As a so-called “dopamine bean,” velvet bean is known worldwide for its ability to affect the way our brains function. But how much truth is there to the claims about velvet bean, and how can you best take advantage of its benefits? We’ve got the answers you need to understand velvet bean and implement it into your routine to see significant results.
Mucuna pruriens, more commonly known as velvet bean or Bengal velvet bean, is a legume that grows in tropical regions throughout many parts of Asia. It has long been used as a form of natural treatment stemming from ancient Indian medicine. Different parts of the plant are often utilized to treat a myriad of ailments, including nervous disorders, male infertility, and more. It’s also a popular aphrodisiac.
The seeds of this miraculous plant have powerful medicinal properties that are supported by anecdotal and clinical evidence. Experts believe that mucuna beans work the way they do thanks to their high levels of L-dopa, a precursor to dopamine. They’ve also been shown to possess anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and neuroprotective benefits that may make them a potential treatment option for things from snake bites to Parkinson’s disease.
To harness the natural healing properties of velvet bean seeds, we at The Root Brands have created a revolutionary product that uses their powder form as a primary ingredient. ZeroIn is a wellness solution designed to sharpen your mind and enhance cognitive function with the power of mucuna pruriens and other focusing compounds.
Each ingredient ZeroIn contains has been carefully selected to boost dopamine levels, promote concentration, and support brain health. Take a look at the benefits of each ingredient below to learn more about how this product differs from the rest.
Our natural, proprietary brain blend formula is packed with the resources your mind needs to function at its best. With additions like those below, our one-of-a-kind blend keeps you feeling alert and ready to tackle anything the world throws your way.
Clinical studies reveal that vitamin D plays a key role in supporting neurons in the brain involved in dopamine production and regulation. Too little vitamin D may be linked to decreased dopamine levels and the symptoms that can come with them.
This is a dehydrated form of caffeine that’s used to boost energy levels and mental alertness quickly and effectively.
The role of dopamine is often discussed in terms of its effects on the brain, but dopamine is responsible for far more than keeping us happy. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, or chemical messenger, that’s made in your brain. It carries messages between nerve cells in your brain and other parts of your body to help facilitate bodily changes.
Dopamine levels can affect mental functions like:
That’s not all dopamine does, though – it also functions as a hormone released by your brain’s hypothalamus. When dopamine is released as a hormone, it plays a role in your body’s “fight-or-flight” response, which helps protect you from perceived or actual threats.
When this is the case, dopamine performs functions such as:
As a result, boosting dopamine levels and supporting the brain’s ability to maintain them can have a significant impact on your overall health. Several benefits of dopamine are explored below.
Your brain uses dopamine to communicate information and process emotional stimuli effectively. Higher levels of dopamine are associated with feelings of bliss and euphoria, while low dopamine levels can connect to depression, irritability, and even aggression.
Because dopamine affects your brain’s reward system so powerfully, when it’s abundant, it can make even non-survival tasks like learning interesting and engaging.
One of dopamine’s main roles is to send messages to and from neurons in the brain to make coordinated movement possible. For example, if one part of your brain signals it’s time to move your right arm, dopamine can share this information with other neurons that are needed to bring the action to fruition.
Think of dopamine as your brain’s strongest cheerleader. Its ability to deliver pleasure and give you the motivation to achieve your goals label it as your mind’s primary “feel-good” hormone.
That’s because dopamine is a vital part of your brain’s reward system, which has been molded through millions of years of evolution to reward you when you do something your brain perceives as necessary for survival.
When you eat, for instance, take a drink, engage in sexual activity, or compete with others, you’re participating in activities that have historically benefitted humankind. To keep the good times rolling, your brain releases a significant amount of dopamine, which makes you feel good. So good, in fact, that you’ll actively seek more of the feeling.
This cycle of reward and reward-seeking lays the foundation for our mood, motivation, and how we see the world around us. A dopamine deficiency makes it difficult for your brain to experience pleasure and feel motivated to seek it out.
Dopamine helps your brain understand when it’s time to sleep and feel the desire to do so, much like it does for eating. Without dopamine, you might not experience much of an urge to take care of your mind and body.
After decades of significant advancements in medical research and a resulting spike in the number of medical interventions used to treat health symptoms, more and more people are growing a taste for natural supplement options.
While some medical treatments can carry a host of risks and adverse effects, many natural treatments come with little to no downsides. Likewise, natural supplements can offer benefits that targeted medicines may not, therefore supporting a person’s overall wellness just as much as their specific concerns.
Many people also enjoy using supplements in combination with medical treatments to support their general health and boost the efficacy of their other medications. No matter what, though, it seems that supplements are here to stay, and few are as beneficial for your brain as velvet bean supplements.
The benefits of mucuna pruriens are still being explored, but researchers have already established some clear properties that support different areas of our health.
L-Dopa, a neurotransmitter precursor, is found in abundant levels in velvet bean seeds. It can also be found in other parts of the mucuna pruriens plant, but the seeds are by far the most significant source of this compound. L-Dopa is significant because it’s able to cross the blood-brain barrier and convert to dopamine that your mind can use. As a result, more L-dopa means more dopamine available to support brain function.
Mucuna pruriens was often used in ancient Indian medicine as a treatment for male infertility due to its ability to increase sperm count.
By delivering resources the brain needs to create and use dopamine, velvet bean helps support strong cognitive function, good memory, and positive mood, among other things.
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of mucuna pruriens can impact your body’s stress response, thereby promoting feelings of tranquility and happiness.
Research suggests that velvet bean extracts may help treat Parkinson’s disease, perhaps by influencing the way the brain controls movement. Mucuna extract is shown to possess compounds that have significant neuroprotective benefits, meaning they help keep the brain functioning as intended.
Methanol extracts of mucuna pruriens seeds, leaves, and stems reveal several active ingredients, including an amino acid called levodopa as well as other essential amino acids. Levodopa is another precursor to dopamine, and levodopa treatment is often used to treat symptoms associated with Parkin’s disease.
A popular medical use for velvet beans is to treat Parkinson’s disease, which also is related to cognitive function. Below are some of the ways that velvet beans can treat this disorder and support your brain’s health long-term.
As discussed, L-dopa, a precursor to dopamine, is abundant in velvet beans. Because dopamine plays an essential role in controlling many bodily functions, including those affected by Parkinson’s disease, introducing more of it to the body can remedy symptoms naturally.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder, which means it causes damage to and the breakdown of tissue in the brain. Mucuna pruriens delivers dopamine precursors that help the brain restore neurotransmission and helps neurons grow and survive, thereby undoing some of the effects of Parkinson’s. This can lead to improvement in symptoms for many patients.
Toxins and pollutants cause harm by disrupting the chemical balance in the body or causing damage to tissue and cells. As your body works to fight back and fix these changes, it experiences a phenomenon known as oxidative stress, which is associated with heightened inflammation and many other health symptoms. By ridding your brain and body of toxins before they cause harm, mucuna pruriens can keep oxidative stress to a minimum.
You can bring the amazing properties of velvet beans into your home by purchasing the whole bean or using supplements. Below are some tips to help you use mucuna pruriens safely and effectively.
Not all mucuna pruriens supplements are worth your time or money. Look for options that contain other ingredients designed to support brain health as well as those formulated using velvet bean seeds, which contain the highest amounts of dopamine-related compounds.
Every body responds to natural compounds differently, so take your time and find a dose that delivers your desired effects without overwhelming you. Start small and work your way up to avoid diving too deep too fast.
A simple way to incorporate velvet beans into your lifestyle is by adding powdered velvet beans to your favorite snacks. You can add a measured dose of mucuna pruriens to smoothies, warm milk, shakes, etc. for a quick boost.
Sometimes, supplements work best when paired together. Consider other nutritional supplements that support your brain to maximize the benefits of each.
Set your brain and body up for success by adding some mucuna pruriens to fiber-rich and nutritious foods that support cognitive function and focus.
While velvet bean isn’t associated with many side effects or health risks, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before adding it to your routine. The symptoms you may be trying to treat with mucuna pruriens may warrant medical treatment. Regardless, it’s best to double-check that your supplements won’t interfere with other prescriptions or your health before you get started.
ZeroIn is the only natural supplement formulated with velvet bean and a proprietary blend of other brain-boosting compounds selected to improve focus, boost mood, and support overall wellness. If you’re interested in welcoming velvet beans into your routine, look no further than The Root Brands to deliver results you can’t find anywhere else.