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
Keith Knowles
March 18, 2021
I am currently taking 50mg Vyvanse daily with little results.
My wife found an article with this stack
5-HTP 0-24,00mg
L-Tyrosine 0-14,000 mg
L-Dopa0-2,100 mg
Per day
I have watched your videos on all three of the above
You mention stacking 5-htp with L-Tyrosine.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
Keith Knowles
Deltona,
David Tomen
March 21, 2021
Keith those dosages are ridiculously high. And not necessary.
The stack to support stimulant use is described in this article: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/ It’s in the yellow box near the top of that article.
The only reason you would use 5-HTP is if you are increasing dopamine a lot. And using that stack qualifies as more than normal. But instead of 5-HTP you should be using 500 mg L-Tryptophan before bed.
And if you are using L-Tyrosine (which is far safer and easier to dose) you don’t need to be using L-DOPA. They use L-DOPA to treat Parkinson’s Disease.
yusri
March 13, 2021
hello sir may I know what happen if i use l-dopa and together with caffeine sometimes? is this normal or too much for dopamine?
David Tomen
March 13, 2021
Yusri, caffeine forces your brain to use dopamine so you could support its use with L-DOPA. A safer way is with L-Tyrosine in my opinion. But both would work. But you also need to replace the B-Vitamins that caffeine causes you to excrete. And L-Theanine to reduce cortisol which is raised by caffeine.
Ahmed
March 7, 2021
Hi David, I didn’t find Mucuna Pruriens, but I did, however, find an OTC drug called “Levocar” which one tablet of contains 250mg of Levodopa, and 25mg of Carbidopa anhydrous. Do you recommend I take it for my issues with motivation/concentration/ADD? (even if at least 1/6th of a tablet, to get approximately 40mg of Levodopa)
David Tomen
March 7, 2021
Ahmed, I do not recommend you use that drug because it’s what is used to treat Parkinson’s. And comes with the side effects associated with that drug. That’s why getting L-DOPA from a Mucuna Pruriens extract is so important.
For motivation, concentration and ADD you should be using L-Tyrosine for dopamine, Alpha GPC or CDP=Choline for acetylcholine, ALCAR for acetylcholine and energy production, DHA for cell membrane health, and a high quality B-Complex which act as cofactors in the synthesis of all major neurotransmitters including dopamine and acetylcholine.
Ahmed
March 10, 2021
Thanks, and hi again David, I left a question on Piracetam’s page, but I think an error might have happened and it didn’t post because I don’t see it.
Apologies if it appeared for you and now you got my question twice
but it’s a follow up to this;
So, I couldn’t find L-tyrosine or a Choline source where I live and sadly can’t order online due to restrictions where I am. (I do however try to get it through diet by eating 5-7 eggs/day, and/or liver at least once/week)
I scoured for every nootropic on Nootropicsexpert in pharmacies and found only the following and now take them and at a dosage of:
Multivitamin
Omega3
L-Carnitine 500mg twice/day
Ginkgo Biloba 260mg/day
Dormival® (100mg of Valeriana dry extract with Humulus Lupulus soft extract 25mg) 3x 1 hour before bed
Thioctic (Alpha Lipoic) Acid 300mg/day
Sulbutiamine 400mg/day
Piracetam 1600mg 3x/day
So, my question is; Being that I am 19 years old and facing a difficult college, thus need all the help I can get, Should I stick with this Piracetam dosage? or should I lower it, given my age. is there any danger?
And if I should change dosage for any other nootropic on my stack, or even remove any of them?
Thanks, Ahmed.
David Tomen
March 11, 2021
Ahmed, I’m not aware of any danger in using the supplements you mention. As long as they are working for you and you feel the benefit keep on using them.
Mark
February 7, 2021
Hi David,i forgot to mention that i use standard mucuna powder,not an extract.I use most of the time no more than 2 grams per day.I also take everyday NAC and regularly MSM.Is it true that magnesium counters the tolerance ot ritalin?
I read now some comments from you that i did not saw before and conclude that in my case everyday use of mucuna and other dopamine precussors it is not necessary to cycle them because i have a dopamine defficient brain.
I don’t know,maybe i imagined that the effect of mucuna and l-tyrosine get weaker after some weeks of daily use.In the first few weeks i did not take the low dose 5 htp with it and after a couple of weeks i stopped the entire stack and my symptoms get a lot worse.This was also because i got influenced from some bullshit stories about mucuna on the internet.It is like you said,don’t believe all the stories that after time everybody starts to repeat without experience or more important knowledge.
Did you ever experienced tolerance from ritalin or do you just take it also every day without dimnished effect?Sorry for my poor english,i live in Belgium
David Tomen
February 7, 2021
See my comment below.
Vivek
June 27, 2021
Hi David
Can I take l dopa 250 mg with l tyrosine 250 mg and l methylfolate 15 mg for adhd.
Or other nootropics you suggest
David Tomen
June 27, 2021
Vivek, you do not need L-DOPA unless you are treating Parkinson’s. This is the stack you need: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/
Mark
February 7, 2021
Hello David, my naturopathic medical doctor said that mucuna is perfectly safe and can be used long term,that it benefits the brain and dopamine neurons.But from my experience i see that after weeks of daily use there is tolerance,dimnished effect.He did not told me about that.So since some time i take a couple of days breaks from mucuna,like in the weekends.I also used L-tyrosine but after a while there was also a tolerance issue.Since the end of 2020 i have the diagnose of ADD/ADHD and use ritalin for that.The psychiatrist told me to take breaks from ritalin due to tolerance issues,so my plan is to take it only during the week and not on the weekends.At this moment i take only a small dose of 2×5 mg ritalin.I read in one of your comments that you also have add/adhd and also use ritalin along with mucuna,tyrosine and 5htp for support.But in all the questions&answers i did not found an answer for my questions.Here comes my dilemma.If i only use ritalin along with mucuna and L-tyrosine only during the week and not on the weekends to prevent tolerance i am a little afraid to have a rebound of adhd symptoms.I have also 50mg capsules of 5htp that i allready took for a few weeks in the evening.Is there also a tolerance issue with 5htp?I was thinking of maybe to take ritalin with mucuna during the week and L-tyrosine only in the weekends?And 5htp every day?It is really a small dose of 5 htp.I just don’t know how to set up a good protocol for that.Should i worry about tolerance after all? What’s your experience for that and what is your protocol? I was hoping to get an answer and advice from you because you seems to have a lot of experience on that matter.I also take gotu kola in the late afternoon and ashwagandha before bedtime with melatonin.Also vit B complex,magnesium,zinc and vit D.My naturopathic doctor also prescribed me 7 keto dhea after examination,in a low dose of 50mg.I must say that this is an amazing supplement also.Hoping to get some advice.Best regards!
David Tomen
February 7, 2021
Mark, when I was first diagnosed Adult ADD and began using Ritalin it worked great. But I started to grow tolerant to it after a couple of years of daily use. That is when I discovered dietary supplements that could affect the human brain.
My theory was since Ritalin is a dopamine reuptake inhibitor that if it wasn’t working as well as before it was likely due to a lack of dopamine in my brain.
So I went to GNC and got some L-Tyrosine. I started using 500 mg each time I dosed Ritalin and it started working again. I also found that if I used a 3rd dose around 4 PM I avoided the stimulant crash.
The key to all this is balance and to provide your brain with what it needs to work.
I have found that Mucuna Pruriens (L-DOPA) is not necessary for most people. Unless you are older. And that L-Tyrosine is safer and easier to dose long-term. I’ve been using a double dose of Ritalin with L-Tyrosine every single day for the last 13 or 14 years and it’s still working.
I did not need to increase my Ritalin dose because I’m providing my brain with the dopamine and acetylcholine it needs while also using supplements like Mind Lab Pro for brain repair. To avoid any potential damage to receptors and transporters caused by daily, long-term use of a stimulant.
I also found that it’s safer to keep my serotonin levels up and in balance with dopamine by using L-Tryptophan before bed. And I’ve been doing that for well over a decade.
5-HTP is more difficult to dose and not needed if you’re using L-Tryptophan.
James
January 20, 2021
Very nice article and comments. This fine community has taught me good knowledge. Thank you all.
Please help me with ideas on my failed attempts.
I have been using Saint Johns Wort for 5 years, it helps my depression but not enough. And it feels emotionally flat. Changed a year ago from 3x300mg doses to 6 half doses a day spaced approx 2.5 hours, for less peaks and valleys. If I miss a dose I feel even more flat and its it night I’ll want to go to sleep earlier. I used to be the total night owl enjoying movies. Now I’m incapable of enjoying life and I can’t get thighs done much.
Due to SJW use, I am unable to use:
5HTP (even a pinch, like 10 grains of salt volume worth makes me feel a sharp edge)
Lions Mane (even with 1/5 a dose, similar issue but different vibe than 5HTP)
Dopa Macuna NOW brand (even with 1/6 a dose, similar)
DMAE -very sharp, unable to use
GPC choline (Using less than recommended dosage of 300mg, say 1/3 of it, gives a boost but it is a little sharp)
Greens mixes like Paradise Herbs ORAC Greens- Due to tyramine content in the barley grass and possibly other items
Any cheeses that are aged due to tyramine beyond a small piece.
Chocolate- I’ve been a chocolate eater for decades, but now I’m more sensitive to it and cannot eat as much before I feel a sharp edge. I have used fancy chocolate bars and etc. as a therapeutic tool to minimize my depression for years. Some brands such as Cocoa Parlor in some Whole Foods are better than others as I feel a mood and energy boost with a given amount eaten but without the uncomfortable sharp feeling that even medium amounts of other brands make me feel.
Phenylethylamine- gives a boost but isn’t for even medium term use. Feels beneficial but beyond a little feels sharp (obviously).
Some of the tyramine sensitivity I expect due to SJW being a mild MAOI (so I’ve read) but I’m surprised that the effect is that noticeable with using small amounts of the supp or food.
So in summary, in general, I’ve done research and trials of various items that are supposed to help, give a boost, etc. but they all make me feel uncomfortable as they aren’t working as expected, or possibly are pushing dopamine or serotonin too much? It is strange because I’ve tried mini doses to no avail.
I am afraid of using prescription antidepressants due to the side effects, the after effects/withdrawal when you taper off, and a belief that many times there are better answers naturally.
Anyone with ideas please help me! I’m unable to even enjoy a movie now. I feel like my focus memory and attention span is viewing life through a peephole, and I can’t register much enjoyment at all!
David Tomen
January 21, 2021
James, St. John’s wort is contraindicated with just about everything because it is such a potent herb. And if you are particularly sensitive to these compounds it makes it even harder.
I suggest closely study my review in St. John’s wort so you understand exactly how it works. That should provide some comfort in know why you are reacting these other supplements like you are.
It may be that you’ll need to wean yourself off of SJW before you start using other supplements.
Phil Caine
January 11, 2021
Hello David. I got to the point in my nootropics stack where I added Ldopa as I struggle with motivation and concentration. Would is be possible for Ldopa to trigger a mania type response after two days of one dose ?
David Tomen
January 11, 2021
Phil. it certainly can trigger a “mania-type response”. That is an unusual side effect but it can happen. Are you talking about pure L-DOPA or a Mucuna Pruriens extract? Either way it sounds like it’s the wrong supplement for you and should stop using it immediately.
Here is an article to explains how motivation works and what you need to do to support it: https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/
And here is an article on supporting concentration: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-improve-memory-and-concentration/
Sherry
December 1, 2020
I am having trouble with sleepiness when I take Mucuna. I have seen in post where others have this as well. I also have this problem with sleepiness when I use L-Theanine. I like the libido improvement from the mucuna. Any ideas on what is happening? Supplement that might counter the sleepiness? Any thoughts on using Mucuna with DMSO transdermally? The sleepiness occurs hours after taking the mucuna or even the next day. It sometimes occurs like a moment where a switch is flipped and I can no longer focus, if I lay down I go to sleep.
David Tomen
December 2, 2020
Sherry, it may be making you sleepy because Mucuna Pruriens is also a heavy metal chelator. When your system releases these heavy metals you feel it as getting sleepy.
Why not use L-Tyrosine instead to boost dopamine? It’s safer and easier to dose.
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is used to help stuff penetrate your skin more easily. Why someone would want to use Mucuna on their skin is beyond me. Any ideas?