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Selegiline is a pharmaceutical drug which is most widely prescribed for symptoms relating to Parkinson’s Disease.
It has the chemical formula (R)-N-methyl-N-(1-phenylpropan-2-yl)prop-1-yn-3-amine, and is considered an MAO-B inhibitor. MAOs (monoamine oxidase) cause the breakdown of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
It is thought that Parkinson’s and other similar cognitive disorders’ symptoms can be alleviated by blocking the effects of MAOs. Selegiline is particularly useful in restoring motor function that is lost due to age related degenerative decline.
After discovery in Hungary in the mid 1960s, it was determined that the drug could block MAOs without causing a dangerous rise in blood pressure. This had been a serious concern surrounding previous amphetamine therapies for Parkinson’s like Adderall. The efficacy of the drug has not yet been validated by the FDA.
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Selegiline Effects
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MAO-B is the body’s natural mechanism for regulating excessive amounts of certain neurotransmitters like dopamine.
For some people, especially the aged, a dramatic decrease in dopamine and similar chemicals can result in impaired neural function and loss of motor control. As an MAO-B inhibitor, Selegiline prevents the body from downregulating dopamine unnecessarily, keeping levels abundant in the brain.
Selegiline is almost always taken in conjunction with L-Dopa, also known as levodopa. L-Dopa is the pre-cursor to dopamine. When combined, Selegiline and L-Dopa can increase overall dopamine levels.
Selegiline can also reduce the amount of L-Dopa that Parkinson’s patients need to take. Portions of Selegiline metabolize into L-methamphetamine, the powerful stimulant.
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Selegiline Benefits
In Parkinson’s patients, Selegiline has many positive benefits, particularly surrounding motor skills. It can ease tremors, and make walking and basic household tasks easier. It does not present the added hypertension issues hat many MAO inhibitors create.
Selegiline also has some anti-depressive qualities, and its derivative racemic deprenyl has been marketed as such by Somerset Pharmaceuticals. Selegiline allows Parkinson’s patients to lower the frequency and amounts of L-Dopa medications, which results in lower side effects connected to those medications. In some cases, the drug has completely stopped the development of Parkinson’s disease for a year or more.
However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration continues to reject these findings. There is little history of documentation of the drug being taken by non-Parkinson’s patients for cognitive enhancement. There are many other dopamine-boosting nootropic supplements which are already popular for this purpose.
Alternative Dopaminergics
In addition to Selegiline, other supplements which address dopamine production, such as the dopaminergic class of compounds, can accomplish these gains more safely and effectively for healthy minds.
Dopaminergics work by regulating the metabolism of dopamine. They can be used to treat a variety of conditions, ranging from light to ADHD, anxiety, and depression, to full blown Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease.
Some notable dopaminergics include Sulbutiamine, Phenylalanine, Theanine, and Tyrosine. The plant-based remedy Mucuna Pruriens is a well-known natural dopaminergic. The branded amino acid Suntheanine, found naturally in green tea, is another way to boost dopamine.
Selegiline Dosage
A typical Selegiline dosage is less than 5 mg, taken twice per day. The drug can cause energy spikes, and can interfere with sleep, so it is not recommended for consumption late in the day. It can be taken in pill form or via a transdermal patch. After a few weeks, benefits begin to manifest.
Doctors may adjust corresponding dosages of L-Dopa accordingly, as dopamine levels begin to rise. If side effects manifest (see below), patients are advised to seek alternative methods for boosting dopamine levels.
Selegiline Side Effects
Selegiline can have both light and serious side effects, depending upon individual sensitivities. Light side effects include trouble sleeping, dizziness, nausea, and diarrhea. More severe negative effects can include arrhythmia, trouble breathing, and serious headaches. Any of these serious side effects should be reported to a doctor immediately.
Selegiline should not be taken with the opioid analgesic pethidine or the SSRI fluoxetine. It is debatable whether it is safe to take with other MAO inhibitors. The drug is sometimes combined with illicit narcotics such as MDMA, a practice which is considered highly unsafe.
Selegiline is not intended for daily use by healthy people wishing to expand mental energy and focus. A broad class of natural nootropic supplements can achieve these goals more safely and with few side effects, if any.
Selegiline Review
Selegiline may prove to be a powerful therapy for the treatment of motor skill impairment due to Parkinson’s Disease. It limits the activity of MAO-B in the brain, and works to increase natural levels of dopamine and other important neurochemicals. The drug is frequently used in conjunction with L-Dopa, and can actually reduce the amount of L-Dopa is necessary for successful therapy.
While it does not produce high blood pressure, a common risk even for natural MAO inhibitors like Hordenine, Selegiline does have many side effects risks. For this reason, it should not be taken for any conditions other than Parkinson’s and other degenerative brain disorders.
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Article last updated on: April 28th, 2018 by Nootriment