Mucuna pruriens User Guide – A Natural Mood Enhancer

Mucuna pruriens is a natural brain supplement touted for improving mood and keeping the brain healthy and protected.

It supplies the brain with many of the nutrients and ingredients it needs in order to function at its best and is thought to help reduce susceptibility to stress.

One of the most important compounds found in this plant is Levodopa (L-Dopa) which is used to produce the neurotransmitter Dopamine among other hormones.

Many researchers are studying the potential effects of Mucuna pruriens which range from being able to increase levels of human growth hormone (and other potentially anabolic hormones) to increasing testosterone and improving sexual drive and promoting positive feelings.

It is also thought to have a neuroprotective effect upon the brain cells and other bodily processes, possibly reducing signs of aging. Additionally, because it contains natural L-Dopa, it has been tested as a possible natural alternative or complementary treatment for Parkinson’s disease.

This article will discuss how Mucuna pruriens works in the body, health benefits, the most common side effects, as well as safety and recommended 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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What Is Mucuna pruriens?

Mucuna pruriens is a legume plant with long climbing vines that can reach 50 feet in length. It mainly grows in the tropical forest climates of Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.

It is also commonly called velvet bean. Varieties that have stinging hairs on the seed pods are commonly called cowhage or cowitch.

Contact with the orange, prickly hair-like projections on the seed pods can cause a severely itchy dermatitis due to presence of Serotonin and a protein known as mucunain.

It has been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for centuries for Parkinson’s, to treat nervous disorders and arthritis, and as an aphrodisiac. In relation to traditional and alternative medicine, Mucuna pruriens is noted for the presence of L-Dopa which is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the human body.

In the brain this mood-enhancing compound is converted into Dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter associated with the mood. Because of this connection, Mucuna pruriens is often used to boost the mood, with some people taking it as an herbal remedy for depression and anxiety.

This plant has a high nitrogen content and is typically used today as a soil fertilizer. It is also used as a food source and as animal feed.

Another interesting fact about this plant is that some people use it as an alternative to coffee. The seeds are dried and then brewed in the typical fashion. Many people consider Mucuna pruriens tea to be highly stimulating and just as effective as coffee for improving alertness.

Health Benefits Of Mucuna pruriens

One of the purported benefits of this supplement is that it may naturally help to increase growth hormone release. This is primarily due to the presence of L-Dopa within the supplement. There have been a number of studies and research that shows that L-Dopa is found in high levels (4-7%) within Mucuna seeds.

In research studies, L-Dopa has been found to stimulate growth hormone effectively, and therefore due to its L-Dopa content, it is hypothesized that Mucuna pruriens supplementation may increase growth hormone levels in the body.

One study found that a combination of Safed Musli (Chlorophytum borivilianum) and Mucuna pruriens increased serum growth hormone levels in health adult men. More research is still needed to see the effects of Mucuna pruriens alone, as well as testing against a placebo.

From the L-Dopa present in Mucuna supplements, it is believed that many critical neurotransmitters and their processes are supported. With this supplemental source of L-Dopa, you are giving the brain more building blocks to create needed compounds such as Dopamine and Norepinephrine.

These powerful brain chemicals are connected with feelings of positive mood, energy, pleasure, and motivation. Many users also report having an improved level of focus, concentration, and mental alertness.

Mucuna’s L-Dopa content and relation to Dopamine has also made it an interesting research avenue in treating Parkinson’s disease. Purified Levodopa is currently already used as a treatment for Parkinson’s.

Some preliminary studies have shown that Mucuna may help improve symptoms of Parkinson’s disease when used in conjunction with conventional drugs such as amantadine, selegiline, and anticholinergic agents.

There is some evidence that a high 30 g dose of Mucuna pruriens powder containing 1000 mg of L-dopa has a quicker onset and longer duration of action, and provides higher drug levels compared to 200 mg of conventional Levodopa in combination with Carbidopa.

Some of the L-Dopa in Mucuna pruriens is also used to make the pigment melanin. This is thought to help protect the brain by removing a number of different toxins and chelating metals like mercury and lead.

Research on Mucuna pruriens has been very promising so far, especially in relation to Parkinson’s disease, however more research is still needed to reliably rate its effectiveness. At this time the FDA has not approved Mucuna pruriens as a drug to prevent or treat any conditions. It is available as a dietary supplement in the United States.

Mucuna pruriens Bioactive Components

If you are interested in buying Mucuna pruriens extract to increase L-Dopa levels in your diet, there are a few different options out there for you.

The best Mucuna pruriens powder is made from the beans only, so be sure to look for this. Almost all of the studies and research which shows health benefits focused on using the beans only.

There are a number of different bioactive compounds and ingredients in this supplement. They include:

• Mucunadine
• Mucunine
• Mucunainine
• Prurienine
• Purienidine
• Beta Sitosterol
• Glutathione
• Lecithin
• Venolic Acid
• Gallic Acid

Another important point to remember is to avoid Mucuna pruriens powder that has not been irradiated.

Mucuna pruriens Side Effects

Mucuna pruriens has been rated by the Natural Medicines database as Possibly Safe when used orally and appropriately by adults. In research, powdered Mucuna pruriens has been used safely for up to 20 weeks.

In clinical studies, reports of adverse effects are rare. Mucuna pruriens is considered well tolerated in most users. However, there are a few side effects associated with this including headaches, vomiting, insomnia, and possibly some confusion. These are all very uncommon and usually only present themselves in those taking excessively high dosages.

The most commonly reported side effect from the Mucuna pruriens plant is severe itching, but this only occurs when using the raw plant stems or leaves themselves. If you are consuming an powdered extract version, you will not encounter this effect.

Mucuna pruriens is contraindicated with many different drugs, supplements, and herbs including but not limited to: anesthesia, antidiabetic drugs, antipsychotic drugs, Guanethidine, Methyldopa, MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants, herbs and supplements with blood pressure lowering potential, Kava, and Vitamin B6.

It is recommended that you speak with your doctor before taking Mucuna pruriens to determine if there may be any negative interactions with any conditions you have, or medications and/or supplements you are currently taking.

Mucuna pruriens Dosage & Usage

Proper dosage is dependent on many different factors including age, weight, sex, and possibly most importantly in the case of Mucuna pruriens, the reason for taking the supplement.

A commonly used dosage range for mood enhancement is between 200 and 500 mg. Most people will start with 200 mg at a time and only increase if they do not feel anything at the lower levels.

In clinical studies on Parkinson’s disease dosages between 15 g and 30 g have been used. In these studies, even at these high dosages, side effects were still mild and mainly gastrointestinal in nature.

However dosages this high are not commonly used by individuals for simple mood enhancement. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor about proper dosages, especially if you are interested in exploring Mucuna pruriens as an alternative or complementary supplement for Parkinson’s disease.

Mucuna is most commonly sold in powdered extract form, though you may be able to find some tablet or capsule sources. You can add the powder to smoothies or other liquids. Most people will take Mucuna pruriens in combination with several other mood enhancing supplements to improve emotional wellbeing, reduce stress, improve focus, and boost mental energy.

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