Backed by Science
At Mycobio, we believe in grounding our work in science. Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries in traditional systems of medicine, and in recent decades, modern research has started to uncover the mechanisms behind their effects. Below is a summary of some of the most studied species - Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, Reishi, and Turkey Tail - with links to published papers and clinical research.
Lion's Mane
Lion’s Mane is known for its potential effects on the nervous system. Compounds called hericenones (from the fruiting body) and erinacines (from the mycelium) have been shown to stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF), which plays a vital role in brain health
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Cognitive health: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in older adults with mild cognitive impairment found that Lion’s Mane supplementation improved cognitive function scores.
Mori et al., 2009 – Phytotherapy Research -
Neuroprotection: Preclinical studies suggest Lion’s Mane may support neurogenesis and protect against neurodegenerative processes.
Kawagishi et al., 2008 – Journal of Natural Medicines -
Anxiety & Depression: A small human trial found that Lion’s Mane-enriched cookies reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression in menopausal women.
Nagano et al., 2010 – Biomedical Research -
Neurogenesis: Animal studies show Lion’s Mane promotes the regeneration of damaged nerves and enhances memory and learning.
Wong et al., 2016 – Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine -
Alzheimer’s models: In mouse models, supplementation reduced amyloid plaque formation and improved recognition memory.
Zhang et al., 2016 – Journal of Translational Medicine
Reishi
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Zhao H. et al. — Breast cancer patients taking Reishi spore powder reported less fatigue, better physical well-being, and improved quality of life compared to baseline.
Link (PubMed / PMC): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22203880/
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A Randomized Double-Blinded Study of Ganoderma (Lingzhi) in gynecologic cancer patients
Summary: In this trial, Lingzhi was tested as a “salvage” adjunct in gynecologic cancer, and showed some positive effects on clinical parameters (though small scale).
https://clinmedjournals.org/articles/ijccr/international-journal-of-cancer-and-clinical-research-ijccr-2-021.php?jid=ijccr ClinMed Journals
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Reishi extract improves sleep and cognitive outcomes
This is an animal/experimental study showing that a processed Reishi spore extract improved sleep disturbances and memory deficits in rodents. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1390294/full Frontiers
Summary:
Ganoderma lucidum Spore Powder Alleviates Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease
Link: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/12/1501 MDPI
Summary: In a mouse / cell study, Reishi spore powder reduced liver fat accumulation, oxidative stress and improved liver health via autophagy pathways
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Protective Effect of Reishi Spore Powder on Acute Alcoholic Liver Injury
Link: https://www.imrpress.com/journal/FBL/28/2/10.31083/j.fbl2802023/htm IMR Press
Summary: In an animal model of alcohol-induced liver damage, Reishi spore powder (both sporoderm-damaged and intact) reduced markers of liver injury.
Cordyceps
In asthma patients, Cordyceps (in the Corbrin formulation) improved lung function, reduced asthma severity, and enhanced quality of life over three months. Wang N. et al. Link (PMC full text): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5165155/ PMC+1
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Randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of Cs-4 in healthy older adults (aerobic capacity, respiratory function) After 6 weeks of Cs-4 supplementation, older adults had modest increases in VOâ‚‚max and anaerobic threshold compared to placebo.
Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/246146225_Randomized_double-blind_placebo-controlled_clinical_trial_and_assessment_of_fermentation_product_of_Cordyceps_sinensis_Cs4_in_enhancing_aerobic_capacity_and_respiratory_function_of_the_healthy_elderly ResearchGate
Dual-Directional Immunomodulatory Effects of Corbrin (in autoimmune thyroid disease) This trial showed that Corbrin (Cordyceps-derived) could help rebalance certain T-cell subsets in patients with thyroid autoimmune disease.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5045992/
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Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Cordyceps sinensis Mycelium Culture Extract (Cs-4) — In rodent models, Cs-4 reduced inflammation in respiratory tissues and improved allergic / asthma symptoms.
https://www.scienceopen.com/document_file/2b197473-c6a3-40ea-84be-d53918f4c7be/ScienceOpen/amm20240089.pdf
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Effects of Cordyceps sinensis supplementation during 12 weeks in amateur marathoners. In amateur marathon runners, C. sinensis supplementation over 12 weeks was associated with improved aerobic performance (e.g. possibly better endurance / oxygen usage)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2210803322000392 sciencedirect.com
Summary:
Turkey Tail
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Phase I Clinical Trial of Trametes versicolor in Women with Breast Cancer
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Link (full text, PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3369477/ PMC
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Summary: In women who had completed chemo/radiotherapy, giving up to 9 g/day of Turkey Tail powder over 6 weeks was generally safe and well tolerated. Immune markers increased: lymphocyte counts, CD8+ T cells, B cells. PMC
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“Trametes versicolor (Synn. Coriolus versicolor) Polysaccharides in Cancer Therapy: Targets & Efficacy” (Review / mechanistic + clinical summary)
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Link (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7277906/ PMC
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Summary: Discusses how polysaccharide extracts (PSK, PSP) from Turkey Tail have immune-modulating, anti-tumor, and supportive roles. For example, one RCT (2.4 g/day for ~5.9 weeks) in hepatocellular carcinoma patients showed improved quality of life (though the primary endpoint, tumor progression, wasn’t significantly different). PMC
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Coriolus (Trametes) versicolor to reduce adverse effects of cancer therapy (review / summary)
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Link (PMC): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9707730/ PMC
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Summary: This article summarizes evidence that PSK / PSP extracts can help restore immune systems suppressed by chemotherapy, reduce side effects like neutropenia (low white blood cell counts), and improve tolerance to chemo/radiation. PMC
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Trametes versicolor mycelium & fermented substrate immune activation (in vitro / ex vivo)
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Link (BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine): https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-019-2681-7 BioMed Central
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Summary: They compared mycelium extract vs fermented substrate in human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. The mycelium showed strong immune activation (e.g. changes in cytokines like G-CSF, IL-8). BioMed Central
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Meta-analysis: C. versicolor & G. lucidum natural products in cancer (overall survival, immunologic markers)
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Link (Frontiers article): https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2019.00703/full Frontiers
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Summary: In 23 trials with ~4,246 cancer patients, use of C. versicolor and G. lucidum products was associated with a significantly lower mortality risk (hazard ratio ~0.82) and positive effects on immune parameters (CD3, CD4). Frontiers
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