Greetings, Longecity Community,
I'm looking for some feedback and knowledge surrounding the long-term daily use of black pepper in therapeutic quantities for my current self-experiment. There are "some" studies on rodents, but very few people report any experiences with daily therapeutic black pepper.
I'm currently experimenting with a daily dosage of 6000-6400mg (over 6 grams) of black pepper each day separated into a lunch and dinner dose. My theory was that it might have a significant anti-depressant effect that works for atypical depression and ADHD, as black pepper is known to have (supposedly reversible) MAOI activity affecting both MAO-A and MAO-B. The black pepper is sourced from Costco. In addition, I take a high-potency extract of Rhodiola Rosea each morning. (The Rhodiola Rosea already has significantly positive effects in both areas on its own, and I often use it to potentiate other things. The Rhodiola is an extract standardized to 5% rosavins and 15%+ polyphenols @ 250mg. Extremely effective, and extremely safe on it's own.)
My report so far: Adding the black pepper is working astonishingly well with nearly zero side-effects. There is a very noticeable increase in Serotonin complete with the mood boost. There is also an increase in motivation and energy indicative of dopamine increase as well. I'm getting a lot of work done, and the nootropic effect is noticable. The onset of positive effects have been very fast, contrary to reports about typical pharmaceutical MAOIs. It is only about 10 days into the experiment, and I have already gone through an acclimation phase typical to pharmaceutical anti-depressants. (Loose stool, some detachment and feeling out of it for several days prior to the brain kicking into the mood-boost, with slight differences in sleep, etc.) I feel like I might have felt 2 1/2 weeks into Effexor treatment.
Focus is improved. Mood is improved. Thinking is clearer. So, this is a promising experiment and combo. Now that it's working and not a failure like some of my experiments, I have to ask the hard questions. That's where I need your help and feedback. You may be more knowledgeable or have experience with this and be aware of the actual safety or dangers.
My understanding is that long-term use of large amounts of black pepper has not been heavily studied and there is a lot of contradictory information out there. For example, could taking 6+ grams of black pepper each day cause liver cancer? There is some evidence in mouse/rat studies that it might in large enough doses. It also is known to block enzymes that could break down xenotoxins. Any thoughts on this? Are these amounts safe or not for daily consumption?
I am an avid, life-long experimenter with various different natural and alternative treatments. I also am diagnosed ADHD and have a past history of depression. Thus, I typically experiment with things that might be helpful in these areas, and would love to share more awesome combos and stories over time . . .
(Note that Turmeric+Black pepper is a more typical combo others have successfully tried with MUCH lower doses of black pepper, but because of my uniquely bad response to it, I have not pursued it further. Other things work quite a bit better in my case.)
Thanks for the input and thoughts.
-FF
Edited by flowingfire, 29 August 2018 - 07:33 PM.
