What are the side effects of lion's mane extract?

Hericium erinaceus is a special mushroom that has been known and used for its therapeutic effect that is pointing towards the nutraceutical benefits notably on neurological health and brain functioning. Even though people have so much faith in Hericium erinaceus to cure their ailments, it is only pertinent to showcase the side effects that arise from the consumption of Hericium erinaceus extract.

 

 

What are the side effects of lion's mane extract?

1. Gastrointestinal Upset

This type of complaint is one of the more frequently reported side effects of Hericium erinaceus extract. This may manifest with features such as vomiting, abdominal pain and discomfort, diarrhea, and flatulence. Some of these effects are as follows: These usually are not severe most often they are observed more commonly when the extract of Damiana is used in large amounts or when the person’s digestion is sensitive. If you notice any of these signs, chances are, that you need to lessen the dosage you are taking or to take the supplement with the food.

2. Allergic Reactions

Despite being quite safe to use Lion’s Mane extract can cause an allergic reaction in some users. Some of the signs of an allergic reaction are skin irritation, erythema, edema, or respiratory distress.

3. Blood Sugar Fluctuations

Lion’s Mane extract may interact with blood glucose levels, which is useful if you have diabetes but dangerous if you do not. Some studies argue that Lion’s Mane has a hypoglycemic effect, and thus may improve metabolic disorders in some people. However, this effect may bring about variable reactions for those who use anti-diabetic drugs or those with histories of low blood glucose levels.

4. Interactions with medications

In the same way that several supplements are capable of interfering with medications, lion’s mane extract is also capable of doing so. This is particularly so where the drug is used to treat the central nervous system as is the case with depression and anxiety drugs such as fluoxetine and diazepam respectively because lion’s mane acts on neurotransmitter activity. Also, because lion’s mane may alter blood sugar it may influence the taking of diabetes-controlling drugs. Lion’s mane extract can produce some reactions when combined with other drugs, thus, it is always wise to consult a doctor before using it.

5. Possible sleep disturbances

There are some instances where people complain of changes in the pattern of their sleep after they have taken lion’s mane extract. This could be observed in the form of having a lot of difficulty in falling asleep, having vivid dreams, or experiencing changes in the pattern of sleeping. As to why this is so, the answers are still unclear, though may be attributed to some of the neurological and psychophysical impacts of the substance found in the mushroom.

6. Headaches and dizziness

Headache and dizziness are other side effects that some individuals who have used Hericium erinaceus extract have been known to complain of. These symptoms are mostly manifested in mild forms and are of short duration and should disappear on their own since the body is adapting to the supplement.

 

Factors that influence side effects

1. Dosage is important

Thus, the concentration of Hericium erinaceus extract is an influential factor in side effects since some will occur while others will not. In general, it is assumed that the increased doses are followed by the side effects, which are most often associated with gastrointestinal tract problems. A prudent course of action is to begin administering the supplement at a low dose and increase the dosage steadily as the physiomajorism of the body is gradually achieved.

2. Personal sensitivity

Lion’s mane extract affects people marginally differently when ingested or applied as a topical solution. These include age, weight, any disease one may be having, and even the family genes, their heredity influences how the supplement will affect them.

 

How to use Hericium erinaceus extract correctly?

The extract from the lion’s mane is rather famous due to its possible advantages for human health: the enhancement of neurological functions or brain-related activities in particular. However, one needs to be careful of the side effects of opioid interacted supplements and use them appropriately. If the described adverse effects of Lion’s Mane are potential risks to the consumer, then at least they will be minimized to an acceptable level, and only then you can decide whether it is worth taking the extract or not. Just to remind you, go for quality, seek medical advice before intake, and always take note of your body’s reaction to the supplement.