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neeniedith Asked August 2020

Any experience with lion's mane?

Hello! Mom is 81, has dementia. She is on namenda and aricept, among other medications. Physically she is great, besides for unsteady walking and some bathroom issues. She has a full time caregiver, and I am there every day before and after work.


Anyway, i've started her on lion's mane powder and am wondering if anyone has had any experience with it. it is heartbreaking to me how she is always asking if there is 'something she can take' to help her remember better. I have told her that she is already on two memory meds but obviously that's not what she wants to hear. I never realized that elders losing their memories and minds are actually acutely aware of it happening- this to me is the worst part.


Thank you!

gladimhere Aug 2020
We are all tempted to try just about anything that claims to help with memory loss. Never tried lions mane with mom. Doctor should always be consulted.

Sissy decided on the infrequent times she was with mom she would try coconut oil. Never told me she was doing this. One day I found the jar and asked if she had been giving it to mom. A sheepish yes. No wonder mom's chronic D was so much worse after sissy visits.

Always check with doc first. So many false claims of things that might help yet no research to back it up. Some of these can actually cause harm.

Geaton777 Aug 2020
This mushroom powder is still a chemical and can react with her medication, therefore it is very important that her doctor and pharmacist are informed that she's also taking this. There is no FDA review of this food supplement. An article I read promoting lion's mane states, "it’s important to note that most of the research [on lion's mane] has been conducted in animals or in test tubes. Therefore, more human studies are needed." This means there is no reliable proof that this supplement does anything at all, in fact you don't even know if what's in the powder is actually lion's mane since there is no accountability for food supplements like there is with the FDA and prescription medicines. You don't know if it was manufactured/processed in sanitary/sterile conditions and you don't know if one jar has the same strength/dosage as the next. Caveat emptor (buyer, beware).
Isthisrealyreal Aug 2020
I just have to say that you seem to believe that the FDA protects us from getting garbage in our foods and meds, have you not ever read where they have failed us miserably and the number of recalls on meds? They don't do what they exist for as well as people give them credit for.

Suppliments are not chemicals if you buy good brands, that is what the FDA approves for our consumption, you know like round up on our food. This is the company that you are depending on to protect you.

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