L-Dopa Side Effects – Is It Safe or Dangerous?

L-Dopa side effects can become a significant issue if proper dosage isn’t respected.

However, within recommended dosages, this natural, plant derived supplement works in exactly the same way as the L-Dopa compounds which the body produces on its own.

As the pre-cursor to Dopamine and several other important neurotransmitters, L-Dopa can play a vital role in mood, energy, mental focus, sexual health, and metabolism.

Are the side effects of L-Dopa significant enough to outweigh the benefits? Let’s take a look at what this nootropic supplement can bring to mental and physical wellbeing, as well as how to safeguard against unwanted side effects. Getting some good information before you try L-Dopa is the best route to maximizing its benefits and avoiding risks.

L-Dopa

Dopaminergic Supplement

Mood

Nootropic

Body -building

How It Works:

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

Dosage:

Between 500 - 1000 mg of Mucuna Pruriens extract per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Where Does L-Dopa Come From?

L-Dopa is a naturally occurring amino acid which is found in some foods, plant life, and in the human body.

L-Dopa supplements mainly come from the Mucuna Pruriens plant, a leafy shrub which has been known to grow as high as 15 meters.

The Mucuna, known as the velvet bean tree, is indigenous to warm, moist environments, and grows wild in the Caribbean and some parts of Africa and India.

In those areas, the seeds and leaves of the plant have been harvested by native cultures for centuries. Careful to avoid the hair-like skin of the plant, which is known to induce severe itching reactions, the seeds are crushed, dried, and concentrated into an extract.

Within these seeds is L-Dopa, in amounts of around 100 micrograms per seed. The resulting powder is ready to consume – there are no L-Dopa side effects related to the itching caused by the live plant whatsoever.

Some preparations are made strictly from seeds/beans, whereas others use the leaves of the plant. Leaf based Mucuna supplements are thought to have very little potency, and should be avoided.

How Does L-Dopa Work In The Brain?

After you ingest Mucuna, it quickly breaks down into its constituent parts, which include L-Dopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine).

L-Dopa, a bioavailable amino acid, quickly crosses the blood brain barrier, where it can directly interact with the nervous system.

L-Dopa is the direct pre-cursor to Dopamine, and transforms into it after coming into contact with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (DOPA decarboxylase).

Dopamine is a powerful neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are chemical which specifically communicate information to unique nerves via neurons. These messages govern basic nerve reaction throughout the body and mind, and impact organ function as well as mental wellbeing.

Dopamine is known to trigger pleasure responses and increase tactile sensitivity. From there, L-Dopa prompts the release of additional hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine.

These agents rev up cellular metabolism and fire energy within the cells. This metabolism boost can be felt in the form of mental acuity and alertness. The enhanced quality of nerve communication is the reason L-Dopa is most often prescribed for Parkinson’s Disease patients. In these cases, a critical lack of Dopamine has led to deteriorated ability to adequately signal nerves to control muscles and movement.

Are There Serious L-Dopa Side Effects?

For the vast majority of users, there are no significant L-Dopa side effects. The body has elaborate mechanisms in place for processing L-Dopa and getting the full benefits it offers. However, if too much L-Dopa is present, side effects can arise.

Once dosages start to go over 1 gram (see dosage guide), some people have reported side effects such as nausea, vomiting, strong headaches, and disruption of sleep cycles. In very extreme cases, there can be gastrointestinal bleeding and problems with blood pressure.

However, it is very easy to steer clear of all of these side effects by sticking with the broad range of highly effective doses below 1 gram.

Is L-Dopa Safe To Use For Body Building?

L-Dopa is popular among bodybuilders because it generates the production of testosterone. Testosterone in turn then cause the release of human growth hormone. In combination with the higher metabolism caused by adrenaline and noradrenaline, L-Dopa can create ideal conditions for athletics.

Fat burning is ignited, lean muscle mass is easier to build, and athletes find the mental focus needed to deliver very demanding workouts. As long as the dosage is appropriate for each individual, there are no known L-Dopa side effects in conjunction with exercise. Doses are best taken 30-45 minutes prior to working out to maximize effects.

How Will L-Dopa Impact Sexual Health?

Stretching back to the Mucuna plant’s tribal usage, L-Dopa has frequently be employed as a therapy for sexual health. It has aphrodisiac qualities for both sexes, and the dopamine released heightens sexual pleasure and sensitivity. Men get a boost in testosterone production, plus the added energy to enjoy peak sexual performance.

Furthermore, L-Dopa’s antioxidant qualities can protect sperm from oxygen damage, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful fertilization. L-Dopa has even been shown to increase the strength of erections and size of male sex organs, making it a natural alternative over the common erectile dysfunction pharmaceutical Viagra. No sexual L-Dopa side effects are known.

What’s The Best Dosage To Avoid L-Dopa Side Effects?

Dosage is the key factor in avoiding L-Dopa side effects. All doses should remain below 1 gram per day. However, within that recommendation, there is much room for variance. Doses as low as 100 mg per day will produce mood lifting, energizing effects for most people.

The standard median dose is closer to 500 mg. This is the ideal dose to feel the full range of benefits, without any notable side effects. If this dose does not provide adequate benefits, it is fine to increase by 100 mg increments up to 900 mg.

Above that amount, no new effects will be generated, and side effects could start to come into play. A better option would be to stick to a lower dose, avoiding possible tolerances, and instead stacking L-Dopa with complementary nootropics, such as l-Theanine.

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