New Study on Huntington’s Disease Says… Maybe 🍄🧠
TL;DR: A new study suggests that cordycepin (the active compound in the Cordyceps mushroom) may reduce toxic protein buildup in the brain and support neuronal health in Huntington’s Disease models. It’s not a cure, but it suggests that the mushroom might help keep your brain clean.
The Dirty Side of Brain Health
Neurodegenerative diseases like Huntington’s, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s all share something in common: toxic protein buildup.
In Huntington’s Disease (HD), a faulty gene leads to the creation of a mutated protein called mHTT. This misfolded protein clumps together in the brain, disrupting normal function and eventually killing neurons.
So what if we could gently help the brain clean up these clumps?
That’s where a new study on cordycepin, a natural molecule found in Cordyceps mushrooms, gets interesting.
Cordycepin: The Brain-Cleaning Compound?
Researchers in Taiwan set out to test whether cordycepin could protect brain cells from Huntington’s-related damage.
Here’s what they found:
🧪 In Cell Studies:
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Improved survival of brain-like cells under toxic conditions.
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Reduced levels of mutant huntingtin (HTT) aggregates - the protein clumps seen in HD.
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Increased markers of healthy neurons, like βIII-tubulin and PSD-95 (important for plasticity and communication).
🐭 In Mouse Studies:
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Slight increase in body weight and mild reduction of toxic aggregates in the brain.
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No major behavioural improvements yet, but the biochemical signals were promising.
How It Might Work
Although the precise mechanisms weren't nailed down, previous research suggests cordycepin may:
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Activate AMPK and autophagy, helping cells clear out junk.
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Modulate inflammation and mitochondrial function.
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Work in a dose-dependent manner (low = neuroprotective, high = cytotoxic).
So think of it like a molecular spring clean. Like a subtle support to your brain’s built-in maintenance system.
Why This Matters (Even If You Don’t Have HD)
Most people won’t get Huntington’s. But almost everyone is affected by brain fog, mental fatigue, or the long-term effects of chronic stress.
And what causes many of these issues?
Disrupted protein recycling. Mitochondrial dysfunction. Poor neuronal signalling. All things cordycepin has been shown to help modulate.
So while it’s early days, this research adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Cordyceps might support brain health on a cellular level.
Mushrooms for a Cleaner Mind?
At Mushies, we’re obsessed with how mushrooms support long-term brain health through gentle, regenerative mechanisms that restore balance rather than override it.
This new research on cordycepin is a reminder that nature often works subtly, but powerfully - potentially helping your brain remember how to clean up after itself.
Want to Support Your Brain Naturally?
Explore our mushroom coffees and supplements - formulated with Lion’s Mane, Cordyceps, and other powerful fungi that may help you stay sharp, focused, and clear.
👉 Check out our cordyceps extracts here (with 0.5% Cordycepin per capsule)
👉 Browse our range of functional mushrooms here
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