Effects of Two Different Lion's Mane Extracts (Lions Mane Fruiting Body & Lions Mane Fruiting Body With Mycellium) on Cognitive Performance, Subjective Affect, Serum Biomarkers, and Gut Microbiota in Healthy Adults

Lion's Mane (LM) contains β-glucan polysaccharides, proteins, polyketides, hericenones and erinacine terpenoids, cyathane diterpenoids, lectins, phenols, isoindolinones, sterols, and myconutrients, which have been found to provide cognitive and neuroprotective properties. Erinacines within the mycelium of lions mane have demonstrated nootropic effects through the stimulation of nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis, which plays a critical role in the growth, maintenance, and survival of neurons within the central nervous system, particularly the basal forebrain cholinergic system. Acute affects were shown to improve working memory, complex attention, and reaction time and perceptions of happiness in Lions Mane Fruiting body. This study aims to determine key differences (if any) in cognitive tasks, subjective affect (e.g., VAS scales for mental clarity, memory, mood, focus, concentration), serum biomarkers (BDNF, TNF-alpha,IL-6, HS-CRP), microbiome (alpha & beta diversity, keystone species, etc.) with daily consumption.

Inclusion criteria

Provide voluntary signed and dated informed consent.

• Be in good health and able to participate in cognitive performance testing as determined by assessment, medical history, and routine blood chemistries.
• Between the of 40 and 65 years of age (inclusive).
• Body Mass Index of 18.5-39.9 (inclusive).
• Body weight of at least 110 pounds.
• Normotensive (seated, resting systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure < 90 mm Hg. If the first measurement is slightly elevated above these limits, the subject will be given a brief (5-minute) rest period, and two more measurements will be taken.

The average of all three measurements will be used to determine eligibility.

• Normal supine, resting heart rate (<90 per minute).
• Able to provide an adequate blood draw.
• If a dietary supplement was initiated within the past month, the participant is willing to discontinue supplement use followed by a 2-week washout prior to participation in the study.
• Willing to duplicate their previous 24-hour diet, refrain from caffeine for 12 hours, refrain from exercise for 24 hours prior to each trial, and fast for 8 hours prior to each visit.

Exclusion criteria

Smokes more than 10 cigarettes per day or uses other nicotine products (i.e. vape, patch) that deliver a similar amount of nicotine.

• History of malignancy in the previous 5 years except for non-melanoma skin cancer (basal cell cancer or squamous cell cancer of the skin).
• Prior gastrointestinal bypass surgery (Lapband, etc.).
• Other known gastrointestinal or metabolic diseases that might impact nutrient absorption or metabolism, e.g. electrolyte abnormalities, diabetes, thyroid disease, adrenal disease, hypogonadism, short bowel syndrome, diarrheal illnesses, history of colon resection, gastric ulcer, reflux disease, gastroparesis, Inborn-Errors-of-Metabolism (such as PKU). Chronic medically diagnosed inflammatory condition or disease (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, Lupus, HIV/AIDS, etc.).
• Medical history of hepatorenal, musculoskeletal, autoimmune, or neurologic disease.
• Medical history of a cognitive or psychiatric disorder.
• Currently using medications to treat anxiety or depression.
• Known sensitivity to any ingredient in the test formulations as listed in the Certificates- of-Analysis.
• Women currently pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding a child.
• Any other diseases or conditions that, in the opinion of the medical staff, could confound the primary endpoint or place the subject at increased risk of harm if they were to participate.