Scientists may have identified a new ally in the fight against cognitive decline. Tell the doubters to put a cap on it
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When screenwriters Gloria Katz and Willard Huyck were given the task of conceiving a banquet for a human-sacrifice cult in Indiana Jones And The Temple of Doom, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas told them to make it ‘as gross as possible’. So they came up with a feast of eyeball soup, beetles and snakes, but most repulsive of all? A dessert of chilled monkey brains. The scene has since been rightly criticised for its offensive portrayal of Indians – it goes without saying that no one eats monkey brains in Asia. The closest thing to it, perhaps, is the monkey head: a tasty, meaty kind of mushroom.
Also known as lion’s mane for their unusual furry appearance, monkey head mushrooms – or Hericium erinaceus to mycologists – contain compounds that are thought to stimulate the growth of brain cells. Scientists believe that these could have a healing effect in dementia cases: a Taiwanese study*, for example, found that a daily dose significantly improved cognitive test scores among those suffering from mild Alzheimer’s.
Most recently, pre-clinical trials at the University of Queensland, Australia, have demonstrated that they can enhance memory. Study authors say the mushroom extract increases the size of ‘growth cones’, which help brain cells to establish new connections.
The mushroom is readily available in supplement form, often as smoothie-ready powder. Though human trials remain in their early stages, the research looks promising. It might one day be a no-brainer.
