 3.8-4.3%, mostly concentrated in the lower range.
Mucuna Pruriens Side Effects and Safety
Since Mucuna pruriens has a high L-DOPA content, it comes with a moderate number of potential contraindications and safety warnings. However, when taken in an appropriate dose by individuals without complicating factors, mucuna appears to be a very well-tolerated therapy. According to one study, some side effects reported were nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, dyskinesia, and insomnia (L-DOPA helps produce dopamine, which inhibits the production of melatonin, and thus interferes with sleep.)
L-DOPA can also cause psychotropic effects if taken at a high enough dose. These effects can include aggression, hallucinations, delusions, and depression, and are more likely to be severe in people with a history of mental illness. There has been one case of widespread psychosis from eating Mucuna pruriens during a famine in Mozambique. In this case, the disease affected mostly women and was compounded by poor diet. Fortunately, the levels of L-DOPA in most supplements are unlikely to be high enough to cause these types of effects.
There are more specific safety warnings for individuals on certain medications, or with certain diseases that interact with L-DOPA. Those with cardiovascular disease should not take Mucuna pruriens, because it can lower blood pressure. Diabetic patients taking mucuna should carefully monitor their blood sugar levels and adjust medications to make sure these levels do not fall too low. Patients with liver disease should not take mucuna, because L-DOPA can increase chemicals implicated in liver disease.
Additionally, people with melanoma should not take mucuna, because the body uses L-DOPA to make melanin. L-DOPA is also contraindicated in people with ulcers, and as mentioned, in certain cases of mental illness. Lastly, anyone undergoing surgery should stop taking mucuna two weeks before the procedure, so it will not interfere with blood sugar levels.
Mucuna is a fairly well researched herb, there is a lot of clinical papers on it. However, it’s still essential to consult a doctor about specific medications that can interact with Mucuna pruriens. These may include antidepressants, antipsychotics, anesthesia drugs, and hypertension drugs.
Finding the Best Mucuna Pruriens Extract
As mentioned earlier, it is very important to check that your mucuna supplement has a standardized amount of L-DOPA present in each dosage to avoid illness. The manufacturer should also be willing to state where their raw product originated. Supplements that combine Mucuna pruriens with other herbal products may not have the same effects as mucuna on its own, and may not be as effective.
Since mucuna has a number of contraindications and safety warnings, it is best to ask a doctor before starting treatment. If you decide to use mucuna instead of traditional Parkinson’s treatment, a doctor may be able to help recommend a specific supplement. This is because the dosage will need to be lower as a result of mucuna’s higher bioactivity.