Welcome back to our Medicinal Mushroom Spotlight series! My name is Chris Ellis, one of the owners of BaltiSpore. Today, we're exploring the fascinating world of Lion's Mane, a mushroom with a distinctive appearance and remarkable health benefits. In this edition, I'll share my personal journey with Lion's Mane, how it has impacted my life, and the science-backed benefits of this incredible fungus.
My First Encounter with Lion's Mane: My journey with Lion's Mane began when I was introduced to BaltiSpore by co-founder Michael Holcomb. I had heard about this mushroom, had even tried a tincture from a well known brand. But it wasn't until I tried Michael's homemade Lion's Mane tinctures that I noticed the benefits. Made using a double extract process for maximum potency, the best way for me to describe it is that the tincture made my brain feel like it turned on all the way for the first time. I noticed that I felt mentally sharper, I was able to formulate and articulate my thoughts without stumbling over my words, my memory was blowing my mind, plus my focus and ability to multi-task improved immediately. And it seemed to improve and build on itself day after day, week after week. I knew Michael was on to something special.
Cognitive Health and Nerve Support: Intrigued by my experience, I dove into the science behind Lion's Mane and its potential to support cognitive health and nerve function with the guidance of my Uncle, John Malatras, who is recognized for his lifelong dedication to true information in better health and well-being. Research has shown that this mushroom contains bioactive compounds called hericenones and erinacines, which stimulate the production of nerve growth factor (NGF), crucial for maintaining and repairing neurons (1). Meaning that Lion's Mane basically helps keep our brain cells healthy and fixes them when needed.
Source: (1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5987239/
Mood and Anxiety Relief: Alongside its cognitive benefits, Lion's Mane also helped me feel more in control of my emotions and anxiety. As I continued using the tincture, I found myself better equipped to handle stress and emotional challenges. This was supported by research, which showed that Lion's Mane could alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety by promoting hippocampal neurogenesis (2).
Source: (2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29091526/
A Culinary Delight: Lion's Mane “Crab” Cakes: When I heard about Lion's Mane "Crab” cakes, I was intrigued. There are a few things that Maryland is known for… and one of them is crab cakes. My business partner (the other co-founder of BaltiSpore), Harriet Harris gave me a recipe and fresh Lion's Mane off the block, so I had to give it a shot. I admit I was skeptical at first, I really never cooked with mushrooms before but I trusted the process. I can honestly say it tastes just like the real deal! The mushroom's seafood-like taste, often compared to lobster or crab, makes it a delicious and versatile addition to various dishes. It really opened my eyes to exploring mushrooms in dishes replacing meat.
Immune System Boost: Incorporating Lion's Mane into my daily regimen not only provided cognitive and mood-enhancing benefits but also supported my immune system. The mushroom contains powerful antioxidants and immune-boosting compounds called beta-glucans, which help protect the body against pathogens (3). I’ve been taking Lion's Mane daily and haven't experienced any serious cold or flu symptoms since starting it. When I did have minor symptoms like a sniffle or feeling tired, they were much less severe than others around me. This could be due to other mushrooms I take, like Turkey Tail, but we'll save that tale for another day.
Source: (3) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/
Lion's Mane is a remarkable mushroom that has had a profound impact on my life. I wouldn't be where I am today without this mushroom. It opened the doors to the world of mushrooms for me and I cannot believe what I had been missing. My personal journey with Lion's Mane has been transformative, and the science-backed benefits of this unique fungus make it a valuable addition to anyone's daily routine. As research continues to unveil the wonders of this unique fungus, we can appreciate and incorporate it into our diets and daily routines for a healthier, happier life.
Try BaltiSpore’s Lion’s Mane Tincture for yourself! Let me know what you think!
https://baltispore.com/products/lion-s-mane-mushroom-tincture
Stay tuned for more installments in our Medicinal Mushroom Spotlight series where we will continue our mission of saving the world with the magic from nature.