Mucuna Pruriens (Velvet Bean)

Posted by: @Logos

This seems to be a very powerful and overlooked herb. It is standardized for L-dopa and is also believed to increase seretonin. Besides the obvious Parkinsons use, it has been long used as a sexual stimulant/enhancer. Could this also be a beneficial social anxiety or learning aid? Does anybody have experience/thoughts on this herb. Anyone have any recommendations on dosages or where to purchase?
Thanks

I have used several brands of Macuna pruriens over the past 10 or so years. I usually used ~500-3,000mg of velvet bean extracts (standardized to ~10-25% L-Dihydroxyphenylalanine) ~90 minutes pre-workout.

Actually many of the benefits are not due the the l-dopa found in these plants. I liked the energizing and libido-boosting benefits. However, this is not something to use w/o extensive research and caution - as various adverse effects are not rare...

Actually many of the benefits are not due the the l-dopa found in these plants. Mucuna contains only ~3-6% L-dopa, while it also contains the alkaloids: DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin, and other potent psycho-actives...

The GH-elevating effects of L-Dopa are not signifigant unless over 500mg are ingested several times/day - for most healthy adults. Nausea and other dangerous side-effects are not uncommon when over 500mg of Levodopa is ingested in healthy adults. However, exercise does appear to enhance its absorbtion and bio-availability...

I NEVER used this supplement more than once/week as long-term use is not safe IMO. However, combined with NADH/Quercetin, the effects are very noticeable and POTENT - based on years of experimentation...It has shown some promise in narcoleptics and those with other sleep disorders.

I would definitely categorize it as a "cognitive-enhancer"....

Posted by: @ergoman500

Actually many of the benefits are not due the the l-dopa found in these plants. Mucuna contains only ~3-6% L-dopa, while it also contains the alkaloids: DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin, and other potent psycho-actives...

The GH-elevating effects of L-Dopa are not signifigant unless over 500mg are ingested several times/day - for most healthy adults. Nausea and other dangerous side-effects are not uncommon when over 500mg of Levodopa is ingested in healthy adults. However, exercise does appear to enhance its absorbtion and bio-availability...

Thanks Ergo. I think all the potential sides are keeping it from being used more. I didn't realize that all the other psycoactives played such a big role. I was hoping that it would give more of an L-dopa effect. The main reason I wanted to try Mucuna is to see what effect increasing my dopamine levels would have on my mental state. I don't have Parkinsons, but part of my anxiety symptoms is to have a slight involuntary tremor in my neck and head. Its not very noticable, but it distracts me nonetheless. I thought that increasing my dopamine levels might help with the tremor. I might try some straight L-dopa, instead of the mucuna for this purpose.

Posted by: @Logos

Actually many of the benefits are not due the the l-dopa found in these plants. Mucuna contains only ~3-6% L-dopa, while it also contains the alkaloids: DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin, and other potent psycho-actives...

The GH-elevating effects of L-Dopa are not signifigant unless over 500mg are ingested several times/day - for most healthy adults. Nausea and other dangerous side-effects are not uncommon when over 500mg of Levodopa is ingested in healthy adults. However, exercise does appear to enhance its absorbtion and bio-availability...

Thanks Ergo. I think all the potential sides are keeping it from being used more. I didn't realize that all the other psycoactives played such a big role. I was hoping that it would give more of an L-dopa effect. The main reason I wanted to try Mucuna is to see what effect increasing my dopamine levels would have on my mental state. I don't have Parkinsons, but part of my anxiety symptoms is to have a slight involuntary tremor in my neck and head. Its not very noticable, but it distracts me nonetheless. I thought that increasing my dopamine levels might help with the tremor. I might try some straight L-dopa, instead of the mucuna for this purpose.

The fava beans and velvet bean extracts definitely can alter/change dopamine/catecholamine activity ---> its just that the amounts aren't as high as what would be found if you got a Dr's prescription for the drug levodopa... <-- This was my key point.

"The main reason I wanted to try Mucuna is to see what effect increasing my dopamine levels would have on my mental state. I don't have Parkinsons, but part of my anxiety symptoms is to have a slight involuntary tremor in my neck and head. Its not very noticable, but it distracts me nonetheless. I thought that increasing my dopamine levels might help with the tremor. I might try some straight L-dopa, instead of the mucuna for this purpose."

Really? Parkinsons isn't really the key issue whether someone lacks dopamine vs. having adequate activity...Stratight L-dopa, IMHO, would be something I personally would avoid. The Mucuna is far superior and easier to use in a strategic manner than Rx Levodopa is....

Best wishes...

The fava beans and velvet bean extracts definitely can alter/change dopamine/catecholamine activity ---> its just that the amounts aren't as high as what would be found if you got a Dr's prescription for the drug levodopa... <-- This was my key point.

I wouldn't think the L-Dopa would even enter the brain, give or take 100-200 mcg. The reason being that if there were no concomittant use with an aromatic amino acid decarboxylation inhibitor (i.e. Carbidopa), a large portion of the Dopamine would be distributed peripherally, with an insignificant amount of L-Dopa reaching the brain for conversion.

There is a similar problem with 5-HTP supplementation.

I only know one person who took it.He owns a supplement company that sells this.

He took a bit of an overdose and said he felt sort of psychotic for a week.Couldn't even leave his apartment for 3 days.

Posted by: @omnibus

I only know one person who took it.He owns a supplement company that sells this.

He took a bit of an overdose and said he felt sort of psychotic for a week.Couldn't even leave his apartment for 3 days.

Yeah, its definitely not something where one should "up the dose, and hope for the most".

This is why I limited my use, and also why I made sure I combined quercetin and other supplements along with it, so thathe potential problems you mentioned would not be an issue...However, they sure should be continually mentioned as possible adverse-effects for those who continue to use these Extracts regularly...

He took a bit of an overdose and said he felt sort of psychotic for a week.Couldn't even leave his apartment for 3 days.

I was taking a standard 1/2 teaspoon dose and on the 3rd day I felt like that for a few hours. It also made me extremely tired.

Posted by: @Kellyb

He took a bit of an overdose and said he felt sort of psychotic for a week.Couldn't even leave his apartment for 3 days.

I was taking a standard 1/2 teaspoon dose and on the 3rd day I felt like that for a few hours. It also made me extremely tired.

However, its a good thing to know that these extracts (not Rx Levodopa) - have some mild-antioxidant properties along with ergogenic benefits - and can be used safely by the majority of healthy athletes to mildly boost perfmance etc...

Well I took Ergo's advice and decided not to go with the straight Levadopa (what the hell was I thinking anyway ). I picked up a Mucuna product called DopaBean (by Solaray) each cap is 333 mg of Mucuna Pruriens seed extract, and it gaurantees 66mg catecholamines and 50mg L-dopa per capsule. I took 3 caps on an empty stomach prior to a workout. So I should have got 150 mg of L-dopa in the dose. This could be all in my head, but I seemed to lift with less percieved effort and less time to recover between sets. Also, I'm usually very focused in the gym, but a couple of the girls working out kept popping into my head and I was lifting with partial wood for awhile . I did notice an improved mental state afterwards, but Mucuna is not something I want to take on a regular basis due to the possible side effects. I'm not sure if it was the L-dopa that improved my mental state or the other substances in it, but this experience does make me want to experiment with Deprenyl for its dopamine enhancing properties.

Posted by: @Logos

Well I took Ergo's advice and decided not to go with the straight Levadopa (what the hell was I thinking anyway  ). I picked up a Mucuna product called DopaBean (by Solaray) each cap is 333 mg of Mucuna Pruriens seed extract, and it gaurantees 66mg catecholamines and 50mg L-dopa per capsule. I took 3 caps on an empty stomach prior to a workout. So I should have got 150 mg of L-dopa in the dose. This could be all in my head, but I seemed to lift with less percieved effort and less time to recover between sets. Also, I'm usually very focused in the gym, but a couple of the girls working out kept popping into my head and I was lifting with partial wood for awhile  . I did notice an improved mental state afterwards, but Mucuna is not something I want to take on a regular basis due to the possible side effects. I'm not sure if it was the L-dopa that improved my mental state or the other substances in it, but this experience does make me want to experiment with Deprenyl for its dopamine enhancing properties.

I've got some Alhpa DopaPoppers by Pinnacle that comtain L-dopa lying around so I'll try this out.I never noticed much/any substantial effect before,but I was taking them on an empty stomach for "GH release" about an hour before my pre-bed protien shake on an empty stomach,guess pre w/o would be better.
How soon did you take them before begining your w/o and what was the time frame of pre w/o nutrition...i never w/o on a totally empty stomach,IMO it's better to lift w/a protein blended shake and a piece of fruit...but I suppose a 1/2 hour before downing that food wouyld be the time to supplement w/l-dopa?

Posted by: @Colin

I've got some Alhpa DopaPoppers by Pinnacle that comtain L-dopa lying around so I'll try this out.I never noticed much/any substantial effect before,but I was taking them on an empty stomach for "GH release"  about an hour before my pre-bed protien shake on an empty stomach,guess pre w/o would be better.
How soon did you take them before begining your w/o and what was the time frame of pre w/o nutrition...i never w/o on a totally empty stomach,IMO it's better to lift w/a protein blended shake and a piece of fruit...but I suppose a 1/2 hour before downing that food wouyld be the time to supplement w/l-dopa?

I took about 1 gram of Mucuna extract 30 minutes prior to working out. Also, I usually don't eat anything within a couple hours before working out. I've found that I burn less fat when I eat near my workouts. Good Luck!

Posted by: @Colin

Well I took Ergo's advice and decided not to go with the straight Levadopa (what the hell was I thinking anyway  ). I picked up a Mucuna product called DopaBean (by Solaray) each cap is 333 mg of Mucuna Pruriens seed extract, and it gaurantees 66mg catecholamines and 50mg L-dopa per capsule. I took 3 caps on an empty stomach prior to a workout. So I should have got 150 mg of L-dopa in the dose. This could be all in my head, but I seemed to lift with less percieved effort and less time to recover between sets. Also, I'm usually very focused in the gym, but a couple of the girls working out kept popping into my head and I was lifting with partial wood for awhile  . I did notice an improved mental state afterwards, but Mucuna is not something I want to take on a regular basis due to the possible side effects. I'm not sure if it was the L-dopa that improved my mental state or the other substances in it, but this experience does make me want to experiment with Deprenyl for its dopamine enhancing properties.

I've got some Alhpa DopaPoppers by Pinnacle that comtain L-dopa lying around so I'll try this out.I never noticed much/any substantial effect before,but I was taking them on an empty stomach for "GH release" about an hour before my pre-bed protien shake on an empty stomach,guess pre w/o would be better.
How soon did you take them before begining your w/o and what was the time frame of pre w/o nutrition...i never w/o on a totally empty stomach,IMO it's better to lift w/a protein blended shake and a piece of fruit...but I suppose a 1/2 hour before downing that food wouyld be the time to supplement w/l-dopa?

The GH-releasing claims associated with these supplements are really kinda irrelevant IMO Colin. Regarding the "poppers", In my experience, I needed at least -14-16 poppers to = the mind/body effects of using the Solaray brand (complete coincidence that Logos also mentioned this brand) - "DopaBean" at 4-5 capsules pre-workout. Remember, nausea, dizziness, and severe blood-pressure disturbances can occur w/o warning when ingesting these supplements. Also MAOI's combined with Velvet Bean extracts can potentially be very dangerous and upredictable...

Leaving the poppers in your mouth for 30 seconds or so as advised --> and letting them be absorbed in this manner just doesn't seem to work as well as one would expect. The other ingredients are beneficial in the "Poppers", however, once again, when they used to be simply tablets/capsules that one swallowed, I noticed a HUGE difference...I used Solaray DopaBean the last few years as it was one of the lower priced sources around where I shopped

Also, the avoiding food/empty-stomach advice --> the Velvet Bean is food ---> so when you ingest the supplement in this manner, an hour or so pre-workout, the "take on an empty stomach" advice - really doesnt matter...Also, as Dopamine mentioned, the amount of L-dopa actually entering the brain would be quite little anyhow.

I'm not RAVING about these supplements, just pointing out that in my experience, they do have their place, and as Logos pointed out, for some reason not many ppl mention or use them...

1. Elaborate on the dangers of taking in tooo much dopa bean
2. why & how does nadh aid in negating the side effects

thanx