DopaTrax™
Mucuna Pruriens Extract Capsules to Support Health Dopamine Levels

A Look at the Potential Health Benefits of Mucuna Pruriens Extract

• Contains L-Dopa, a precursor of dopamine
• Is a traditional herbal remedy
• Supports healthy levels of hormones that are active in the brain
• Supports the response to stress and improves mood
• Helps to maintain healthy metabolism
• May help to improve libido and sperm quality

Mucuna pruriens, also known as Velvet Bean or Cowhage, has long been used as an herbal medication in the Indian Ayurveda system. It has traditionally been used to help with many cognitive issues, and is well known for its antioxidant and neuroprotective effects [1]. It has also been traditionally used to treat venom from snake bites by cobras, vipers, and Kraits.

This legume naturally grows in tropical and subtropical regions. Another of its common names is cowitch. It gets this name because it contains a substance known as mucunain [2], which can sting, make you itch, and cause dermatitis. Although Velvet bean can be eaten by humans, and is consumed by numerous ethnic groups, it is largely used as an animal fodder.

The plant contains many bioactive compounds. These include phenols, tannins, and hallucinogenic tryptamines. However, most people are interested in Mucuna because of its large content of the amino acid L-Dopa (levodopa), which is a precursor of the hormonal neurotransmitter dopamine. This hormone is known to play a major role in the brain’s reward and pleasure centers, helps to regulate movement, and is also involved in processes involving reinforcement, motivation, risk taking, and addiction [3].

Mucuna pruriens typically contains from 4 to 7 percent L-Dopa. Some other main phenolics found in the plant are the tetrahydroisoquinolines.

In humans, L-Dopa is naturally created from L-tyrosine. In addition to dopamine it also acts as a precursor to numerous other neurotransmitters, including noradrenaline and epinephrine. It also plays a role in support of the central nervous system and brain health through the mediation of neurotrophic factors [4].

Because of its rich content of bioactive compounds it is no surprise that Mucuna has been associated with numerous pharmacological effects, some of these include possible support of the inflammatory response [5], the presence of healthy antioxidants [1] neuroprotective properties, and the support of healthy blood glucose homeostasis [1]. 

It is also reported to support sperm quality and healthier levels of testosterone in people who have low levels of this sex hormone.

Cognition and Neurobiology

L-Dopa is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, and can then be converted into dopamine (and into other neurotransmitters) [6]. 

The presence of antioxidants is likely to portray neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons [1, 7]. When rats were treated with a Mucuna pruriens cotyledon powder in vitro there was an observable increase in brain mitochondrial complex-I activity, and a restoration of levodopa, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin hormone levels.

It has also been reported that a polyherbal formulation, containing Mucuna extract as one of its key ingredients, was able to support passive avoidance acquisition learning and memory processes in rats [8].

Sexual Health, Sperm Quality, and Libido 

In Ayurveda medicine, Mucuna pruriens seeds have been traditionally used by men for their aphrodisiac effects [1]. Modern studies seem to support these ancient uses.

A study revealed that supplementation with 5 g of Mucuna pruriens powder may support reproductive health through a positive effect on sperm quality aspects such as count and motility [9]. This is likely a result of the observed significant increases in serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone, and of healthier levels of dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline in the seminal plasma and blood [9]. 

The use of the plant is also thought to have a positive effect on libido.

Studies in rats demonstrated that mounting frequency increased, and thus these plants may support aphrodisiac activity and help to promote sexual arousal [10].

Nootropic Effects of Boosting Dopamine 

As mentioned above, the L-Dopa found in Mucuna pruriens is able to act as a precursor of dopamine, and thus boost its levels in the system. This hormone is known to have many beneficial effects on promoting motivation, maintaining healthy mood, good sleep, and general well being.

The dopamine hormone plays a major role in sleep and is may help to reduce tiredness and irritability through improving sleep quality.

Dopamine plays a major role in positive reinforcement and reward perception and maintaining a healthy balance of dopamine levels is very important for well being. Having insufficient amounts of this hormone can lead to lethargy and apathy, and disrupt healthy sleep patterns. 

Further Reading  

• Reddit: What are your nootropic experiences with Mucuna pruriens when stacked with EGCG / decarboxylase inhibitor {https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/4qbg6o/experiences_with_mucuna_pruriens/}
• Quora: Is Mucuna Pruriens better than Wellbutrin (bupropion)? {https://www.quora.com/Is-Mucuna-Pruriens-better-than-Wellbutrin-bupropion}
• WebMD: Information on its uses, side effects, interactions, and dosage requirements {http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1020-cowhage.aspx?activeingredientid=1020&activeingredientname=cowhage}

Citations, Reviews, Abstract, and References 

[1] Lampariello et al. The Magic Velvet Bean of Mucuna pruriens. J Tradit Complement Med. 2012 Oct-Dec; 2(4): 331–339. 

[2] Infante. Outbreak of acute toxic psychosis attributed to Mucuna pruriens. The Lancet. 1990;336:1129.

[3] As described by Macalester college: URL [https://www.macalester.edu/academics/psychology/whathap/ubnrp/alcohol04/Emotions/dopamine.htm] 

[4] Lopez et al. L-DOPA is an endogenous ligand for OA1. PLoS Biol. 2008 Sep 30;6(9):e236. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.0060236.

[5] Hishika et al. Preliminary phytochemical and anti-inflammatory activity of seeds of Mucuna pruriens. Indian J pharmacol. 1981;13(1):97–98.

[6] Kulhalli P. Heritage Healing. 1999 Jul;:29–30. 

[7] Misra and Wagner. Extraction of bioactive principles from Mucuna pruriens seeds. Indian Journal Biochem Biophys. 2007 Feb;44(1):56-60.

[8] Shah and Goyal. Investigation of neuropsychopharmacological effects of a polyherbal formulation on the learning and memory process in rats. J Young Pharm. 2011 Apr;3(2):119-24. doi: 10.4103/0975-1483.80296.

[9] Shukla et al. Mucuna pruriens improves male fertility by its action on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. Fertil Steril. 2009 Dec;92(6):1934-40. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.09.045. 

[10] Suresh et al. Dose- and time-dependent effects of ethanolic extract of Mucuna pruriens Linn. seed on sexual behaviour of normal male rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009 Apr 21;122(3):497-501. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2009.01.032. 

[11] Lampariello et al. Proeteomic profiling and post-trasductional modifications in human keratinocytes treated with Mucona Pruriens leale extract. Oxygen Club of California World Congress. Oxidants and Antioxidants in Biology Cell Signalling and Nutrient-Gene Interactions; pp. 20–23. 2012. 

[12] Guerranti et al. Protection of Mucuna pruriens seeds against Echis carinatus venom is exerted through a multiform glycoprotein whose oligosaccharide chains are functional in this role. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Oct 15;323(2):484-90.