L-DOPA 99% | Mucuna pruriens

Properties: Intuitively, it is clear that a direct precursor of dopamine will be pretty efficient at increasing the level of this neurotransmitter, right? Well, L-DOPA is precisely such a precursor. In a nutshell, it is a natural amino acid that takes part in the secretion of dopamine and two other neurotransmitters: noradrenaline and adrenaline. What are the properties of L-DOPA? And why exactly is  it relevant in the context of neuroregulation?

Dopamine in its pure form is not absorbed very well by the digestive tract. In contrast, L-DOPA is highly bioavailable, which basically means that it easily crosses the brain-blood barrier, and thus efficiently influences the central nervous system. This influence is related to the increase of motivation level and productivity. That shouldn’t be a big surprise, given that dopamine is the key excitatory neurotransmitter responsible mainly for the levels of energy and motivation, both physical and mental. It benefits our sophisticated cognitive capacities while simultaneously supporting motor functions of the body. 

On top of that, dopamine plays an important role in maintaining our positive mood. This neurotransmitter is responsible for the sensation of pleasure and its secretion is related to the stability of emotional states. Since dopamine can help us to prevent the occurrence of depressive episodes or mood swings, it is important to keep its level optimal! This way, it should be easier to keep a positive attitude and stay productive. What is more, L-DOPA supports the production of hormones responsible for the ability to focus. It is quite important, considering the fact that dopamine is involved here too, as it helps to focus and switch the loci of attention with less effort. It is crucial in terms of multitasking: the ability to complete the task at hand and smoothly move to another one. Therefore, the supplementation of L-DOPA will be especially helpful whenever we enter a “high season” full of different challenges. 

Noteworthy, dopamine also influences the pituitary gland – a structure that secretes several hormones influencing some of the most important functions of the human body. L-DOPA helps to balance the endocrine system and supports the production of hormones such as prolactin, gonadotropin, and the growth hormone. Additionally, sportsmen may find it useful, because it upregulates the secretion of testosterone and thereby increases physical performance.

Occurrence: L-DOPA is a derivative of tyrosine and therefore naturally occurs in the human organism. This amino acid can be also found in the seeds of velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens), broad beans (Vicia faba), Indian tamarind (Tamarindus indica) or saber canavalia (Canavalia gladiata).

Industrially, L-DOPA is obtained from the seeds of the velvet bean. Firstly, this plant contains the highest amount of this precious amino acid. Secondly, L-DOPA derived from velvet bean is more resistant to high temperatures.

Biochemistry: L-DOPA is an organic chemical compound classified as an amino acid. It is a derivative of L-tyrosine and acts as a direct precursor of dopamine, but also, indirectly, helps to produce noradrenaline and adrenaline – neurotransmitters formed as a result of enzymatic changes in dopamine. In contrast to dopamine, however, L-DOPA easily crosses the brain-blood barrier. In the central nervous system, it is converted into dopamine in the presence of vitamin B6.

Fun fact: L-DOPA is the key compound in the formation of marine adhesive proteins such as mussel proteins. It is believed to be responsible for water resistance and the ability of these proteins to harden quickly. Note that L-DOPA was isolated for the first time from the broad bean seeds in 1936, in India. Just two decades later, a Swedish neuropharmacologist A. Carlsonn discovered how L-DOPA affects the nervous system.