Mucuna Pruriens History
Indigenous cultures worldwide consume Velvet Beans as an integral part of daily life. In Central America it is used to this day as a coffee substitute and in certain areas of Guatemala as a staple food in tribal diets. The beans are also immensely popular throughout India and Southeast Asia. In fact, nearly every tropical culture on the planet uses Mucuna Pruriens in some way, either medicinally, ornamentally or as food in daily life; however, when used as food, the Velvet Beans undergo a special process to remove much of their psychoactive compounds, as large doses can cause unwanted effects. Even without these compounds, the Velvet Beans of the Mucuna Pruriens plant are rich in amino acids, making them a useful vegetarian source of protein. Most often in the West, Mucuna is sold as a dietary supplement with its medicinal compounds intact either in pill or powder form. Like anything with a powerful psychoactive effect, Mucuna is best used sporadically or situationally as needed for restorative purposes. The 2:1 rule of two weeks on one week off is a reasonable dosing schedule, although long-term usage is still considered generally safe. Like everything in life, it is about balance.
What are the Active Compounds in Mucuna pruriens?
The best of every plant resides in its beneficial, active compounds. The interaction between these compounds is typically responsible for the plant’s favorable effects. In Mucuna pruriens, levodopa, or L-dopa, is one of these compounds. This bioactive chemical is a precursor to several neurotransmitters, including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. Mucuna pruriens has significant antioxidant action that works in tandem with L-dopa to promote brain health. When L-dopa crosses the blood-brain barrier, it helps to increase brain levels of dopamine, an essential neurotransmitter associated with regulating mood and cognition. Research also suggests that antioxidants are helpful for defending against oxidative damage by free radicals. Mucuna pruriens protects the brain by keeping cognitive and neural functions in check, even encouraging neural activity. The mechanism behind this is simple all free radicals have an unpaired electron that makes them unstable in the body. Antioxidants donate an electron to the free radical to neutralize its effects, particularly on the brain. Mucuna has an added benefit in that it fights systemic redness in the brain, which is often a factor in brain degradation. Mucuna has been long used as an aphrodisiac. And it is still used to increase and support libido in both men and women.
Mucuna pruriens for Sexual improvement & libido
As a result of an increase in dopamine, which induces libido, this herb is used for total sexual enhancement and is found in herbal libido products, such as Mucuna Pruriens L-Dopa. Mucuna pruriens has recently become popular in the bodybuilding industry. Hormonal benefits aside, mucuna pruriens can also improve your cognitive functions. Mucuna pruriens is one of the more potent mood enhancing and libido stimulating superfoods available, with noticeable health benefits and a long list of uses. This powerful herb can have a direct influence on your brain’s neurotransmitters and potentially have beneficial effects on your mental state, energy levels, ability to relax and even body composition and libido. In Ayurvedic medicine, kapikachhu is known as a nerve tonic and adaptogen that helps the body deal with stress. It is one of the few herbs, alongside ginseng, brahmi and the amazing amla, known to balance all three of the doshas. It also has quite a reputation as an aphrodisiac. Dopamine doesn’t cross the blood brain barrier so it cannot be taken or administered directly for therapeutic results. You can however potentially increase your dopamine levels if you’re low on it by making available more of the amino acid L-dopa for dopamine creation.
How Mucuna Pruriens Increases Testosterone
Testosterone production plays a central role in libido and sexual performance for both men and women. While women produce much less testosterone than men, it is still a vital hormone for sexual interest and desire. Mucuna has been used traditionally as an aphrodisiac for both men and women. One of the scientific reasons why the herb has been so effective for this purpose is due to another hormone called prolactin. Prolactin is a hormone with reproductive, metabolic and immunoregulatory functions. It is needed in small amounts but an excess of estrogen in the body can lead to high levels. Prolactin tends to counteract testosterone in the body, thus reducing sexual interest. In fact, a common side effect that stimulate prolactin function is sexual problems in men and low libido for women. Increased dopamine from the L-dopa found in a high quality mucuna pruriens extract reduces excessive prolactin and increases testosterone in the body. Many women and men quickly notice an increase in sexual desire and performance when taking mucuna from this hormonal shift. Some men have even reported a significant decrease in the refractory period after making love when the herb is taken a few hours before. This isn’t surprising considering prolactin is heavily involved in that drowsy feeling that makes men want to go to sleep after sex.
L-Dopa Benefits on Mood, Memory and Focus
Dopamine is known for coordination between mind and the body, a feeling of wellness, agility, libido and sexual arousal as well as brightening the mood. L-Dopa is known as a powerful antioxidant which functions by protecting the human organism from chronic stress and long-term negative action of free radicals which facilitate various effects of aging. L-Dopa benefits on health encompass a wide range of possibilities based on the individual, and typically include increased energy throughout the day, aiding in stimulant withdrawal, increased sleep quality in dopamine deficient individuals, and overall better perception of one’s environment. Finally, habitual intake of L-Dopa in appropriate dosage slightly increases the production of testosterone among males. This has an implication for higher efficiency of strenuous body-building or similar athletic activity. L-Dopa, acts like a precursor of dopamine, the primary neurotransmitter that governs memory, learning, memory recall, and most of it, drive and focus. It is also a metabolic factor in production of norepinephrine and epinephrine which increase metabolism and provide boost in mental performance. Insofar mood-brightening is considered.
DIRECTION: For adults, take one (1) quick release capsule in the morning and one (1) quick release capsule in the evening, preferably with meals.
CAUTION: Do not exceed recommended dose.Pregnant or nursing mothers, children under the age of 18, and individuals with a known medical condition should consult a physician before using this or any dietary supplement
SUPPLEMENT FACTS
Mucuna Pruriens Extract 350 mg (L-Dopa 99% extract)
OTHER INGREDIENTS: Gelatin Capsule, Rice Powder,Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silica.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.