Being distracted is one of the most frustrating things to deal with, especially if it’s developed into a notable personality trait. You don’t mean to lose your place in conversations and contemplate the nuances of life when other people are speaking, but you can’t argue that it hasn’t become a pest in every aspect of your life.
Don’t assume you have to submit yourself to an existence that is absent of focus forever, though. There are many ways to stimulate your brain and get the gears turning, so to speak.
From activities to boost cognitive function to the aid of external stimulants and supplements like lion’s mane, the methods to mitigate distraction are plenty. Bear in mind, however, the bane of individuality. Everyone lives different lives that are meaningful in their own unique ways, and it is the same with health. It is impossible to compare two people without taking into consideration their individual factors, and something that benefits one party might not do much for the other.
That’s why I want to give you the full breakdown of one particular killer of distraction: lion’s mane mushroom.
It’s a popular supplement that has notoriety for aiding brain function, which can help make you feel focused and ready to learn. Let’s get a deeper look into the science behind lion’s mane and the effects it can cause when taken as a supplement.
Continue reading to learn more about the following topics:
- What lion’s mane mushroom is
- The beneficial qualities of lion’s mane mushroom
- How taking lion’s mane mushroom supplements can boost your health
What is Lion’s Mane?
How this Mystical Mushroom Found its Fame
Known under the scientific name of Hericium erinaceus, Lion’s Mane mushroom is a fascinating fungus with a textured body that is light in color and stringy, reminiscent of a (you guessed it) lion’s mane.
It’s easy to recognize this peculiar mushroom in nature on account of its unusual appearance, which stands out in stark contrast to many other natural, less-flamboyant flora. And its odd looks aren’t the only remarkable characteristic – there are so many ways this mushroom can be of aid to your health.
The significance of the striking appearance of lion’s mane across different regions of the world is evident in the various monikers it is known by, among them being bearded tooth, pom pom mushroom, and the hedgehog mushroom. All of these titles allude back to the visible section of the fungus that is available above ground, referred to as the fruiting body.
Cultures around the world have made use of lion’s mane mushroom for medicinal purposes for centuries. Eastern civilizations like China, Korea, and Japan have been utilizing the effects of lion’s mane mushroom to treat certain health concerns and maladies for thousands of years before it gained notoriety in the west.
Lion’s mane continues to make an impact on modern medicine and is notable for its positive influence on brain function and neurological health. Once word of lion’s mane mushroom’s cognitive-enhancing effects spread, the health and wellness industry witnessed a dramatic increase in the demand of the so-called “smart” mushroom.
Now a staple item in the market of health supplements, lion’s mane mushroom is readily accessible and has the potential to boost your overall brain function. With this revitalized sense of focus, even tedious online classes can be conquered.
Stay Focused with Lion’s Mane
It’s easy to become bored of long, unengaging lectures filled by stale dialogue and muffled coughs, but your academic record depends on you to care about getting a good education. Still, focusing isn’t an inherently easy ability, and it can take a considerable amount of effort to retain concentration, especially in an online class.
It doesn’t have to be a constant struggle, though. There are plenty of tools available to you as a college student that have the potential to make you space out less and focus more.
Dietary supplements are one of those tools, and lion’s mane mushroom in particular possesses the nourishment your brain needs for optimal function.
Why It Works
Lion’s mane mushroom is a nootropic, meaning it has the ability to improve cognitive function when taken. Lion’s mane contains many bioactive compounds that occur in nature, including eranicines and hericinones – both associated with neurological benefits.
These nootropic compounds can cross the blood-brain barrier, which serves to protect the brain from harmful toxins. Once within, they stimulate the synthesis of certain chemicals (nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor) that can help improve neurological function.
Nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor are essential in promoting the normal functioning, growth, and repair of neurons. As vital parts of our brain and nervous system, it is integral that we keep our neurons healthy if we expect to have good cognitive function.
There is still much pertaining to lion’s mane mushroom that needs to be further researched, but current evidence looks promising. Many research studies have concluded that supplementing with lion’s mane can help support cognitive function and the regeneration of nerve cells in lab animals.
In contrast to animal testing, the effects of lion’s mane supplements in humans are more limited, but researchers have still determined that the compounds in lion’s mane support cognitive function and mood regulation. There is still much that remains to be discovered about the mechanisms of the bioactive compounds found in lion’s mane, with additional research taking place each day to be applied in the future.
Everything Lion’s Mane Mushroom Can Do For You
Though lion’s mane mushroom has the incredible potential to boost your neurological abilities and make it easier to concentrate on tasks that are otherwise difficult to pay attention to, the benefits do not stop there.
This superfood can do so much more for your health that goes beyond the brain. Even if you have no classes or exams to worry about, lion’s mane mushroom might still be of use.
Dementia
Due to the many neurological-related benefits of lion’s mane mushroom, it isn’t a far reach to reason that the fungus may have an effect on neurodegenerative disorders like dementia.
A study of older adults who experience mild cognitive impairment found improved symptoms as a result of lion’s mane supplementation. Taken daily for four months, participants experienced better mental functioning, though the benefits stopped when supplementation ended.
There is still a lot of research that needs to be done in order to fully understand the effects that lion’s mane has on dementia, but what we currently know is promising.
Heart Disease
Studies performed on rats and mice have found that the consumption of lion’s mane mushroom extract resulted in lower triglyceride levels and more efficient fat metabolism. Obesity and high triglyceride levels are both major risk factors of developing heart disease, which explains why lion’s mane mushroom can improve your heart health and decrease the likelihood of heart disease.
Large amounts of oxidized cholesterol and an increased blood clotting can also be contributing factors to heart disease, but lion’s mane even seems to help prevent their detrimental health effects.
Oxidized cholesterol can attach itself to artery walls, causing them to harden and upping your chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Lion’s mane mushroom can prevent cholesterol oxidation in the bloodstream and reduce risk of heart issues. The hercinone B compound in lion’s mane decreases the at which blood clots develop, further reducing the chances of developing serious health problems.
Immune System
Without a strong immune system, you’re left vulnerable to bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous, disease-causing pathogens. Lion’s mane can act as an immunity booster and ward off pathogens that have the potential to get you sick.
How does it work? Animal studies show that lion’s mane mushroom boosts activity of the intestinal immune system through inducing beneficial changes in the gut bacteria that stimulate the immune system.
Keep infectious diseases and pathogens at bay with the help of lion’s mane mushroom. Though we have yet to know everything, it is clear that the effects of lion’s mane are of use to preventing certain illnesses.
Depression and Anxiety
Many individuals from all over the world manage symptoms of depression and anxiety, and while some cases are worse than others, supplementing with lion’s mane mushroom may have the potential to mitigate mild symptoms with its anti-inflammatory effects.
Chronic inflammation can be a major contributing factor to depression and anxiety, so taking lion’s mane to subdue inflammation could be an extremely useful tool.
It is also worth mentioning that lion’s mane extract has been found to regenerate brain cells and improve the functioning of the hippocampus, which is the section of the brain that processes memories and emotional responses. This may also lead to a reduced amount of anxious or depressive behaviors.
Other Potential Benefits Worth Mentioning
- Protect against ulcers developing in the digestive tract
- Help manage symptoms of diabetes
- May possibly aid in fighting cancer
- Reduce oxidative stress and inflammation
- Speed up recovery from nervous system injuries
Are There Any Side Effects?
There is no evidence to suggest lion’s mane supplements cause any adverse side effects, and accounts that claim otherwise seem to be outliers. The only potential danger to be aware of when taking lion’s mane is experiencing an allergic reaction due to a mushroom allergy.
Some signs of an allergic reaction to be on the watch for consist of the following:
- Difficulty breathing
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin rash and hives
- Swelling of lips and airways
- Watery eyes and runny nose
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
A High Quality Lion’s Mane Mushroom Supplement
When shopping for a suitable supplement to add to your daily routine, it is important to consider the different options available and seek out a product with quality. There’s no use purchasing a supplement of lion’s mane mushroom that doesn’t generate the full range of benefits the fungus possesses, so don’t settle for second-best.
Get supplements constructed from natural ingredients that are beneficial to your well-being. When supplements contain the mycelium and fruiting body of lion’s mane, you receive all the benefits of the mushroom in one whole capsule. It’s important to know what makes a supplement worth your time and money, so stay in the loop and do your research.
My Lion’s Mane Mushroom Capsules serve as a functional, holistic option in the health supplement market. Increase memory, immunity health, and overall focus with the miraculous effects of this organically grown lion’s mane supplement. I’ve even taken the liberty to include BioPerine in my supplements as an absorption aid to enhance their effects and allow you to get the most out of my product.
Focusing doesn’t have to be a struggle, and your grades certainly don’t deserve to fall because it’s hard not to become distracted with online classes. Turn your academic life around with a lion’s mane mushroom supplement, increase your ability to focus on important lectures, and relish in all of the other amazing health benefits of this fantastic fungus.
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