Known as the dopa bean, mucuna pruriens is a natural herbal supplement used in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient practice from India, that lowers stress, reduces anxiety, improves focus, boosts the libido, and elevates mood.
Mucuna pruriens is a type of adaptogen, healing plants that regulate hormones to help your body better handle stress. Specifically, mucuna pruriens contains high levels of naturally occurring L-dopa, the precursor to dopamine. Dopamine is a brain chemical that plays a major role in motivation, pleasure, and emotions. Without enough dopamine, you wind up lethargic, unfocused, and even depressed. People with Parkinson’s disease also lack dopamine. Too much dopamine, on the other hand, is linked to impulsive, thrill-seeking behavior. The dopa bean possesses an active compound known as L-dopa, which is a non-protein amino acid, in high concentration. Because it boosts dopamine levels in the brain, it’s often used to treat