8 replies to this topic

[normalizing]

"Increases in neuronal levels of DOPAC, a metabolic breakdown product of dopamine, have been shown to occur in striatal isolated nerve endings as a result of exposure to vinpocetine.^[18] Such an effect is consistent with the biogenic pharmacology of reserpine, a structural relative of vinpocetine"

 

so vinpocetine is bad for dopamine? i have been taking it for a while and i notice i cannot get high on things that influence dopamine so i assume its related to vinpocetine, anyone else has similar experience?

[gamesguru]

 

It might explain some cases of brain fog.

 

• "vinpocetine increases DOPAC by impairing the vesicular storage of DA"

http://www.ncbi.nlm....pubmed/11478921

 

• "we found that vinpocetine decreased dopamine (DA) at expense of its main metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)... the drop in DA produced by vinpocetine and a-tocopherol may importantly contribute to their protective action from oxidative damage, particularly in DA-rich structures."

http://onlinelibrary...1/jnc.12082/pdf

 

Reduced Vesicular Storage of Dopamine Causes Progressive Nigrostriatal Neurodegeneration

• These data suggest that mishandling of dopamine via reduced VMAT2 expression is, in and of itself, sufficient to cause dopamine-mediated toxicity and neurodegeneration in the nigrostriatal dopamine system. In addition, the altered dopamine homeostasis resulting from reduced VMAT2 function may be conducive to pathogenic mechanisms induced by genetic or environmental factors thought to be involved in Parkinson's disease.

 

 

Edited by gamesguru, 05 May 2016 - 08:47 PM.

[normalizing]

maybe thats how neuroprotective it is by disabling excessive dopamine burning. it kind of sucks tho, i cant get high on stimulants now because of this. perhaps vinpocetine can be good addition for anti-addiction therapy?

[gamesguru]

Its not as good as NAC, which might even aid cannabis dependency.

I think its neuroprotective effect is rather related to inhibition of glutamate release, which can cause dysfunction of the mitochondria and endoplasmic, and eventual cell death.

Normal levels of dopamine aren't normally a problem, in fact hypodopamine causes more problems.

[normalizing]

so it might be beneficial for alcohol withdrawl when there is influx of glutamate release

[gamesguru]

Yes, but curcumin and theanine likely have a more pronounced effect on glutamate release, while producing markedly fewer cognitive aberrations.

There are also other factors to consider, such as exercise and a low glutamine diet.

[normalizing]

low glutamine diet, definitely excluding cheeses but i always thought the high tyrosine and phenylalanine in them can boost dopamine

 

both theanine and curcumin i dont notice even in megadose. theanine specifically i took like grams of the stuff to counter act negative stimulant effect of coca tea but it didnt really work i assume its even more impotent for other things

[gamesguru]

As can a diet low in copper (dopamine beta hydroxylase), high in iron (tyrosine hydroxylase).
Something to promote GAD, e.g. taurine.
And something to inhibit glutaminase and promote VGLUT.

As for the theanine try it in a lower dose, with sencha, from another supplier. The curcumin is taken with black pepper? This is really diapppointing, they're supposed to be useful in negative schizo and other hyperglutamatergic dysregulations.

Try combining them with exercise for added effect! And look into the downstream modulation of dopamine on glutamate, specifically D2 on NMDARs

[Kabb]

I tried vinpocetine a few times (at 10mg and 30mg doses) but found it made me feel worse.  I tried it for improved mitochondrial function.

 

Maybe some of the other supplements I was taking at the time interacted with it.  Although other antioxidants I tried at the time nearly all gave me a good effect - but not vinpocetine.