Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
Taking mushrooms is called “shrooming”. This is the second article I am writing on Lion’s mane as a smart drug.
I used this mushroom to try to increase cognative function after a brain lesion. The results were an improvement but I am not sure if it was as a result of shrooming, that is taking these magic mushrooms.
In vitro this mushroom does appear to help stimulate NGF, per a few studies. But do these mushrooms really work. However, what I might do is try this again with ceteris paribus, that is no other smart drugs or supplements and measure it objectively, with a battery of cognitive tests. I am just one person and this will be my personal experience but I am curious if other people have tried this? Right now all the studies I have seen are more hype than science but based on my initial experience I would try this again. There is no question mushrooms do have chemicals that can affect brain chemistry. The question is can Lion’s name effect NGF or just ‘jazz up’ your thinking temporarily.
16 responses to Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
Lion’s mane ? Translate into Polish, please, What’s this?
@ A “Lion’s Mane” is called “małpia głowa”. In English we use Lion’s mane because the mushroom looks like the beard of a lion. In Polish you use “monkey’s head”.
Thanks, I found, in Polish : soplówka jeżowata=małpia głowa.
Hello Mark,
I have found better healing with Peyote (legal in Arizona) I am travelling to Krakow on Sunday and was wondering if you could help me with a train ticket to Kiev?
@Mike, When are you leaving for Kiev? If you want the cheapest way, take a train to the boarder, then a minibus to Lviv (Lvov) and from Lviv to Kiev. Ukrainian trains are about 80% cheaper. However, I would recommend if you have the cash to keep it simple and buy a train ticket from Krakow to Kiev direct, its a sleeper train and can be bought at Orbis in the main market square or at the train station. At Orbis in the center I think they speak English and its the same price. “do Kijowa” Or “do keyovera” is how it sounds in Polish.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
@ Mike at you recommendation for healing mushrooms, I think Lion’s mane would work much better than what you mentioned as I think that is for alternative experiences not healing.
I also have some issues (not to different from yours) and as such got interested and have been growing professionaly for about 20 years now. I use P.Cubensis mushrooms. However I have found that a super small dose (.3grams or less) has healing properties and provides very noticable and lasting effects. It is hard to describe but the body and mind feel smooth and silky, mental function is increased as well as sight sound and smell without the “trip” associated with larger doses of 1.5 to 4.5 grams.
No side effects except for one….your body will have no idea it is tired so sleep is not an option for about 5 hours.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
Interesting. I see P.Cubensis mushrooms is also found in Thailand. Finding it will be another problem.
I grow these Lion’s Mane myself, all you need is a starter for any mushrooms and they grow pretty fast, like a mushroom.
I have white matter hyperintensities (lesions)and constant headaches and have been experimenting with many different holistic approaches. I have tried taking a low doses of typical mushshroom you get off the streets here in California and noticed increases cogitative function while high but no lasting effects. One thing that has had a lasting effect on my cognitive abilities is light and sound therapy. I am also currently investigating hyperbaric chamber, cranial electric stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. I will report back if I am blessed with a breakthrough.
my current regimen is a healthy diet and lifestyle (no drugs, yoga & exercise), supplements for the brain, regular mediation (l&s therapy), cognitive exercises, control stress and depression.
I am about to add hyperbaric chamber 2-3 times a week and transcranial magnetic stimulation to help stimulate growth and regulate depression.
Let me know if you have any input or questions?
I am wondering if there is any place for very controlled use of c_nnab_s or mushrooms anywhere in my regimen? I am considering an oil extraction edible intake of THC every week or two to help stimulate the brain/growth and help reduce stress and depression. I have read that regular use of ca_n_bis can lower the plasticity of your neurons but occasional use can actually have a productive effect..
I saw you had another post “How computer games helped repair my brain lesion.”
claritaslux.com/blog/computer-games-rehabilitate-brain/
So do you still have brain lesions or are you cured?
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
On my last MRI I did not see one brain lesion but I still have my other. I did not use contrast, so the other lesion might still be there, just not not affecting me anymore. I still have symptoms from my other leasion but not as much. Basically the effects are almost gone and I think I am normal (almost).
From a cognitive standpoint my brain functions better than ever. So yes you can say cured. However, I still have headaches. But headaches do not come from the brain as the brain has no sensory nervous system. It comes from the mass of sensory nerves around the brain, and gives us signals to protect our brains and take it easy.
Headaches are cause by changes in pressure, internal or external on the skull/brain. Many causes. I still get these so from a cognitive rehab standpoint I am cured but from a sensory standpoint I need work.
I have tried everything and I think the only thing that works on the brain today is a holistic approach. In the future they will have really good drugs to help the brain heal, but not now, they are all kind of lame things to take with great sounding names but they do not do much other then jazz up your brain while you take them.
Its the future.
But holistically in most cases is all you need.
Vitamins, herbs and other things, very good diet, swimming, yoga, walking or whatever, positive attitude and faith.
I do not recommend c_an_ab_s. Why? I just do not think it is any magic solution. I think money and energy is better spend on a good diet and vitamins, and plenty of relaxation than that. I have nothing generally against it other than I think, it is more flashy and high profile than it is effective. Many other better things.
I think the brain can and does rewire and heal. It needs to be tricked into doing this by having a good base and then some. Next stimulating it. The base is as I mentioned above. Stimulating is depends on your issues. Most anything done in a lab or a rehab center can be done 10 times better with the right computer games.
My sensory issues I will have to think about.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
Thanks for your reply, I will take your advice into consideration.
I have been doing a lot of research on lion’s mane and founds some very interesting information. In summary there are beneficial molecules in both the mycelium and fruit body of the lions mane. From studies I will reference there is certain formulations that promote the production of a certain protein that stimulates the nerve growth factor. This protein is unable to pass through the blood brain barrier but its precursors are. It has been found that extracts through both alcohol and water have made these precursors more bio available for the brain, in comparison to fresh fruit body or even fresh fruit body + the mycelium. There are all sorts of studies on this topic along with very promising reviews of these select extracts.
After reading this entire thread (imminst.org/forum/topic/37707-benefits-real-or-illusory-and-side-effects-to-stimulating-ngf/page__st__140)
which investigates the most legitimate and effective supplementation of lion mane, it seem that fungi perfecti has the most superior product of choice. cordycepsreishiextracts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=82&osCsid=c3a7dee7be9fc38a42b44ffe39a3a694
Here is a list of the studies on the matter: cordycepsreishiextracts.com/hericium_erinaceus_medical_research.htm
I ordered the extract and will be posting my results on that thread.
@mark: I have to say I was pretty discouraged to hear that you still have headaches. Could you please describe them to me.
How often?
What symptoms do you still have from your lesion?
What do you mean when you say “from a sensory standpoint you need work?”
I feel that my constant dull headaches are directly correlated to my cognitive deficiencies. When I do get those brief windows of reduced swelling and pain I experience an increase in cognition.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
Well do not be disappoint about head pain. I do not care that much about pain as much as cognitive problems. If you can get to a point of being as good or better than you ever were, but still have headaches, I think that is a very good position to be in.
I mean what is a headache compare to brain problems. I think I could work on the headaches with massage or something. Its most likely minor inflammation, from diet or changes in weather or something acting on this injury.
Look if you try the lions mane, why not put yourself on a little rehab routine?
Think of it this way, some bodybuilders take amino acids and work out. Some just workout and some just take amino acids. Who do you think will get the best results and who will get the least?
You need to focus on the area of the brain that needs to be healed. It could be with brain exercises in the areas you have problems with. Or in a more exotic way do meditation for healing for that area.
I know what I am talking about in that regard, you need to stimulate your brain to rebuild, it will work better than just taking something.
Let me know if you have any effect, I like to stay objective about all this so it will be of benefit to others who have the same issues.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
It you want to really amp up your take a couple table spoons of flaxseed oil a day and drink a liter of pomegranate juice. I do not know if the latter is in your budget, but at least consider the flaxseed oil as it is high in essential fatty acids, and ours brain is mostly fat after all. You can also eat a lot of Sardines.
I know it does not sound as radical as taking a drug, but again with brain problems you have to be very patient and give your body what it needs to have the chance to heal. Brains are very flexible you know.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
I agree, with full cognition my pain would be a minimal issue. Like I said, it seems for me these two are very correlated, but hopefully with time I will be able to reach your state of health.
For the past 16 months I have been trying to provide my body with all tools it needs to repair and have had no noticeable progress. This is why I am pursuing new means of treatment.
I totally agree with your bodybuilder metaphor and confess this is the biggest weakness in my regimen. Not liking video games hasn’t helped, but when I sit down to play chess or tetris my pain increases discouraging long or regular sessions.
One thing that has helped my pain and cognition is this mixture of antioxidants, It is known as a glutathione accelerator. Let me know what you think of this. I have recently been debating whether these supplements could be hindering my body’s ability to rehabilitate due to possible negative interactions with glial cells..
max-gxl.org/
I have tried weeks without these supplements and have noticed nothing other that more pain and less cognition.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
In personal experience 16 months is not too long. I think the most important thing is to be patient. My headaches almost went away but I had something happen, which is another story.
Do not worry about video games, do the thing you love the most, it could be reading, or even watching movies. Anything that is really engrossing and engages your brain. I play chess.
As far as antioxidants go, I tried them all. The more natural the better. That is, grape skin or seed extract and pomegranate juice in my opinion is better than an isolated amino acid. I have tried all this stuff. A strong multi vitamin like daily 3 from the Vitamin shop plus some natural anti oxidant like grape skin extract, a reasonable amount and lots of dark drinks like berries etc is a good reasonably priced approach. I have tried the shot gun approach, that is taking everything I could, it cost a lot and your body tends to over load and there are diminishing returns to scale.
So I try to take a multi plus grape skin extract and then experiment with a few things here and there. But basically I think I am healed pretty well. I will continue to work on all this and experiment and research more.
Magic mushrooms and learning: a personal experience with Lion’s mane
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