"Hericium erinaceus +" is a blend of mushroom fruiting bodies with pure cultivated non-grain mycelium. Such a composite product contains an even broader spectrum of biologically active compounds with proven pharmacological potential and has a more pronounced nootropic effect, primarily due to an increased amount of erinacines — substances that promote the growth of nerve endings and reduce neuroinflammation in the brain. This combination further enhances the efficiency of learning and memory processes, promotes brain health, and serves as an effective prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Like many mushrooms grown or cultivated in an ecologically clean environment, Hericium accumulates the full necessary spectrum of micro- and macronutrients in its fruiting bodies. Including mushrooms in the diet is especially important for people living in urban environments and facing constant oxidative stress (disrupted sleep-wake cycles; nutritional imbalances and eating behavior issues; chronic stress; adverse environmental ecological factors; lack of physical activity). Therefore, mushrooms are a unique and highly promising product of our time, capable of covering a whole range of nutritional needs of modern humans.

• Hericium erinaceus is a well-known mushroom with unique nootropic properties, capable of qualitatively improving cognitive performance and activating mental activity. It is the mixture of mycelium and fruiting bodies of Hericium erinaceus that allows one to get the most useful benefits from this mushroom and preserve the maximum amount of erinacines (diterpenoids). These diterpenoids exhibit high biological activity as stimulators of nerve ending growth, thereby increasing the neuroplasticity of the brain and the ability to learn new skills. Erinacine A is the main representative of the erinacine group found in the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus. It not only increases the neurotrophic factor NGF (Nerve Growth Factor), significantly increasing the survival of neurons in various areas of the brain, but also increases the amount of catecholamines in the locus coeruleus of the hippocampus. It is Erinacine A that significantly increases cell survival in experimental stroke models and reduces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which undoubtedly holds extremely important therapeutic potential for people predisposed to cardiovascular pathology, including cerebral ischemia.

• Erinacine A has been well studied in relation to Parkinson's disease — the second most common neurodegenerative disease, which is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic cells in the substantia nigra of the brain. The substantia nigra of the brain plays an important role in motor function, muscle tone, and in the implementation of the statokinetic function of the autonomic activity of the body: breathing, heart function, vascular tone, etc. The loss of dopaminergic cells in it leads to serious motor impairments, including resting tremor, muscle rigidity, slowing of movements, and postural instability. Research results have shown that dopaminergic lesions and oxidative stress in the substantia nigra are significantly reduced after the administration of Erinacine A. Moreover, it was found that this substance is capable of reversing motor deficits, which indicates not only a preventive but also a high therapeutic potential for patients with parkinsonism.

• There are also studies on the activity of Erinacine A, derived from the mycelium of Hericium erinaceus, against Alzheimer's disease — a severe progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes a sharp decline in cognitive abilities and behavioral skills. There is growing evidence that the progression of Alzheimer's disease after a certain point becomes an unstoppable chain reaction characterized by the presence of highly neurotoxic beta-amyloid plaques. These plaques cause severe secondary damage: disruption of calcium homeostasis, inflammation, excitotoxicity, and cellular apoptosis (cell death). This leads to the disruption of the nerve cell cytoskeleton and the accumulation of neurofibrillary proteins in them, consisting mainly of insoluble filaments of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins, the amount of which directly correlates with the severity of the disease. Erinacine A is capable of reducing the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques, as well as decreasing the activation of plaque-associated microglia and astrocytes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, while enhancing the proliferation of neural precursors and the number of new neurons, stimulating neurogenesis. These qualities make the use of the mushroom an excellent strategy for managing Alzheimer's disease in the initial stages and can not only prevent but also qualitatively improve the course of an already existing disease.

• Depression, like chronic stress, is a serious problem in modern society. They often correlate with the general inflammatory status of the brain, including neurodegenerative pathologies. It has been proven that the level of NGF is significantly lower in people with depressive disorder than in healthy individuals. There are also studies showing that chronic stress causes a decrease in the expression of BDNF — another neurotrophin that helps maintain the survival of existing neurons and stimulates the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. In the brain, it is most active in the areas responsible for learning and the formation of long-term memory. In studies examining the antidepressant-like effects of Hericium erinaceus, mycelium with a high content of Erinacine A reduced oxidative stress in the brain, decreasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and also increased the expression of BDNF and improved behavioral indicators, raising levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin. This suggests that the consumption of Hericium erinaceus can reverse depressive states by modulating neurotransmitters responsible for motivation, activity, and good mood, thereby allowing behavioral patterns to be changed and the core of the personality to be rebuilt in a favorable direction.

Hericium is an excellent neurotrophin that promotes the growth of nerve endings by stimulating the nerve growth factor NGF. The mushroom increases neuron survival through the regeneration of myelin sheaths, which often become damaged with age, losing the ability to conduct signals.

These processes are key in the formation of neuroplasticity. For a long time, it was believed that nerve cells do not regenerate, neural connections cannot be rebuilt, and the brain inevitably degrades with age. But now it has been established that nerve cells regenerate through the formation of new ones, that communication pathways between neurons can be changed, that it is possible to influence the synapse area, increase neural remodeling, which means the brain can be "upgraded" and its aging can be significantly slowed down. Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize its neural networks under the influence of new experiences. Hericium significantly increases neuroplasticity through its effect on brain neurotrophic factors and conductivity between neurons and within the neuron. It can be used both as a prophylactic agent and as part of treatment protocols when working with neurodegenerative diseases and during increased mental loads. It can improve the psycho-emotional response to sessions with a psychotherapist and serve as an excellent adjunct to therapy.

It can be used for neuropathic pain of various pathogenesis, including neuropathies arising against the background of type 1 diabetes mellitus. The analgesic properties of Hericium are due to the stimulation of neurotrophic factor and the effect on p2x-receptors, which are associated with the sensation of pain in the human body.

Hericium can be used as a mild antidepressant and anxiolytic. It can influence the expression of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, similar to pharmaceutical drugs. By increasing the brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF, Hericium can gently elevate mood and positively influence behavioral patterns, reducing the risk of depression and allowing the core of the personality itself to be rebuilt in a favorable direction. It is capable of positively influencing circadian rhythms, promoting timely falling asleep and improving the quality and depth of sleep.

It has antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium and leads to their complete suppression by the host's immunity.

Hericium polysaccharides have a beneficial effect on the state of the gastrointestinal tract due to their high content, being an excellent prebiotic agent that promotes the growth of beneficial microflora in the intestines; they help improve the barrier function of the entire digestive tract. They can be used as part of complex therapy in the treatment of gastritis and ulcerative conditions, accelerating the healing process of the epithelial wall, as well as for dysbiosis, constipation, and intestinal inflammation.

Hericium exhibits antitumor activity by stimulating the immune response, suppressing the proliferation and growth of cancer cells, showing cytotoxic properties towards them.

However, it should be kept in mind that any mushroom therapy as an oncoprotector, prescribed by an appropriate specialist, should be perceived as an additional agent in complex therapy and, rather, as a means to improve the effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy and facilitate recovery after these procedures.

INCREASED FOCUS AND SPEED OF THINKING
PROTECTION OF THE BRAIN FROM AGING AND STIMULATION OF NEUROPLASTICITY
PREVENTION AND THERAPY OF NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES
ANTIDEPRESSANT EFFECT
INCREASED CAPACITY FOR PSYCHOCORRECTION DURING PSYCHOTHERAPY
IMPROVED SLEEP QUALITY
RECOVERY AFTER STROKE
IMMUNOSTIMULANT
ANALGESIC EFFECT
HELP WITH NEUROPATHIES
REDUCTION OF INFLAMMATION
SUPPRESSION OF HELICOBACTER PYLORI
RESTORATION OF GI MUCOSA
ANTITUMOR ACTIVITY