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Huperzine A is extracted from Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata). The extract is purified and offers cognitive enhancement. By inhibiting an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, it works as a cholinergic. This property allows it to boost both memory and learning, making it viable for treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Huperzine A is a plant extract with cholinergic properties.
It is extracted from the Chinese club moss and then purified to a point where many consider it a drug and not a dietary supplement. The natives of the land where the plant grows almost always have some inkling of knowledge about its properties. In this case, the Chinese used the club moss to treat serious mental afflictions like schizophrenia. They also considered it a remedy for fever and inflammation.
Researchers have picked interest in Huperzine A and its nootropic properties.
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It is no wonder, therefore, that a number of studies have been conducted to prove and refine its potency and efficacy. In these studies and clinical trials, the results show that the compound is capable of conferring an enhanced memory. Alongside this, it also proffers neuroprotective effects on the subject.
As a cholinergic, Huperzine A has garnered plenty of interest as a solution in the treatment of dementia resulting from a deficit of acetylcholine like Alzheimer’s and schizophrenia among others.
[3]What exactly about this alkaloid is piquing the interest of researchers?Well, in the case of treating Alzheimer’s disease, the compound works by inhibiting acetylcholine esterase – an enzyme that degrades the neurotransmitter. This action, however, is reversible. Through this very mechanism, the alkaloid is also able to block the signaling of Nuclear Factor- kβ. The end result is a reduction in inflammation; hence the anti-inflammatory properties of Chinese club moss.
Despite the extensive laboratory manipulation resulting in Huperzine A being a highly purified compound, it is considered a dietary supplement in the States. If you want to improve the memory of adolescents, you need to administer 100 mcg of the supplement twice a day. On the other hand, if you are combating senility or presenile dementia, administer 30 mcg twice a day. In the case of using Huperzine A to treat Alzheimer’s disease, the dose can be between 50 to 200 mcg twice daily. All this is via the oral route and it does not need one to take with food. This is because the compound is readily absorbed from the stomach into the bloodstream. Huperzine A is also of interest in the treatment of myasthenia gravis. In such a case, the supplement is given as a shot directly into the muscle.
As I already mentioned earlier, Huperzine A is a fairly safe nootropic supplement when compared to others with a similar goal. However, that is not to say that it does not bring with it a number of side effects, including:· Upset of the gastrointestinal tract· Headaches· Nausea· Slowed heart rateThese are symptoms that are commonplace with continued cholinergic stimulation.
Plenty of people have used Huperzine A. I have collated some of the feedback they had on their experience with the supplement. “I have been using Huperzine A for about one month. I only take 50 mcg every other day and I have noticed very significant increase in focus, thought process and energy while having no negative effects. I noticed the effect after the first dose and have continued to experience improvement. I believe if you do not notice any changes when taking this product then you don't have acetylcholine deficiency and do not need it but if you do notice changes then you likely have a deficiency”“I have used hup A for 2 months taking one capsule per day. I felt my memory had improved considerably and brain fog had lifted. My self-confidence had returned. Then I ran out and have had difficulty finding it in stores. In the meantime I have experienced once again searching for words. I will have to order it online or go out of town to buy since it seems the stores in the area aren't selling it. ”“I have noticed a somewhat improved cognitive function but also noticed increase in energy”“It works instantly for me. Probably depends if acetylcholine is the problem. Brain fog vanishes, dreams become vivid, memory improvement, motivation and mood improvement very noticeable on the same day.
The downside for me is it makes me so alert I am awake longer at night and it gives me a minor headache so I cut back to every other day so I get those side effects every other day. My mother and grandfather have and had Alzheimer's and I was feeling very slow tired and foggy as I neared 70 and now I am back to 30 mentally. Worth the side effects. ”
You can use Huperzine A in a cycle last 2 to 4 weeks. This is because the half-life of the compound is quite extended, lasting 10 to 14 hours.
Being quite hydrophilic (water-soluble), Huperzine A is able to cross the barrier from the gastrointestinal tract to the bloodstream. You, therefore, do not need to take it with food so that it can be absorbed. It’s present in the blood after about 15 minutes and concentrations therein peak just over an hour after ingestion.
Just like with any foreign substance introduced into the body, there is always some sort of side effect. However, Huperzine A is safer than other nootropic supplements used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, it is even used in combination with some of these treatments so that a similar positive effect can be achieved without the adverse effects.
Huperzine A: a Purified Herb Extract For Memory Enhancement. (2024, Feb 14). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/huperzine-a-a-purified-herb-extract-for-memory-enhancement-essay
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