Mucuna Pruriens: Benefits, Uses & L-Dopa Content - A Comprehensive Guide

Mucuna pruriens is a plant most commonly found in India and used for a variety of uses, including relieving Parkinson's disease, increasing libido and as an antidepressant. The plant is found in several nutritional supplements and the plant and its seeds can be eaten if prepared correctly. In its natural state, the plant can be toxic to humans.

L-Dopa

• Perhaps mucuna pruriens most popular quality is its L-Dopa content. L-Dopa is a precursor to the dopamine neurotransmitter and has been shown to have some positive effects on Parkinson's symptoms. Research into how much the supplement really helps is ongoing.

Aphrodisiac

• Mucuna pruriens is also uses as a natural treatment of erectile dysfunction and increasing sex drive. This is also tied into the plant's concentration of L-Dopa. Supplements can vary in concentration from 15 to 20 percent.

Lucid Dreaming

• While never officially proven, the supplement has become popular with those seeking to experience lucid dreaming. Lucid dreaming is when while still in dream state you become self-aware and are able to manipulate the dream from within.

Other Drugs

• L-Dopa is the most known of the compounds in mucuna pruriens, but there are several otherd. The plant also contains low levels of nicotine and serotonin and the hallucinogen bufotenine.

Side Effects

• Care should be taken when ingesting large amounts of mucuna pruriens. The proper dosage to relieve the symptoms of Parkinson's has not been established. Side effects can include rapid heart beat, insomnia and increased body temperature.