Frontier mental health research: psychedelics & drug studies

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7 papers

Chemistry, Nutrition, and Health-Promoting Properties of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) Mushroom Fruiting Bodies and Mycelia and Their Bioactive Compounds

Mendel Friedman

This paper is a 2015 review that brings together many studies about the lion’s mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus). It describes the mushroom’s chemical makeup, nutrients, food uses, and about 70 identified bioactive compounds. The review reports many claimed health effects seen in cell, animal, and some human studies—such as anti-inflammatory…

Fungal Biology and Applications Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls

Medicinal Mushrooms: Their Bioactive Components, Nutritional Value and Application in Functional Food Production—A Review

Paulina Łysakowska, Aldona Sobota, Anna Wirkijowska
Molecules Summary & key facts 2023 194 citations

This review describes several medicinal mushrooms — including Lion's Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps, Shiitake, and Turkey Tail — as low‑fat, low‑calorie foods that contain high levels of bioactive compounds (for example (1,3)(1,6)-β-d-glucans, triterpenes, phenolic compounds, and sterols). The review reports that these compounds have been linked in studies to anticancer,…

Fungal Biology and Applications Herbal Medicine Research Studies Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds

Polysaccharide-K (PSK) in Cancer – Old Story, New Possibilities?

Cheng‐Cao Sun, Ann H. Rosendahl, X.D. Wang, Dan‐Hong Wu, R Andersson
Current Medicinal Chemistry Summary & key facts 2012 30 citations

Polysaccharide-K (PSK, also called Krestin) is a mushroom extract widely used as an additive in cancer treatment in Asia, especially Japan. Studies over about 40 years report anti-tumor effects in laboratory experiments and in living organisms for several cancer types, but researchers say the exact ways PSK works are not…

Cancer Treatment and Pharmacology Colorectal Cancer Treatments and Studies Fungal Biology and Applications

Chaga mushroom: a super-fungus with countless facets and untapped potential

Eric Fordjour, Charles F. Manful, Rabia Javed, Lakshman Galagedara, Chad W. Cuss, Mumtaz Cheema, et al.
Frontiers in Pharmacology Summary & key facts 2023 26 citations

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is an inexpensive fungus that grows on birch trees and has a long history of traditional use. A review of about 90 scientific documents (1900–Nov 2022) found Chaga contains chemical groups such as steroids and terpenoids, and studies report antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antitumor activities. The authors…

Fungal Biology and Applications Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities Phytochemistry and Bioactivity Studies

Acute effects of a standardised extract of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane mushroom) on cognition and mood in healthy younger adults: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled study

Surendran, Geyan, Saye, Jake, Binti Mohd Jalil, Syahira, et al.
www.frontiersin.org Summary & key facts 2025 4 citations

This double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study tested a single (acute) dose of a standardized extract from the Lion’s Mane mushroom (fruiting body) in healthy younger adults. The study did not find a clear overall benefit for thinking skills or mood compared with placebo. The authors say any small benefits might only…

Fungal Biology and Applications Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds Pharmacological Effects of Natural Compounds

Study protocol: The efficacy of mushroom to prevent cognitive decline in at-risk middle-aged adults and young-olds living in the community

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience Summary & key facts 2025 2 citations

This paper describes a planned study to test whether eating a specific mushroom powder can help prevent thinking and memory problems in people aged 45–74 who are at higher risk for dementia. The plan has two parts: a 10-year follow-up of an existing group of over 1,000 older adults, and…

Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds

Lion’s Mane Mushroom- From Culinary to Medicine

Gilbert David, Jessica O. Williams

Lion's Mane is a mushroom found across the Northern Hemisphere. It is rich in nutrients and contains active compounds like polysaccharides and phenolic compounds. Some research suggests it may help brain health, nerve recovery, mood, digestion, heart health, blood sugar control, cancer prevention, and immunity. The article says it is…

Fungal Biology and Applications Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds Polysaccharides and Plant Cell Walls
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