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Review
. 2022 May 20;11(10):1489.
doi: 10.3390/foods11101489.

Edible Mushrooms as a Potential Component of Dietary Interventions for Major Depressive Disorder

Agata Fijałkowska  1 , Karol Jędrejko  1 , Katarzyna Sułkowska-Ziaja  1 , Marek Ziaja  2 , Katarzyna Kała  1 , Bożena Muszyńska  1
Affiliations
Review

Edible Mushrooms as a Potential Component of Dietary Interventions for Major Depressive Disorder

Agata Fijałkowska et al. Foods. .

Abstract

Dietary interventions for people suffering from major depressive disorder (MDD) are an ongoing field of research. In this article, we present a comprehensive background for understanding the possibility of using edible medicinal mushrooms as an adjunctive treatment for MDD. We start with a brief history of MDD, its diagnosis, epidemiology and treatment, and the effects of diet on depression symptoms, followed by a review of neurobiological, behavioral, and clinical studies of medicinal mushrooms. We specifically highlight the results of preclinical and clinical studies on dietary supplementation with three selected mushroom species: Lion's mane (Hericium erinaceus), Caterpillar mushroom (Cordyceps militaris), and Lingzhi/Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum). Preliminary small-sample clinical studies suggest that Lion's mane can influence well-being of humans. In the case of Reishi, the results of clinical studies are equivocal, while in the case of Caterpillar Mushroom, such studies are underway. Edible mushrooms contain 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan (5-HTP), which is a direct precursor of serotonin-a neurotransmitter targeted in pharmacotherapy of MDD. Therefore, in light of the well-recognized role of stress as a pathogenic factor of MDD, we also describe the neurobiological mechanisms of the interaction between stress and serotonergic neurotransmission; and summarize the current state of knowledge on dietary supplementation with 5-HTP in MDD.

Keywords: Cordyceps; Hericium erinaceus; Reishi; diet; major depressive disorder; serotonin.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hericium erinaceus in its natural habitat (photo by Paweł Stasiowski).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cordyceps militaris in its natural habitat (photo by Paweł Stasiowski).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Ganoderma lucidum in its natural habitat (photo by Paweł Stasiowski).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Common neurobiological mechanisms and behavioral effects observed in chronic stress rodent models of MDD after supplementation with compounds from Hericium erinaceus, Cordyceps militaris or Ganoderma lucidum (Figure composed using Servier Medical Art: http://smart.servier.com/(accessed on 15 May 2022)). Photos were kindly provided by Paweł Stasiowski.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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