Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- L-DOPA is a vital amino acid precursor of neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine synthesized in the brain from l-tyrosine.
- Mucuna Pruriens is a natural source of L-DOPA, used as a nootropic to enhance brain function by increasing dopamine levels.
- L-DOPA from Mucuna Pruriens can improve memory, cognition, mood, and overall brain health while reducing stress and acting as an antidepressant.
- Opt for organic Mucuna Pruriens extract with higher L-DOPA concentrations (15% – 30%) to ensure better tolerance and efficacy, avoiding synthetic versions used for Parkinson’s treatment.
- Nootropic use of L-DOPA is generally safe and well-tolerated, but caution is necessary to avoid tolerance and dependence issues.
See my article on all of the supplements that have been shown to help with Parkinson’s here: Best Supplements for Parkinson’s Disease
L-DOPA (levodopa, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is an amino acid synthesized in your brain by the amino acid l-tyrosine. L-DOPA is a precursor of several neurotransmitters including dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
Mucuna Pruriens contains naturally occurring L-DOPA in high concentrations. And is used as a nootropic because dopamine itself cannot cross the blood-brain barrier.
Dopamine and norepinephrine are essential for memory, cognition, and a positive mood. A lack of either of these neurotransmitters can lead to a lower mood state, loss of memory, brain fog, poor energy, and more. And if left unchecked will eventually result in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s.
L-DOPA helps:
- Brain Health. L-DOPA helps to increase growth hormone levels in the brain. Boosting the production of neurons and glia cells affecting the formation of memories, and overall brain health.
- Neurotransmitters. L-DOPA is a necessary precursor for your brain to make dopamine. And dopamine is then synthesized into the neurotransmitters epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Affecting cognition, learning, memory, movement, motivation and pleasure.
- Neuroprotection. L-DOPA produces neuromelanin which is similar to the melanin pigment in your skin. In your brain they absorb toxic quinones, and chelate heavy metals like mercury and lead.
Overview
L-DOPA (levodopa, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) is an amino acid that’s naturally synthesized in your brain by the amino acid l-tyrosine.
L-DOPA is a necessary precursor to the synthesis of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Called a catecholamine, dopamine is then synthesized into the other catecholamines epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
Unlike Dopamine, L-DOPA can cross the blood-brain barrier. This is why we supplement with L-DOPA rather than dopamine.
And for a dopamine boost, neurohackers use Mucuna Pruriens, which contains high levels of L-DOPA.[i] This legume, native to the tropical regions of India, Africa and the West Indies, and also known as velvet bean, has been used in Ayurveda medicine since 1500 B.C.
The ancients used Mucuna Pruriens to treat things like snakebite, intestinal problems, sexual issues, and a melancholy mood.
Raising levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in your brain helps regulate mood and cognition.[ii]
Mucuna Pruriens vs. L-DOPA: What’s the Difference?
Mucuna Pruriens is an extract of the velvet bean plant that grows 3 – 18 meters in height. L-DOPA (levodopa) is usually synthetic and made in the lab.
The natural version of L-DOPA from Mucuna Pruriens is generally well-tolerated by most people. And the compounds in the plant are bio-identical to those chemicals naturally made in your body. Not so with synthetic L-DOPA.
Synthetic L-DOPA is metabolized into dopamine in your body by an enzyme called aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). And the majority of synthetic L-DOPA will be converted peripherally (not in the central nervous system and brain). This can cause problems.
So when used therapeutically, as in treating Parkinson’s Disease, L-DOPA is administered in combination with an inhibitor of peripheral AADC. Drugs like carbidopa (or other AADC inhibitors) ensure most of the L-DOPA is preserved for conversion to dopamine in the brain. And not the rest of your body.
This is critical for nootropic users to keep in mind. Chronic, or prolonged use of synthetic L-DOPA can lead to things like dyskinesia. This is a movement disorder where neurological discoordination results in uncontrollable, involuntary movements.[iii]
I am not telling you this to dissuade you from using L-DOPA. Stick with an extract of Mucuna Pruriens and you should be fine.
How does L-DOPA Work in the Brain?
L-DOPA boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- L-DOPA improves memory. It’s metabolized into dopamine in your body by an enzyme called aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC). This increases dopamine levels in your brain.
Researchers at the University of Münster in Germany conducted a study with 40 healthy people. In this randomized double-blind study, they gave one group 100 mg of levodopa daily for 5 days. The other group took a placebo.
90 minutes later on each day, subjects were given a memory test based on vocabulary. The study found that levodopa significantly enhanced the speed, overall success, and long-term retention of novel words.[iv]
- L-DOPA promotes brain health. Research suggests Mucuna Pruriens protects your brain by regulating cognitive and neural functions. And even encouraging neural activity.
Researchers in India showed that Mucuna Pruriens is a potent antioxidant. They performed assays to evaluate the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in extracts. They found high levels of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannic acids, gallic acids, quercetin equivalents, and sitosterol equivalents.[v]
All of these compounds scavenge for free radical in your brain. Free radicals are formed during normal brain activity, like the synthesis of ATP that is produced in your mitochondria.
Your brain is equipped to eliminate some of these free radicals on its own. But especially in today’s environment in which we live, your brain is overwhelmed. Free radicals cause inflammation which damages and can kill brain cells. Affecting memory, learning, recall, cognition and mood.
Mucuna Pruriens has been proven to be a very effective brain inflammation fighter. It even has the ability to chelate heavy metals like mercury and lead in brain cells. And it’s antibacterial.[vi]
Mucuna Pruriens helps your brain make naturally occurring neuronal pigments called neuromelanin’s. They’re similar to the melanin found in your skin. And they’re often found in regions of your brain where dopamine is active.
The synthesis of neuromelanin’s in the various regions of your brain is an important protective process. The melanic component is generated through the removal of reactive/toxic quinones that would otherwise cause neurotoxicity.
This melanic component promoted by Mucuna Pruriens is what chelates and accumulates toxic, heavy metals like mercury and lead.[vii] Preventing them from damaging brain cells.
How things go bad
As we get older, our brain chemistry and energy metabolism changes.
↓ Dopaminergic neurons are damaged or die
↓ Dopamine levels decline
↑ Stress levels increase
↓ Long-term memory and mood decline
All of these age-related changes are contributing factors to the neurodegenerative diseases of aging, including Parkinson’s Disease.
L-DOPA benefits for brain health
Mucuna Pruriens natural herbal supplement extract contains high levels of L-DOPA, the precursor to the crucial neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is further synthesized into the neurotransmitters epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline).
Dopamine plays a critical role in learning and absorbing new information. Increasing brain levels of dopamine helps regulate mood and boosts cognition.
Research also suggests that Mucuna Pruriens provides antioxidants that defend against oxidative damage caused by free radicals.[viii]
How does L-DOPA feel?
Neurohackers report that using Mucuna Pruriens helps in multi-tasking, improving motivation, more focus, less stress, and a sense of calm.
You could find your energy levels increase, less brain fog, and a boost in overall mood. A more positive outlook on life. And an increase in libido.
L-DOPA Clinical Research
Mucuna Pruriens (L-DOPA) as an
alternative for Parkinson’s Disease
Researchers at the Parkinson’s Institute located at the University of Milan in Italy recruited 18 patients with advanced Parkinson’s Disease. The patients were given either ground Mucuna Pruriens powder (standardized 5.7% L-DOPA) or prescription form of levodopa containing a dopa-decarboxylase inhibitor. And then measured motor improvements at 60 and 90 minutes after using the supplement or drug.
The researchers found Mucuna Pruriens standardized powder produced reduced Parkinson’s symptoms equivalent to the prescription version of levodopa. But with significantly fewer problems with dyskinesias. The team concluded the “Clinical effects of high-dose Mucuna Pruriens were similar to levodopa alone at the same dose, with a more favorable tolerability profile“.
Mucuna Pruriens reduces stress
A study was conducted to assess the role of Mucuna Pruriens in infertile men. It was done at King George’s Medical University in Lucknow, India. The study included 60 men who were undergoing infertility screening. And no surprise here; were found to be suffering from stress.
The control group in this study were 60 age-matched men who had initiated at least one pregnancy. The infertile men were given 5 grams of Mucuna Pruriens seed powder per day for 3 months. Semen samples were collected at the beginning of the study. And after 3 months of treatment.
The researchers found that treatment with Mucuna Pruriens significantly decreased stress levels. And increased sperm count to the same level as the fertile control group of men.
They “concluded that M. pruriens not only reactivates the anti-oxidant defense system of infertile men but it also helps in the management of stress and improves semen quality.”[ix]
L-DOPA improves learning
This study in Germany was done with 40 healthy subjects. They were given 100 mg of L-DOPA or a placebo for 5 days in a randomized, double-blind trial.
Subjects were trained on artificial vocabulary using a high-frequency, repetitive approach. This was done 90 minutes after L-DOPA administration on each day of the trial.
The researchers found that L-DOPA significantly enhanced the speed, overall success, and long-term retention of the words.[x]
L-DOPA as an anti-depressant
Increasing dopamine in your brain also boosts your mood and libido. This study was done in India with mice. Researchers used the well-known Forced Swimming Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST), and Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress (CUMS) test.
The mice were fed Mucuna Pruriens seed extract, and then evaluated while performing, well… what mice do in the lab. The research team found that Mucuna Pruriens seed extract has significant antidepressant qualities. Which would simply verify what we already know in humans.[xi]
Using Mucuna Pruriens extract is a great anti-depressant.
L-DOPA Recommended Dosage
L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens extract) suggested dosage for cognitive benefits is 250 – 500 mg twice per day. Most Mucuna Pruriens extracts only contain 15 – 20% L-DOPA. So you may need to adjust your dose up or down depending on how you respond to this supplement.
You may also find that you need to cycle the use of L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens). And use it only 4 or 5 days a week. This can help avoid tolerances and dependencies (which are common with any dopamine agonist). DO NOT attempt to cycle this nootropic if you are using it to treat Parkinson’s Disease.
If you are using Mucuna Pruriens extract (L-DOPA) for Parkinson’s Disease you will likely need 500 – 1,000 mg Mucuna Pruriens 3 or more times per day. And look for a Mucuna Pruriens extract (98% L-DOPA).
See my article on all of the supplements that have been shown to help with Parkinson’s here: Best Supplements for Parkinson’s Disease
L-DOPA Side Effects
L-DOPA is produced naturally in your body. So is considered well-tolerated and safe. And L-DOPA from Mucuna Pruriens extract is particularly well tolerated by most people.
Research shows that the natural form of L-DOPA from Mucuna Pruriens compared to synthetic versions of L-DOPA provides similar results. But without the common side effects of nausea, vomiting, and involuntary muscle movement.[xii]
But be very careful when working with dopamine. Too much and you can experience symptoms like hair loss, auditory or visual hallucinations, psychosis, Dyskinesia and more.
Of course, if you begin to experience any of these side effects, stop supplementing with L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens) immediately.
Like any natural supplement, it’s always better to use an organic source.
Type of Mucuna Pruriens (L-DOPA) to buy
Mucuna Pruriens is typically available in powder, capsule or tablet form. Some are pure, dried Mucuna Pruriens powder.
Several manufacturers offer Mucuna Pruriens extracts ranging from 15% – 30% L-DOPA. Or they tell you how many mg of L-DOPA is in each capsule or tablet.
A few manufacturers call it “Velvet Bean Extract” or “Mucuna Extract” with the percentage of L-DOPA in each capsule or tablet. It’s the same as Mucuna Pruriens.
Try to find “organic” or “certified organic” if you can. And for Nootropic use, avoid synthetic L-DOPA which is typically used to treat Parkinson’s Disease.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens) dosage 250 – 500 mg twice per day
I recommend using L-DOPA as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does synthesize some L-DOPA on its own. And converts it into the essential neurotransmitters dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine.
But as you get older, dopamine receptors die or become unresponsive. Or your body doesn’t convert the necessary amino acids well enough to supply the neurotransmitters you need for an optimized brain.
L-DOPA is helpful to boost energy and motivation levels, memory, clear brain fog, improve mood and libido.
L-DOPA is especially helpful for those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s. And the natural form of L-DOPA from Mucuna Pruriens often offers better results with fewer side effects than prescription drugs.
I suggest starting with a dose of 100 – 250 mg twice daily for nootropic use at first. And you may find that you need to cycle L-DOPA. Use it for 4 or 5 days and take a break. Tolerance is often a problem when working with dopamine. As is dependence or addiction.
If you are using Mucuna Pruriens (L-DOPA) for Parkinson’s Disease, please see my article on all of the supplements that have been shown to help with Parkinson’s here: Best Supplements for Parkinson’s Disease
Join The Discussion - 380 comments
salem
August 13, 2023
h david
can we take l dopa mucuna at night ?
or switch , one day at morning , other at night?
David Tomen
August 15, 2023
Salem, L-DOPA increases dopamine which you do not want to increase at night. You need dopamine during the day. Best to use it morning and noon every single day. The days that you do not use L-DOPA are days you’ll not have optimal dopamine levels.
salem
July 28, 2023
hi David,
my mother is 65, having problem with memory.
so she takes Dopa Mucuna from NOW brand, she is taking it 4 days per week, and 3 days off, as mentioned for tolerance.
she is taking it in morning, as advised in the supplement tag, that its better to take it in morning
but somedays she is fasting, so can she take the dopa at night in the day she fast ? or its only in morning ?
and can she take it everyday instead of 4 days? or that will cause tolerance?
thanks
David Tomen
January 9, 2024
Salem, at 65 years old chances are your mother is already very low in dopamine. And since the half-life of L-DOPA 2 hours that means after 4 hours it can no longer make dopamine. So, the days she does not use L-DOPA are the days she does not have much dopamine left which results in a horrible quality of life.
Kenneth
July 10, 2023
Hi David,
I find Dopa Mucuna a very helpful supplement. I suffer from low mood which I have worked out is dopamine related. Is it ok to use with Concerta 18mg?
Thanks
David Tomen
July 10, 2023
Kenneth, the L-DOPA in that supplement makes dopamine. And Concerta uses dopamine receptors and transporters to do its job. You are supporting how Concerta works when using that supplement.
Jay
July 1, 2023
There is confusion between the terms L-DOPA and mucuna pruriens throughout the comments – and throughout your article.
L-DOPA and mucuna pruriens are not the same thing and the terms cannot be used interchangeably.
This is especially a problem in your “Nootropics Expert Recommendation
L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens) 250 – 500 mg per day”.
What exactly are you recommending? 250 – 500 mg of mucuna or 250 – 500 mg equivalent of actual L-DOPA . If it is ground mucuna pruriens seed you must also specify the potency – i.e. the concentration of L-DOPA in the particular mucuna product.
David Tomen
July 2, 2023
Jay, L-DOPA is extracted from Mucuna Pruriens. But you cannot buy a pure L-DOPA supplement. Most Mucuna Pruriens supplements are 15 – 20% L-DOPA. For ‘normal’ healthy people I just recommend 250 – 500 mg twice per day Mucuna Pruriens. That is assuming you are getting a standard Mucuna Pruriens extract supplement.
But if you have Parkinson’s then I recommend a Mucuna Pruriens extract of 99% L-DOPA. That is not what I’m talking about in this review.
Jay
July 3, 2023
So now you have doubled your recommended daily dosage …
You really should be more careful. Some readers may take your advice seriously.
David Tomen
July 8, 2023
Jay, that is why I welcome feedback and pointing out things that I get wrong. Fortunately, no harm done with this because used just once a day means you only get Mucuna Pruriens benefits for part of the day.
The half-life of this extract is around 2 hours. So if someone was treating Parkinson’s Disease with Mucuna Pruriens extract and depending on the strength of the extract you’d want to use it 3-times per day to get all day benefits from this supplement.
The largest study done comparing natural Mucuna Pruriens to levodopa/carbidopa also used much higher doses of the supplement than what I am suggesting (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539737/). Because it was not an extract.
yellow
April 29, 2023
Hello David
I have been following your articles since last year and I feel that I have really got a treasure.
If you allow some inquiries about Mawkana:
1- Does it have any effect on women’s hormones and menstruation?
Because I read it leads to raising the rate of testosterone
Can women use this herb without fear of hormone problems
And without increasing body hair or changing sound to roughness?
– What about its effectiveness to treat attention deficit?
– Can I take it with Ginkgo Biloba herb ?
Once again, thank you, your articles are very useful and detailed.
David Tomen
May 1, 2023
What is Mawkana? If you are trying to deal with ADD or ADHD then the supplement in the yellow box near the top of this article will help: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/. And notice that it uses L-Tyrosine instead of L-DOPA. There are a number of reasons why you should use L-Tyrosine instead of L-DOPA unless you are dealing with Parkinson’s Disease. If that is the case then I do recommend L-DOPA.
yellow
May 4, 2023
Sorry, I did not notice that I wrote the word as it was pronounced
I meant: mucuna .
Does it affect female hormones?
I have already tried tyrosine and did not find any result
David Tomen
May 5, 2023
Zeina, Mucuna Pruriens increases testosterone which is likely why it is used in the East to increase libido in women.
salem
April 18, 2023
hi david
am taking ( dopa mucuna + B6 ) to decrease my high prolactin level, and its doing a good job lowering it down.
i really like the effect, cuz these both ,are the only supplements that helped me to lower my prolactin
am taking them since 2 months, can i keep taking them specially dopa mucuna for more months ?
or the the dopa should be limited for 3-4 months ?
David Tomen
April 18, 2023
Salem, If it works for you, then I suggest keep on using it.. There is no reason to stop.
salem
April 19, 2023
i heard that any supplement that linked to dopamine, should be limited for couple months… that why i wanted to clarify that before continuing with taking the dopa mucuna for more months
David Tomen
April 21, 2023
Salem I hear this all the time. And it is wrong. If you are getting benefits from using a supplement that increases dopamine that means you were not making enough dopamine before you started using that supplement. Why after a couple of months would your system magically begin to make enough dopamine on its own? It did not do so before.
salem
April 21, 2023
thanks alot david, that really makes alot of sense to me, i will keep taking it .. thanks alot
Maria
April 17, 2023
Great information about PD. I’m going through with my husband Dx. PD. However, since he is taking the Carbolevo his condition has worsened. I’m happy to get all this information to start a new way to fight w the PD.
David Tomen
April 18, 2023
Maria, thank you and good luck with your husband. I’ve done consultations with others who have kept their symptoms down and live a much higher quality of life. It does not happen overnight but daily and consistent use of several supplements I mentioned in that article should provide at least some or the benefits you are seeking.
Robert
April 3, 2023
Does milk or high protein foods diminish the effectiveness of Mucuna Pruriens?
David Tomen
April 3, 2023
Robert, theoretically the amino acid L-DOPA will compete for transporters with the amino acids in your food which use the same transporters. But it is my opinion that the amount of L-DOPA in the supplement you are using is much much higher compared to the amount in food.
It has been my experience that I get the benefits from the supplements that I am using every day and long-term that I do not worry about the “empty stomach” and “take it with food” thing.