Myco Adaptogen Complex:
Lion’s Mane, NGF and adaptogenic mushrooms in stress regulation and neuroprotection
How does Lion’s Mane stimulate the production of NGF and BDNF, what are the adaptogenic mechanisms of action of Reishi, Chaga and Cordyceps, and what does the veterinary literature say? For dogs, cats and humans.
By Stefan Veenstra DVM
Adaptogenic mushrooms: a different action profile than immune mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms are not a homogeneous group. The four mushrooms in the Myco Immune Complex (Coriolus, Agaricus, Maitake, Shiitake) have their primary action via beta-glucan-mediated immune modulation and oncological support. The four mushrooms in the Myco Adaptogen Complex (Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps) have a fundamentally different action profile: their primary active ingredients are terpenes, melanins and specific neuroactive molecules that modulate the nervous system, stress response and energy metabolism. [1]
This distinction is clinically relevant: for behavioral problems, chronic stress, cognitive decline and lack of energy, the Myco Adaptogen Complex is the first choice. For immune disorders, chronic infections and oncological support, the Myco Immune Complex is primary. In the Behavioural Protocol and the Old Age Protocol, both are used for a complement of immune and neuromodulation.
NGD Care Behavioral Protocol: Adaptogenic Mushrooms for Stress Regulation and Behavioral Support
NGD Care Old Age Protocol: Cognitive Support and Stress Regulation in Senior Animals
Lion’s Mane: The Only NGF-Boosting Nutrient
Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) contains two unique families of bioactive molecules that do not belong to any other mushroom: erinacines (from the mycelium) and hericenones (from the fruiting body). Both classes of molecules stimulate the endogenous production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in neuronal cells. NGF is essential for the survival, maturation and plasticity of basal neurons and peripheral sensory neurons. BDNF is the central regulator of synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. [2]
A review in International Journal of Molecular Sciences (Girbeldinger et al., 2023) documented the complete neurotrophic and neuroprotective profile of Hericium erinaceus: NGF stimulation via MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt signaling, protection of neurons from oxidative stress and apoptosis, and inhibition of neuroinflammation via NF-kB modulation. [3] Erinacines have been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier, a property that is a fundamental obstacle to CNS effect for most nutrients.
A review in the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association (2023) describes the veterinary uses of Lion’s Mane in dogs and cats specifically: peripheral nerve damage and regeneration, Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CDD), anxiety and behavior-related complaints, and spinal cord trauma and degeneration.[4]
A metagenomic study in senior dogs (PSXI-7, 2022) showed significant improvement in microbiome balance after 16 weeks of Lion’s Mane supplementation: increase in Bacteroidetes, decrease in Firmicutes, and improvement in immune markers. This dual action (neurotrophic and microbiome undershaving) distinguishes Lion’s Mane from single neurotrophic supplements. [5]
Lion’s Mane for Anxiety and Behavior
NGF and BDNF are not only relevant in neurodegeneration but also in anxiety and behavioral regulation. In the limbic system and amygdala, BDNF-TrkB signaling regulates emotional responsiveness and stress resistance. Decreased BDNF levels are associated with chronic anxiety and depressive symptoms in mammals. Erinacines and hericenones stimulate BDNF in the hippocampal tissue, mechanistically explaining the clinical observations on anxiolytic effects of Lion’s Mane. [2]
Reishi: the mushroom of immortality
Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi, Ling Zhi) has the status of the highest ranking among medicinal mushrooms in traditional Chinese medicine. The bioactive compounds are triterpenes (ganoderm acids) and polysaccharides (beta-glucans). Triterpenes have a unique profile in Reishi: they inhibit histamine release via histidine carboxylase inhibition and modulate the HPA axis via cortisol regulation, similar to classic plant-based adaptogens such as ashwagandha. [6]
Reishi improves sleep quality via GABAergic mechanisms: ganodermic acids increase sleep time and increase slow-wave sleep fraction in animal models, similar to the mechanism of action of L-theanine in Relax Support. The combination of histamine inhibition (for allergic overstimulation), HPA axis modulation (for cortisol normalization) and GABAergic anxiolysis (for immediate relaxation) makes Reishi particularly widely applicable to stress-related behavioral problems.
Chaga: highest antioxidant capacity and calming effect
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a parasitic mushroom that grows on birch trees and is one of the most antioxidant-rich substances in nature, as measured by ORAC values. The melanins and betulin acids give Chaga a strong hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory profile. Chaga modulates the sympathetic nervous system via inhibition of adrenoceptor-mediated stress response and thus has a direct sedative effect on adrenergic overactivation. [7]
Chaga supports liver and gastrointestinal tract via stimulation of phase II detoxification enzymes and protection of gastrointestinal epithelium. In animals with stress-related gastrointestinal complaints, a frequent clinical pattern in chronically anxious dogs, Chaga provides nervous system modulation and direct intestinal wall support at the same time.
Cordyceps: energy, adrenal function and hormonal regulation
Cordyceps sinensis has a unique energetic and hormonal adaptogenic profile. The active adenosine derivatives and cordycepic acid stimulate ATP synthesis via AMP kinase activation and improve oxygen uptake in muscle tissue. In dogs with fatigue, reduced exercise capacity or energy loss due to chronic stress, this mechanism is directly relevant. [8]
Cordyceps modulates adrenal function via direct influence on the ACTH adrenocortical axis, similar but via different pathways than ashwagandha. In chronic stress stress stress where the adrenal cortex is overactive, Cordyceps regulates cortisol response without complete HPA axis suppression. In case of hormonal regulation problems in castrated animals or in animals with adrenal-related complaints, Cordyceps is mechanistically interesting as an additional adaptogenic component.
Synergy in the Behavioral Protocol
In the NGD Care Behavioural Protocol, Myco Adaptogen Complex works in a complementary way to the other components. Adaptogen Complex (ashwagandha/rhodiola) modulates the HPA axis directly and serotonergic neurotransmission. Relax Support (magnesium, L-theanine, L-tryptophan, B6) provides the neurotransmitter precursors. CBD oil modulates the endocannabinoid system for anxiety and pain sensitivity. Myco Adaptogen Complex adds the neurotrophic dimension (NGF/BDNF via Lion’s Mane) and histamine and sleep regulation (Reishi), in addition to energetic stress modulation (Cordyceps) and antioxidative nerve protection (Chaga).
Myco Adaptogen Complex Application Area: Dog, Cat and Human
Chronic stress, anxiety and behavioural problems as a component of the Behavioural Protocol. Cognitive decline in senior animals (Lion’s Mane and NGF). Canine Cognitive Dysfunction as a mechanistic supplement. Peripheral nerve damage and recovery after neurological seizures. Fatigue and reduced exercise capacity (Cordyceps). Allergic overstimulation and sleep problems (Reishi). Stress-related gastrointestinal complaints (Chaga). Aging protocol for cognitive and stress support in aging.
Liposomal formulation: unique to mushroom complexes
The active ingredients of Lion’s Mane (erinacines, hericenones), Reishi (triterpenes, ganoderm acids), Chaga (melanins, betulic acids) and Cordyceps (adenosine derivatives, cordycepic acid) are a mix of fat-soluble and water-soluble molecules that are partially broken down by stomach acid and intestinal proteases before reaching the bloodstream when administered orally. With mushroom supplements in powder or tablet form, the bioavailability of the most bioactive fractions is therefore limited and variable.
NGD Care Myco Adaptogen Complex is unique on the market as a liposomal mushroom complex: it is the only available liposomal mushroom formula for veterinary use. Phospholipid vesicles protect the active components from enzymatic and pH-induced degradation in the gastrointestinal tract, and facilitate absorption via endocytosis by enterocytes, directly into the lymph and bloodstream. This results in a significantly higher bioavailability of the active mushroom fractions compared to conventional supplements, which significantly improves clinical effectiveness in chronically stressed animals. [9] It is precisely in animals with chronic stress, gut-related absorption problems or neurological disorders that this improved uptake is most clinically relevant.
Myco Adaptogen Complex (Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Chaga, Cordyceps) targets the nervous system, NGF stimulation, stress regulation, and energy metabolism. Its sister product Myco Immune Complex (Coriolus, Agaricus, Maitake, Shiitake) targets immune modulation via beta-glucans, NK cell activation, and oncology support. Together, the two complexes form a combination of eight medicinal mushrooms that cover the full therapeutic spectrum: from neuroprotection and stress regulation to immune modulation and oncological support. For animals with complex chronic complaints involving both the nervous system and the immune system, the combined deployment offers the broadest mechanistic coverage.
More about Myco Immune Complex: Coriolus, Agaricus, Maitake and Shiitake
Conclusion
Myco Adaptogen Complex combines four mushrooms, each with its own neuromodulatory and adaptogenic mechanism: Lion’s Mane for NGF/BDNF stimulation and neuroprotection, Reishi for HPA axis modulation, histamine inhibition and sleep enhancement, Chaga for antioxidative nerve protection and sympathetic modulation, and Cordyceps for energetic stress regulation and adrenal function.
The liposomal formulation makes NGD Care Myco Adaptogen Complex unique on the market: as the only liposomal adaptogenic mushroom mix for veterinary use, it guarantees significantly higher bioavailability of the active components. In combination with Myco Immune Complex, a spectrum of eight complementary medicinal mushrooms is created for the widest possible clinical application. Always in consultation with an (integrative) veterinarian.
View Myco Adaptogen Complex in the NGD Care webshop
Literature
- Wasser SP. Medicinal mushrooms as a source of antitumor and immunomodulating polysaccharides. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2002; 60(3):258-274. [Distinguish immune mushrooms vs. adaptogenic mushrooms]
- Martínez-Mármol R, et al. Beyond neurotrophins: a proposed neurotrophic-epigenetic axis mediated by non-coding RNA networks for Hericium erinaceus bioactives. PMC. 2025. PMCID: PMC12898533. [NGF, BDNF, MAPK/ERK and PI3K/Akt Mechanisms Lion’s Mane 2025]
- Girbeldinger A, et al. Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of Hericium erinaceus. Int J Mol Sci. 2023; 24(21):15960. [Most Recent Neurotrophic Review Lion’s Mane 2023]
- Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus): a potential treatment for neurologic disorders in veterinary medicine. J Am Holistic Vet Med Assoc. 2023. [AHVMA Veterinary Review Lion’s Mane in Dogs and Cats 2023]
- PSXI-7. Effects of Hericium erinaceus on health of aged dogs. J Anim Sci. 2022; 100(S3):273-274. [Metagenomic Study Lion’s Mane in Senior Dogs, Microbiome and Immune Markers 2022]
- Matsuzaki H, Shimizu Y, Iwata N, et al. Antidepressant-like effects of a water-soluble extract from the culture medium of Ganoderma lucidum mycelia in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2013;13:370. [Reishi anxiolytic and antidepressant via GABAergic mechanisms]
- Géry A, Dubreule C, André V, et al. Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), a future potential medicinal fungus in oncology? Integr Cancer Ther. 2018; 17(3):832-838. [Chaga antioxidant, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory profile]
- Chen S, Li Z, Krochmal R, Abrazado M, Kim W, Cooper CB. Effect of Cs-4 (Cordyceps sinensis) on exercise performance in healthy older subjects: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J altern complement med. 2010; 16(5):585-590. [Cordyceps ATP Synthesis, Oxygen Uptake Exercise Capacity]
- Dian L, Meng L, Miller B, et al. Enhancement of the efficacy of natural bioactive compounds through various drug delivery strategies. Drug Deliv. 2021; 28(1):1569-1581. [Liposomal encapsulation increases bioavailability of bioactive mushroom components via endocytosis; unique to veterinary mushroom formulation]
This information is educational in nature and based on available scientific literature. The studies mentioned are not always directly veterinary or specific to the formulation described here. This text does not replace a veterinary consultation and does not contain any therapeutic claims.