One of our favourite supplements to help us navigate daily life is Cognitive Focus + Memory Support. It has been key for our productivity whilst we work from home. Our nutritionists developed this innovative blend to help combat brain fog, fatigue and a lack of focus. Its blend of nootropic mushrooms helps to improve memory and concentration, promote short and long-term brain health, sharpen focus, and enhance cognitive performance and mental clarity. Below we take a look at the four adaptogens in the blend and their benefits on the body.
Adaptogens are herbs known for their unique ability to “adapt” their function according to the specific needs of the body. Adaptogenic herbs stimulate the body’s hormonal response to improve the body’s functions and our overall health. They were first discovered when researchers discovered berries and seeds eaten by native hunters reduced their thirst, hunger, and exhaustion (1). While not commonly found in the Western diet, these plant extracts have benefits that include helping the body cope with stress, supporting the immune system and helping to balance hormones (2).
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane mushrooms are found all over the world, but are primarily used in Asian countries for medicinal and culinary purposes (3). These adaptogenic mushrooms are nootropic, meaning they help to improve cognition. One study found that the use of Lion’s Mane mushrooms are “effective in improving mild cognitive impairment,” (4). Not only are these mushrooms effective at improving cognitive function, they also have been shown to help regenerate nerves in the brain in rats in a 2012 study (5). More research is needed to fully understand the effects of these mushrooms, but due to their prevalence in traditional medicine, it’s clear that they have a beneficial impact on the body (3).
Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms are traditionally found in Eastern medicine, with similar species being found all over Asia. These adaptogenic mushrooms are also a nootropic with impressive benefits. Studies have found that these mushrooms can help to reduce fatigue and improve wellbeing, particularly for people with the ill-defined disease neurasthenia, which includes symptoms like aches, pains, dizziness, headaches and irritability (6). Additionally, these mushrooms have been linked to an improved immune system, which will keep you feeling fit and sharp (7).
Chaga Mushrooms
Chaga mushrooms are found in traditionally cold climates, like Siberia, Alaska, Northern Europe, Korea, and Northern Canada. They were traditionally consumed as tea, but are now often consumed in supplement form (8). They also need more research, but have been used in traditional Eastern medicine, particularly in Siberia, to boost immunity and improve overall health. Studies have found that Chaga mushrooms can indeed help to boost immunity by helping to promote the formation of cytokines, proteins that help regulate the immune system (9). Chaga mushrooms help to stimulate white blood cells, the cells that fight off bacteria and viruses (10). Chaga mushrooms have also been linked to reduced inflammation, which helps to improve brain function (11).
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms are native to East Asia, but are one of the most popular mushrooms worldwide. They have a number of impressive benefits that make them exceptionally effective in improving overall health. They contain polysaccharides which have been shown to help fight against tumors, in particular the polysaccharide lentanin (12). In China and Japan, an injectable form of lentinan is used alongside chemotherapy and other major cancer treatments to improve immune function and quality of life in people with gastric cancer (13,14,15). Due to this polysaccharide, the immune system also gets a healthy boost.
The Cognitive Focus + Memory Support Supplement contains all of these incredible adaptogenic mushrooms which combined help to stimulate brain activity, generate brain energy, maintain neuronal signalling and impulse transmission – resulting in better memory performance and concentration. The science behind these mushrooms is slowly getting more comprehensive, but has simply been affirming what traditional Eastern medicine has been doing for centuries. In the meantime, we’ll continue to benefit from the centuries of wisdom that Eastern medicine with this incredible supplement.
References:
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3991026/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0944711318305439
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26244378/
- http://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/708ae68d64b17c52,03ea8c440cfbb276,23c2fd3840f4e0c9.html
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857210/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16230843
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0023643807001430?via%3Dihub
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3774877/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21820502
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22819687
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0008621516300362
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/shiitake-mushrooms#anticancer-effects
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1193547
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23092289
