What Is L-Dopa?
L-Dopa, a hormone made naturally in many plants and animal, has been receiving a lot of attention. While humans create this amino acid, it has been used to treat a number of conditions. If you’re wondering if L-Dopa is right for you, consider these factors. Most L-Dopa reviews from our customers are 100% positive and speak of the vast energy boosts that the supplement can give them.
L-Dopa is a naturally occurring hormone that exists in human, as well as other animals and plants. It is an important component in important neurotransmitters, including Dopamine, Norepinephrine, and Epinephrine, or adrenaline. These neurotransmitters are necessary for arousal and stimulation in your brain.
L-Dopa can be created synthetically and used a supplement to aid in a number of conditions. For example, it has been used to treat Parkinson’s Disease or other conditions caused by low levels of Dopamine. Furthermore, it has been used to treat patients with depression, anxiety or concentration disorders.
It is available through many manufacturers including Levodopa, Sinemet, Madopar, Stalevo, and Prolopa. It can also be attained through Mucuna Pruriens, which is an herbal extract.
History
Swedish scientist Arvid Carlsson showed in the 1950s that using L-Dopa in animals with Parkinson’s Disease reduced the symptoms. This work eventually earned him the Nobel Prize in 2000. In the 1960s, L-Dopa was first administered intravenously to human patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Eventually, L-Dopa was also administered through pills.
Uses
L-Dopa is taken orally through herbal supplements and extracts. Sources include velvet bean and broad bean, while others genera Phanera, Pileostigma, Cassia, Canavalia, and Dalbergia. You can purchase several different brands of supplements including Levodopa, Madapor or Prolopa. For severe cases, L-Dopa can be administered intravenously. The most common form, however, is by pills.
It is used to treat Parkinson’s Disease, depression, anxiety, and low testosterone. It also used as a supplement to prevent signs of aging and for general wellness.
Benefits
For those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease, low Dopamine levels, depression or anxiety, L-Dopa can be used to treat symptoms. For other consumers, L-Dopa has additional benefits. It has been shown to improve well being, and raise mood and energy. Some men report that it increased their testosterone level and the quality of their sperm.
Many people use L-Dopa in for anti-aging efforts. Dopamine levels naturally drop as humans age, which is what causes Parkinson’s Disease. Some scientists believe that all humans would eventually suffer from Parkinson’s if we lived long enough. L-Dopa can be used to prolong the health of the brain during the aging process, and perhaps prevent Parkinson’s. Many who do not yet suffer from Parkinson’s use L-Dopa as a preventative measure.
In addition to treating Parkinson’s, L-Dopa is useful in treating mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety. These can also be aided by an increase in Dopamine. Many consumers reported their depression and anxiety was improved by taking L-Dopa supplements.
Additionally, L-Dopa is used to improve brain function. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that controls mood, attention, and movement. Because L-Dopa causes the production of Dopamine, L-Dopa can be used to increase levels of Dopamine. This improves mood and allows for better attention levels.
Another benefit of L-Dopa is that it can be used as an antioxidant, which means it can help remove harmful toxins from the body. This is especially true in the brain, where free radicals can be affected by oxidation. Health experts are learning more about the benefits of antioxidants and encouraging individuals to consume more foods that contain them, such as acai and coffee. L-Dopa is an easy way to increase antioxidant consumption without radically changing your diet.
L-Dopa can also raise the levels of plasma HGH levels, which improves overall health. It can also slow the aging process in elderly consumers. Male patients express a higher level of testosterone, which can improve weight, muscle mass and libido. Some males also report healthier sperm and better fertility.
Recommended Dosage
L-Dopa should be taken in dosages of less than one gram per day. Under that limit, you can experiment to find the dosage that works best for you. Benefits can be experienced with as little 100 milligrams per day. The average dose is around 500 milligrams per day. The best method is to start at 100 milligrams and increase your dose until you feel the optimum positive without negative side effects. If you have questions, ask your doctor about the dosage that will be right for you.
Side Effects
As with all supplements and medications, it’s important to consider the side effects before beginning a regimen. For the most part, L-Dopa is tolerated well by most individuals. However, some consumers reported hypertension with high doses. Others reported nausea, gastrointestinal bleeding, disturbed respiration, anxiety, hair loss, confusion, insomnia or uncontrollable muscles. While these effects are generally associated with extended use, you should always consult with your doctor before using.
Long-Term Use
The main purpose for long-term use of L-Dopa is for serious conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease. Some users report negative effects of long-term use, and the side effects can become more severe and serious. If you use L-Dopa for more than five years, you may see a sharp decline in positive effects. This requires an increase in dosage and can cause more serious effects.
L-Dopa is not recommended for long-term use for any condition other than serious diseases, such as Parkinson’s. Some patients experience a dramatic escalation of their Parkinson’s symptoms at the end of the dosage period.
Short-Term Use
L-Dopa can be very used effectively for short periods to improve mental health and ease depression symptoms. Many users report success using L-Dopa for several months, then not taking it for a few months. This alternation helps staves off the negative effects of long-term and keep the body from developing a resistance to the drug.
How Long Does This Last?
L-Dopa is meant to be taken as a daily supplement. The effects of each pill begin taking effect in as little as 60 minutes. However, each pill will only last between eight and twenty-four hours. This is why it is necessary to take the supplement each day to maintain the results.
There is no consensus on how long one should take L-Dopa. Some consumers report negative side effects after extended use, so it is important to consult with your doctor about this product. Most Customer L-Dopa review statements are entirely positive with regards to length and talk of how it lasts nearly the entire day.
Research
There is not a great deal of conclusive research done into L-Dopa’s use as a supplement for mental health. Some studies have shown benefits, but nothing has been proven conclusively. Very little research has been done on the effects of testosterone in healthy men. It has been proven that L-Dopa is not always well absorbed, so it can be difficult to maintain a consistent level of Dopamine in the system.
Is L-Dopa Legal?
L-Dopa is legal in the U.S. and available through prescription only. However, the herbal extract Mucuna Pruriens is available over the counter. In the United Kingdom and in Australia, L-Dopa is only available through prescription.
Online Reviews
Many users report that they experience increased energy, brain function, and concentration. One user stated, “In the course of one month, I effortlessly quit smoking after almost 30 years, bodybuilding results have soared, zero depression or anxiety, my dog is happier because I’m happier.”
Another user stated, “After the first month, I noticed that I am falling asleep easier because I’m not fidgeting so much. I had trouble keeping my legs still before, now that’s not much of a problem. So my body seems a bit more calm. My moods, however, not so much. I find that I’m actually a little more outspoken than before.”
Some users had more mediocre responses, experiencing both positive and negative effects. One person said, “After about a week of taking it I felt the effects and yeah it works for sure…not a negative thought or emotion in sight! BUT as they say, all good things must come to an end and it did. After about a month of only taking one capsule per day, I started having side effects such as cold-like symptoms, blurred vision, confusion, agitation, and fatigue. I had to stop taking it and trash the rest. I say unless you know you have a Dopamine deficiency be very careful and watch for toxic side effects.”
Other consumers reported a less positive experience. One user stated, “Be very careful with this supplement as it has a huge list of extremely bad side effects such as very aggressive behavior which it gave me. Apparently, severe vomiting and depression and mental impairment are common and quite severe. It does boost my mood significantly but I’m considering discontinuing use due to the irrational and extreme flashes of anger it gives me.”
Another said, “I’ve had depression and GAD for as long as I can remember and about six months ago, decided to get off the prescription roller coaster and take a more homeopathic approach, including walking 4 miles a day and yoga. I decided to give this a try and it just makes things so, so much worse! I was agitated, angry and bad thoughts kept running through my head. I’m so sorry I purchased this!”
Final Thoughts
L-Dopa has very positive effects on those facing Parkinson’s Disease and mental illness. Some have also experienced benefits in general mental health. However, there are very serious side effects of misusing L-Dopa. Before starting to use L-Dopa it’s important to check with your doctor to find out if the drug is safe for you to use.
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