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What is huperzine-A?
Huperzine A is a natural extract of huperzia serrata.
This plant has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.
It is especially known to stimulate the brain.
How to take it?
Huperzine A is extracted from the leaves of huperzia serrata.
The powder obtained by chemical process is marketed as a food supplement.
The effect is increased if taken outside of meals.
Contraindications
- Children.
- Pregnancy.
- Korsakoff’s syndrome.
- Cannabis.
- Breastfeeding.
- Certain Alzheimer’s disease medications.
It is important to see a doctor before taking supplements.
Therapeutic benefits
Huperzine is particularly appreciated by the brain, spinal cord and thyroid.
Medicinal properties
This substance is known for its action:
- Nootropic.
- Neuroprotective.
- Cognitive.
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Stimulating.
Increase in cognitive functions
Huperzine is an inhibitor of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase.
Acetylcholinesterase breaks down acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter involved in cognitive function.
In other words, huperzine-A maintains a high level of acetylcholine in the brain.
This has the temporary effect of slightly enhancing memory, concentration and attention.
However, an excessive accumulation of acetylcholine in the brain prevents the neurons from resting. For this reason, it is not recommended to take huperzine A more than once a day.
Nerve and neuronal stimulation
If the increase of cognitive functions can be useful punctually (for example to pass an exam), the real interest of huperzine A is not there.
It allows a stimulation during a few hours of the nerve cells and neurons, allowing them to :
- Clean.
- Regenerate.
- Transform.
This is why it can help for some diseases.
For which diseases?
It has shown promising results in cases of :
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Dementia.
- Trisomy 21.
- Macrophage myofasciitis.
- Myelitis.
- Lewy bodies.
- Schizophrenia.
Conclusion
What are the medicinal benefits of huperzine A?
It is a great natural stimulant of neurons and nerve cells.
Its medicinal value is more important than its cognitive value.
