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    Mucuna Pruriens

    Morning

    Mucuna pruriens, commonly called velvet bean, is a tropical legume native to Africa and Asia that has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Its seeds are uniquely rich in L-DOPA, the direct biosynthetic precursor to dopamine, making it one of the most potent natural sources of this neurotransmitter building block. The supplement has drawn research interest for both neurological and reproductive health applications.

    Research Evidence
    May improve sperm quality and male fertility markers
    Moderate
    May reduce cortisol levels under stress
    Limited
    Traditional use for mood and motivation support
    Limited
    Whole-seed preparations may be more bioavailable than isolated L-DOPA
    Moderate
    Contains L-DOPA, a direct precursor to dopamine synthesis
    Strong
    Source: Examine.com

    Expert Evidence

    3 references from 1 expert

    Recommends against

    “Mucuna pruriens is actually 99% L-DOPA, the precursor to dopamine. I don't necessarily recommend mucuna pruriens. It tends to make people very dopaminergic -- drive, drive, drive, motivated, and then crash, again depleting that pool.”

    AMA #4: Maintain Motivation, Improve REM Sleep, Set Goals, Manage Anxiety & More

    10:41
    Andrew Huberman

    3 references in 3 episodes from 2021–2023

    AI-generated summary

    Huberman recommends against Mucuna pruriens, explaining it is 99% L-DOPA and causes a dopamine spike-and-crash cycle that depletes dopamine pools. He reports negative personal experience ('I crash really hard when I take it') and specifically warns against it for individuals with bipolar disorder, mania, or schizophrenia. No dosing guidance or benefits are discussed.

    2023
    2021
    Safety & Cautions

    Side Effects

    • Nausea and digestive discomfort
    • Dopamine crash after effects wear off
    • Insomnia at higher doses
    • Headache
    Mucuna pruriens should not be combined with L-DOPA medications (such as carbidopa-levodopa) due to the risk of dangerously elevated dopamine levels. It is contraindicated for individuals with bipolar disorder, mania, or schizophrenia, and should be used cautiously by those on blood sugar–lowering medications due to potential hypoglycemic effects.
    Pairs Well With
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