Lion’s mane mushrooms have many proven benefits for your body and mind, but can they really reduce symptoms of multiple sclerosis? 

Research seems to suggest that the answer is yes. 

After reading through the clinical trials on the lion's mane mushroom and multiple sclerosis, we can confidently say that lion's mane appears to alleviate symptoms of this progressive disease.

And now for the finer details of how lion’s mane affects multiple sclerosis.

Article Jumplinks

What is multiple sclerosis?

What does lion's mane do for multiple sclerosis?

How can lion's mane alleviate symptoms of multiple sclerosis?

How much lion's mane should you take for multiple sclerosis?

How long does it take for lion's mane to work?

What is the best way to take lion's mane for multiple sclerosis?

What are Lion’s Mane Mushrooms?

The lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus), otherwise known as yamabushitake and the monkey head mushroom, is a medicinal fungus that’s been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.

The fungus grows in Europe, North America, and Asia, feeding off dead tree debris, as well as living trees. Although it’s been a staple in the East Asian diet since ancient times, researchers are just starting to look into the mechanisms behind the many benefits of lion’s mane.

Lion’s Mane Benefits

Research on the health benefits of lion’s mane indicates the mushroom has significant potential to promote neurite outgrowth and to prevent and repair nerve damage. Lion’s mane appears to alleviate dementia, depression and anxiety, and neuropathic pain, among other neurological effects. 

Hericium erinaceus seems to aid in:

• reducing anxiety and depression symptoms
• improving cognition
• protecting against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
• improves immune function
• reducing inflammation and nerve pains
• encouraging apoptosis of cancer cells
• reducing risk of heart diseases
• speeding recovery of nervous system injuries
• lowering blood sugar levels
• reducing symptoms of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis

Lion’s Mane Vitamins and Minerals

The lion's mane mushroom contains plenty of vitamins, including thiamin, biotin, niacin, folate, and vitamin B6. It also contains important minerals for health, such as:

• calcium
• iron
• phosphorous
• zinc
• potassium
• magnesium
• copper
• selenium
• manganese

Lion’s Mane Bioactive Compounds

In addition to vitamins and minerals, lion’s mane mushrooms contain bioactive compounds, such as:

• polysaccharides
• polypeptides
• beta-glucoxlan
• prebiotic fibers
• digestive enzymes
• hericenones
• erinacines

What is Multiple Sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis (MS, for short) is the most common demyelinating disease, meaning that the source of the symptoms lies in the progressive damage to the myelin sheath of nerves.

MS is a progressive disease that doesn’t have a cure as of yet, although many medications, as well as herbal remedies, can slow down the progression of the disease.

What is a Myelin Sheath?

A myelin sheath is an insulating layer that forms around nerve cells in the central nervous system, as well as the spinal cord.

These sheaths are mainly found on nerves that need to send quick electrical impulses to the brain, and they form, through the process of myelination, down the entire length of the nerve.

Myelin sheaths protect the nerves from electrical impulses generated by neurons that are in close proximity, and help the neuron they’re attached to send impulses more rapidly. 

Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

Symptoms of MS are caused by the inability of myelin sheaths to do their jobs due to damage. The immune system attacks neurons in the brain, which can cause a person with MS to experience the following symptoms:

• fatigue and weakness
• vision issues
• numbness, tingling, and mobility issues
• muscle spasms
• neuropathic pain
• weak bladder control and bowel issues
• libido problems
• mental health issues (especially anxiety, depression, mood swings, and irritability)
• issues with cognitive functions (problems focusing, thinking, and learning)

Is Lion’s Mane Good for Multiple Sclerosis?

Lion’s mane mushrooms show great promise when it comes to multiple sclerosis treatment, both anecdotally and scientifically.

Many people with MS notice an improvement in their symptoms once they start taking a lion’s mane mushroom extract. Dr. Terry Wahls, a medical professional who turned to medicinal mushrooms once she got diagnosed with MS, and her patients swear by its remyelination properties.

Although there are no human studies on the effects of lion’s mane on MS, a few animal studies looked at the effect of this medicinal mushroom on the myelination process.

For example, an in vitro animal study compared the myelination process in cells with a Hericium erinaceus extract to those without. Results show that the lion’s mane mushroom extract both caused the myelination process to start earlier and provided a higher rate of myelination.

Lion’s Mane May Alleviate Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis

People with multiple sclerosis often report that lion’s mane mushrooms reduced symptoms of their disease significantly. Here’s how these adaptogenic mushrooms can alleviate common MS symptoms:

Lion’s Mane Has the Potential to Ease Neuropathic Pain

Neuropathic pain is one of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Due to the myelin sheath damage, the nerves may send signals to your pain receptors, which can cause muscle spasms and acute pain. So, does lion’s mane help neuropathy? Medical news research seems to suggest so.

A few animal studies suggest that lion’s mane extract has the potential to alleviate neuropathic pain. For example, a 2015 study investigated the effects of Hericium erinaceus on alloxan-induced naturopathic pain in rats. The study concluded that the groups of animals treated with the mushroom showed fewer signs of oxidative stress caused by pain after 6 weeks of treatment.

Another animal study focused on the effects of Hericium erinaceus on neuropathic pain caused by a spinal nerve ligation in mice. The animals who were treated with a lion’s mane extract showed fewer signs of naturopathic pain and neuroinflammation than the control group.

Lion’s Mane Can Alleviate Depression and Anxiety

Multiple sclerosis affects mental health just as much as physical health, with anxiety and depression being the most common issues. Luckily, lion’s mane mushrooms show great potential when it comes to managing mild anxiety and depression.

A 2018 study investigated the effects of Hericium erinaceus on anxiety and depressive behaviors in mice. The results suggest that the medicinal mushroom reduced these behaviors by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis.

A Japanese human study came to a similar conclusion. In it, the participants took a psychological test that measured depressive behavior. Then, they were divided into two groups, one of which was given a lion’s mane supplement, while the other group was given a placebo. After 4 weeks, the group that was given the lion's mane supplement scored much lower on the test, meaning that they exhibited fewer depressive behaviors, than the control group.

Lion’s Mane Can Lessen Memory Issues

Multiple sclerosis can cause lesions to develop in the parts of the brain responsible for processing information, which can lead to memory loss and difficulty learning new skills. However, research suggests that, with regular use, lion’s mane may be able to lessen these symptoms of MS.

A Japanese study looked at the effects of Hericium erinaceus on peptide-induced memory and learning deficits in mice. Mice were fed a diet rich in lion’s mane for 23 days. The results show that the mushroom prevented the impairment of short-term and visual recognition memory caused by the peptides.

These findings suggest that Hericium erinaceus could prevent memory problems caused by diseases such as dementia and multiple sclerosis.

Lion’s Mane Can Help with MS Related Bowel Problems

People with progressive MS experience a plethora of bowel issues, from constipation to irritable bowel syndrome. According to research, the effects of lion’s mane on your bowels can be quite beneficial.

For example, a 2017 study examined the effects of lion’s mane mushrooms on inflammatory bowel disease. Results show that this medicinal mushroom relieved the symptoms of bowel inflammation by regulating the gut microbiota.

What We Can Conclude About Lion’s Mane and Multiple Sclerosis

Current research on using the lion's mane mushroom for multiple sclerosis shows promising results. Here’s what we know to date regarding Hericium erinaceus and multiple sclerosis:

1. According to animal studies, lion’s mane mushrooms show great promise as a natural way to manage MS, due to their remyelination properties.
2. Lion’s mane mushrooms can also alleviate various symptoms common for MS, such as anxiety and depression, memory issues, bowel problems, and neuropathic pain.
3. More human studies are needed to learn more about the underlying mechanisms of lion’s mane and its effects on MS.
4. Given that there is no downside to lion’s mane consumption, its relatively low cost, and high availability, it may make sense to include the medicinal mushrooms into one’s diet proactively.

Lion’s Mane Dosage Per Day for Multiple Sclerosis

If you’re using lion’s mane to manage MS, a higher dosage may be more beneficial. Some people with MS report taking 750 mg per day, while others take upwards of 1000 mg per day. Still, if you’re new to lion’s mane, you can always start with a lower dosage and work your way up over a few weeks.

What Time of Day Should You Take Lion’s Mane?

It’s best to take lion’s mane in the morning or early afternoon, as the mushroom can have a stimulating effect and may make you feel more focused and alert. You can take lion’s mane at night, but the stimulating abilities of the mushroom may make you feel restless.

How Long Does it Take for Lion’s Mane to Work?

It will take anywhere from two weeks to a few months for you to notice a difference in your symptoms. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t notice the benefits of lion’s mane immediately. Be persistent and take lion’s mane every day, and you’ll notice a difference before you know it.

Interested in Trying Lion’s Mane for Multiple Sclerosis?

If you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, there is no harm in including a lion’s mane supplement in your diet, and the benefits it could provide are vast. However, it’s important to make sure your supplements are of premium quality. 

Our Forij Superfood Granola is vegan, gluten-free, and contains a hyperconcentrated extract of lion’s mane, as well as chaga and cordyceps mushrooms. In a morning bowl of cereal, you get 10-15 times the nutrient density you would get in a regular mushroom powder, with none of the mushroom taste.

Lion’s Mane and Multiple Sclerosis FAQ

How much lion's mane is in Forij granola?

Forij granola uses a high-quality lion's mane mushroom extract made from whole medicinal mushrooms. Our dual extraction method extracts both water-soluble beta-glucans as well as alcohol-soluble triterpenes. Our decoction process breaks down indigestible chitin cell walls of the mushroom to get much more of these compounds out than ordinary processes do.

One serving of our granola provides 250 mg of hyperconcentrated lion's mane extract, which is eight times more concentrated than regular lion’s mane mushroom supplements. Therefore, you get as much potency as you would if you were taking a 2000 mg lion’s mane mushroom powder, all in one bowl of granola.

Does lion's mane cross the blood-brain barrier?

Yes, lion’s mane compounds can pass through the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier serves an important function, screening sensitive brain tissues from toxins carried in the blood. 

While protecting your brain from toxins, the blood-brain barrier also keeps out many beneficial substances as well.

However, hericenones and erinacines—bioactive compounds found in many adaptogenic mushrooms, including lion’s mane—can cross the blood-brain barrier quite easily.

These beneficial compounds stimulate nerve growth factors (NGF) that can provide many benefits, including brain injury protection, nerve regeneration (neurogenesis), and myelination.

Is lion's mane a blood thinner?

Lion’s mane mushrooms are anticoagulants, which means they decrease blood clotting. While the adaptogenic mushroom won’t act as a blood thinner on its own, it may aid in the blood-thinning properties of certain medications. Therefore, if you are on blood thinners, it’s best to consult your doctor before you start taking lion’s mane supplements.

Can lion's mane reverse brain damage?

Yes, research seems to suggest lion’s mane mushrooms can reverse brain damage. Hericium erinaceus has a protective effect on the brain. Research suggests that, in case of central nervous system nerve damage caused by a stroke or a progressive illness (such as Alzheimer's disease or MS), lion’s mane may be able to protect the brain.

Can you take lion’s mane with antidepressants?

Although anecdotal evidence suggests that it is safe to take lion’s mane with antidepressants, there is no research to back up that claim as of yet. Therefore, if you plan on taking lion’s mane in higher doses and you’re on antidepressants, make sure to consult with your physician or psychiatrist beforehand.

Can lion’s mane regenerate nerves?

Yes, studies suggest that lion’s mane shows the potential to regenerate nerves, and even create new neurons. The bioactive compounds found in the medicinal mushroom, hericenones and erinacines, stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF) proteins and the brain-derived neurotrophic factor production. The NGF proteins and BDNF, in turn, stimulate the creation of new neurons as well as the regeneration of existing ones.

Can you take a lion's mane mushroom and reishi mushroom together?

Yes, you can take lion’s mane mushrooms with any other type of medicinal fungus, including reishi and shiitake mushroom varieties. When it comes to adaptogenic mushrooms, the whole is always greater than the sum of its parts, so the benefits of reishi mushrooms can only be improved upon by taking them with lion’s make and vice versa.

Does lion’s mane work immediately?

If you take a lion’s mane supplement every day, you should start noticing some changes in two to three weeks. However, don’t get discouraged if you don’t see an immediate improvement in your symptoms and overall health. Keep taking daily supplements of the medicinal mushroom, and maybe even increase the amount you consume daily, and you’ll surely notice changes in a month or so.

What are the negative effects of lion's mane?

Lion's mane has no known side effects. Although no evidence based studies on the negative effects of Hericium erinaceus have been conducted, anecdotal evidence and centuries of use suggest that lion's mane is completely safe to consume, both as a food and as a dietary supplement.

What is the ideal lion's mane dosage for neuropathy?

Lion's mane appears to relieve neuropathic pain. To reap this benefit of lion's mane, take 500-1000 mg of Hericium erinaceus 1-3 times per day. Because the exact dosage will vary from person to person, you should experiment until you find the ideal lion's mane dosage for you.

What is the best mushroom for MS?

Lion's mane appears to be the best mushroom to treat MS. Though this fungus can't replace MS medication, it is a terrific natural remedy with proven abilities to alleviate multiple symptoms of this and many others neurological diseases.

When should you not take lion's mane?

Hericium erinaceus extract and supplements are generally safe for the majority of people. However, if you are allergic or sensitive to mushrooms, or if you have a history of mushroom allergies, lion's mane may be contraindicated for you. If you notice any signs of an allergic reaction (such as a skin rash or difficulty breathing), discontinue use of lion's mane and consult a doctor.

References:

1. Kolotushkina, E. V. (2003). The influence of Hericium erinaceus extract on myelination process in vitro - PubMed. PubMed. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12675022/
2. Yi, Z. (2015). Protective Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Hericium Erinaceus on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Neuropathic Pain in Rats. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/595480/
3. Yang, P. P. (2020). Effects of Hericium Erinaceus Mycelium Extracts on the Functional Activity of Purinoceptors and Peripheral Nerve Pain in Mice With L5 Spinal Nerve Ligation. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2020/2890194/
4. Ryu, S. (2018). Hericium erinaceus Extract Reduces Anxiety and Depressive Behaviors by Promoting Hippocampal Neurogenesis in the Adult Mouse Brain. Journal of Medicinal Food, 21(2), 174–180. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2017.4006
5. Nagano, M. (2010). Reduction of Depression and Anxiety by 4 Weeks Hericium Erinaceus Intake. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/31/4/31_4_231/_article/-char/ja/
6. Mori, K. (2011). Effects of Hericium Erinaceus on Amyloid Beta (25-35) Peptide-induced Learning and Memory Deficits in Mice. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/biomedres/32/1/32_1_67/_article/-char/ja/
7. Diling, C. (2017, September 6). Extracts from Hericium erinaceus relieve inflammatory bowel disease by regulating immunity and gut microbiota. PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5689651/
8. Wong, K. H. (2009). Functional Recovery Enhancement Following Injury to Rodent Peroneal Nerve by Lion’s Mane Mushroom, Hericium erinaceus (Bull.: Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae). International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 11(3), 225–236. https://doi.org/10.1615/intjmedmushr.v11.i3.20
9. Lee, K. F. (2014). Protective Effects of Hericium erinaceus Mycelium and Its Isolated Erinacine A against Ischemia-Injury-Induced Neuronal Cell Death via the Inhibition of iNOS/p38 MAPK and Nitrotyrosine. MDPI. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/15/9/15073
10. Zhang, C-C. (2015). Chemical Constituents From Hericium Erinaceus and Their Ability to Stimulate NGF-mediated Neurite Outgrowth on PC12 Cells - ScienceDirect. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960894X15301256

Forij Disclaimer

This article was written strictly for informational purposes and is not intended to inform about illness diagnosis or treatment of any kind. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).