Inflammation can have a significant impact on brain health and the nervous system. Chronic inflammation in the brain has been linked to various neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and depression. Inflammation can cause damage to brain cells, disrupt the communication between nerve cells, and cause a decline in cognitive function.
In addition, inflammation can also affect the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, which is a protective barrier that separates the brain from the rest of the body and helps to regulate the exchange of substances between the blood and the brain. A breakdown in this barrier can allow harmful substances to enter the brain and cause damage.
Therefore, reducing inflammation in the brain and the nervous system can help to prevent the onset and progression of neurological disorders, maintain brain function, and protect against the negative effects of inflammation.
Studies have shown that Lion's Mane has anti-inflammatory properties in different parts of the body.
One study investigated the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of Lion's Mane both in the lab and in living organisms and found that it reduced the production of pro-inflammatory molecules and protected nerve cells from damage.[1]
Another study showed that polysaccharides extracted from the mushroom had anti-inflammatory effects by decreasing pro-inflammatory molecule production and modulating two key inflammation signaling pathways.[2]
A third study with obese mice found that supplementing their diet with Lion's Mane reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in both the liver and brain, indicating its potential benefits for conditions involving inflammation and oxidative stress, particularly in the context of obesity.[3]
References
[1] “Anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects of the Lion's Mane medicinal mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Higher Basidiomycetes), in vitro and in vivo studies" (Wang et al., 2018)
[2] "Hericium erinaceus polysaccharides exhibit anti-inflammatory activity via MAPK and NF-κB pathways in vitro and in vivo" (Li et al., 2018)
[3] “Lion's Mane Mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) Attenuates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in the Liver and Brain of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice" (Zhu et al., 2016)