Can you take Lion's Mane and Cordyceps together?

Cordyceps is our specialty. It's what we do. It's our base, our home, our rock. However, our love for the fungi kingdom extends beyond Cordyceps. We appreciate the entire natural world, which is why our line of specialty tinctures incorporates the best extracts nature has to offer, enhancing the powerful effects of Cordyceps.

We believe there is an entire unexplored world to uncover with Cordyceps, so while we stay rooted in our expertise, we also explore other remarkable mushrooms. This week, we're spotlighting another exceptional mushroom: Lion's Mane.

Currently, the only other non-Cordyceps mushroom we use in our products is Lion's Mane -- featured in our "Dial-In" Tincture. The Cordyceps - Lion's Mane combination brings out the best in both mushrooms, creating a synergistic effect that supports cognitive function, energy, and overall well-being.

What is Lion's Mane

The scientific name for Lion's Mane is Hericium erinaceus. This functional mushroom is renowned for its distinctive appearance and significant health benefits, particularly in cognitive function, mood enhancement, nerve growth factor production, and neuroprotection. Like Cordyceps, Lion's Mane is full of beneficial compounds such as glycoproteins, polysaccharides, and sterols. The two bioactive compounds most commonly contributed to Lion's Mane therapeutic effects are hericenones and erinacines.

Hericenones

Hericenones are small molecules that can cross the blood-brain barrier and directly enhance the production of nerve growth factor (NGF). These compounds, commonly found in the fruiting body of Lion's Mane, activate NGF gene expression in brain cells, leading to an increase in NGF levels. Higher levels of NGF support the maintenance and protection of existing neurons and promote neurogenesis, the growth of new neurons. Neurogenesis is essential for learning, memory, and overall cognitive function.

Erinacines

Erinacines are a type of diterpenoid compound found in the mycelium of Lion's Mane. Diterpenoids are chemical compounds composed of four isoprene units, each consisting of five carbon atoms (C₅H₈). These compounds are known for their diverse biological activities. Erinacines are particularly effective at stimulating the synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) by interacting with receptors and signaling pathways that regulate NGF production. They also exhibit antioxidant properties, protecting neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation. The increased NGF production and neuroprotective effects of erinacines support cognitive functions, such as memory and learning, and may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases.

Combined Benefits of Hericenones and Erinacines

The combination of hericenones and erinacines, found in different parts of the Lion's Mane mushroom, offers a powerful synergy for cognitive health and neuroprotection. Hericenones, primarily located in the fruiting bodies, and erinacines, found in the mycelium, work together to enhance nerve growth factor (NGF) production more effectively than either compound alone. Hericenones help activate NGF gene expression in brain cells, while erinacines interact with receptors and signaling pathways to boost NGF levels significantly. This dual action supports the maintenance and protection of existing neurons and promotes neurogenesis, the growth of new neurons. The antioxidant properties of erinacines further protect neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation. Together, these compounds improve cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and overall mental clarity, and may help prevent neurodegenerative diseases, making Lion's Mane a potent natural remedy for brain health.

Combining Lion's Mane and Cordyceps: Synergistic Benefits

Combining Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and Cordyceps militaris creates a potent synergy that may enhance cognitive function, neuroprotection, and overall well-being. Both mushrooms contain bioactive compounds that individually promote brain health, and can amplify each other's effects when used together.

Lion's Mane and Cordyceps militaris for Cognitive Enhancement

Lion's Mane is renowned for its ability to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) production, primarily due to compounds like hericenones and erinacines. These compounds support neurogenesis, the growth of new neurons, and enhance cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and focus. Cordyceps militaris, on the other hand, has been shown to improve cognitive performance and protect against neuronal damage. This 2019 study showed that Cordyceps militaris can ameliorate cognitive impairment and provide neuroprotection against ischemia-induced neuronal death in a mouse model. By combining these two mushrooms, you leverage the NGF-stimulating effects of Lion's Mane with the neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing properties of Cordyceps militaris, resulting in a comprehensive approach to enhancing brain function.

Enhanced Neuroprotection

Both Lion's Mane and Cordyceps militaris exhibit strong neuroprotective properties. Lion's Mane, through its ability to promote NGF synthesis, helps maintain and repair neurons, protecting the brain from age-related decline and neurodegenerative diseases. Cordyceps militaris contributes to this protective effect with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which shield neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, Cordyceps militaris has been shown to modulate the immune system, providing an extra layer of protection against neuronal damage. When combined, these mushrooms create a robust defense system for the brain, enhancing resilience against various forms of cognitive decline and supporting long-term brain health.

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Incorporating Lion's Mane and Cordyceps militaris into your wellness regimen offers a powerful combination of cognitive enhancement and neuroprotection. The unique bioactive compounds in these mushrooms work synergistically to promote neurogenesis, protect against neuronal damage, and improve overall brain function. By leveraging the strengths of both Lion's Mane and Cordyceps militaris, you can support memory, learning, focus, and mental clarity while safeguarding your brain from age-related decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

All mistakes and missed citations from this article are a fault of mine and mine alone.

Be your best,

Johnny

References and Further Reading

Friedman, M. (2015). Chemistry, nutrition, and health-promoting properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion's Mane) mushroom fruiting bodies and mycelia and their bioactive compounds. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(32), 7108-7123

Kim, Y. O., Kim, H. J., Abu-Taweel, G. M., Oh, J., & Sung, G. H. (2019). Neuroprotective and therapeutic effect of Cordyceps militaris on ischemia-induced neuronal death and cognitive impairments. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 26(7), 1352-1357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2018.08.011.

Ma, B. J., Shen, J. W., Yu, H. Y., Ruan, Y., Wu, T. T., Zhao, X. S., & Yan, L. (2010). Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis in Hericium erinaceus. Mycology, 1(2), 92-98.

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For those interested in exploring the scientific basis of cordyceps benefits further, reputable sources such as PubMed and Google Scholar offer a wealth of research articles and studies on the topic.

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