What Is Huperzine A And What Can It Do For The Brain?

What Is Huperzine A And What Can It Do For The Brain?

5 min read

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05 Jul 2021

If you’re reading this article, then you’re probably already familiar with the idea of nootropics. Nootropics are supplements, herbs, or other compounds that have a positive impact on your mental well-being. One of the lesser-known, though no less effective, nootropics is known as Huperzine A.

Huperzine A is one of the main ingredients in Noocube. This is because Huperzine A displays potent cognitive effects not only on its own, but in conjunction with the other ingredients that we use. Huperzine A is a popular ingredient in many nootropic users’ stacks (the combination of nootropics that they use) because it’s so versatile.

Today, we’re going to help you understand what Huperzine A is and how it works.

What’s so special about Huperzine A?

Huperzine A (also known as selagine) is a purified form of a compound that can be found in a special moss known as Huperzia serrate. This moss has been used in ancient Chinese medicine for centuries because of the noticeable improvements it makes to cognitive function and mental health.

The extracted compound, Huperzine A, has a much more significant profile of benefits. Currently, it’s used in clinical settings for treating neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s. This is for the same reasons that the moss has been used in ancient medicine – it bolsters cognitive function, most importantly memory and neural communication.

Huperzine A can be used by people who aren’t worried about developing mental problems, though. On its own, it’s a potent memory enhancement supplement. It can also improve verbal fluidity and help you think more clearly. Huperzine A is an ideal addition to a university student’s supplement regime due to the efficient way in which it bolsters cognitive abilities.

How does Huperzine A do this?

Huperzine A works by increasing the levels of acetylcholine available in your brain. Acetylcholine is your main “thinking” neurotransmitter, responsible for your memory recall, thought clarity, and other important cognitive functions.

Acetylcholine is metabolized by an enzyme known as cholinesterase, and Huperzine A prevents cholinesterase from acting. This allows for a greater influx of acetylcholine and, consequently, more available to be used for memory and mental function.

Huperzine A is also known to be a neuroprotectant. Neuroprotectants can prevent the onset of mental illnesses like those we mentioned earlier. They do this by protecting your brain cells from damage due to the body’s own enzymes and compounds that slowly degrade cellular function. In fact, Huperzine A is indicated in promoting neurogenesis (the creation of new brain cells.)

How should I use Huperzine A?

Huperzine A is generally taken in supplement form. Supplements are marketed at varying dosage ranges, but it’s generally recommended for someone hoping to improve memory or mental function to take roughly 100 micrograms twice a day. Clinical doses for preventing Alzheimer’s can go up to 200 micrograms a day. You’ll need to be extremely careful with your dosages, since the compound is active in the microgram range and the recommended dose is a tenth of a milligram!

You shouldn’t take Huperzine A daily for more than a few weeks. Like most nootropics, it’s important to cycle on and off to prevent dependency or habitual use. Since Huperzine A has a fairly long half-life (the amount of time it takes for half the compound to be excreted) you don’t need to worry about missing a dose. In fact, the main reason that it’s recommended to use it twice a day is so that the Huperzine has time to build up in your brain and produce even more powerful effects.

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Is Huperzine A safe?

Huperzine A is generally considered to be a safe supplement, even when you’re taking it twice a day. However, like most drugs and supplements, the issue of tolerance arises with regular use. That’s why it’s recommended that you cycle your usage of Huperzine, or even restrict its use to alternating days.

There are some mild side effects associated with use in some people, particularly when higher doses are used. These side effects can include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • anxiety
  • restlessness
  • high blood pressure

These side effects are fairly common with high doses of most nootropics that affect the cholinergic system. If you take no more than the recommended dose, you shouldn’t experience any of these.

However, because of this particular side effect profile, it’s recommended that people taking medication that affects blood pressure, or who have naturally high or low blood pressure, avoid this supplement. You should also avoid Huperzine A if you have any heart problems or if you’re pregnant.

Can I mix Huperzine A with other nootropics?

Of course! We wouldn’t use Huperzine A in Noocube if it wasn’t safe to use with the other nootropics in the mixture.

In fact, Huperzine A often exhibits better effects when used in conjunction with other nootropics. If you take it with a choline source, such as Alpha GPC, you can experience a far greater improvement in memory and mental function.

Stacking Huperzine A with a choline source and a racetam, such as piracetam or aniracetam, can provide immense benefits. The added choline, along with Huperzine A’s effects, will combine very well with the racetam and you will probably notice a sense of mental clarity much stronger than that provided by the use of any individual nootropic.

In conclusion

Huperzine A is one of the most underrated nootropics on the market. Not only does it exhibit some powerful benefits on its own – it functions as a memory enhancer, a neuroprotectant, and a general cognitive booster – it stacks very well with many other popular nootropics.

Huperzine A is generally considered to be a safe substance, and though long-term use hasn’t been extensively studied, it’s reasonable to assume that it’s safe. Huperzine A functions in a similar manner to other nootropics that have been proven to be safe in the long term.

Due to its low side effect profile, its high potency, and its availability, Huperzine A should definitely be considered for any avid nootropic user’s stack. If you’re interested in a pre-made stack that includes Huperzine A and is made to benefit the general population, you might want to try out Noocube!