Huperzine A: Benefits, Dosing, Where To Buy, And More!

Hey there!

Welcome to my review of Huperzine A, a top nootropic that helps protect the brain and boost many areas of cognition.

I became interested in this nootropic as I learned more about the benefits of boosting acetylcholine.

Unlike other cholinergic compounds, Huperzine A eliminates the enzyme that lowers choline in the brain. Addition by subtraction.

The best part is that not only do we know Huperzine A works mechanistically, but there are several human trials demonstrating its effectiveness in boosting

memory
learning capabilities
mood
neuroprotection

To learn more about the brain-boosting potential of Huperzine A, I spent over 15 hours combing through the research I cite in this article.

By the end of this post you will have a solid understanding of all things Huperzine A including:

How Huperzine A Works In The Brain
It’s main benefits
Dosing for best results
What to stack it with
Where to buy it

++ More!

So if you’re ready to learn more about Huperzine A, one of the most potent brain-boosting nootropics on the market today, let’s jump into it!

Where To Buy Huperzine A

Natural Nootropic For Alzheimer’s/Dementia

Huperzine A

4.3

Read Full Review

Check Price

A naturally occurring alkaloid that can be derived from the Huperzia serrata plant, used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine
Proven potent booster of acetylcholine in the brain
Shown to increase levels of nerve growth factor, a protein that promotes the growth and survival of neurons
Shown in clinical trials to improve memory and symptoms of dementia

Huperzine A – An Overview

huperzine a high,what is huperzine a,huperzine a dangers,huperzine a examine,huperzine a lucid dreaming,huperzine a gnc,huperzine a nootropic,huperzine a bodybuilding,buy huperzine a,huperzine a sleep,huperzine a half life,huperzine a walmart,buy huperzine a online,huperzine a powder — Huperzine A is derived from the Chinese Club Moss and may have some important nootropic benefits.

Huperzine A is a nootropic supplement that may be beneficial for:

Learning
Memory & Recall
Overall Cognition
Neuroprotection

It is an antioxidant, neuroprotective compound that is derived from Chinese Club Moss (Huperzia serrata).¹

It is used in traditional Chinese medicine for treating fever, blood disorders, and swelling.

Recently, it has gained popularity among nootropics users for its brain-enhancing benefits.

There is also ample evidence that it can keep the brain healthy as you age and prevent some forms of neural degeneration.

When taken as directed, Hup A seems to be non-toxic, relatively safe, and well-tolerated. Some people notice a mild stimulatory effect when taking it. They report clear-headed energy.²

Huperzine A Dangers

We should note that taking this supplement every day is NOT advisable due to its long half-life.

Daily use could result in higher blood concentrations and an increased chance of negative side effects.

You should especially avoid it if you suffer from kidney/liver disorders, heart disease, asthma, epilepsy, and vertigo.

What Does Huperzine A Do?

Huperzine A For Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia

huperzine a supplement,huperzine a vitamin shoppe,huperzine a stack,huperzine a 1%,huperzine a effects,huperzine a buy,huperzine a dosage for memory,source naturals huperzine a,huperzine a overdose,huperzine a 200mcg,huperzine a erowid — Huperzine A may be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s

There is fairly extensive research showing that Hup A can treat and prevent the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

In fact, it has been used as Alzheimer’s medication in China for many years.

By inhibiting AChE and increasing ACh, Hup A can improve memory function.

Combined with its antioxidant and neuroprotective qualities, this makes Huperzine effective in combating the cognitive degeneration associated with this disease.³⁴⁵

It also appears that Hup A can prevent Beta-Amyloid plaques from building up, which are a hallmark of this disease.

Because it is an antioxidant, it can clear out free radicals that form from oxidative stress and cause these plaques to form.⁶

When compared with other Alzheimer’s treatments (galantamine, donepezil, tacrine), Hup A has several advantages.

It has a longer duration of action, better penetration of the blood-brain barrier, higher oral bioavailability, and fewer adverse reactions.⁷

Huperzine A For Memory

is huperzine a safe,huperzine a dosage reddit,side effects of huperzine a,huperzine a 1,huperzine a walgreens,huperzine a memory,a huperzine,vinpocetine and huperzine a,huperzine-a amazon,advantra z and huperzine a,huperzine a extract,huperzine a plant,l huperzine a,huperzine a cycle — Huperzine A has been shown to improve memory function in studies.

Hup A is not only useful for preventing cognitive decline. It can also improve memory in healthy people as well.

Many people in the nootropics community use Huperzine for memory enhancement as part of their daily stack.

Most of the clinical evidence for memory enhancement comes from trials with elderly populations who suffer from some degree of cognitive dysfunction.

However, there are some trials that have looked at younger participants as well.

One Chinese study gave Huperzine A supplements to students for four weeks. At the end of the trial, the students who took Hup A scored significantly better on memory tasks than the placebo group.⁸

Cognitive Enhancement

huperzine a,huperzine-a,huperzine a benefits,huperzine a dosage,huperzine a reddit,huperzine a side effects,huperzine a dose,huperzine a amazon,huperzine a recreational,huperzine a reviews, — Huperzine A may be able to enhance some aspects of cognition through its effects on the cholinergic system

There is some anecdotal evidence that Huperzine A can increase overall cognitive performance. Many nootropics users swear by it.

Theoretically, this would make sense; preventing ACh breakdown should improve mental function across the board.

However, the official research on this aspect is not particularly encouraging. At least as far as it can help normal, healthy people.

One meta-analysis concluded there is insufficient evidence for Hup A to help cognitive function.

A team of researchers looked for studies on Hup A and mild cognitive impairment in Western and Chinese journals (most of the research on this nootropic has been done in China)

They concluded that there have not been enough well-designed, placebo-controlled studies on Hup A and cognitive enhancement to make any claims about its usefulness.

They call for more, better-designed, studies to be done on this subject.⁹

Still, there is evidence that it can help cognitive abilities in patients with diseases like Alzheimer’s.

So, in the future, perhaps we will see more studies that show whether or not this effect does indeed extend to people with otherwise healthy brains.¹⁰

In the meantime, that hasn’t stopped Huperzine A to become a staple in many people’s nootropic stacks.

How Huperzine A Works In The Brain

Huperzine A works by inhibiting a compound called acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the brain.

AChE breaks down acetylcholine (ACh), which is an important neurotransmitter for learning and memory.

By preventing ACh breakdown, Huperzine A may be able to improve mental function and brain health.

huperzine a review,huperzine a high,what is huperzine a,huperzine a dangers,huperzine a examine,huperzine a lucid dreaming,huperzine a gnc,huperzine a nootropic,huperzine a bodybuilding,buy huperzine a,huperzine a sleep,huperzine a half life — Huperzine works by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine

It also works as an NMDA antagonist, preventing excess glutamate from damaging neurons.

Glutamate is the brain’s primary excitatory neurotransmitter.

It’s extremely important, but too much of it for too long can be neurotoxic.

Huperzine A helps keep glutamate levels within the healthy range. This can protect the brain long-term.¹¹

Huperzine A is a powerful antioxidant that can clear out cell-damaging free radicals.

Free radicals are caused by oxidative stress and can damage neurons.

By clearing them out, Hup A can keep the brain healthy and functioning properly, especially during periods of stress.

It is also possible that Hup A can increase the effectiveness of other antioxidants as well. ¹²

Hup A also boosts something called the Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).

NGF is a protein that is responsible for growing new neurons and repairing ones that get damaged.

This is vital for creating new memories and overall brain health. Unfortunately, NGF decreases as you age.

Luckily, there is clinical evidence that Hup A can increase levels of NGF in the brain. ¹³

How Much Huperzine A Should I Take?

The recommended Huperzine A Treatment doses are:

For Alzheimer’s Relief: 400mcg twice daily.

For Age-Related Decline: 30 mcg twice daily

For Memory Improvement: 100 mcg twice daily

How long does Huperzine A take to work?

Researchers believe that it may take up to 8 weeks of daily use to see the full effects of this supplement.

Huperzine A is a bit unusual for a nootropic because of how long it lasts. Effects can be felt with minimal doses. For those just starting the treatment, we recommend taking 100 mg every other day maximum.

Many people limit this dosage to once or twice a week, even, and still get the same effect. Taking it every day can cause too much ACh in the brain, which may cause side effects.

Huperzine A Potential Side Effects

This nootropic is generally well tolerated. It does not appear to be particularly toxic to humans. However, Huperzine A can cause some mild side effects.

Because it stops the breakdown of acetylcholine, this usually happens when ACh levels are too high to begin with.

It can cause:
Dry mouth
Mild bellyache
Diarrhea
Mild nausea
Dizziness

No adverse effects on vital signs, blood test results, or electrocardiogram results were observed.

Because Huperzine A is a nootropic formulated to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms, it can create some complications with other prescribed Alzheimer’s medications including donepezil (Aricept), echothiophate (Phospholine Iodide), edrophonium (Enlon, Reversol, Tensilon), neostigmine (Prostigmin), physostigmine (Antilirium), pyridostigmine (Mestinon, Regonol), and tacrine (Cognex)

Huperzine has an extremely long half-life, and for this reason, should not be taken every day.

It could lead to excessive concentrations of the nootropic in your system because your body needs up to a couple of days to fully clear each dose out.

Huperzine A Reddit Reviews

[su_quote cite=”tacostep” url=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/630gh5/what_has_been_your_experience_with_huperzine_a/”]It’s stimulating feeling sorta; definitely has enhanced my memory. Very fluid intelligence and ease of grasping concepts.[/su_quote] [su_quote cite=”maxrun2014″ url=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/5y4j0z/is_huperzine_a_really_as_good_as_i_think_it_will/”]My subjective experience has been increased focus which translates into increased motivation. Pros: sustained focus/long half life; both creative and task orientation seem to benefit; the small amount of powder is easy to consume.[/su_quote] [su_quote cite=”hotdayonabeach” url=”https://www.reddit.com/r/Nootropics/comments/2jkx9r/whats_the_deal_with_huperzinea/”]In my experience, Huperzine A helped me memorize most of the things I learnt or did THAT particular day, but I lost sight of the overall picture i.e. long term memory and overall picture in general. Like I remember what I did that day, focused on that day, but forgot something important not related to that day. [/su_quote]

Huperzine A Amazon Reviews

[su_quote cite=”vicsgirl” url=”https://www.amazon.com/Huperzine-200-mcg-Vegetarian-Nootropics/dp/B079RMBJ2Z/ref=sr_1_4_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Huperzine+A&qid=1603584342&sr=8-4-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZQzNSME1FNVNNUkgmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwNTY1NTlRNFNZWjk0WDlGUjAmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMTAwOTY4MjNKOTlSWURPVTExTFAmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl”]This is remarkable. My husband has struggled with memory issues for years. I think it is ADD, not his memory. Within DAYS of starting this, he noticed he focuses better=can remember better.[/su_quote]

[su_quote cite=”ysabel l.” url=”https://www.amazon.com/Nutricost-Huperzine-Capsules-200mcg-240/dp/B089NB9KRH/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=Huperzine+A&qid=1603584342&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFZQzNSME1FNVNNUkgmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwNTY1NTlRNFNZWjk0WDlGUjAmZW5jcnlwdGVkQWRJZD1BMDgyNzM5NjNNS1dXWE81MlY2WkYmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl”]Amazing.. will make your dreams very vivid and almost real![/su_quote]
[su_quote cite=”Amazon Customer” url=”https://www.amazon.com/Source-Naturals-Huperzine-Huperzia-Supplement/dp/B000LVH0WE/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=Huperzine+A&qid=1603584342&sr=8-7″]Helps keep my head clear[/su_quote]

Wrapping Up

Do you have questions about, supplementing with Huperzine A? Do you have experience supplementing with Huperzine A? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

For a fuller discussion surrounding nootropics and holistic brain hacking, join our growing community on Facebook!!

References

1
Huperzia serrata Wikipedia 2019
2
Zangara A. The psychopharmacology of huperzine A: an alkaloid with cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective properties of interest in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2003
3
Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao. Huperzine-A in capsules and tablets for treating patients with Alzheimer’s disease Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1999
4
Little JT, Walsh S, Aisen PS. An update on huperzine A as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease Expert Opinion On Investigational Drugs. 2008
5
Xing SH, Zhu CX, Zhang R, An L. Huperzine an in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia: a meta-analysis Evidence-Based Complementary And Alternative Medicine. 2014
6
Gao X, Tang XC. Huperzine A attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction in beta-amyloid-treated PC12 cells by reducing oxygen free radicals accumulation and improving mitochondrial energy metabolism Journal Of Neuroscience Research. 2006
7
Bai DL, Tang XC, He XC. Huperzine A, a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease Current Medicinal Chemistry. 2000
8
Sun QQ, Xu SS, Pan JL, Guo HM, Cao WQ. Huperzine-A capsules enhance memory and learning performance in 34 pairs of matched adolescent students Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao. 1999
9
Yue J, Dong BR, Lin X, Yang M, Wu HM, Wu T. No evidence from randomised controlled trials for or against the use of huperzine A in the treatment of people with mild cognitive impairment Cochrane. 2012
10
Wang BS, Wang H, Wei ZH, Song YY, Zhang L, Chen HZ. Efficacy and safety of natural acetylcholinesterase inhibitor huperzine A in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: an updated meta-analysis Journal Of Neural Transmission. 2009
11
Hynd MR, Scott HL, Dodd PR. Glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease Neurochemistry International. 2004
12
Xiao XQ, Wang R, Han YF, Tang XC. Protective effects of huperzine A on beta-amyloid(25-35) induced oxidative injury in rat pheochromocytoma cells. Neuroscience Letters. 2000
13
Tang LL, Wang R, Tang XC.. Effects of huperzine A on secretion of nerve growth factor in cultured rat cortical astrocytes and neurite outgrowth in rat PC12 cells. Acta Pharmacologica Seneca. 2005