Huperzine A Benefits and Effects for Memory and Brain Function

Club moss is a Chinese plant that when purified results in the supplement known as Huperzine A.

This natural supplement has a range of nootropic benefits and is known to improve many facets of memory function.

The most common uses of Huperzine A include the treatment of neurological problems, such as Alzheimer’s disease. It can also be used to aid with the problems that arise from learning deficiencies and memory losses.

Huperzine A benefits and effects arise from the fact that this compound increases acetylcholine levels in the brain. Not only does this increase information retention and memory formation, it can also boost concentration, mental clarity and the ability to process or calculate data.

You will find Huperzine A sold individually as an herbal supplement and it is also a component in the popular Alpha Brain supplement stack. Huperzine A is also known as selagine.

It is, however, not to be confused with other medications with similar names, most namely selegiline (Eldepryl). One of the brand names for Huperzine A is Cerebra, so that is also not to be confused with Celebrex, Cerebyx and Celexa, all of which are prescription drugs.

Nerve gases have been known to damage the nerves, but Huperzine A helps protect against those nerve gases. Myasthenia gravis is a muscle disease that can be treated with the help of Huperzine A.

Huperzine A

Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor

Brain Function

Memory

Focus

How It Works:

• Inhibits the Acetylcholinesterase enzyme
• Supports memory, focus & cognition
• Promotes neurogenesis & neuroplasticity

Dosage:

Between 50 - 200 mcg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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How does Huperzine A work?

Huperzine A is known to enhance memory storage, consolidation and retrieval.

Huperzine A is a Cholinesterase inhibitor which means that it increases levels of acetylcholine in the brain.

This chemical is used as an important transmitter between neurons, noted for sending signals related to the encoding of memories. The acetylcholine neurotransmitter is affected by Huperzine A in the same way as FDA approved medications for Alzheimer’s.

The availability of Huperzine A, however, is much easier to come by and it is significantly cheaper. Taking Huperzine A may be effective at preventing cognitive decline, senile dementia and disorders such as Alzheimer’s.

Huperzine A Benefits and Effects

There have been different studies to show the benefits of Huperzine A on acetylcholine levels. Increased Cholinergic activity is associated with greater neuroplasticity which means your brain is better able to adapt, learn and store new information.

Acetylcholine is also directly connected with the concept of fluid intelligence and working memory capacity. Acetylcholine levels typically decline as you age, but a supplement like Huperzine offers an effective way of reversing this decline in the short-term.

Researchers have demonstrated improvements in mental function from using this nootropic, including an increase in memory capacity. Dementia and Alzheimer’s diseases are the most common diseases that can be ameliorated with Huperzine A.

Within the first four to eight weeks of usage, Alzheimer’s disease patients found improvement in both thinking abilities and memory. Another study showed that patients of senile dementia needed only one month to see the great benefits of Huperzine A.

There is still more research that needs to be done to fully confirm these results, but the outlook is positive. Healthy adolescents have been able to use Huperzine A effectively to boost their memory formation and retention as well.

What are the side effects of Huperzine A?

Huperzine A does not carry a large risk of side effects, but just like any supplement, there are some that need to be noted. In the first month of taking Huperzine A, many people have shown zero to few side effects, with nothing severe.

The standard side effects reported are: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, sweating, loss of appetite, muscle twitching, increased saliva, slurred speech and restlessness.

It is advised that you should not take Huperzine A under the following circumstances:

Pregnant or Breastfeeding: There are no significant test results yet with Huperzine A in women that are be pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is advised to avoid use of the supplement until more research has been conducted.

Heart Disease: As a result of taking Huperzine A, some people may see a side effect of a slower heart rate. For patients that already have a slow heart rate (bradycardia), it is suggested to use Huperzine A cautiously.

There is a slight chance of an increased heart problem, so any heart disease patients are advised to consult a medical professional before using Huperzine A.

Epileptics: There is a slight chance that Huperzine A can worsen epilepsy, due to the fact that it possibly affects chemicals in the brain.

Recommended Dosage of Huperzine A

There are two different ways to take Huperzine A: either by oral ingestion or as an injection. They have different circumstances surrounding their usage, so it’s important to know which is which.

For injections, healthcare providers can give a shot of Huperzine A daily for patients that have muscle weakness caused by the myasthenia gravis disease.

Oral ingestion is the suggested method of dosage for Alzheimer’s patients, and those that have had intellectual skills decline due to diseases such as multi-infarct dementia. These doses will be administered at 50 to 200 mcg of Huperzine A, twice a day.

Patients that have senile or presenile dementia are recommended two 30 mcg doses of Huperzine A each day. In adolescents, two 100 mcg doses each day by oral ingestion is suggested.

If you are buying a supplement that is listed as containing Huperzia Serrata – the source for this alkaloid – make sure to find out the dosage of active Huperzine A rather than the total quantity of plant extract per serving.

The effects of Huperzine A may be noticeable when taken on its own, but most people prefer using it in a nootropic stack alongside a choline supplement and a Racetam like Piracetam, Aniracetam or Noopept.

You may also want to investigate the Alpha Brain stack from Onnit Labs which includes Huperzine alongside a selection of 10 other nootropic brain-boosters. There are many Huperzine A benefits for cognitive function and you should consult with your doctor to determine whether this supplement is safe for you to use in your cognitive enhancement routine.

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