Mushroom extracts seem to exert an action on brain function. In order to objectify such an effect changes of the electric activity of the brain have been successfully used in earlier experiments in the presence of diverse food extracts.
Changes of field potentials recorded from implanted electrodes into the depth of the brain of rats served to analyse the action of plant-derived extracts in comparison to food supplements and reference drugs. Frequency analysis of the data and feeding of the results into discriminant analysis allowed indication dependent classification of the effects. The present investigation aimed at the neuro-physiological characterization of the effect of a preparation of Hericium erinaceus in this model.
The presently tested mycological preparation “MRL’s Hericium erinaceus hyphal powder” induced a pattern of frequency changes consisting in a statistically significant attenuation of delta, theta, alpha2 and beta1 spectral power, but not alpha1 power in all brain regions during the first 2 hours after administration. The lack of alpha1 spectral power attenuation in combination with attenuation of delta, theta and alpha2 power is shared by some other preparations tested earlier under identical conditions like Zembrin®, Acetylsalicylic acid, Methylphenidate, Taxifolin and Ginkgo extract. From this, calming, analgesic, antidepressive and cognition enhancing properties might be deduced for the tested mushroom biomass. However, due to the fact, that only one dosage was tested, interpretation of the results is limited. As active ingredients recently discovered erinacines from Hericium ericaneus mycelia might be considered, which show up in the brain as early as 30 min after oral administration.


The Hericium erinaceus used in this clinical study was supplied by Mycology Research Laboratories Ltd.