Clinical Effects of a Commercial Supplement of Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma lucidum on Cognitive Function of Healthy Young Volunteers

Ophiocordyceps sinensis (= Cordyceps sinensis) and Ganoderma lucidum are medicinal mushrooms used in traditional Chinese medicine. The effects of O. sinensis and G. lucidum on cognitive function have been evaluated through the use of animal models and in vitro studies, which indicated beneficial effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment with a commercially available supplement of O. sinensis and G. lucidum on cognitive function in young, healthy human participants. Physical education students (n = 96 [53 men, 43 women]; mean +/- standard deviation age, 26.3 +/- 3.21 years) were randomly divided into 3 treatment groups: high-dose supplement (HD) group, low-dose supplement (LD) group, and a placebo (PL) group. Each group received the treatment, administered by a technician blinded to supplements/placebo, for 30 days. Participants were evaluated for various cognitive functions before and immediately after treatment. Evaluation of cognitive function domains-global cognitive score, memory, executive function, attention, information processing speed, visuospatial ability, verbal function, and motor skills-showed no significant differences between groups. These results indicate that a combination of O. sinensis and G. lucidum supplements for 30 days did not enhance cognitive function domains in young healthy participants.