Mushroom Extract Shown to Dramatically Improve Brain-Cell Growth in The Lab

February 20, 2023 · MSN

Fungi have attracted attention in recent years for their potential in aiding our brains’ growth and functionality. And no, we’re not just talking about the psychedelic ones.

The lion’s mane mushroom, for one, has long had a reputation for various mental health benefits, with recent research supporting its potential in reducing risk for depression or limiting damage from Alzheimer’s disease.

In a new study conducted by an international team of scientists, researchers identified compounds in the lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) – an edible fungus species also known as yamabushitake or hou tou gu – that could boost nerve growth and enhance memory.

“Extracts from these so-called lion’s mane mushrooms have been used in traditional medicine in Asian countries for centuries, but we wanted to scientifically determine their potential effect on brain cells,” says lead author Frédéric Meunier from the Queensland Brain Institute.

The researchers isolated a compound from the lion’s mane mushroom known as N-de phenylethyl isohericerin, along with its hydrophobic derivative called hericene A, and tested their effects on cultured neurons from rat embryos.

The extracts had a “clear neurotrophic effect,” they write, resulting in doubly long axons – the threadlike links that conduct impulses away from a neuron – and more than triple the number of neurites, or small projections from a neuron that can grow into fully functional axons or dendrites.

“Laboratory tests measured the neurotrophic effects of compounds isolated from Hericium erinaceus on cultured brain cells, and surprisingly we found that the active compounds promote neuron projections, extending and connecting to other neurons,” Meunier says.

“Using super-resolution microscopy, we found the mushroom extract and its active components largely increase the size of growth cones,” he adds, “which are particularly important for brain cells to sense their environment and establish new connections with other neurons in the brain.” (Full Story)

Next Post

John Oliver’s Makes The Case For Psychedelic Assisted Therapy On ‘Last Week Tonight’

John Oliver is back on “Last Week Tonight” and is once again taking a deep dive into a very intriguing topic: the potential benefits of psychedelic assisted therapy. The show, which aired on Sunday, delves into the history of psychedelics and its potential…
Read
Previous Post

Washington Senators Strip Psilocybin Bill Of Major Provisions, With Advocates Blaming Governor

A Washington State Senate committee approved a massive overhaul to a psilocybin services bill on Thursday, gutting sections that would have legalized use of the psychedelic drug by adults—and reform advocates in the state are blaming the governor for being behind…
Read
Random Post

Dutchie admits ‘failures’ on 4/20, promises payout to marijuana retailers

A “series of cascading failures” was responsible for Dutchie’s e-commerce platform outage that impacted marijuana retailers on 4/20, the company admitted. As a make-good, Dutchie CEO Tim Barash promised to pay out retailers that use the Oregon-based cannabis tech platform “an amount equivalent…
Read
Random Post

Ole Miss To Offer Masters Degree Program for Medical Cannabis, Supplements

The University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss, will begin offering a masters degree program for medical cannabis research. According to the Mississippi Clarion-Ledger, Ole Miss will begin offering the program in late 2024. The online-only program through the Ole…
Read
Random Post

Hemp Growers, Manufacturers Sue Alaska Over THC Ban

A group of Alaska hemp growers and manufacturers has filed a lawsuit against the state challenging its new hemp regulations, arguing that they are unconstitutional and contrary to federal law. The new rules, which were approved in October and went…
Read
Random Post

The Cannabis vs. Viagra Debate - Which is Better for Sexual Health?

Viagra is the brand name of sildenafil, a class of drugs that are designed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Men who suffer from ED struggle with starting and maintaining their erections. Depending on the case, it may be a short-term…
Read