Muscleshroom The Science

The Science

Medicinal Mushrooms and Brain/Muscle Health

Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Lion’s Mane promotes neuroplasticity and cognitive function. In healthy adults, a single 1.8 g dose improved cognitive processing speed (faster Stroop task performance)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov and 28-day supplementation tended to reduce subjective stresspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Chronic intake (3–3.2 g/day for 12–16 weeks) significantly improved scores on cognitive scales in older adults with mild cognitive impairmentpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.govtcm.cz. In contrast, a 4-week trial (10 g/day) in young athletes found no changes in metabolic flexibility or cognitionpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Mood benefits have also been reported: for example, Lion’s Mane lowered depression and anxiety scores in overweight or menopausal individuals after several weeks of supplementationpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Lion’s Mane has minimal direct evidence for muscle effects. In mice, a Hericium-enriched diet activated PPARδ and significantly increased endurance (longer running time)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. However, a small human trial found no improvements in strength, endurance, or metabolismpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Overall, Lion’s Mane’s strengths lie in brain support (cognition, neurogenesis, mood), with inconclusive evidence for enhanced physical performance.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

Reishi is valued for neuroprotection and stress resilience. Preclinical studies show Reishi compounds (polysaccharides and triterpenes) can protect neurons and reduce neuroinflammation. For example, in an Alzheimer’s mouse model, G. lucidum polysaccharides markedly enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis and reversed cognitive deficits (improved maze performance)pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. These findings suggest potential for cognitive support, though high-quality human trials on memory/cognition are scarce. In one endurance study, combined Reishi and Cordyceps supplementation in cyclists preserved mental resilience: after 3 months, athletes had a higher testosterone:cortisol ratio post-race (indicating reduced overtraining risk) and greater serum antioxidant capacitypubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. This implies Reishi may bolster mood and stress resistance in intense exercise contexts.

  • Cognition: Limited human data; animal studies show reduced β-amyloid toxicity and enhanced neural progenitor growthpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Reishi extracts increased learning/memory in AD modelspmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
  • Mood/Neuroprotection: Traditional use as a calming adaptogen; small trials report reduced fatigue and improved depression scores with Reishi-containing supplements (often alongside lifestyle interventions).
  • Muscle/Endurance: No direct evidence of strength gains. One small trial (with Cordyceps) found improved fatigue biomarkers (antioxidant status, endocrine balance) in athletespubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Reishi’s antioxidants may help recovery, but effects on peak performance remain unproven.

Overall, Reishi appears to support brain health indirectly (neuroimmune modulation, antioxidation) and may enhance endurance via stress reduction, but human data on memory or strength are limited.

Cordyceps (Cordyceps sinensis/militaris)

Cordyceps is an adaptogen enhancing energy and neuroprotection. It has notable effects on physical performance and fatigue. In mice, Cordyceps militaris supplementation increased muscle ATP production pathways and slightly improved grip strengthpmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. A recent study showed that oral cordycepin (the active compound in Cordyceps) significantly boosted exercise endurance: treated mice ran longer, had higher muscle/liver glycogen, and lower lactate, CK, and BUN after forced runningnature.com. Importantly, cordycepin also prevented exercise-induced cognitive decline: over-exercised mice given cordycepin retained learning/memory ability (with increased BDNF and antioxidant defenses)nature.com.

  • Endurance & Strength: Cordycepin and Cordyceps extracts consistently increase fatigue resistance. Mice given cordycepin showed higher endurance, more glycogen storage, and faster recoverynature.com. In humans, preliminary trials (often using combined mushroom supplements) suggest improved VO₂max and time-to-exhaustion (e.g. higher aerobic power after 3 weeks of Cordyceps militaris)researchgate.net.
  • Energy metabolism: Cordyceps upregulates AMPK and other energy markers in musclepmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, likely explaining enhanced stamina.
  • Cognitive/Neuroprotection: Cordyceps compounds (cordycepin/polysaccharides) are neuroprotective. In rats, Cordyceps reversed scopolamine-induced amnesia and boosted cholinergic transmissionmdpi.com. The cordycepin fatigue study also showed neuroprotection via antioxidant (Nrf2) and BDNF pathwaysnature.com. This suggests Cordyceps can guard against exercise-related brain stress.

Cordyceps thus offers both short-term gains (better oxygen use, less fatigue) and potential long-term neural benefits. Its effects span healthy individuals and those under stress: by improving oxygen uptake and reducing oxidative damage, Cordyceps may enhance both athletic performance and cognitive resilience.