Sacred 7: New Hope for Epilepsy in Pediatric Neurology
A growing body of emerging evidence suggests certain medicinal mushrooms may offer neuroprotective and antiseizure benefits, particularly for treatment-resistant epilepsy.
A striking case study published in Pediatric Neurology (2025) documents a 10-year-old girl with intractable childhood epilepsy who experienced 99% seizure reduction using Sacred 7, our seven-mushroom extract blend, offering new insights into botanical interventions for neurological disorders.
Case Study Breakthrough
The patient had:
- Infantile-onset epilepsy resistant to 12+ medications/therapies
- Daily seizures (3-50 episodes) with multiple semiologies
- Normal neuroimaging and genetic testing despite severe symptoms
After introducing Naturealm Sacred 7 powder (½ tsp 3x daily), seizure frequency dropped to 1-2 brief events every 2 months within weeks.
Benefits persisted for 3+ years with:
- Lamotrigine dose reduction (625mg → 200mg daily)
- No significant side effects
- Parent/teacher-reported cognitive/behavioral improvements
Key Mushrooms & Potential Mechanisms
The blend contained equal parts (429mg/day each) of:
| Mushroom | Scientific Name | Demonstrated Effects in Research |
|
Chaga |
Inonotus obliquus | High antioxidant ORAC score; reduces oxidative stress in brain injury models |
| Cordyceps | Cordyceps militaris | Attenuates glutamate excitotoxicity in vitro |
| Lion's Mane | Hericium erinaceus | Stimulates NGF synthesis; reduces neuroinflammation in animal models |
| Maitake | Grifola frondosa | Beta-glucans modulate microglial activation pathways |
| Reishi | Ganoderma lingzhi | Modulates GABA receptors; antioxidant properties shown in rodent seizure models |
| Shiitake | Lentinula edodes | Contains eritadenine showing anti-inflammatory effects in CNS studies |
| Turkey Tail | Trametes versicolor | Polysaccharide-K enhances NK cell activity; may mitigate neuroinflammation |
Proposed Antiseizure Pathways
- Neuroprotection: Lion’s Mane and Reishi compounds may stabilize neuronal membranes via BDNF/NGF upregulation
- Immune Modulation: Turkey Tail and Maitake beta-glucans could reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines linked to epileptogenesis
- Oxidative Balance: Chaga’s superoxide dismutase activity may counteract seizure-induced free radical damage
- GABAergic Effects: Reishi triterpenes show affinity for GABA-A receptors in preclinical models
Critical Considerations
- Synergy: The combined formulation’s effect exceeded individual mushrooms’ documented impacts, suggesting potentiation
- Pharmacokinetics: No observed interaction with lamotrigine metabolism (UGT1A4/2B7 pathways), implying direct neuromodulatory action
- Limitations: Single case report; no controlled human trials. Researchers emphasize: "Mechanistic studies and randomized trials are urgently needed to validate these observations and identify active compounds."
This extraordinary case challenges conventional paradigms in epilepsy management, highlighting medicinal mushrooms as a novel avenue for:
- Adjunctive therapy in pharmacoresistant cases
- Neuroinflammation-targeted treatment strategies
- Cognitive/behavioral comorbidity mitigation
While not replacing standard care, such botanical approaches warrant rigorous investigation through multi-center clinical trials and pharmacokinetic studies.
What's Next
A collaborative retrospective study with Lily's Lighthouse, Realm of Caring, and Unlimited Sciences on functional mushrooms for epilepsy treatment has shown promising initial results. As of August 2024, data collection for the mixed methods case study involving multiple cases has concluded, with 90% of participants taking Lion's Mane and/or Reishi mushrooms reporting a mild to strong belief that functional mushrooms have positively impacted how seizures affect their lives.
The study, focusing on lion's mane and reishi mushrooms, has observed improvements across various epilepsy and seizure types. This research builds upon the remarkable case of Lily Boylan, whose seizure frequency dramatically decreased from an average of 50 per day to approximately one every few months with the use of functional mushrooms alongside traditional anti-seizure medication, discussed in the report in Pediatric Neurology.
These efforts represents a significant step forward in exploring alternative treatments for epilepsy. By combining scientific rigor with real-world data, this research aims to bridge the gap between anecdotal success stories and evidence-based therapies.
As Dr. Matthew X. Lowe emphasizes, the goal is to lead "high-impact and innovative research that may increase access to life-changing therapies". While the full results are yet to be published, the initial findings offer hope to those affected by epilepsy, particularly in cases where traditional treatments have proven ineffective.
This collaborative initiative not only highlights the potential of functional mushrooms in epilepsy management but also underscores the importance of continued research into natural, non-psychoactive alternatives in neurological health.
Sources
Kim-McManus, Olivia, et al. "Serendipity Can Rule the Day: Remarkable Efficacy of a Mushroom Extract Powder in Childhood Treatment Resistant Epilepsy." Pediatric Neurology, vol. 2025, 2025, doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2025.01.017.
"Functional Mushrooms Study." Unlimited Sciences, 2025. https://unlimitedsciences.org/psychedelic-research/functional-mushrooms-study/.