Named for its long, cascading tendrils that resemble a lion’s mane, legend has it that those who consumed this mushroom would have “the memory of a lion and nerves of steel.” Lion’s mane mushrooms are increasingly studied for their neuroprotective effects as they have been shown to stimulate synthesis of nerve growth factor (NGF) which may help inhibit brain dysfunction and age-related loss of cognitive abilities. Mouse studies show that Lion’s Mane prevent development of amyloid plaque—implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s
