Mucuna Pruriens Extract – A Natural Source of L-Dopa

Used for thousands of years as a traditional medicine and snake bite remedy, Mucuna pruriens extract is now a popular nootropic supplement.

The mechanisms by which it eradicates the poison of snakes like the Malayan Pit Viper are not known, however we have learned a lot about its cognitive effects in humans.

Mucuna pruriens extract contains a significant amount of Levodopa (L-Dopa), the body’s precursor to the neurotransmitter Dopamine.

In the body, proper levels of Dopamine are related to enhanced mood, increased brain power, improved fat burning, and improved sexual health.

L-Dopa is also an accepted therapy for some serious conditions like Parkinson’s Disease. Using Mucuna as a natural source of L-Dopa is being researched currently.

This article will examine how Mucuna pruriens extract works in the body, the health and mind benefits associated with this tropical plant extract, side effects, and some common dosages.

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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How Mucuna pruriens Extract Is Made

Mucuna pruriens is a very tall plant which grows naturally in the humid, tropical climates of the Caribbean and certain parts of China, India, and Africa.

There are two main types of Mucuna – those with soft, non-stinging hairs on the seed pods, and those with long, stinging hairs. The non-stinging varieties are commonly called velvet bean, while the stinging varieties are called cowitch or cowhage.

One must be careful not to touch the seed pods of stinging Mucuna – it is known to cause severe itching in human skin on contact.

Luckily, this quality, caused by the presence of Serotonin and the protein mucunain on the seed pod hairs, does not translate in any way into the final Mucuna pruriens extract preparation used as a medicinal.

Instead, the seeds themselves are harvested. These seeds are rich with L-Dopa, the same amino acid which is a precursor to Dopamine production.

The seeds are dried, and then can be ground into a powder, brewed in a tea, or concentrated into very powerful extract versions by distillation in ethanol alcohol.

These seeds each contain an average of 100 micrograms of L-Dopa, which increases as the plant matures. The leaves also have a small amount of L-Dopa and can be harvested as well. Mucuna also contains various other compounds, such as lecithin, Beta Sitoserol, and Gallic Acid. However, most people take Mucuna pruriens extract strictly for its L-Dopa content.

The Importance of L-Dopa

Why do some people supplement their natural supply of L-Dopa? L-Dopa (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) has many key functions in the growth of healthy tissue, as well as regulating mood and mental energy.

L-Dopa is a direct precursor to the neurotransmitters Dopamine, Epinephrine (Adrenaline), and Norepinephrine. All of these are powerful hormones which can inspire feelings of joy and euphoria.

In research, L-Dopa has also been seen to stimulate growth hormone secretion. It also assists in de-toxing neural tissue by promoting the release of melanin.

L-Dopa is bioavailable and can cross the blood brain barrier (protective membrane separating the bloodstream from the brain tissue). Dopamine is unable to cross the blood-brain barrier, but supplemental L-Dopa can, and then be a precursor to this neurotransmitter in the brain.

It has been hypothesized that supplementing with L-Dopa-rich nootropics like Mucuna pruriens extract may improve the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is thought to boost the number of alpha waves in the brain, and promote a feeling of calm. More research is needed in this area to fully determine effects.

User reviews say that using Mucuna extract helps make stress more manageable, promotes a feeling of alert, bright energy, and improves focus and concentration. Some people have compared its effects to a super-charged cup of coffee, with much less of the ups and down associated with a caffeine buzz and withdrawal. .

In patients with disorders like Parkinson’s Disease, which may in part be caused by a deficiency of Dopamine in the brain, L-Dopa has been shown to improve musculoskeletal control and reduce tremors. L-Dopa along with Carbidopa has been used as a treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms for years.

Research on using Mucuna as a natural source of L-Dopa is currently being conducted. One preliminary study found that a 30g dose of Mucuna pruriens extract had a quicker onset of action, longer duration of action, and higher drug levels compared to a standard 200 mg dosage of conventional Levodopa and Carbidopa.

Sexual Benefits of Mucuna pruriens

One of the most sought after benefits of Mucuna pruriens extract is its positive impact upon sexual health.

The supplement is used to increase libido and arousal in both men and women, thought more frequently in men.

It is thought that these effects occur when increased Dopamine stimulates the oxytocinergic neurons in the hypothalamus, although there has not been any research to validate this hypothesis yet.

In a research study on infertile men, Mucuna’s antioxidant qualities were seen to protect sperm from oxidation, thus potentially improving fertility. Sperm concentration, motility, and seminal volume also was increased compared to before treatment.

These factors are sure to be marketed heavily in supplements designed expressly for increasing sexual performance, although research is still limited. For most people these effects are usually considered just an interesting side effect to L-Dopa’s main benefits of improving mood and concentration.

Research on Mucuna pruriens has been very promising so far, especially related to its use for Parkinson’s disease, however more research is still needed. At this time there is insufficient reliable evidence to rate the effectiveness of Mucuna for its most common uses.

Mucuna pruriens extract is available as a dietary supplement only, and the FDA has not approved Mucuna as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions.

Mucuna pruriens Extract Side Effects

As L-Dopa and the hormones it is a precursor to are all produced naturally in the body, supplements like Mucuna pruriens extract are typically easy to tolerate for most people. In fact, the most common side effect still comes from skin contact with the source plant itself, which causes severe itching.

However, if you are taking Mucuna as a powdered supplement, this is completely a non-issue, as the product no longer causes itching in this form.

If dosage remains within recommended amounts, no side effects are typically reported at all. However, very large doses (far more than you would need to feel Mucuna’s effects) have been known to cause issues such as sleeplessness, intense nausea, and headaches.

For this reason, it is always a good idea to be respectful of common doses and your body’s unique reaction to them.

Mucuna Dosage Guide

Proper dosage is dependent on many different factors including age, weight, sex, personal sensitivities, and the reason for taking a supplement. The recommended dosage range for Mucuna can vary greatly depending on the purpose of taking it. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor to help determine the best dosage for your needs.

In Parkinson’s disease research studies, dosage as high as 15-30g per day have been administered. This is much too high of a dosage for the average person, and should be taken under doctor supervision only.

A commonly recommended dosage range for Mucuna pruriens extract powder is between 100-500 mg per day. At this amount, enough L-Dopa will be released into your system to generate Mucuna’s effects.

Most people will start with the lower end of the range and work their way up to 500 mg per day as need be. Some people will split their amount into a few doses a day to keep levels consistent through the day.

There are some potency differences depending upon whether the extract was made from the beans/seeds of the plant vs. the leaves. Beans are thought to be far more potent.

As Mucuna can be quite stimulating, no more than one dose should be taken in a day, and the supplement should not be taken every single day, or a tolerance may develop.

Some users will combine Mucuna pruriens extract with other nootropic supplements such as 5-HTP, to add more cognitive and mood boosting power to this high energy mood enhancer.

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