Huperzine A Dosage Guide for Memory & Alzheimer’s Disease

Huperzine A is a memory supplement that has exploded in popularity recently.

It is a natural substance that has effects in common with several drugs successfully used to treat Alzheimer’s disease.

It can help to reduce signs of memory loss while improving memory and concentration in healthy adults.

One of the most interesting things about this supplement is the extremely small dosages that need to be used for benefits to be noticeable.

Using Huperzine A requires diligence to ensure you do not take too much. Excess Huperzine A dosages have been associated with mild side effects, though these are considered mild and not threatening to health.

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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Huperzine A Overview

Huperzine A is a substance derived from the Chinese club moss plant known as Huperzia Serrata.

While it has been used in clinical settings to treat neurological impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease, it is more famous today as a component of brain supplements such as Procera AVH and Alpha Brain.

In one of these products, you will find a 40 mg dosage of Huperzia Serrata extract, yielding 0.5% Huperzine A alkaloids per serving. That amounts to a dosage of 200 mcg in a serving.

Is Huperzine A Effective?

What are the benefits associated with that dosage level? In one clinical trial, teenagers given the supplement were shown to have significant improvements in memory function from the supplement. This was a trial conducted on health adolescents who did not suffer any cognitive impairments which makes the results all that more profound.

Another study of students suffering from memory problems at a Chinese middle school saw further impressive improvements when taking this natural ingredient.

The effects may be even more pertinent for individuals who are concerned about experiencing memory loss in the future or who may have a parent diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Studies have shown that it takes less than two months of using Huperzine A for patients with Alzheimer’s disease to begin seeing improvements in their memory and thinking abilities.

A separate study also concluded that senile dementia patients saw benefits within just two to four weeks of Huperzine A aided treatment. Long term and large scale studies are required to fully confirm the findings, but the signs have been very positive to this point.

There are other benefits that have found with the treatment of Huperzine A dosages, but don’t have significant testing to prove them as facts. Many patients have seen positive results in memory loss due to age, an increase in energy and alertness and protection from many agents that are poisonous to the central nervous system.

Some individuals report it helps them to manage ADHD symptoms, boosting focus and attentiveness. These results will be even stronger when you combine Huperzine A with other brain-boosting supplements like Alpha GPC, Vinpocetine, Bacopa Monnieri and more.

Why Does Huperzine A Work?

How it is possible that an alkaloid derived from a plant can boost memory function?

The reason can be traced to Huperzine’s effects on an enzyme in the brain known as acetylcholinesterase.

This enzyme causes the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine which is deeply involved in our formation and recall of memories.

As a cholinesterase inhibitor, Huperzine A extract prevents the breakdown of acetylcholine and stimulates greater activity levels in the brain.

Low acetylcholine levels is often a marker of Alzheimer’s disease as well as other forms of cognitive decline due to aging. Taking a natural supplement like Huperzine A can not only improve memory in the short-term, it can also protect against future deterioration of brain tissues that are seen in these types of diseases.

Doctors often prescribe cholinesterase inhibitors like Galantamine (Reminyl ER) for memory loss problems because they carry a reputation of safe and effective use. But the costs of these pharmaceutical drugs are significantly higher than buying a supplement with Huperzine A in it and you do not need a prescription to start using it.

Huperzine A Dosage

There are different ways of taking Huperzine A, including oral ingestion and injection. For the most part, if you are using this natural compound as a supplement, it is much more common to find it in the form of an oral capsule that you simply need to swallow.

The injections are typically only used in clinical settings for severe cases of certain medical conditions. Healthcare providers can give a shot of Huperzine A daily for patients that have muscle weakness caused by the myasthenia gravis disease.

When taking Huperzine A orally, doses of between 50 to 200 mcg are administered twice a day. This is the most common dosing level for patients with Alzheimer’s patients and those with reduced cognitive response due to diseases such as multi-infarct dementia.

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.

It is important that patients keep to their Huperzine A medication on a regular basis. In 4 to 6 weeks, a patient will revert back to their pre-Huperzine A form if he or she stops taking their medication.

As a cognitive enhancement supplement, most users see positive benefits between 100 – 200 mcg per dosage. Supplements like Alpha Brain by Onnit Labs include 200 mcg of Huperzine A per serving and users will typically take one or two servings a day. It is recommended not to exceed 400 mcg per day as this is associated with a higher rate of mild side effects.

Is Huperzine A Safe for Long-Term Use?

Few side effects have been associated with Huperzine A use in patients that take it for less than one month at a time. Those side effects that do occur tend to be mild and temporary.

Some of the reported adverse effects can include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, blurred vision, sweating, loss of appetite, muscle twitching, increased saliva, slurred speech and restlessness. These side effects tend to be more prevalent when taking Huperzine A dosages in excess of 400 mcg per day.

There has not been sufficient research to determine whether long-term use can cause side effects, however initial reports suggest that it is very safe like other cholinesterase inhibitors on the market.

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