Cocoa Seed Extract in combination with L-Tyrosine can get you in the perfect workflow, without the added nerves. The goal was to create something that keeps you alert and focused but doesn’t leave you feeling anxious and nauseous. Cognizin® Citicoline has been proven to be a valid treatment in patients with memory disorders. A meta-analysis [9] looked at the clinical studies involving the use of citicoline which prove that the biological actions of citicoline are able to restore cell structure in those with vascular dementia and improve neurotransmitter functions in those suffering from memory loss.

Mind is a great supplement for anyone that is looking to support their brain function to optimise their focus, mental agility and overall mental performance. Mind can help you reach a perfect workflow by supporting the cognitive functions and attentional networks required for alertness, whilst modulating your stress and anxiety levels.

It is evident that our brain health is extremely important in our longevity, supplementing with either of the two supplements, Relax and Mind, means you can support your cognition synergistically with a healthy lifestyle and help increase levels of BDNF due to the key ingredient Lion’s Mane that’s showing promising outcomes for our ageing brain. If you’re looking for a supplement that can support your brain health by helping you unwind and adapt to the physical and mental stress of everyday life, then Relax is the perfect supplement to enhance your mental well-being. Mind, on the other hand, is a powerful nootropic that can help you improve your daily performance. Personally, I would be taking Mind during the day and taking advantage of the Relax capsules after a busy day, but you may find a variation that works better for you.

 

References

  1. Weinstein, G., Beiser, A. S., Choi, S. H., Preis, S. R., Chen, T. C., Vorgas, D., Au, R., Pikula, A., Wolf, P. A., DeStefano, A. L., Vasan, R. S., & Seshadri, S. (2014). Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor and the risk for dementia: The Framingham Heart Study. JAMA Neurology, 71(1), 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaneurol.2013.4781
  2. Gao, L., Zhang, Y., Sterling, K., & Song, W. (2022). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor in Alzheimer’s disease and its pharmaceutical potential. Translational Neurodegeneration, 11(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40035-022-00279-0
  3. Martínez-Mármol, R., Chai, Y., Conroy, J. N., Khan, Z., Hong, S.-M., Kim, S. B., Gormal, R. S., Lee, D. H., Lee, J. K., Coulson, E. J., Lee, M. K., Kim, S. Y., & Meunier, F. A. (2023). Hericerin derivatives activates a pan-neurotrophic pathway in central hippocampal neurons converging to ERK1/2 signaling enhancing spatial memory. Journal of Neurochemistry. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15767
  4. Saitsu, Y., Nishide, A., Kikushima, K., Shimizu, K., & Ohnuki, K. (2019). Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus. Biomedical Research (Tokyo, Japan), 40(4), 125–131. https://doi.org/10.2220/biomedres.40.125
  5. Tandon, N., & Yadav, S. S. (2020). Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania Somnifera (Linn.) Dunal root in human ailments. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 255, 112768. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112768
  6. Akhgarjand, C., Ebrahimi Mousavi, S., Kalantar, Z., Bagheri, A., Imani, H., Rezvani, H., Ghorbi, M. D., & Vahabi, Z. (2022). Does folic acid supplementation have a positive effect on improving memory? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 14. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.966933
  7. Jongkees, B. J., Hommel, B., Kühn, S., & Colzato, L. S. (2015). Effect of tyrosine supplementation on clinical and healthy populations under stress or cognitive demands—A review. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 70, 50–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2015.08.014
  8. Niederhofer, H. (2010). Ginkgo biloba treating patients with attention-deficit disorder. Phytotherapy Research: PTR, 24(1), 26–27. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.2854
  9. Fioravanti, M., & Buckley, A. E. (2006). Citicoline (Cognizin) in the treatment of cognitive impairment. Clinical Interventions in Aging, 1(3), 247–251.