Is Vinpocetine an effective nootropic? What can this natural plant do for the brain and mind. What effects can it cause?
Vinpocetine is a natural supplement with many benefits for the brain including increasing circulation in order to boost cognitive function. It also helps control inflammation and oxidative stress, which means you’ll be more alert throughout your day!
Vinpocetine is derived from the periwinkle plant, from a molecule bearing the name vincamine. The periwinkle plant has a history of being used to reduce the pain of headaches, so the lineage already suggests that vinpocetine should have something to do with the brain.
Must Read: What is the best nootropic supplement for reducing stress and improving brain productivity?
In fact, Vinpocetine does play a part in reducing neural inflammation and increasing neuroprotection. This is not, however, the principal reason it is added to nootropic formulae. It is a cerebral vasodilator, and as such increases the amount of blood, oxygen, nutrients and other helpful agents getting to the brain, while flushing the toxins quicker.
This vasodilator is added to quality nootropic supplements because it not only increases oxygen and nutrient traffic, but it shuttles the other compounds within the supplement’s formula to the receptors there also.
Vinpocetine is used in the nootropic supplement industry for for increasing cerebral circulation, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. It is also used for heightening alertness, cognition, concentration, memory and mood. [source]
How Does Vinpocetine Work?
Vinpocetine widens the blood vessels within the brain and central nervous system to increase the blood flow therein.
At first, this might seem contradictory to the neural anti-inflammatory properties it possesses, but widening of blood vessels (vasodilation) does not result in the same mechanical responses as vasodilation within working muscles do.
Though you have more than likely heard of this process being beneficial to muscle growth, the mechanics are different with the brain. Muscles move and contract, bear load and extend, the brain does not.
Allowing more blood flow in and around the brain allows for more oxygen and nutrients in and speeds up the disposal of waste, free radicals and leftovers of oxidation. Not only that, but the acetylcholine boosters, nerve growth stimulators, antioxidants and stress reducers that are present in the nootropic blend along with it will get to work quicker and with more efficacy as well.
Vinpocetine interacts with ion functions; those of sodium, potassium and calcium specifically and exerts its neuroprotective qualities by suppressing unnecessary releases of oxidative compounds like glutamate. It also has some direct cognitive benefits, although the main reasons for its supplementation is definitely for the cerebral vasodilation and neuroprotective elements.
Brain Benefits of Vinpocetine
- Vinpocetine is a natural supplement that can boost your brain’s circulation. Your body only accounts for about 2% of the weight you carry, but it consumes 20% or more in oxygen and nutrients circulating throughout blood flow to our cerebral system. This means strong healthy bloodstreams are critical towards cognitive performance!
- Vinpocetine is a potent anti-inflammatory that prevents the up regulation of NFκB by TNFα. This helps to maintain healthy cells and combat chronic conditions such as arthritis, since inflammation can cause pain so it’s important for your body not only have an inflammatory response but also one where you aren’t making things worse rather than better!
How Does Taking Vinpocetine Make You Feel
Vinpocetine is a fast-acting supplement that provides you with the mental clarity and focus to perform at your best. You can feel its effects within an hour of taking it, which will be enough time for most people who want improved cognitive performance during their workday or school semester!
Vinpocetines’ effect on short-, working-, and long term memory may even lead someone remember things like names in conversation – something they haven’t been able get done since starting this powerful nootropic drug.
The Neurohacker website reports users have seen drastic improvements such as improved focus when dealing with stressors throughout daily life; increased concentration abilities enabling students better retain knowledge learned from class lectures.
What is Vinpocetine Dosage
Vinpocetine is a safe and effective nootropic racetam that can help you to think more clearly. It’s recommended 10 mg taken 3-times per day with food, but clinical trials have shown the same result whether taken alone or together as part of your morning routine – so long as VinPoke gets eaten before noon!
The most common dosage range seems between 5mg (for lighter doses) up through 60mg total daily intake; higher dosages are typically not necessary if one doesn’t want them.
Are There Other Benefits?
As partly discussed in more detail above, there are other benefits of Vinpocetine aside from increasing brain blood flow and neuroprotective behaviour:
- Prevention of Cognitive Decline
- Enhanced Stroke Recovery
- Reduction to Epileptic Seizure
- Pain Relief from Headache
Where Does Vinpocetine Come From?
Vinpocetine is an alkaloid, synthesized from a molecule known as vincamine. The origin of the molecule is a plant called the Periwinkle. It has been used traditionally to treat cognitive decline mostly in Europe as far as researched sources indicate.
Vinpocetine Conclusion
Cerebral vasodilators are a valuable addition to any nootropic blend, and Vinpocetine is highly regarded in the industry, as it has other benefits to cognitive function as well as that of increasing the entire supplement’s efficacy (when part of a comprehensive recipe).
Vinpocetine should definitely be a part of a complete formula, as it may not reach its full benefit as a singular product. Most manufacturers use it like a turbo booster to the rest of the ingredients within their product. It could almost be regarded as the mechanical aspect of the formula.
It has neurprotective and antioxidant properties as well, which makes it particularly useful as it will even assist the flushing of toxins from the brain as it itself improves the blood flow in order to do so.
Similar Ingredients Used in Nootropics
- Bacopa Monnieri is a nootropic that has been shown to boost memory and cognition, improve mood, and reduce stress.
- Huperzine-A is a powerful nootropic that has been used for centuries to treat skin conditions and muscle problems as well as boosting blood circulation.
