Functional Mushrooms: A New Path in Epilepsy Care
Epilepsy affects one in 26 individuals and is more common among us than having naturally red hair. One in 10 Americans will have a seizure at one point in their lives. To be diagnosed epileptic, you need only have two unprovoked seizures. In the US, 3.4 million people and their loved ones are affected by this little-understood brain disorder. Epilepsy affects us all, whether we realize it or not.
November is National Epilepsy Awareness Month, designated in 1969 by the Epilepsy Foundation. There are currently 15 pharmaceuticals listed to suppress seizures, but unfortunately, for one-third of those who have epilepsy, there are no treatments for uncontrollable seizures.
Lily’s Lighthouse: Functional Mushrooms at Work
When Sarah-Kate Boylan’s daughter, Lily, was just a few weeks old, she was diagnosed with epilepsy. Lily’s seizures were relentless, disrupting every aspect of her young life and leaving Sarah-Kate with the haunting reality that traditional treatments for this condition often fall short.
Around a third of individuals with epilepsy do not experience significant symptom relief from standard medications, and Lily was one of them. However, in a desperate search for an alternative solution, Sarah-Kate began extensively researching any potential treatment that might help her daughter.
During this search, she discovered the potential of medicinal mushrooms and the emerging scientific evidence that backed their use. With cautious optimism, she began incorporating functional mushroom supplements into Lily’s daily regimen.
The results were nothing short of miraculous— Lily’s seizures became less frequent and severe, and her overall quality of life drastically improved. Lily went from having up to 50 seizures every day to being seizure-free for months at a time.
She had failed more than 12 different pharmaceutical medications. She’s been able to wean her pharmaceuticals down to just one which is below the therapeutic range at this time. She takes half a teaspoon of Sacred 7 Mushroom Extract Powder three times daily.
Inspired by Lily’s remarkable improvement in health, Sarah-Kate founded Lily’s Lighthouse, a non-profit whose mission is to fund functional mushroom research that will result in a therapeutic for the treatment of epilepsy.
They aim to support more research into these natural supplements as an alternative treatment and provide resources and hope to other families facing similar challenges.
Research on the Anti-Seizure Effects of Functional Mushrooms
Reoccurring seizures can cause long-term damage to the brain and lead to a decline in cognitive and motor functions over time. Each seizure episode can cause excessive electrical activity, killing neurons that are vital for maintaining brain health.
Inflammation in the brain can increase the occurrence and severity of seizures. When inflamed, the brain releases pro-inflammatory cytokines, making neurons more excitable and leading to seizures. Furthermore, these cytokines weaken the blood-brain barrier, allowing more inflammatory cells to enter the brain and cause further damage.
This inflammatory process not only aggravates the immediate impact of seizures but also contributes to the long-term neuronal damage caused by repeated seizures. Addressing and reducing inflammation while promoting neuroprotection can help mitigate the detrimental effects of epilepsy, preserve neuronal health, and enhance the brain’s overall resilience.
Several medicinal mushrooms have demonstrated exceptional neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits that could help counteract these effects, making them an ideal treatment for managing epilepsy.
Lion’s Mane Mushrooms
Lion’s Mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are already revered for their neuroprotective benefits, with their ability to stimulate the production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), which supports neuron growth and maintenance.
To further examine these neuroprotective effects, researchers gave varying doses of Lion’s Mane extract to mice with severe seizures. They found that moderate doses (60 mg/kg and 120 mg/kg) significantly protected neurons and reduced inflammatory markers in the hippocampus, an area in the brain responsible for memory and learning.
Reishi Mushrooms
Reishi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) have also demonstrated neuroprotective benefits due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect against neuronal damage. Research has found that Reishi extract can help lower inflammatory markers and oxidative stress levels, both of which contribute to neuron damage.
When given to rats with induced seizures, the extract not only reduced the frequency and severity of seizures but also protected brain cells from damage. A similar study found that Reishi mushroom powder also has an effect on reducing seizures and helps protect brain cells from dying during seizures.
Reishi has also been studied on human patients with epilepsy. Those treated with Reishi spore powder saw a significant reduction in seizure frequency. The study noted that anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties were also the likely contributing factors to these effects. Patients reported minimal side effects, suggesting that Reishi could potentially be used as a safe and effective adjunct treatment for epilepsy.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) may also be a valuable ally in treating seizures, according to an open-label trial on children with refractory epilepsy. Eighteen children between the ages of 1 and 7 received daily doses of Shiitake extract for a month, and many saw improvements from this treatment.
Six children reported reduced seizures, and EEG readings showed less epileptic activity. Additionally, many parents reported improvements in their children’s behavior, indicating that the supplement may have enhanced their overall health.
Wood Ear Mushrooms
Wood Ear mushrooms (Auricularia auricula-judae), although not commonly found in mushroom supplements, have also shown neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory benefits for treating seizures.
In mouse models, those treated with 400 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg of Wood Ear mushroom extract showed a significant decrease in seizure activity and delayed the onset of seizures.
A Retrospective Study on Epilepsy and Functional Mushrooms
Determined to find more evidence to support these claims, Lily’s Lighthouse has teamed up with nonprofits Unlimited Sciences and the Realm of Caring Foundation, to launch an observational study on the effectiveness of functional mushrooms, specifically Lion’s Mane and Reishi, in treating epilepsy.
The study is a retrospective analysis of epilepsy patients who have incorporated functional mushrooms into their treatment regimen and have found relief from their symptoms. These findings will be published soon. The foundations are currently raising money to fund the next stage of research.
Preliminary Results Preliminary study results show that most participants (90%) reported a positive impact on how Reishi and/or Lion’s mane functional mushrooms affected their seizures.
Through both clinical observations and recent testimonials, these bioactive compounds appear to offer anticonvulsant properties while demonstrating minimal adverse effects compared to conventional treatments.
Testimonials
- Lexi F.: “My son has had 24 days seizure free, after having seizures for 3 years. Once we increased his Reishi dose, his myoclonics stopped occurring daily. We increased his Sacred 7 dose as well. He's gone weeks without a tonic clonic. The longest in a year!”
- Leanne W.: “I tried these as a result of an article that I read on the Realm of Caring blog about a young girl named Lily. Lily's parents started using Naturealm Sacred Seven to help Lily with her intractable seizures. I myself have a seizure disorder and thought that I'd give them a try, and I am so happy that I did. They have assisted me, and I have recommended them to at least five others so far.”
- Michelle B.: “I recently started using the mushroom blend for my daughter, age 3, who is epileptic. We have seen a reduction in her seizures and see benefits in her gut health. The whole family is now on it. I would highly recommend it.”
- Melanie W.: “I give this daily to my young son, who has a serious form of epilepsy. He is doing so well currently and I feel the Sacred 7 powder has helped contribute to preserving and enhancing his cognitive abilities. I simply pop the powder into his water bottle and he drinks in no problem, he actually prefers this to plain water!”
The Future of Epilepsy Care
Other mushrooms, including Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris), and Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), may also help reduce seizures and neuron damage due to their similar anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The therapeutic potential of functional mushrooms in the treatment of epilepsy represents a promising development in neurology, particularly for patients who don’t respond to traditional anti-epileptic drugs.
As Lily’s Lighthouse moves forward with the retrospective case study analysis targeting the one-third of epilepsy patients who currently lack effective options, Sarah-Kate Boylan’s mission to validate these treatments through proper research channels could help bridge the gap between traditional medicine and alternative therapies, potentially offering new hope for families affected by treatment-resistant epilepsy.