A team of researchers from the University of Queensland has discovered that the edible mushroom Hericium erinaceus has the ability to improve memory and stimulate the growth of nerve cells. The results of the preclinical study are described in the Journal of Neurochemistry.

Extracts of this mushroom have often been used in traditional Chinese medicine, but now scientists have decided to trace its effects on the brain from a scientific point of view.

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The authors isolated active compounds from Hericium erinaceus and then exposed them to cultured brain cells. Using modern microscopes with super-resolution, scientists were able to trace the exact molecular mechanisms of influence.

Certain substances contributed to the pronounced multiplication of neurons, and also optimized the connection between other nerve cells. Ultimately, this leads to visible improvements in memory performance. The authors believe that their discovery holds promise for developing new treatments for neurodegenerative cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.

In February 2023, Iranian scientists at the University of Birjan observed that cinnamon could potentially be beneficial in boosting cognitive function, reducing memory impairment and learning problems.