0
5
4
With research stretching back at least 80 years, Hydergine was one of the most widely used prescription Nootropic drugs.
But does this classic cognitive boosting supplement have relevance among today’s broad selection of “smart” supplements?
Also known by the name Ergoloid Mesylates, Hydergine also goes by the proprietary brands Alkergot, Cicanol, Gerimal, Niloric, and Redergin.
While these brand name versions have been prescribed for physical conditions like hypertension, they are also known to have powerful memory boosting effects and can repair damaged neural tissue.
For these reasons, Hydergine has recently become popular again in the nootropic community. Let’s take a look at the origins of this supplement, what its benefits are, and how to calculate the right Hydergine dosage.
Cognitive Enhancement
Neuron Health
Memory- Increases dopamine & acetylcholine
- Anti-oxidant for brain cell health
- Improves blood flow to the brain
Hydergine Uses
Related Topics
Hydergine was originally developed by the most famous counter-culture chemist of the 1960s, Albert Hoffman.
Hoffman, who also popularized the use of LSD, created Hydergine in the labs of famous pharmaceutical manufacturer Sandoz by blending three three dihydrogenated ergot alkaloids in the form of methanesulfonate salts.
Since that time, Hydergine dosages have been prescribed for a broad variety of mental disorders including dementia. By increasing communication among neurons, Hydergine was found to improve memory and mental clarity in these patients.
It has also been widely prescribed as an antidote to stroke symptoms, and seems to be an effective remedy. It wasn’t until recently that Hydergine was considered for use as a cognitive enhancer for healthy minds.
How Hydergine Works
Even though Hydergine has been prescribed formally and informally for memory and cognition related disorders for decades, and has been formally studied countless times, its exact methods of action are still not fully known.
Hydergine works in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and cerebellum to reduce MAO (monoamine oxidase) levels. This is significant because there seems to be a direct correlation between MAO levels and various functions of aging decline in the brain.
Specifically, MAOs cause the catecholamines adrenaline, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine to become less available, impairing several vital functions of the brain and nervous system. Hydergine can fight this phenomenon and reduce a major component of mental decline through the preservation of these hormones.
Hydergine does this by stimulating dopamine (and serotonin) production, and restricting the action of alpha-adrenoreceptors. By taking a dose of Hydergine every day, these functions are set in motion for the user and can possibly delay or prevent age-related decay of hormone production.
Hydergine is also thought to increase synaptic communication – the messages that are sent between neurons. This communication is the key to forming new memories and accessing old ones, while drawing logical conclusions between new stimuli and experiences.
Enhanced Blood Flow to the Brain
Hydergine’s other main known action is to increase blood flow within the brain. As a vasodilator, the compound also has the ability to increase oxygen uptake in the brain. As a result, the cells of the brain are able to function at optimum levels, with maximum metabolism for generating energy and eliminating waste.
Hydergine is also an anti-clotting agent in the brain, and can improve systolic blood pressure there. These positive blood flow qualities may be significantly responsible for Hydergine’s reported cognitive effects, like improved memory and learning skills.
Cognitive Benefits
For typical users, Hydergine dosages are said to result in improved mental focus and concentration and dramatically faster recall of memories and information.
In older adults, short-term memory has been said to be returned to more functional levels with daily Hydergine supplementation.
In very extreme cases, like those who suffer from the after-effects of stroke, Hydergine has been found to greatly improve all cognitive function, making language and logic skills return to strong levels even in patients who had lost full control of speech after a stroke.
The improved blood flow in the brain due to Hydergine could be the cause of this. By stimulating serotonin and dopamine release, it can also have a substantial mood lifting effects in users.
Hydergine can promote increased synaptogenesis – growth of connections between neurons. It can repair damaged neural tissue by prompting the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), creating an adaptable, efficient neural environment at any age.
Best Hydergine Dosage
Figuring out the best Hydergine dose can be tricky. Estimates range from 3 mg per day up to 9 mg per day, if divided into multiple administration. Hyderine is non-toxic and has almost no side effects whatsoever, so there is little fear of overdose.
However, effects may take months to become noticeable. For more dramatic results, it is advised to combine Hydergine with other nootropic supplements. It is most often stacked with Piracetam, as the two seem to synergistically boost one another’s efficacy.
As the compound has been successfully and safely taken for decades, a daily Hydergine dosage could be a great new ally in restoring cognitive function that has been lost, or simply a tool to build upon a healthy mind to achieve excellent mental circulation and enhanced cognition.
Free shipping
- Rouy JM, Douillon AM, Compan B, Wolmark Y. Ergoloid mesylates ('Hydergine') in the treatment of mental deterioration in the elderly: a 6-month double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Curr Med Res Opin. 1989
- Olin J, Schneider L, Novit A, Luczak S. Hydergine for dementia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2000
- Lu WJ, Huang JD, Lai ML. The effects of ergoloid mesylates and ginkgo biloba on the pharmacokinetics of ticlopidine. J Clin Pharmacol. 2006
Article last updated on: March 25th, 2018 by Nootriment
Top Nootropics* ❯