Table of Contents
Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa, Black Cumin) is an annual herb and spice belonging to the Ranunculaceae (Buttercup) family of flowering plants.
Black Seed Oil is native to the Middle East, Southern Europe and North Africa. And taking black seed oil has been used for millennia for a variety of illnesses.
It’s main active compound thymoquinone (TQ) has been shown to benefit cognitive and mental illness, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, diabetes, inflammation, and infertility.
And Black Seed Oil has been used for a variety of bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections. It’s even showing promise in early studies to be effective against HIV/AIDS.[i]
Nigella Sativa oil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, reduces tumor necrosis factor-α (TNf-α), and increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).
Supplementing with Black Seed Oil seems to modulate neuronal signaling pathways in the brain. Affecting synaptic plasticity and long-term potentiation which can help learning and memory.
Here we’ll explore how Black Seed Oil benefits your brain.
Black Seed Oil helps:
- Neurotransmitters: The compound thymohydroquinone in Black Seed Oil is one of the most potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors on the planet.[ii] By increasing acetylcholine, AChE inhibitors have been found to be helpful in treating apathy, autism, dementia, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and Parkinson’s Disease.[iii]
- Anxiety & stress: Black Seed Oil increases L-Tryptophan and serotonin levels in the brain. Providing an antidepressant effect following repeated dosing.[iv]
- Learning & memory: Black Seed Oil has been shown in animal and human studies to support neurogenesis and long-term potentiation. Showing positive effects on learning and memory. Particularly working memory.[v]
Overview
Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa, Black Cumin) is extracted from Nigella sativa, a plant belonging to the family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup).
It’s native to southern Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor. And known as “Black Seed” because when the seeds are exposed to air, they turn black.
Black Seed has been used for millennia as mentioned in ancient texts for a variety of health issues. Several archaeological sites in Egypt including King Tut’s tomb contained Nigella sativa seeds.
Queen Nefertiti is reported to have been a devoted user of Black Seed Oil and gave it credit for her beautiful complexion.[vi]
The earliest written reference is in the book of Isaiah where it was referred to as ketsah in Hebrew. And was used as a baking spice.[vii]
The Prophet Mohammed described the curative powers of Black Seed saying, “it has a remedy for every illness except death”.[viii]
Persian physician and philosopher Ibn Sina (Avicenna) recommended Black Seed Oil in his “Canon of Medicine” as a remedy for colds, fever, headache, toothache, skin diseases, promote wound healing, fungus, parasites, warts, and insect bites.
The main bio-active compounds in Black Seed Oil include thymoquinone (37.6%) followed by p-cymene (31.2%), α-thujene (5.6%), thymohydroquinone (3.4%), and longifolene (2.0%).[ix]
Most of the nootropic benefit of Black Seed Oil is attributed to thymoquinone (TQ).
How does Black Seed Oil work in the brain?
Black Seed Oil boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- Black Seed Oil for attention, cognition and memory. Animal studies show that Black Seed Oil is effective for boosting memory in aged rats. And these findings were also demonstrated in human experiments.
One study by the University of Dhaka in Bangladesh recruited 40 elderly volunteers and divided them randomly into groups A and B. Group A were given 500 mg Black Seed Oil twice a day for 9 weeks. Group B received a placebo.
Neurological measures for this trial included a logical memory test, digit span test, Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test, letter cancellation test, trail making test and Stroop test.
The Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test is particularly interesting. People are asked to reproduce a complicated line drawing first by copying it freehand, and then drawing from memory.
The test permits the evaluation of things like visuospatial abilities, memory, attention, planning, working memory and executive function.
The study concluded that Black Seed Oil supplementation for 9 weeks demonstrated a significant role in enhancing attention, cognition and memory.[x]
Another study with 48 young men aged 14 – 17 who used 500 mg of Black Seed Oil per day for 4 weeks had better short-, and long-term memory and recall.[xi]
- Black Seed Oil reduces seizures (sometimes). Black Seed Oil is known to have anticonvulsive effects in ‘traditional medicine’. And because many epileptic children do not respond to modern anti-seizure medication, researchers have been conducting studies to find out if Black Seed Oil could fill this need.
One study in Iran worked with 22 patients who were divided into two groups.
In this double-blind crossover study thymoquinone was compared to standard anti-epileptic drugs over a period of 4 weeks.
The study concluded that thymoquinone, the main active compound found in Black Seed Oil has anti-epileptic effects in children with refractory seizures.[xii]
But other studies have not been as promising. One study worked with 30 intractable epileptic children and 5 healthy kids used as controls. Here again Black Seed Oil was compared to anti-epileptic drugs over the 4-week trial.
Researchers in this study found that 40-80 mg/kg/day of Black Seed Oil as add-on therapy did not alter seizure frequency or severity in intractable epileptic patients.[xiii]
But another study with 20 epileptic children aged 13 years used an aqueous extract of Black Seed Oil (40 mg/kg) 3-times per day for 4 weeks. In this study, seizure frequency was reduced significantly during treatment.[xiv]
The takeaway here for using Black Seed Oil if you are hoping to reduce the number and frequency of epileptic seizures – it may or may not work. But it doesn’t hurt to try.
How things go bad
Seems many of the cognitive ailments we suffer from today are nothing new. Our ancestors thousands of years ago were dealing with many of the same issues we face today.
As we get older, our brain chemistry and energy metabolism changes. This can happen at any age once we enter our adult years.
↓ Chronic inflammation
↓ Cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, which affects blood clotting, atherosclerosis)
↓ Metabolic disease (diabetes, non-alcoholic liver disease)
↓ Neurodegenerative disease (anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s)
↓ Bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections
Avicenna, the famous 10th century physician in his book “The Canon of Medicine” recommended Black Seed Oil for enhancement of body’s energy and support during recovery from fatigue and dispiritedness.[xv]
What’s old is new again and we’re re-discovering the healing benefits and nootropic value of this ancient remedy for a variety of diseases.
Black Seed Oil benefits
Thymoquinone (TQ) is the primary active component of the volatile oil in Black Seed (Nigella sativa) and most of its effects and actions are related to TQ.
Black Seed Oil is anti-tumor, anti-microbial, anti-histamine, it modulates your immune system, is an anti-inflammatory and acts as an antioxidant.[xvi]
In the traditional system of medicine practices in the Arabian Gulf region, Black Seed is recommended for fever, cough, bronchitis, asthma, chronic headache, migraine, dizziness, chest congestion, obesity, diabetes, paralysis, back pain, infection, inflammation, fasting blood sugar levels, rheumatism, hypertension, and gastro issues like dyspepsia, flatulence, dysentery and diarrhea.
Over 150 clinical studies over the last 5 decades have investigated the chemical and health benefit properties of Black Seed Oil. And these studies justify the broad and traditional therapeutic value of Black Seed.
As a nootropic, studies show Black Seed Oil helps with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, depression, brain inflammation, epilepsy, reduced blood flow, glial tumors, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).[xvii]
How does Black Seed Oil feel?
If you have not yet experienced the benefits of Black Seed Oil, check out some of the comments and reviews left by others who have.
Neurohackers report that using Black Seed Oil daily makes them feel better and they’ve got more energy.
Several people say using Black Seed Oil helps relieve their migraine symptoms.
A couple of people commented that Black Seed Oil gave them vivid dreams.
Some say it helps keep their allergies under control. And like Queen Nefertiti, some report their skin looks more youthful.
Black Seed Oil is said to reduce inflammation and balance hormones. Others say they get powerful relief from pain.
One person reported that she had lost 11 pounds, her joints weren’t aching, no more constipation and her sleep had improved tremendously – and she was only 1/4 of the way through the bottle. A randomized, double-blind trial of obese women who followed a low calorie diet found that the integration of black seed oil improved body composition, such as body mass index, and decreased appetites in participants.
Another long-time user of Black Seed Oil said he hadn’t been sick in over 2 years.
And several neurohackers say Black Seed Oil helps them quickly fall asleep.
Black Seed Oil Clinical Research
Black Seed Oil Boosts Memory
40 elderly volunteers were recruited by researchers at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The study was conducted to see if memory improvements from Black Seed Oil with animals also worked in humans.
Half of the group were given a 500 mg Black Seed Oil capsule twice daily for 9 weeks. The other half received a placebo.
The university research team found a significant improvement in memory, attention and cognition in the group using Black Seed Oil. With no significant improvement in the placebo group.
The researchers concluded Black Seed Oil should be considered as a supplement for enhancing memory, attention and cognition.[xviii]
Black Seed Oil for Anxiety
A study with 48 healthy human male volunteers aged 14 – 17 years were recruited and split into two groups.
Group A received a 500 mg Black Seed Oil capsule once daily for four weeks. And Group B received a placebo. The volunteers were assessed for cognition using a verbal learning test, mood and anxiety. Tests were done at the beginning of the trial and after 4 weeks of supplementation.
The research team concluded that after 4 weeks of using Black Seed Oil that there was a significant mood improvement, decreased anxiety, and a boost in cognition.[xix]
Black Seed Oil Reduces Seizure Frequency
Several different drugs and drug combinations are prescribed to reduce seizures in epileptic children. But nearly 15% of children are resistant to treatment.
Black Seed Oil is known to have anticonvulsant effects which are mainly attributed to thymoquinone.
A double-blind crossover clinical study was conducted in Iran with epileptic children. 22 patients were divided into two groups with one group receiving thymoquinone and the other a placebo for 4 weeks. They each had a one week wash out period. And then the groups were switched and dosed for another 4 weeks.
The parents were happy with the results of the trial. Because the children had significantly fewer seizures when using thymoquinone.
The researchers concluded that thymoquinone has anti-epileptic effects in children with refractory seizures.[xx]
Black Seed Oil for Opiate Withdrawal
Opioid addiction is a major problem in our society. With headlines every week about the number of deaths from opiate overdose.
The most successful treatment we have so far for quitting opiates are 12-step programs. But success rates in recovery and those ending up in relapse demonstrate how difficult it is to get off these powerful drugs.
But a new and novel treatment for dealing with opiate withdrawal symptoms may help.
A study was conducted in Karachi to find a non-opiate treatment for opiate withdrawal. 35 opiate addicts were recruited for this clinical trial.
While details are sketchy, the study found that 500 mg Nigella sativa significantly reduced opiate withdrawal symptoms.
The researchers concluded, “Non opioid drug Nigella sativa is effective in long-term treatment of opioid dependence. It not merely cures the opioid dependence but also cures the infections and weakness from which majority of addicts suffer.”[xxi]
Black Seed Oil Recommended Dosage
Recommended dosage of Black Seed Oil is 1 – 3 teaspoons per day.
If you’ve never used Black Seed Oil before, start with ½ a teaspoon and see how your body reacts.
Children under 11 years should only use half the adult dosage. And kids under 5 years, only a drop or two to start with.
Nigella sativa extract seeds or powder dosage is 1 – 3 grams per day.
Potency can vary between brands which can affect dosage. So check labels carefully.
Black Seed Oil Side Effects
Black Seed Oil is considered non-toxic and safe to use at recommended doses. (More is NOT better).
Black Seed Oil has a nasty taste. To me it tastes a lot like gasoline. So beware if this is your first time. And have something handy to chase it with especially if you don’t like the taste.
You should not use Black Seed Oil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
It’s best to check with your doctor before using Black Seed Oil, especially if you’re dealing with a chronic health condition or are currently taking medication.
Do not use Black Seed Oil if you have a bleeding disorder or plan on doing surgery of any kind.
If you have low blood pressure Black Seed Oil could make this condition worse by causing slow blood clotting.
And too much Black Seed Oil (more than the recommended dosage) could cause liver or kidney damage.
On your skin, Black Seed Oil may cause a rash or hives. Best to do a small patch test before using a regular dose.
Type of Black Seed Oil to Buy
Black Seed Oil is easily found in most health food stores and vitamin shops worldwide. You can get Black Seed Oil in a bottle, or Black Seed Oil capsules. Or Black Seed extract as a powder. The Oil version in a bottle is most common.
Always go for organic Black Seed Oil to ensure you are not getting any toxic pesticides or herbicides contaminating your oil.
And select Black Seed Oil that comes in a dark amber glass bottle which helps prevent it from going rancid.
Choose an oil that is cold-pressed because other methods of extraction involve high heat. Which can damage the beneficial compounds and fatty acids in the oil. And you’ll end up with Black Seed Oil that’s useless.
I recommend and use Amazing Herbs Egyptian Black Seed Oil (Amazon) because it’s milder tasting. It works and has good reviews.
They also sell Black Seed Oil Soft-Gels (Amazon) if you can’t stand the taste. Each soft-gel is equivalent to ¼ teaspoon of oil.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
Black Seed Oil 1 – 3 teaspoons per day
I recommend using Black Seed Oil as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does not make Black Seed Oil on its own. So to get its benefits you must take it as a nootropic supplement.
Black Seed Oil is especially helpful for those dealing with stress and anxiety. Because it affects the GABA pathway in your brain which provides its anxiolytic benefit.[xxii]
Recent research shows depression may be caused by inflammation. Black Seed Oil may reduce symptoms of depression because it decreases levels of inflammatory markers like interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-13 (IL-13) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a).[xxiii]
Black Seed Oil can increase learning and memory within 20 weeks of consistent, daily dosing.
If you’ve tried other meds to reduce seizures with no luck, try Black Seed Oil next. Because it’s been shown to be effective with some types of epilepsy.
And two decades of research shows Black Seed Oil may be effective in suppressing tumor development, growth, and metastasis for a wide range of brain tumors. Including glial tumors which cannot be treated by modern medicine.
Black Seed Oil is a powerful but ancient nootropic supplement. If you’ve tried everything else including the latest mainstream medicine has to offer and have had no luck, try Black Seed Oil.
You can safely take up to 3 teaspoons of Black Seed Oil daily if needed. Split into smaller doses 2 – 3 times during your day. But do NOT exceed 3 teaspoons.
Join The Discussion - 145 comments
Em Davenport
May 23, 2021
Hello David, your thoughts please on using Black Seed Oil to help treat Autism, and why do you think this oil is not well known as an affordable treatment option for this? I’ve read a few anecdotal testimonies so far, but not really discussed online by health experts. Thank you.
David Tomen
May 24, 2021
Em, thymohydroquinone found in Black Seed Oil is one of the most potent acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors on the planet. And increasing acetylcholine has been found to be helpful in treating autism in other clinical studies typically using pharmaceuticals which do the same thing.
That’s likely why you are seeing anecdotal reports on some success with Black Seed Oil.
Em Davenport
May 25, 2021
Following up on my question: Would it be safe to give it to a 3 year old, at least 1 drop of Black Seed Oil for a week or two and see if it would help improve ASD symptoms? Thanks David.
David Tomen
May 25, 2021
Em, I am not qualified to make suggestions for your 3 year old. Best to ask that question of a naturopath or integrative medical professional who is qualified.
ALPHA
May 22, 2021
I have another question, can a black seed oil be combined with 5htp
David Tomen
May 22, 2021
Alpha, same answer because no one has published a study combining the two. Both increase serotonin levels in your brain. So you may end up with excess serotonin.
ALPHA
May 22, 2021
Hello David, I am taking 5 mg, the medicine citalopram is an antidepressant. I have been taking 10 mg. Can I get rid of 5 mg with black seed oil?
David Tomen
May 22, 2021
Alpha, it may not be a good idea because Black Seed Oil also boosts serotonin.
I have not seen any clinical evidence that they are contraindicated but it is possible. So, just please get careful if you try it but we don’t know what will happen
polly
March 18, 2021
Since black pepper (just a wee bit) greatly potentiates tumeric benefits,is it also a potentiator for blackseed and most other supplements?Do we know why pepper works that way?
David Tomen
March 18, 2021
Polly, it’s not black pepper but black pepper extract that potentiates most nootropics and drugs. It’s called Piperine and how it works is detailed here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/piperine/
Ahmed Salah
January 1, 2021
Thank you David for this helpful article, I am suffering from low concentration & focus and it makes me feel really dumb and I get a “conflict” in my brain whenever I do some basic mathematics (I wasn’t like that before & I have a bachelor degree in mechanical aviation engineering so I am not really that dumb) and in my journey to find a good nootropic I have tried Lion’s Mane which was not good as it gave me chest pain and short term memory loss and I have tried Piracetam at 800mg per day and stopped it after 2 days as it made me feel really heavy and increased my brain fog to the point I was feeling like I am solid rock setting on the ground.
I always suffered from low blood pressure exactly the “Orthostatic Hypotension” doctors said it’s healthy and not dangerous so please can you recommend me a good nootropic that will work in my case? I tried Black Seed oil in the past and it really helped me dramatically and i was taking 1 tea spoon at morning and after I read your article I am thinking to take it again but with another good nootropic you recommend for focus.
(I am also very sensitive to caffeine).
Thanks in advance..
David Tomen
January 1, 2021
Ahmed, Black Seed Oil may help especially if you have had success with it in the past.
But low concentration and focus is unlikely to be solved just with one nootropic. Please see my article on concentration and memory here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-improve-memory-and-concentration/.
Concentration and focus are largely dependent on acetylcholine. And you raise it by using Alpha GPC OR CDP-Choline along with Acetyl L-Carnitine and the B-Vitamins.
Ahmed Salah
January 2, 2021
Thank you David for taking the time to reply to me, I have read your article about focus and I feel that Curcumin will be the best choice beside black seed oil but a lot of people say that it decrease testosterone and DHT levels is that true? I really don’t want to miss with my Testosterone or increase estrogen.
Please advice on this.
Thanks
David Tomen
January 2, 2021
Ahmed, I use Curcumin daily and it definitely has not reduced testosterone.
There is some confusion I think largely because clinical studies are difficult to read and understand. And someone cherry-picks an animal study when they’re looking for something to support their idea, or what the heard someone say. An example is this study done on prostate cancer cells in a lab: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5891173/
But this is what really happens in your body when using Curcumin or Turmeric. Curcumin blocks estrogen on a cellular level, it increases the procession of cholesterol in your liver, activate Vitamin D receptors, boosts fat loss, promotes leydig cell functionality in your testicles, and increase insulin sensitivity. In other words it supports testosterone production.
Ahmed Salah
January 2, 2021
That was very informative thank you very much David, I am now one of your followers 🙂
David Tomen
January 4, 2021
Welcome Ahmed. Glad to have you here!
Ahmed Salah
January 3, 2021
Hi David, Please can you recommend a high quality curcumin brand with high biovailablity? Which is better Longvida or Meriva and which brand is the best for both?
Thanks in advance..
David Tomen
January 4, 2021
Ahmed, I like and use BCM-95® because it offers curcumin as well as the volatile oils found in Turmeric which are also beneficial. This is the supplement I use daily: https://amzn.to/3od4NOE
Stephen Koritta
November 29, 2020
A randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trial just finished up in Pakistan with honey and nigella,sativa. statistically significant Mortality, Hospital stay decreases and viral clearance by as few as six days over placebo with black seed and honey from a pair of cohorts of moderate and severe cases. Effects most profound in anti-inflammatory via the interleukin pathways. in covid 19 patients. Neat finding. Small study. Confidence intervals high for all findings.
David Tomen
November 29, 2020
Stephen, I’ve been seeing small studies like this as well here and there. Do you have a link to this study? Was it published in one of the journals?
Maqsood Ahmad
February 27, 2021
Pre-Published article can be found on researhgate
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347798649_Honey_and_Nigella_sativa_against_COVID-19_in_Pakistan_HNS-COVID-PK_A_multi-center_placebo-controlled_randomized_clinical_trial
David Tomen
February 27, 2021
Maqsood, that is the largest study yet using Black Seed Oil for COVID-19. Thank you for sharing this.
Nero
November 18, 2020
Hi David,
Since Black seed oil increases tryptophan and serotonin, can it cause sexual side effects like L-tryptohan may cause?
David Tomen
November 19, 2020
Nero, nowhere in my research did I come across anything suggesting that Black Seed Oil produced sexual side effects.
anthony
November 15, 2020
Hi David,
I have weaned myself completely off Cymbalta for at least 2 weeks and still having some annoying continuation syndrome like emotional stuff like agitation, anger and am mild manic in stressful times.
I know black seed oil helps for Cymbalta withdrawals, here is the site.
https://cymbalta-withdrawal.com/black-seed-oil-antidepressants/
Problem is i am still weaning off Mirtazapine 4mg as i started from weaning off 15mg. Should it be a problem if i use black seed oil to wean off the rest of Mirtazapine.
If i do it like this: I will stop taking Mirtazapine for a day head start and then start from 1/2 teaspoon of black seed oil. Should that be ok? I could also take 4mg Mirtazapine and the next day skip it all together and the take 1/2 teaspoon of Black seed oil that day and then the next day 4mg Mirtazapine and the day after again 1/2 teaspoon black seed oil and so on.
When i stop then take a teaspoon everyday and see how that goes.
What are your thoughts on that strategy? I really want off these antidepressants desperately!!
Pharmacology of Mirtazapine:
Mirtazapine acts as an antagonist/inverse agonist upon the following receptors:[29][30]
5-HT2A receptor[31]
5-HT2B receptor[32]
5-HT2C receptor [31]
5-HT3 receptor
5-HT7 receptor
α1-adrenergic receptor[33]
α2A-adrenergic receptor[34]
α2B-adrenergic receptor[35]
α2C-adrenergic receptor[36]
H1 receptor[37]
mACH receptors[38]
Thank you David.
David Tomen
November 16, 2020
Anthony, I think you may be setting yourself up for some big time trouble. Because Black Seed Oil increases brain levels of serotonin and then prevents its ‘turnover’. In other words this new serotonin stays around for longer than it normally would. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951226/
Using Black Seed Oil with either of these antidepressants could easily end up in Serotonin Syndrome.
That page you linked to is suggesting 1/2 teaspoon every 7 days. So whomever wrote that is also worried about Serotonin Syndrome.
That’s the problem with these drugs. It’s extremely difficult to come off them and there’s no getting away from the horrendous consequences of doing so.
If there was an easy answer I would have written pages and pages on this subject starting years ago.
anthony
November 16, 2020
Oh okay, thanks David.
Guess there is just no easy way out other than to wean for ages and suffer my ass off. Hate these meds…
That or going back on them cause the depression is killing me atm.
Thanks
David Tomen
November 16, 2020
Good luck Anthony. I do not envy anyone in this situation because it is tough.