Mucuna Pruriens Boosts Dopamine and Stimulates Receptors

Mucuna Pruriens is a dopamine-boosting natural supplement that is able to improve mood, motivation and focus in its users.

A native of tropical Caribbean climates, the tall leafy Mucuna plant bears seeds which are full of L-Dopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine), a precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine.

Consuming some form of these seeds is one of the only ways to directly supplement and increase dopamine levels in the brain. This is one reason that Mucuna Pruriens has endured as a folk medicine for many hundreds of years.

We’ll look at the links between Mucuna Pruriens and dopamine production, as well as the implications for mood disorders and nootropic effects. Mucuna could be a safer, more effective alternative to prescription anti-depressants.

Read on for a complete summary of how Mucuna Pruriens works, and the best way to put its dopamine boosting effects to good use for total emotional wellbeing.

Mucuna Pruriens

Herbal Supplement

Mood

Nootropic

Body -building

How It Works:

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

Dosage:

Between 500 - 1000 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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Dopamine’s Role in the Brain

The neurotransmitter dopamine is a critical component to emotional wellbeing and mood.

One of the catecholamine hormones, the release of dopamine in the brain contributes in many ways to vibrant, energetic mood.

First, it improves circulation by dilating blood vessels.

In the brain, this ensures that oxygen-rich blood will be delivered to nerve cells, making their function more efficient while preventing decay.

Metabolism is raised, as is the speedy removal of waste. All of these functions provide greater mental clarity and focus to the user.

Next, dopamine stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain. It delivers the feeling of physical pleasure and emotional joy and euphoria. Dopamine regulates the perception of reward for action and results in determination and drive in all of our endeavors.

Dopamine deficiencies are linked to symptoms of depression, as well as lack of motor control. Chronic dopamine depletion can lead to very serious degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s Disease.

As dopamine is not able to cross the blood brain barrier, using Mucuna Pruriens supplements is one of the only viable ways to increase dopamine levels naturally. We’ll explore how this mechanism works below.

How Mucuna Pruriens Increases Dopamine Activity

Every seed of the Mucuna Pruriens contains L-Dopa. This organic chemical is identical to the body’s synthesized product of L-Tyrosine. L-Dopa is the direct pre-cursor to dopamine in the body.

Once Mucuna is consumed, the L-Dopa content is immediately transformed into dopamine in the brain which can be taken up by the neurons.

When Dopamine receptors in the brain detect the presence of this neurotransmitter, it causes a series of energy and metabolism related activities, as well as activating pleasure and reward responses in the brain. A Mucuna dosage also prompts the production of other important neural hormones, such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

Together, all of these hormones provide a super-charged boost to mood, mental energy, confidence, satisfaction, and ambition. The Mucuna Pruriens dopamine effect is immediate and powerful.

However, as L-Dopa is well-tolerated by the body, the onset of effects is natural and comes without the harsh spikes of prescription pharmaceuticals like Adderall.

Why Should You Take Mucuna Pruriens?

Most people will not have the need to take Mucuna Pruriens for its original, traditional uses, such as treating snakebites.

But everyone can benefit from Mucuna’s powerful effects upon mood and emotional balance.

If you suffer from any kind of social anxiety, the increase in dopamine levels that Mucuna Pruriens provides can give you the confidence and energy to handle social situations.

Light symptoms of depression, such as lethargy and pessimism, will gently lift as dopamine levels are restored. Mucuna provides a perception of mental focus and heightened concentration which is of great benefit for anyone suffering from ADD or ADHD.

In fact, most prescription medications which doctors give to ADHD patients work by artificially stimulating the release of catecholamines like dopamine. Mucuna provides a natural alternative which in many cases is more effective than its prescription counterparts.

Mucuna is also widely used in fitness and bodybuilding culture, due to its ability to increase motivation and fat burning.

If you are already taking a natural supplement for mood, such as the serotonin-enhancing 5-htp, Mucuna makes a worthy complement, delivering a synergistic lift to emotional states and mental energy.

Can you Take Too Much Mucuna Pruriens?

Mucuna Pruriens has a long track record of safe use, since before the time of recorded medical history. In modern users, it rarely present side effects within moderate dosages. 500 mg per day represents a typical dose.

Dosages as low as 100 mg per day will still generate the Mucuna Pruriens dopamine response, while up to 1 gram per day is considered very safe.

Above that amount, you may begin to experience side effects which are common to stimulants – namely, high blood pressure and rapid heart rate. If you feel palpitations while taking Mucuna at any dose, you are likely more sensitive to this supplement and should stop taking it immediately.

There are many other natural mood enhancing supplements to explore which may deliver comparable effects.

A popular Mucuna alternative is L-Theanine, a glutamic acid which dramatically boosts serotonin levels and cuts anxiety. If you are too sensitive to Mucuna, L-Theanine should be the next supplement you try. However, most people are able to tolerate moderate doses well.

With thoughtful exploration respectful of dose, you can experience Mucuna’s mood-lifting, energy enhancing benefits without risk.

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