The first study of its kind to examine the effects of lion’s mane on cognitive performance in healthy subjects was published at the end of last year in the journal Nutrients. This unique investigation measured the acute benefits of lion’s mane and guayusa extract on objective cognitive performance, subjective cognitive perception and self-perceived happiness in low to moderate caffeine consumers. Guayusa is native to the Amazon rainforest and harvested primarily in Ecuador. Its leaves are typically brewed to make tea and touted for their caffeine and antioxidant content. The study takes a significant step towards understanding lion's mane's more immediate cognitive advantages for healthy adults in as little as 60 minutes post-ingestion. This research challenges the prevailing belief that lion's mane can only provide more long-term, chronic benefits (i.e. 30 to 60 days use). This study has also contributed to understanding the effects of lion’s mane on healthy adults, whereas most other studies so far have investigated its effects on participants with cognitive impairments and have shown benefits towards neurodegenerative diseases, while only a few have examined cognitive performance in healthy adults, and none have investigated the acute (i.e. single dose) cognitive effects.
Using a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design the study involved 40 participants who were given a single dose of 650mg of guayusa extract, or 1mg of lion’s mane, or the placebo (maltodextrin), and were assessed before ingesting the dose, one hour after ingestion and two hours after ingestion. The assessments included neuropsychological tests, vital signs and subjective assessments of cognitive perception and mood, including “mental clarity, focus, concentration, anxiety/stress and happiness.”
According to the results of the study, participants who ingested the lion’s mane extract demonstrated improved working memory, complex attention and reaction time two hours post ingestion and perceptions of happiness over a two-hour period. Guayusa significantly improved mental clarity, focus, concentration, mood and productivity. It also raised participants’ blood pressure, and significantly improved cognitive performance and self-perceived cognitive indices of affect over a two-hour period and perceptions of happiness two hours post ingestion. Interestingly, guayusa did not increase the sensation of jitters that have been commonly reported with caffeine. Lion’s mane and guayusa improved subjective ratings of “happiness compared to peers” and “getting the most out of everything” however, this occurred earlier in lion’s mane (i.e. one hour post ingestion).
The researchers concluded by saying “although this study shows that continuous intake of lion’s mane is not necessary to stimulate positive cognitive benefits, a longer duration or higher doses of lion’s mane use may be needed to remodel nerve structures in the brain and potentially provide even greater effects acutely and/or chronically. In addition, the antioxidant effects of lion’s mane and [guayusa] may provide additional health benefits or more consistent improvements in cognition with chronic use.”
References
McEvoy E. Proprietary lion’s mane extract shown to improve cognitive function in recent study. Nutritional Outlook c2024 MJH Life Sciences (updated 31 Jul 2024;accessed 6 Aug 2024). Available from https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/proprietary-lion-s-mane-extract-shown-to-improve-cognitive-function-in-recent-study
La Monica MB, Raub B, Ziegenfuss EJ, Hartshorn S, Grdic J, Gustat A, Sandrock J, Ziegenfuss TN. Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion's Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance. Nutrients. 2023 Dec 6;15(24):5018. doi: 10.3390/nu15245018. PMID: 38140277; PMCID: PMC10745489.
Add new comment