Huperzine Dosage

Hupezine has been shown in clinical trials to improve working memory in rats (ref. 1). The method of action involves huperzine working as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Acetylcholinesterase destroys Acetylcholine, a major neurotransmitter. Thus huperzine increases acetylcholine. When more acetylcholine is present, memory improves. Following upon this study scientists decided to see how huperzine worked in higher primates. They gave monkeys a powerful toxin that induces dizziness and memory loss (scopolamine). The monkeys were helpless. Then the scientists injected them with huperzine. The apes came back to life, perked up, and they remembered who they were. All kidding aside, their memory improved significantly (ref. 2). It is clear that huperzine works to restore and improve memory, which is why it is recommended for Alzheimers patients and why it is used by normal healthy individuals to boost their brain power. One world class chess player reportedly uses it to improve his play (ref 3). The substance also promotes "nerve cell growth" (ref 4). One study concluded: "Our results strongly suggest that huperzine A has therapeutic potential for the treatment of dementia caused by cholinergic dysfunction and/or decrease of cerebral blood flow." (Ref 5). Dosage is from 50 to 400 mcg per day (ref 6). This author recommends 200 mcg per day.

References:

• 1. Huperzine A, a novel promising acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Neuroreport. 8(1):97-101, December 20, 1996. Cheng, Dong Hang; Ren, Hua; Tang, Xi Can.
• 2. Improving Effects of Huperzine A on Spatial Working Memory in Aged Monkeys and Young Adult Monkeys with Experimental Cognitive Impairment. Jia Wei Ye, Jing Xia Cai, Li Ming Wang and Xi Can Tang. The journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. Vol. 288, Issue 2, 814-819, February 1999.
• 3. Huperzine A. Life Extension Foundation article.
  
• 4. Huperzine A Promotes Nerve Cell Growth. Life Extension Magazine January 2006.
  
• 5. Huperzine A improves cognitive deficits caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in rats. Li Ming Wanga, Yi Fan Hanb and Xi Can Tang. European Journal of Pharmacology. doi:10.1016/S0014-2999(00)00291-0.
• 6. Huperzine-A: The Proven Therapeutic Treatment for Memory Loss. Smart-Publications.com. (Accessed July 21, 2008.)