I assume this has L-Dopa in it which increases dopamine in the brain. Dopamine does work on the sympathetic nervous system increasing heart rate and BP. Basically it is a stimulant.
So the concensous is that if taken an hour prior to bed the stimulating effects are gone? I find if I take anything with L-Dopa prior to bed that my sleep is restless because of NeuroStimulation (Yeah, that is my made up word for the day).
Let's see if I can help you out with an answers rather then just say...everyone reacts differently...that wouldnt be satisfactory to a man of your intellect and knowledge...so here goes.
Dopamine is one of the brains most abundant neurotransmitters. Depending on the location of upregulation will depend on its effect. There are 5 kinds of receptors d1-d5 throughout the brain. Depending on the area will depend on the concentration of each receptor. Small little background...now on to more interesting stuff
The area of upregulation you where previously concerned with would be the substantia nigra. This is the area associated with parkinsons. Rest assured the only studies i see that take this into account state that supplementation with L-Dopa extracted from mucuna is neuro protective for this area of the brain. Here is one for you to chew through and spit out look up more and then become more knowledgeable then I lol (
Invalid Link Removed) Neuroprotective effects of the antiparkinson drug Mucuna pruriens
Bala V. Manyam1,*, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran1, Theodore A. Hare2
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Invalid Link Removed)
Effect of antiparkinson drug HP-200 (Mucuna pruriens) on the central monoaminergic neurotransmitters
Bala V. Manyam1,*, Muralikrishnan Dhanasekaran1, Theodore A. Hare2
This still doesnt answer your question...is it a nuerostimulant? Well not like caffeine or geranium but it is one of the major contributors to out overall sense of well being and motivation. I will use a quote from Affective Neuroscience: The Foundations of Human and Animal Emotions (1998), Jaak Panksepp dopamine circuits "appear to be major contributors to our feelings of engagement and excitement as we seek the material resources needed for bodily survival, and also when we pursue the cognitive interests that bring positive existential meanings into our lives." He explains that without dopamine, "human aspirations remain frozen…." He goes on to say that when dopamine is abundant in synapses, "a person feels as if he or she can do anything." (this excerpt can be found at
Invalid Link Removed).
So I personally would no classify this as a true neurostimulant since it does not truly stimulate via the same route as (what i would consider) a true stimulant. Yes there is the chance of stimulation of certain areas of the brain, but depending on the individual the effect will vary. Can it cause an increase in heartrate and BP....yes. But i have yet to find that it activate the same pathways as most other conventional stimulants.
So why take it before bed? Well obviously for its effects on GH,which can also be beneficial pre-lift or post-lift. But GABA being a sleep aid should help relax the body to a state where it is more susceptible to fall asleep and then the synergy between the mucuna and the GABA will both raise GH release while asleep.
Will within an hour will the stimulant effect die down? There is a good chance since mucuna extracts raise the dopamine level fairly quickly. This would cause the stimulating effect that some complain about. After about an hour or so this stimulating effect will probably die off but with the inclusion of GABA...may prevent this stimulating effect...well it did for me anyway.
But again...as you well know...this isnt the cause for everyone b/c some individuals can take GABA and not relax...rather it can help stimulate them and they take it before a lift. The best way is to literally find out what it does for you.
. I'm also taking Erase Alpha T-2 and will be adding Perform soon. Thanks for a great product