Dopa Bean is a nutritional supplement sold by Solaray that contains 333 mg of Mucuna Pruriens extract.
The seeds of this plant are known to be a natural source of L-Dopa, which is the precursor to the neurotransmitter Dopamine.
Dopa Bean is promoted as a supplement that can support mental health and improve conditions relating to low Dopamine levels.
This brand of Mucuna Pruriens supplement provides an enteric coated capsule which some users say results in better delivery of the active ingredient into the bloodstream.
Some reviews of Dopa Bean state that 1-2 capsules of this product are equally effective compared to 2-3 capsules of competitors products. However, the cost of Solaray Dopa Bean pills is slightly higher than other brands of Mucuna pruriens.



- Elevates dopamine & norepinephrine
- Boosts mood, focus & motivation
- Improves stress response & libido
What is Dopa Bean?
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Also called Velvet Bean, Mucuna Pruriens is a legume that is native to tropical regions throughout Africa and the Indian subcontinent.
This plant has been used since Vedic times (1500 – 1000 BCE) in Indian ayurvedic medicine as a treatment for neuronal disorders, infertility and more.
Today, it is used to naturally address Parkinson’s disease and to enhance spermatogenic function in infertile men.
It is also associated with suppressing prolactin production and thereby helping to naturally elevate testosterone levels.
Research into Mucuna suggests that it may upregulate human growth hormone (HGH) production, limit glucose spikes in blood levels after eating meals, and lessen the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and various other therapeutic potentials.
Not enough large, well-controlled human studies have yet been completed to fully quantify the preventive/curative values of velvet bean extracts.
However, the Dopa Bean supplement has become popular both to stabilize mood, improve energy levels and to promote muscle growth for bodybuilders. It is even used as a natural memory enhancer, to improve ADHD symptoms and to enhance concentration and attention span.
Dopa Bean Reviews on Testosterone Boosting
Testosterone is affected negatively by excessive amounts of prolactin. Prolactin is a pituitary hormone that regulates the production of milk in prenatal mothers. It also controls breast growth.
In men, when too much prolactin is in the system, conditions may develop including low testosterone gynecomastia (breast growth), ED (erectile dysfunction), infertility, impotence, low libido and/or poor spermatogenesis.
Dopamine is one of the primary neurotransmitters and regulatory hormones found in the body, manufactured in the anterior pituitary. It is a known prolactin antagonist.
Dopamine is synthesized from levodopa (levodopamine, L-dopa), a substance found in concentrated amounts in Mucuna pruriens.
When you take Dopa Bean capsules to increase dopamine levels, this results in a decrease in prolactin levels. The result is an increase in testosterone levels as well as levels of other hormones. For this reason, Mucuna Pruriens supplements are viewed as effective natural testosterone boosters.
Dopa Bean and on Male Infertility
Clinical results seem to show that Mucuna pruriens is effective at improving spermatogenesis in infertile males. Sperm count, sperm motility, sperm quality and semen catecholamine levels all improved significantly. Also, the ability to induce conception with female partners elevated from 0% to 22% over a 12-week study with daily velvet bean extract supplementation.
Dopa Bean is often used as a libido enhancer and to improve sexual performance in males.
Dopa Bean for Mood Enhancement
There have been no studies examining the effects of Mucuna Pruriens on mood, depression relief, anxiety or bipolar disorder. However, mood regulation is one of the primary reasons why consumers purchase Dopa Bean.
Solaray promotes this supplement as supporting mental health and numerous user reviews and anecdotal experience logs cite improvements in mood and energy levels as a result of taking this supplement.
Users on Amazon state that they have taken this product to improve focus and alertness, help manage ADHD symptoms, uplift mood, and eliminate brain fog and memory difficulties, increase mental energy, control mood swings, and help with cigarette smoking cessation.
Before using Dopa Bean for mood disorders, speak to your doctor to determine which is the best treatment option for you. Do not combine Mucuna Pruriens with other medications for depression, anxiety or ADHD before speaking to your physician.
Using Mucuna Pruriens for Parkinson’s Tremors
Parkinson’s symptoms onset as results of neuronal degradation inside the brain’s substantia nigra. The substantia nigra is responsible for the synthesis of dopamine.
Dopamine is involved with the regulation and control of muscular movement throughout the body. When levels of this neurotransmitter are too low, it can result in tremors.
Dyskinesia (involuntary, uncontrolled movement), especially drug-induced dyskinesias (DID), is very prevalent amongst Parkinson’s patients.
Dopa bean reviews show that the natural L-dopa from velvet bean extracts is easily able to cross the blood-brain barrier and be used to synthesize dopamine. By increasing the dopamine levels inside the substantia nigra, Parkinson’s symptoms are better managed.
However, you should discuss Parkinson’s treatment with your doctor before using any natural supplements. There may be better treatment alternatives available for you.
Other Possible Health Benefits
The apparently versatile therapeutic powers of Mucuna pruriens are not yet fully understood. It has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, erectogenic, vermifugal, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antiparkinson’s and other properties which mark it for much further clinical testing and research.
Currently, velvet bean extracts are being studied for their potential capacities to:
- Negate the effects of cardiotoxins and cytotoxins to treat snake bites;
- Increase sex drive and stimulate invigorated sexual/athletic performance levels;
- Stimulate blood flow to the upper skin layers, helping to remedy various skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema;
- Treat infestations of parasitic worms;
- Ameliorate various conditions with joints and bones;
- Manage the long-term symptoms of type II diabetes;
Conclusions
Mucuna Pruriens contains L-Dopa which is used by the brain to synthesize dopamine. Taking Dopa Bean supplements may be effective at treating the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. This supplement is also observed to naturally upregulate testosterone synthesis via the suppression of prolactin.
Users primarily take this supplement as a mood enhancer, to improve mental energy and focus, and to enhance cognitive function. These uses have not been sufficiently researched, though there is a high prevalence of positive user reviews shared online for these indications.
Before deciding whether you should use Dopa Bean, speak to your physician about possible side effects and interactions with medications you may be taking at present.
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Article last updated on: May 6th, 2018 by Nootriment