Dopa Mucuna Supplement Review, Benefits, Dosages, & Side Effects

Dopa Mucuna is a natural supplement designed to increase dopamine levels in the brain.

Mucuna pruriens, also commonly known as velvet bean, contains high levels of levodopamine (L-dopa, levodopa) in its seeds.

L-dopa is the precursor of dopamine, a primary neurotransmitter with various imperative biological and psychological functions.

Using Now Dopa Mucuna supplements sold by NOW Foods is popular for mood support and is promoted as a way to increase “enjoyment and interest in life.”

This supplement contains 800 mg of Mucuna Pruriens seed extract, providing a minimum of 15% L-Dopa per veggie capsule.

This is an active dosage of 120mg L-Dopa per capsule.The manufacturer recommends taking 1-2 capsules with a meal early in the day.

What are the effects of taking Foods Dopa Mucuna supplements and what do users say about their experiences with this supplement?

Mucuna Pruriens

Herbal Supplement

Mood

Nootropic

Body -building

How It Works:

• Elevates dopamine & norepinephrine
• Boosts mood, focus & motivation
• Improves stress response & libido

Dosage:

Between 500 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

Top Mucuna Pruriens Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

Now Foods Dopa Mucuna

Now Foods Dopa Mucuna Pruriens has received a rating of 4/5 on Amazon.com based on 244 user reviews.

Users cite the benefits for improved mood, energy, motivation and a reduction in stress.

In one review, a user said, “by the end of the second week I could feel the cloud over my head beginning to disappear.”

In another review, a user commented, “This makes me feel like I have weight lifted off my shoulders. No worries. No burdens. I DO NOT feel high but I feel at peace.”

Another review stated, “It keeps my mood lifted without making me nervous or giddy. It’s a real natural upper.”

There are also a number of negative reviews of the product. Some users said they felt nothing after taking this supplement. Others warned of side effects including tolerance build-up, short-term euphoric feelings, excessive sex drive, aggression, compulsive behaviors, and increased anxiety due to serotonin suppression.

Some users have recommended taking this supplement alongside 5-HTP to improve mood balance. While the majority of reviews are positive, it is important to note that many say this supplement affects each individual differently and your effects may not be the same as those experienced by others.

Medicinal Uses for Dopa Mucuna

Mucuna Pruriens has a long history of traditional medicinal use. It has been recommended by some natural healthcare practitioners to aid in the management of Parkinson’s disease.

Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed when the cells of the substantia nigra die off in overly large numbers. Dopamine is synthesized in and secreted from the substantia nigra section of the brain.

When dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra degrade and cause extremely low levels of dopamine to be present in the brain, this results in poor muscle control as is characterized by Parkinson’s disease. Patients with Parkinson’s suffer from tremors and impaired motor coordination.

This disease is common among elderly individuals; some researchers believe that if we live long enough, we will all eventually develop Parkinson’s symptoms.

To control Parkinson’s symptoms, administration of L-dopa is the best known therapeutic course. By increasing the amount of L-dopa available, more dopamine can theoretically be produced. Lvodopa can help to manage the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but not to ameliorate the cause of the disease.

Like administration of levodopamine drugs, using a Dopa Mucuna supplement does increase the amount of L-Dopa available to make dopamine. Mucuna pruriens extract has been shown in clinical trials to treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s to a similar degree as mainstream levodopa-increasing treatment options.

Further, the onset of its beneficial actions occurs faster than with the pharmaceutical-grade levodopa. However, the FDA does not recognize the Dopa Mucuna supplement sold by Now Foods as a treatment for Parkison’s because this compound has not undergone the extensive FDA approval process for drugs and medicines.

Dopa Mucuna Extracts for Libido & Fertility

Users of Dopa Mucuna often say that this supplement increases libido in both male and female subjects.

Since 1500 BCE, during Vedic times in India, ayurvedic medicinal practitioners have used Mucuna to treat male infertility, increase sex drive and improve the production of sperm.

Modern research continues to generate data that seems to validate these ancient uses. In a 6-month human trial involving 150 men with infertility symptoms, the following was observed:

• In all subjects, but particularly in subjects with very low baseline sperm counts, testosterone levels were increased.
• Catecholamine levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine were restored to normal levels in semen samples.
• Motility of sperm, quality of sperm and quantity of sperm variables all increased significantly.
• Likelihood of conception was increased in all subjects.

In user reviews, the aphrodisiac effects are often cited as a main reason why users continue to take this product. While a small number of reviews say that it did not cause an increase in libido, others states improved sex drive, confidence and enjoyment of sexual activities.

One user wrote, “I’ve tried several mucuna supplements and these (at 2 per day) have given me the most noticeable boost in general good mood, libido and energy.”

Another user said, “If you’re a guy (as I am a guy), you will notice a significant increase in libido and sexual arousal… but not just after you take the pill, you’ll be ‘ready’ at any given point that you want to be.”

Natural Testosterone Boosting Properties

The effects of Dopa Mucuna on sexual performance are likely mediated by the increase in testosterone. Millions of elderly and middle-aged men worldwide rely on synthetic testosterone boosting therapies (TRTs) to elevate their testosterone levels and thereby improve their abilities to perform sexually and/or athletically.

However, TRTs create risks for developing a wide array of possible side effects including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, stroke, vision/hearing loss, coma and numerous others.

Routine supplementation with Mucuna Pruriens extract is believed to naturally elevate testosterone levels in the following manner:

• Prolactin is a hormone that modulates breast milk production and breast tissue development;
• Excessive or uncontrolled prolactin synthesis diminishes testosterone production;
• Naturally-sourced levodopamine from Mucuna pruriens enters the bloodstream following oral supplementation;
• Increased bioavailability of L-dopa stimulates and accommodates increased dopamine synthesis in the substantia nigra;
• Dopamine is a natural antagonist of prolactin and effectively suppresses it;
• The suppression of prolactin allows for increased testosterone synthesis and secretion to occur;

By naturally supporting testosterone production, Dopa Mucuna may help to restore adequate T levels which can have a number of benefits for male health. In addition to improving sex drive, this can also result in improved muscle building, athletic performance, energy levels and overall health.

Dopa Mucuna for Diabetes Mellitus Symptoms

A less common use of Mucuna pruriens is in the management of long-term symptoms of Diabetes Mellitus Type II. This is caused by a deficiency of insulin which means that glucose in the blood cannot effective be taken up by muscle cells throughout the body.

Excess blood glucose levels can cause significant health problems, if left uncontrolled. Elevated blood sugar can lead to blindness, kidney dysfunction, circulatory problems and may even result in amputation of peripheral limbs if left unchecked for too long.

In one rodent study, 7 different doses of mucuna pruriens extract were studied in relation to controlling glucose elevations after eating. 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 and 100mg/kg of bodyweight doses were administered in rats which had hyperglycemia induced by alloxan. Blood-glucose levels were at a minimum of 450mg/dL; amounts well above the safe level for humans.

Respective to dosing increments, results showed blood-glucose reductions of 18.7, 24.8, 30.7, 41.5, 49.8, 53.2 and 55.5 percent. This shows that Mucuna can reduce blood sugar levels in a dose-dependant manner.

Supplementation with Dopa Mucuna capsules may also help to manage Diabetes Mellitus Type II symptoms by improving overall lipid profiles; thereby possibly decreasing probabilities associated with developing hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart disease, obesity, stroke and more.

Dopa Mucuna Safety Warnings

Natural Mucuna pruriens seeds contains about 5% levodopamine. Some velvet bean extracts contain higher amounts. Aside from the L-dopa content, velvet beans also possess numerous other phytonutrients.

These include roughly 25% protein, unsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, fiber, phenolic acids, flavonoids, tannins and various other therapeutic constituents. However, it is not advised to eat the raw velvet bean seeds due to the presence of other undesirable chemical constituents.

Mucuna pruriens supplements are generally considered to be safe with no serious side effects reported in clinical trials conducted to date. However, more research needs to be done to determine the safety of this product when used for long periods of time or at high dosages.

The levodopamine in velvet bean extracts may interact with certain foods and medications much in the same ways as synthetic L-dopa. It may also exacerbate certain mental health conditions related to imbalances in dopamine levels.

Please talk with your physician about any possible drug contraindications and/or side effects that you should know about before beginning Dopa Mucuna supplementation.

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