Reduction of Depression and Anxiety by 4 Weeks Hericium erinaceus Intake

Authors: Mayumi Nagano, Kuniyoshi Shimizu, Ryuichiro Kondo, Chickako Hayashi, Daigo Sato, Katsuyuki Kitagawa, and Koichiro Ohnuki

Journal: Biomedical Research

Study Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Participants: 30 females (26 completed the study) aged 41.3 ± 5.6 years with a variety of indefinite complaints and no specified diseases

Trial Length: 4 weeks

Intervention:

• HE group (n = 12): 4 cookies containing 0.5 g of powdered fruiting body of Hericium erinaceus (HE) per day
• Placebo group (n = 14)

Primary Outcomes:

• Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) for menopause symptoms
• Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D) for depression
• Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for sleep quality
• Indefinite Complaints Index (ICI) for indefinite complaints

Summary: The study investigated the effects of Hericium erinaceus (HE) intake on menopause, depression, sleep quality, and indefinite complaints in women. The results showed that HE intake significantly reduced scores on the CES-D (depression) and ICI (indefinite complaints) scales. The terms “palpitation” and “insentive” on the ICI were significantly lower in the HE group compared to the placebo group. The terms “irritating”, “anxious”, and “concentration” also tended to be lower in the HE group. The study suggests that HE intake may have the potential to reduce depression and anxiety, possibly through a mechanism different from its known NGF-enhancing action.