Hair loss can be caused by various culprits—including nutrition deficiencies. So while supplements and vitamins are not miraculous in any way, the right ones just might make a difference in how your hair looks and feels. But can taking mushrooms really make your hair longer, stronger, and healthier?
Lion's mane mushroom may be beneficial to include in your diet if you experience hair loss or just wish to boost the condition of your hair. The effects of Hericium erinaceus on testosterone and other hormones and its overall health advantages indicate that this mushroom may help with hair loss prevention and quality improvement, even if there is no definitive research on Lion's mane and hair loss.
Continue reading to learn more about Lion's mane hair loss benefits and how to use the mushroom for a healthy mane.
Why Do We Lose Our Hair?
Hair loss has many causes. However, the most common cause of hairless globally is hereditary, affecting both men and women. In men, it’s called male pattern hair loss, while women get female pattern hair loss.
Most people have hair loss as they become older because hair growth slows. Another cause of hair loss is alopecia areata, brought on when the immune system attacks the hair follicles responsible for holding the hair in place. Cancer treatment, childbirth, diseases, other stressors, and tightly pulled-back hair can also lead to hair loss.
Lion's Mane Mushroom Hair Loss Benefits
Although Lion's mane mushrooms are said to have a host of health benefits, there isn't enough evidence to support their benefits for hair loss. However, there are various perceived ways in which Lion's mane mushrooms can promote hair growth. Below, we go over each one individually.
1. Lion's mane may reduce oxidative stress
Lion's mane mushrooms contain a lot of antioxidants(1). These antioxidants could aid in defending the hair and scalp from pollutants and free radical damage. This could enhance general health and decrease the likelihood of hair loss.
2. Lion's mane may alleviate mental stress that results in hair loss
Stress and anxiety are common causes of hair loss, and Lion's mane mushrooms may elevate your mood and alter how your body responds to these conditions. By consuming Lion's mane, you may be able to avoid conditions brought on by stress, such as hair loss.
3. Lion's mane could regulate hormones
One of the most frequent causes of hair loss is hormone imbalance. Lion's mane mushrooms may help control hypothalamic hormone production and stop hair loss brought on by hormonal imbalance.
Lion's mane mushrooms alter hormone production by causing nerve cells to proliferate(2), particularly in the hypothalamus. In addition, Hericium erinaceus promotes neurogenesis, and research on the neurogenetic potential of Lion's mane suggests that this mushroom can aid in treating cognitive impairments by promoting nerve cell formation.
Compounds in Lion's mane mushrooms promote the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factors and nerve growth factors. By raising BDNFs and NGFs, these adaptogenic mushrooms may regulate hormone production.
Lion’s mane and DHT
Other people contend that Lion's mane mushrooms may indirectly counteract hair loss. In addition, the possibility of Lion's mane mushrooms having beneficial effects on the brain has received much attention. As a result, the hypothalamus, which produces testosterone, produces more hormones.
The body then transforms the testosterone hormone into DHT, promoting masculine traits' development. In essence, the levels of DHT rise together with testosterone levels. Both DHT and testosterone in excess can result in hair loss.
Fortunately, evidence from studies(3) suggests that Lion's mane can control the levels of DHT and other hypothalamic hormones. In other words, these medicinal mushrooms may increase DHT levels in those with low levels and decrease DHT in those with high levels.
One of the leading causes of hair loss is high DHT levels. High amounts of DHT may cause hair follicles to contract, resulting in thinner, more brittle hair. Additionally, it might result in hair thinning and slower hair growth. It may therefore be possible to stop or reduce hair loss by consuming a mushroom that can regulate this hormone. However, more studies are required to comprehend how Lion's mane affects hair loss fully.
4. Vitamins found in Lion mane can encourage hair growth
Small amounts of healthy vitamins like riboflavin, thiamin, and folate are present in Lion mane. These vitamins aid in encouraging hair growth, resulting in fuller-looking and healthier hair.
5. Lion's mane may decrease inflammation
Hair loss may be caused by inflammation. This occurs due to the body mistaking hair follicles for harmful invaders. When this happens, the immune system will produce an inflammatory reaction to defend the body. This causes inflammatory-based hair loss. Lion's mane's anti-inflammatory characteristics may aid in reducing this inflammation and blocking its triggers.
6. Lion's mane enhances blood circulation
Lion's mane appears to increase circulation, according to research. More blood reaching your hair follicles should promote healthy hair growth thanks to improved blood flow. Even though this does not provide sufficient evidence to state that Lion's mane can promote hair growth conclusively, it does appear encouraging and calls for additional research in humans.
How To Use Lion's Mane For Hair Loss?
Known initially as a delectable culinary mushroom, Lion's mane is frequently used in various dishes. Although it is safe to consume raw or cooked, we advise taking Lion's mane as a supplement to reap the most incredible health benefits.
Raw Lion's mane might be difficult to consume. The effects of Lion's mane might also be felt weeks after taking it routinely. Therefore, it will take a lot of cooking and eating mushrooms before you notice a difference. This makes Lion's mane supplements more practical and simpler to take.
You may also take Lion's mane powder every day in addition to vitamins. Add powder to your favorite meal or drink to make it more fun.
Determining the ideal dosage for you can be challenging because there is limited research on how Lion's mane affects hair growth in humans. Start with a low dosage (500–750 mg per day) if you're using Hericium erinaceus for healthy, strong hair, then gradually increase it to 2000 mg or more until you're satisfied with the results.
Lions Mane Hair Loss
FAQs About Lion's Mane Hair Loss
What Are The Negative Effects Of Lion's Mane?
Supplements containing Lion's mane might cause skin rashes, nausea, and abdominal pain as side effects. Additionally, it might interact with antidiabetes medications and blood thinners.
Does Lion's Mane Affect Hormones?
Lion's mane mushrooms may influence hormone production by encouraging the development of nerve cells, particularly in the hypothalamus. Hericium erinaceus is a well-known nootropic that seems to stimulate neurogenesis.
Does Lion’s Mane Have Permanent Effects?
While Lion's Mane has several benefits for health, these are temporary. Instead, the benefit is correlated with eating the mushroom every day.
Key Takeaways
Currently, there is limited research on Lion's mane hair loss effects. However, it is safe to assume that this mushroom may also help with hair growth, given its positive impact on general health and the abundance of nutrients it offers.
References
- Composition and antioxidant activity of water-soluble oligosaccharides from Hericium erinaceus, (1)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25529054/
- Improving effects of the mushroom Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) on mild cognitive impairment: a double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, (2)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18844328/
- Anti-obesity activity of Yamabushitake (Hericium erinaceus) powder in ovariectomized mice, and its potentially active compounds, (3)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28181079/
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