Remarkable Hope for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: The Power of Functional Mushrooms

By Katie Pickard, Executive Director

At Unlimited Sciences, we are profoundly committed to supporting healing through the power of natural medicine, and we believe that rigorous, patient-centered research is the key to unlocking new therapeutic options. That’s why we were so excited to partner with incredible organizations like Realm of Caring and Lily’s Lighthouse on this incredibly important new research: ‘Functional mushrooms saved my daughter’s life’: A preliminary mixed methods survey study of Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) for epilepsy.

This research represents a critical, early step in exploring a readily available, natural, and low-cost complementary therapy for a condition that drastically affects millions globally.

Understanding the Urgent Need

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, affecting more than 70 million people worldwide. For roughly one-third of these patients, seizures persist despite trying at least two tolerated anti-seizure medications (ASMs). This is known as Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE), and it carries a high risk of poor cognitive development, reduced quality of life, and even earlier death. For these patients, the chance of achieving seizure freedom is heartbreakingly low: less than 15%.

When conventional treatments fail, patients and their caregivers often seek out alternative strategies. This is where the potential of functional mushrooms, with their long history of medicinal use in traditional practices, comes into sharp focus.

Spotlight on Reishi and Lion’s Mane

Our study investigated the use of two specific functional mushrooms as adjunctive therapies for epilepsy: Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus).

• Reishi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for millennia and has demonstrated neuroprotective properties and a potential to reduce seizure frequency and improve Quality of Life (QoL) in previous smaller studies.
• Lion’s Mane is renowned for its neuroprotective and potential cognitive-enhancing effects, with animal studies showing it may have an anti-epileptic effect by protecting brain neurons.

Our exploratory, mixed-methods study looked at 19 participants (mostly minors represented by a caregiver), the majority of whom met the criteria for DRE. We used both quantitative surveys and in-depth structured interviews to gather comprehensive data on functional mushroom use, seizure activity, quality of life, and caregiver burden.

Key Findings: A Glimmer of Hope

The results are promising and paint a picture of noticeable improvement for many of the participants seeking alternative options for severe and treatment-resistant epilepsy:

• Improved Seizure Control: An impressive 68.4% of participants reported at least some reduction or a significant reduction in both the severity and frequency of their seizures since starting Reishi and/or Lion’s Mane. This includes those with drug-resistant epilepsy.
• Cognitive and Developmental Gains: Participants and caregivers frequently reported improved memory, attention, and overall mental clarity. In children, caregivers noted their child meeting previously delayed developmental milestones, an incredibly impactful outcome.
• Better Quality of Life (QoL): Participants utilizing functional mushrooms reported QoL scores in physical, psychological, social, and environmental health that were comparable to the general population, which is typically not the case for people living with epilepsy.
• Reduced Caregiver Burden: The study found a significant correlation between reduced seizure severity/perceived stress and lower caregiver burden. As the patient’s condition improved, so did the well-being of the family unit. In the words of one caregiver, “Functional mushrooms saved my daughter’s life.”

Qualitative data further supported these findings, with participants expressing dissatisfaction with conventional treatments and a strong desire for more research into natural, complementary options that may offer therapeutic benefits with fewer adverse effects. While we note that most participants also used other treatments, which complicates definitive attribution, the results strongly suggest a beneficial role for these mushrooms.

What’s Next for Functional Mushrooms and Epilepsy Research?

While these preliminary findings are tremendously encouraging, they are a starting point. Our study provides strong hypothesis-generating evidence that functional mushrooms hold potential as a sustainable, low-cost complementary therapy for epilepsy, especially DRE.

To validate these patient reports, the critical next step is to conduct larger, blinded, randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This will allow researchers to:

1. Establish causality and confirm the efficacy of Reishi and Lion’s Mane.
2. Determine the optimal dosage and safety for different patient groups.
3. Uncover the specific mechanisms of action through which these mushrooms impact the brain and seizure activity.

The work we completed with Realm of Caring and Lily’s Lighthouse offers a foundation. It’s essential that the scientific community builds upon these findings to fully explore the therapeutic promise of these functional mushrooms. We are incredibly grateful to the participants and our collaborators for helping us shine a light on this path forward.