A review of the effects of mushrooms on mood and neurocognitive health across the lifespan.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) on mood and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults.
Results Summary
The study found mixed results from intervention studies, with some enhancement of mood and cognitive function observed in middle-aged and older adults. Epidemiological studies suggested benefits of dietary patterns including mushrooms on cognition and mood.
Population
Middle-aged and older adults, both healthy and compromised populations.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
dietary patterns that included mushrooms of any species | increase | cognition and mood | both healthy and compromised populations | - | revealed a significant benefit | #1 |
Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) | increase | mood and cognitive function | middle-aged and older adults | - | showing some enhancement | #2 |
Mushrooms contain bioactive compounds with documented antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. Here, we present a systematic evaluation of epidemiological and clinical studies that investigate the role of mushrooms, either as a separate or integral dietary component, on neurocognition and mood. Following a search of four databases, a total of 34 human studies examining the effect of different mushrooms across varying age cohorts and health statuses were selected for inclusion. Epidemiological studies included in this review (n = 24) revealed a significant benefit of dietary patterns that included mushrooms of any species on cognition and mood in both healthy and compromised populations. However, the results obtained from intervention studies (n = 10) were mixed. Studies mainly investigated Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus), showing some enhancement of mood and cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Further acute and chronic human intervention studies are needed, using adequate sample sizes, employing appropriately sensitive neurocognitive tests, and investigating a range of dietary mushrooms, to confirm the effects of mushroom supplementation on neurocognition and mood in humans.