Huperzine-A is nootropic cognitives enhancer, that extracted the herbs of Huperziceae family called to Chinese club moss. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which to means stops enzyme from breaking down acetylcholine resulting increase in acetylcholine levels. It belongs to Cholinergic class of molecules, and useful in fighting cognitive decline in elderly. Although makers of huperzine A start with at plant, the product is result of laboratory manipulation. It is highly purified drug, unlike herbs that typically contain hundreds of chemical ingredients.
By preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine neurotransmitter and therefore increasing acetylcholine levels, which is “learning neurotransmitter’, Huperzine has been known to help with increased information retention and memory formation. It is boost concentration and mental clarity.
Benefits of Huperzine
Huperzine A has been found, through multiple studies, to effective as medicine for helping people with neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, but the meta-analysis of studies concluded that were poor quality and the findings should interpreted with caution.[5]
Huperzine has following qualities:
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibition – leading to higher levels of acetylcholine
- Neuroprotective – against glutamate, beta-amyloid, and H2)O2 induced toxicity [1-3]
- Neurogenic – able to promote proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs), and this neurogenesis was confirmed in vivo with injections of 0.2mg/kg of huperzine-A for 4 weeks.[1]
How It Works
Huperzine A is beneficial for problems with memory, of loss mental abilities (dementia), and muscular disorder myasthenia gravis because that causes increase in levels of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is chemicals that communicate in brain, muscles, and other areas.
It different studies to benefits of Huperzine A on acetylcholine levels. Increased Cholinergic activity is associated with greater neuroplasticity which means your brain this better able to adapt, learn and store new information. The Acetylcholine neurotransmitter is also directly connected with intelligence, learning and working memory capacity. Acetylcholine levels typically decline as you age, but a supplement like Huperzine effective way of reversing this decline in short-term by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine.
- Dementia. Some research suggests that taking huperzine A by mouth for up to 8 weeks may improve memory, mental function, and behavior in people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The long-term effects in people with these conditions is not yet known.
- Memory. Some research shows that taking huperzine A by mouth for 4 weeks improves the memory older children and teenagers who complain of memory problems. [2]
How to Take
Huperzine can taken as standalone supplement or as part of a nootropic supplement such as Alpha Brain . Huperzine is main ingredients of Alpha Brain supplement.
- Huperzine-A appears to water-soluble, and taking with food is not necessary.
- Supplementation tends to range of 50-200 mcg daily, and while this divided into multiple dosages throughout the day tends taken in single dose.
- Huperzine A has long half-life of more than 24 hours can be cycled. A ‘cycle’ of huperzine-A tends to last 2-4 weeks followed by break, the optimal cycle length is not yet known.
Oral ingestion is suggested method of dosage for Alzheimer’s patients. These doses will be administered at 50 to 200 mcg of Huperzine A, twice a day. Patients have senile or presenile dementia are recommended two 30 mcg doses each day. In adolescents, two 100 mcg doses each day by oral ingestion this suggested. If you buying supplement that listed as containing Huperzia Serrata – the source for alkaloid – make sure these dosage of actives Huperzine A rather than the total quantity of plant extract per serving. [3]
Side Effects
Huperzine A is possibly safe and the most common side effects are nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Huperzine A should not be taken by the following:
Pregnant or Breastfeeding: There are no significant test results yet in women that are be pregnant or breastfeeding, so it is advised to avoid use of the supplement until more research has been conducted.
Heart Disease: Some people may see a side effect of a slower heart rate. For patients that already have a slow heart rate (bradycardia), it is suggested to use Huperzine A cautiously. There is a slight chance of an increased heart problem, so any heart disease patients are advised to consult a medical professional before using Huperzine A.
Epileptics: There is a slight chance that Huperzine A can worsen epilepsy, due to the fact that it possibly affects chemicals in the brain.
Patients taking medications for Alzheimer’s disease (Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors) as these have been known to interact with Huperzine A
References
1. Ved HS, et al Huperzine A, a potential therapeutic agent for dementia, reduces neuronal cell death caused by glutamate . Neuroreport. (1997)
2. Huperzine A regulates amyloid precursor protein processing via protein kinase C and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways in neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells over-expressing wild type human amyloid precursor protein 695
3. Yang G, Wang Y, Tian J, Liu JP (2013). “Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials”. PLoS ONE 8 (9): e74916. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0074916. PMC 3781107. PMID 24086396.
4. Progress in studies of huperzine A, a natural cholinesterase inhibitor from Chinese herbal medicine
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huperzine_A
6. http://examine.com/supplements/Huperzine-A/
7. Li J, Wu HM, Zhou RL, Liu GJ, Dong BR (16 Apr 2008). “Huperzine A for Alzheimer’s disease”. Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2): CD005592. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005592.pub2. PMID 18425924.
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