Well-documented medical benefits include, but aren't limited to, anticancer, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory activity, and antimicrobial activity. Due to the presence of Hericenones and Erinacines in H. Erinaceus, they may also may beneficially impact on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, as well as depression and isochemic stroke.

Hericium Erinaceus Therapeutic Application

A class of benzaldehydes that are isolates of the fruiting body of Hericium Erinaceum. Hericenones are neurotropic compounds that are derivatives of cyathane. This compound can pass the BBB due to their low molecular weight which may beneficially impact on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease due to their impact on nerve growth factor (NGF).

Hericenones

Like Hericenones, this compound can be isolated from Hericium Erinaceus. They belong to the group of cyathin diterpenoids, and have shown potential to promote NGF biosynthesis in humans which may beneficially impact on ischemic stroke, depression, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This compound can pass the BBB due to their low molecular weight.

Erinacines 

A species of edible mushroom that contains compounds that show potential to be used as a health treatment. It's common name comes from its long spines that resemble a lion's mane.

Michigan State University

Fungi are one of the main natural sources of psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin. Research suggests that psychedelics may have positive health effects on those suffering from both chronic mental and physical illnesses.

Mushrooms in Medicine

Meade, Elaine, et al. "Mycotherapy: Potential of Fungal Bioactives for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders and Morbidities of Chronic Pain." Fungi and Fungal Metabolites for the Improvement of Human and Animal Life, Nutrition and Health, vol. II, 11 Mar. 2022, doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/jof8030290.

Mycotherapy: Potential of Fungal Bioactives for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders and Morbidities of Chronic Pain

 Modern Western medical practice relies heavily on the use of highly purified pharmaceutical compounds whose purity can be easily assessed and whose pharmaceutical activity and toxicity show clear structure-function relationships. Thus, mushrooms have not been relevant in Western medical practice.

Mushrooms in Western Medicine

For decades, many mushroom-derived medicines contain mixtures of natural compounds had not undergone detailed chemical analyses and whose mechanism of action had not been elucidated.

Mushrooms in Eastern Medicine

Claviceps Purpurea (Rye Ergot Fungus is the common name) is a fungus that contains LSA (d-lysergic acid) or ergine. LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide) is synthetically derivatized from LSA. 

Rye Ergot Fungus — Claviceps Purpurea

Amanita Muscaria (Fly Agaric is the common name) is a mushroom that muscimol and DMT derivatives are commonly synthesized from.

Fly Agaric — Amanita Muscaria

A species of edible mushroom that contains compounds that show potential to be used as a mental health treatment.

Pleurotus cornucopiae

Lion's Mane Mushroom — Hericium Erinaceus

Existing pharmacotherapies have limited efficacy and medication development is stagnant for many years now. That being said, the current research in psychedelics has  rekindled some optimism.

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