From the Desk of Carolyn Dean MD ND
I understand why people are interested in finding ways to improve their brain performance. Today we’re steeped in stress, bombarded with information we’re not equipped to process, and quietly worried that forgetting where we put our keys might signal the beginning of some neurodegenerative condition. We even “playfully” call it a “senior moment.” Of course, this distracts us from productivity and focus.
Why Lion’s Mane Is Trending for Brain Fog and Focus
So when a new trend – using mushrooms like lion’s mane as a “focus hack” – promises sharper memory, better cognitive performance, and relief from brain fog, it can be hard to resist. It’s natural. It’s plant-based. Influencers say they powered through their day with laser focus. It must work, right?
Add it to your coffee. Blend it into a smoothie. Enjoy your brain-fog-free, distraction-proof day.
Yet despite the hype, many people report bloating, rashes, anxiety, allergic reactions—or no benefit at all.
So what’s really going on?
What Lion’s Mane Actually Does in the Brain
What is Lion’s Mane? It actually has the appearance of the inner brain under the skull. Some types resemble an actual lion’s mane which is shaggy and white. We sell it at our farm store and farmer’s market and it can run $20 a pound and people seem to seek it out.
Lion’s mane is a medicinal mushroom that’s been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries. It’s prescribed as a tonic to support digestion, boost Qi (life force), calm the mind, and reduce stress.
In the last five years, it has entered the mainstream wellness world as a so-called “smart mushroom,” propelled by biohacking culture and the functional food movement.
Lion’s mane contains bioactive compounds, specifically erinacines (from the mycelium) and hericenones (from the fruiting body). These compounds are believed to cross the blood-brain barrier and may stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) a protein in the brain that supports the survival, development, and function of neurons.
That sounds promising.
But promising mechanisms do not automatically translate into consistent, long-term benefits for everyone.
The Risks of Using Mushrooms as Brain Stimulants
Not all “natural” substances are for everybody
Mushrooms like lion’s mane and cordyceps are marketed as brain stimulants and energy enhancers. For some people, they may produce a temporary lift.
But for many others, they overstimulate systems that are already strained.
You cannot stimulate a depleted nervous system into health. And you can be sure that nervous system depletion stems from depleted minerals.
This is where I see the modern wellness movement going astray—replacing pharmaceutical drugs with trendy “natural” stimulants while still attempting to override underlying deficiencies instead of correcting them.
Stimulation is not restoration.
Brain Fog Is a Symptom, Not a Mushroom Deficiency
You can’t clear brain fog with mushrooms.
Brain fog is not a diagnosis. It is a symptom.
In my 50 years of experience, brain fog is most commonly associated with
- Magnesium deficiency
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Yeast overgrowth
It is not a mushroom deficiency.
If you’re feeling off your game – fatigued, unfocused, forgetful, or mentally dull, it’s not because you lack stimulants. When the brain is deficient in magnesium and other critical minerals, it becomes vulnerable to foggy thinking, anxiety, apathy, low mood, and poor concentration.
In many of my books, I talk about conditions like yeast overgrowth and leaky gut where toxins from yeast cross into the bloodstream, causing brain fog, rashes, and systemic symptoms that conventional medicine often overlooks.
It’s also worth noting that mushrooms are fungi. In individuals prone to yeast imbalance, adding concentrated fungal extracts may worsen symptoms rather than relieve them.
If brain fog is rooted in mineral depletion or microbial imbalance, stimulation will not solve the problem.
Magnesium Deficiency and Cognitive Function
The true solution to help focus your brain is restoring your magnesium levels.
Magnesium regulates the nervous system. It calms excitability, relaxes muscle tension, steadies the pulse rate, and reduces anxiety. When magnesium is restored, the brain can function with greater clarity and stability. Symptoms like mental fog and memory lapses begin to resolve because the nervous system is no longer operating in a depleted state.
Remember what I say about the brain. We have 86 Billion brain Neurons. Each neuron houses Two Million Mitochondria. Each mitochondria runs umpteen Kreb’s cycles and Mg-ATP is the end energy product. Brain fog is mostly a magnesium deficiency.
Why Mineral Restoration Supports Long-Term Focus
Minerals provide regulation and long-term resilience.
Mushrooms provide stimulation.
Stimulation may feel like sharper focus for a few hours and then you need another hit. Those hits are probably pushing your magnesium and depleting it even more. But sustainable cognitive clarity comes from remineralizing the body at the cellular level—particularly with magnesium in a picometer, stabilized ionic form that is well absorbed.
The goal is not a temporary buzz. The goal is neurological stability.
Ultimately your “focus” should be on remineralizing your body with ReMag, my picometer, stabilized ionic form of magnesium.
Better Alternatives to Mushroom “Focus Hacks”
I repeat. If you want real, foundational change rather than a trend-driven shortcut, begin with mineral restoration. I recommend introducing ReMag magnesium into your daily routine:
- Magnesium supports nervous system calm, allowing clearer focus.
- It helps stabilize blood sugar, reducing the distracting spikes and crashes that impair concentration.
- It supports restorative sleep, which is essential for cognitive performance.
Lifestyle support for clear thinking
- Drink adequate water, ideally with magnesium and a pinch of sea salt to support electrolyte balance.
- Minimize stimulants like caffeine and sugar.
- Prioritize deep, restorative sleep—ideally eight hours per night. Magnesium can significantly improve sleep quality.
Focus is not created by forcing the brain to work harder. It emerges when the nervous system is adequately nourished and supported.
👉 Learn more and become a member here:
https://drcarolyndean.com/wellness-courses/
This content is for educational purposes only and discusses nutritional and lifestyle support for normal structure and function of the body. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal medical guidance.
