Forskolin benefits include a broad range of physical functions such as weight loss and vasodilation. But a major interest for users of this natural remedy is its nootropic effects.
Derived from the leaves of an ancient mint plant, Forskolin works with enzymes in the brain to promote health and productivity in neural tissue.
Largely unknown to the general public except as a part of the much-discussed CILTEP memory stack, the benefits of Forskolin merit a more detailed analysis.
Should Forskolin be an essential part of your daily nootropic regimen? Read on to find out how Forskolin benefits can improve LTP (Long Term Potentiation), make learning and retaining facts easier, boost focus, and lift overall cognitive health.



- Boosts thyroid function & lipolysis
- Promotes energy, stamina & concentration
- Supports weight loss & appetite suppression
Historical Forskolin Benefits
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Similar to retinol, a form of vitamin A, Forskolin is part of a group of compounds known as diterpenes.
These compounds are most famously used as skin healing agents, due to their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Today, you are most likely to find them in a variety of skin creams designed to reduce scarring and wrinkles.
However the use of Forskolin dates back thousands of years throughout Southeast Asia. Forskolin extract is a product of the minty leaves of the Coleus Forkohlii plant from India. Over countless generations, it was determined that the plant had miraculous circulatory effects and it was put to use to aid healing of wounds, fighting infection, easing arthritis, improving heart conditions, and combating cancer.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that scientists began to seriously investigate the chemistry behind Forskolin benefits, resulting in the discovery of its profound effects upon human memory. Today, Forskolin is no longer only used in traditional medicine, but is also used as a nootropic supplement for boosting memory and mental focus.
Forskolin Benefits and cAMP Effects
Forskolin first works by stimulating a key enzyme in the brain, adenylate cyclase. Part of the ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) family, which is responsible for firing cellular energy and metabolism, adenylate cyclase promotes the production of cAMP (Cyclic adenosine monophosphate).
cAMP is a very important term in discussions of memory function because it is involved in the the cognitive mechanism by which the brain physically converts short term memories into long term memories. This process is known as LTP, or long term potentiation.
LTP creates enduring relationships between individual neurons, allowing signaling between them to occur easily and reliably over time. This entrenched synaptic communication is how memories become permanent in the mind.
As we age, neurons and synapses experience a decreased ability to grow and freely communicate. This is at the root of memory-impairment and loss of motor control, such as we see in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease patients.
Forskolin’s other main positive contribution to cognitive health comes in the form of circulation. Through vasodilation, Forskolin allows more blood to flow to the brain. The oxygen and nutrients that are delivered to neural tissue further enhance the ability of neurons and synapses to grow. We call this quality “neuroplasticity” – the brain’s aptitude to form new connections and grow over time.
A thriving, healthy neural environment makes learning new information and retaining it easier. These types of Forskolin benefits can even be considered neuro-protective as they may help to guard the brain against future decay that seems to inevitably come with age. The result is the sensation of clear, unimpeded thoughts, and the enhanced ability to mentally adapt to new situations, stresses, and stimuli.
Why Do People Take Forskolin?
Forskolin benefits for the mind are very valuable in a school setting or when studying for exams. Being able to absorb, understand, and access large amounts of information is important to advancing one’s education and getting good grades.
But once we graduate from school, we never stop needing the ability to learn. Just the opposite. Managing the vast amounts of information that every person is exposed to via work, the internet, and a social life requires a nimble, adaptable mind.
Whether in business or a social context, being able to access thoughts easily and rapidly while maintaining a feeling of sharp mental focus provides a critical advantage. In fact, most people who take some form of Forskolin or CILTEP supplements are not students, but individuals who want the confidence that comes from intense mental acuity.
Research on Forskolin has been promising, and revealed properties that may be promising for clinical use, however the research is limited, and more studies on humans patients need to be done. Forskolin extract is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Forskolin as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.
Best Dosage for Forskolin Benefits
It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before beginning any new supplements to determine the best dosage for your needs. The below dosage recommendations are general guidelines only, and your dosage may be different.
How much Forskolin should you take to achieve optimum effects? This is a two-fold answer. For nootropic Forskolin benefits, most people take between 25 mg and 50 mg per day. The immediate effect of an individual Forskolin dose may actually be quite relaxing, so it is customary to take the dosage at night. This does not mean you will sleep through your benefits!
It takes several days to a few weeks for Forskolin’s effects to build up in the brain. The benefits are cumulative, and will improve over time with daily use, as opposed to being reliant on any individual dose.
Along these lines, taking your Forskolin during the early part of the day can sometimes result in the primary side effect noted for the supplement – fatigue. While this doesn’t occur for everyone, Forskolin and CILTEP are best taken in the evening, especially until you are able to note how your body reacts to it.
The next important factor in Forskolin dosing is the addition of Artichoke Extract. Almost all nootropic users who use Forskolin supplements take it in conjunction with Artichoke Extract. This is because Artichoke extract plays a key role in multiplying Forskolin’s cognitive effects.
Artichoke is a natural inhibitor of PDE-4 (Phosphodiesterase-4). This enzyme breaks down cAMP in the body. So, adding Artichoke Extract to Forskolin protects the cAMP production process, and ensures that LTP can be enhanced without impediment.
The easiest way to take both of these supplements at once is via the CILTEP stack, a well-known combo devised by nootropic enthusiasts to maximize memory effects while boosting mood and mental focus. These excellent Forskolin benefits can indeed be achieved by taking it as a stand-alone supplement, but for maximum memory power most users prefer combo stacks like CILTEP.
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- Razmi A, Sahebgharani M, Khani MH, Paylakhi SH, Faizi M, Zarrindast MR. Cyclic AMP pathway modifies memory through neural cell adhesion molecule alterations in the rat hippocampus. Acta Med Iran. 2014
- Yoneyama M, Sugiyama A, Satoh Y, Takahara A, Nakamura Y, Hashimoto K. Cardiovascular and adenylate cyclase stimulating effects of colforsin daropate, a water-soluble forskolin derivative, compared with those of isoproterenol, dopamine and dobutamine. Circ J. 2002
Article last updated on: April 16th, 2018 by Nootriment
3 Comments
I am on high blood pressure medicine will this be a problem? I am on a budget.
It would be best to speak with your doctor as that is the best source of information for contraindications. You shouldn’t start taking Forskolin or any other supplement without consulting your doctor!
I recently started taking Turmeric Curcumin to aid my depression/anxiety. How will this interact with this supplement?