Lion’s Mane and ADHD

by Vorst Canada April 14, 2022

Lions mane and adhd

DISCLAIMER: This article has been written for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment

There is a growing interest in figuring out the link between lion’s mane and ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) so that this potential dietary supplement can be used as a natural therapeutic strategy in the treatment of ADHD. The effects of lion’s mane mushroom on ADHD have been being evaluated by contemporary research among natural treatment options over recent years.

Lion’s mane mushroom has been found to have many mental health benefits that include improving anxiety and depression, improving cognitive function, boosting the immune response, and protecting the brain from memory loss to name a few.

In this article, we’ll explore how lion’s mane can help with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) according to scientific data. But before getting into the connection between lion’s mane and ADHD, it’s important to learn the basics of ADHD first. So, let’s get started.

What is ADHD?
Symptoms of ADHD
Coexisting issues of ADHD
Causes of ADHD
Complications of ADHD
What is a lion’s mane mushroom?
How lion’s mane can help with ADHD
How to use lion’s mane mushroom
Precautions and side effects
Final words

What is ADHD?

ADHD is the abbreviated form of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder which is a chronic medical condition combining several persistent issues such as difficulty paying attention, impulsive behavior, and hyperactivity. ADHD generally affects in childhood and may continue into adulthood.

Symptoms of ADHD

As the name suggests, attention deficit and hyperactivity are the main symptoms of ADHD. Signs and symptoms of ADHD can be categorized into three major groups:

Inattention

Trouble paying attention to details
Make careless mistakes in school performance
Difficulty staying focused in play or tasks
Trouble listening carefully even when talking directly
Difficulty organizing tasks
Appear to be always distracted

Hyperactivity

Difficulty staying quietly
Tap hands or feet or fidget or squirm when seated
Speak too much
Always in motion
Run around and climb even in inappropriate situations

Impulsivity

Impatience
Difficulty waiting for their own turn
Blurt out answers without listening to the questions properly
Intrude or interrupt others’ tasks, conversations, activities, or games

Coexisting issues of ADHD

Apart from above said predominant symptoms, as children with ADHD grow older, especially those who have had the disorder for a long period, some teens may develop various coexisting developmental and psychological issues. .

Some of the most prevalent coexisting issues of ADHD may include, but aren’t limited to:

Anxiety disorders
Depressive disorders
Mood disorders
Learning disabilities
Tourette syndrome
Oppositional defiant disorder or ODD
Autism spectrum disorder or ASD
Substance abuse disorders

Causes of ADHD

Though research hasn’t clearly understood the exact cause of ADHD yet and efforts continue to date, most assumed factors that might be involved in developing ADHD include the environment, genetics, and issues with the CNS (central nervous system) at vital moments in growth.

Complications of ADHD

ADHD may make life hard for affected children, They:

Often fail to meet their academic performances and may lead to judgments by others
Tend to develop low self-esteem
Tend to experience more injuries and accidents compared to children who don’t have ADHD
Are at higher risks of delinquent behaviors such as drug or alcohol abuse

What is a lion's mane mushroom?

Lion’s mane, botanically known as Hericium erinaceus, is a white, shaggy edible mushroom that belongs to the tooth fungus group. It’s endemic to North America, Asia, and Europe and has long been used in traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine for treating various conditions, particularly those that are related to the gut, liver, kidneys, and spleen.

How lion’s mane can help with ADHD

Lion’s mane mushroom has anti-inflammatory and neurotropic properties. It can act as a potent nervine, adaptogen, and nootropic agent in the human body. It contains choline which is considered one of the essential brain nutrients and produces many cognitive-enhancing benefits for the brain.

A 2013 study published in the International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms concluded that extract of lion’s mane has neurotrophic properties that can stimulate NGF (nerve growth factor) synthesis in the brain.

Another study published in the Neuroscience Letters in 2014 showed that children with ADHD have unregulated NGF levels and they might play an important role in the pathophysiology of ADHD.

Since NGF plays an essential role in the neuronal development of the brain and is integral to neuroprotective actions, the neurotrophic actions of lion’s mane are assumed as a potential therapeutic means for improving cognitive function and treating ADHD symptoms.

Moreover, the anti-inflammatory actions of the lion’s mane mushroom can help manage stress and act as an antidepressant in various coexisting conditions of ADHD including anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.

How to use lion’s mane mushroom

The dosage of lion’s mane mushroom supplements may vary depending on the health conditions, severity, sensitivity, and age of children who have ADHD. In general, higher severity conditions may require a higher dose to see noticeable improvements.

For cognitive function improvement and immunity boost, a typical dose of standardized lion’s mane extract remains around 1000 mg per day. But higher or lower doses are also used.

Precautions and side effects

Lion’s mane extract has been found very safe even in higher doses. However, some rare cases of allergic reactions have been reported. Since it’s a mushroom species, people who have sensitivity to mushrooms should avoid taking lion’s mane.

It’s also important to take into consideration the strength of the lion’s mane supplement since supplementary preparations for the lion's mane extract significantly vary in composition, purity, and potency. Make sure you choose only those that are pure, natural, and do not contain any artificial additives, gluten, or dairy ingredients.

It’s highly recommended to consult with a certified natural medicine practitioner or nutritionist before taking lion’s mane or any supplements.

Final words

Lion’s mane mushroom is considered one of the most effective natural dietary supplements for improving cognitive function, boosting immune response, and easing anxiety among other health benefits in a variety of mental health conditions ranging from ADHD to traumatic brain injury to Alzheimer's disease.

Lion’s mane shows anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, and antioxidant activities in the human body, making it an excellent natural therapeutic choice for keeping people with ADHD centered and quiet.

Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Lion’s Mane 500 mg Vegan Capsules.

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