• Direct precursor of dopamine
• Used in Parkinson's disease treatment
• Improves well-being and counteracts depression
• Increases activity and motivation
• Improves exertion efficiency
• Improves libido and sexual functions
• Reduces prolactin levels
• Increases testosterone levels
• Improves the process of growth hormone (GH) production
• Takes part in short-term memory development
• Increases attention and concentration skills

Now Foods Dopa Mucuna is a dietary supplement that contains an extract of Mucuna pruriens seeds which contains a naturally occurring levodopa (at least 15%).

Mucuna pruriens is a healing plant. Its seeds contain levodopa which is a direct precursor of dopamine. It is effective in Parkinson's disease treatment. It improves well-being and increases activity as well as improves exertion efficiency and sexual functions.

L-DOPA (levodopa) is a direct precursor of dopamine that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. This is the reason why it is an important medicine used in Parkinson's disease treatment. The dopamine synthesis from levodopa requires a catalyst in form of DOPA decarboxylase which requires the presence of pyridoxal phosphate (vitamin B6) that acts as a coenzyme. Moreover, it increases testosterone levels as well as improves the synthesis and the secretion of growth hormone.

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Should this product actually be taken with a meal? You can learn from many articles that for better absorption, it is best to use on an empty stomach?

26/07/2021 Mateusz

Dopamine – an excitatory neurotransmitter that is synthesized mainly by dopaminergic neurons in the central nervous system; a hypothalamus hormone that inhibits the prolactin release (prolactin inhibitory hormone – PIH). It is classified as a catecholamine; it is an intermediate product of noradrenaline and adrenaline synthesis as well as a direct precursor of noradrenaline in adrenergic nerve endings.

The synthesis of dopamine
Tyrosine is a direct precursor of catecholamines (including dopamine); tyrosine hydroxylase is an enzyme in the biosynthesis of these compounds which determines its efficiency. By applying levodopa this process may be omitted. The process may be influenced by different restrictions and feedbacks.

Mechanism of dopamine action
The action of dopamine occurs via dopamine receptors (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5). Coupling with receptors D1 and D5 in postsynaptic tissue results in the activation of adenylyl cyclase enzyme, which is dependent on dopamine. The whole process increases the concentration of second messenger – cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The activation of receptors D2, D3 and D4 results in inactivation of the mentioned enzyme.

Dopamine takes part in short-term memory development
Short-term memory (also called active or primary memory) is a memory that can hold only little information. It takes part in the process of storing information and recalling it from long-term memory. The duration of short-term memory is believed to last for several seconds up to several minutes. During this time, the stored information is manipulated as the mechanism of concentration is activated and new information is compared with those already stored in the long-term memory.

Working memory is of great importance in everyday situations and actions. It is a basis for concentration, learning and communication processes. Thanks to it you are able to remember the beginning of a sentence, to remember the person you have already met in the street and to postpone some actions for a short time without the fear that you forget to carry them out. The short-term memory is located in hippocampus, in cerebral cortex.

Dopamine stimulates the reward system
Reward system (pleasure center) is connected with realization of human needs (food and water intake, sexual contacts), which are accompanied by positive feelings and pleasure. It is activated when you satisfy your needs for food or sexual contact as well as while performing other activities that are considered to be a pleasure. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that stimulates the reward system.

Lack of dopamine leads to Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a disorder of the central nervous system. It leads to the damage of midbrain neurons, which are responsible for dopamine production. This results in further complications. At the beginning, the patient observes slowness of movement, then it comes to problems with the balance and difficulties in performing precise movements.

Dopamine inhibits the release of prolactin
Prolactin (PRL) is a luteotropic hormone that is secreted by prolactin cells (lactotrope or lactotropic cells) in the anterior pituitary. Similarly to the growth hormone, prolactin increases the synthesis of cell protein among people of both sexes. Prolactin is secreted during sleep, physical exercises and mental stress. Its secretion is increased during pregnancy, reaching the maximum concentration before confinement.

The surplus of prolactin (hyperprolactinaemia) among men results in reduction of gonadotropins secretion (FSH and LH), lowers the testosterone level, leads to infertility, decreases in libido, lactation (secretion of milk) and increases the growth of mammary glands (gynecomastia). These symptoms may also be observed while using doping substances (steroids) and in pathological conditions.

Hypothalamus inhibits the secretion of prolactin by releasing prolactin inhibitory hormone (dopamine). Its D2 receptors are located on lactotropes (prolactin cells) in the anterior pituitary.

To sum it all up, Now Foods Dopa Mucuna is a dietary supplement that is recommended for people with early symptoms of Parkinson's disease, for office workers and students in order to increase their mental performance and concentration.

In the sports supplementation it is recommended as a substance that increases physical performance and biological renewal after exhaustive trainings as well as in order to improve well-being during periods of fatigue, overtraining and excessive stress.