Updated: 10/3/23
Do you want to take your brain health and performance to the next level? If so, then Vinpocetine might just be the perfect solution for you. Vinpocetine is a plant-based natural supplement that has been used historically by many cultures for numerous cognitive benefits. It’s an amazing nootropic that can increase oxygen supply throughout your body and provide enhanced mental clarity, focus, better memory formation, improved learning capacity and faster recall — all of which help boost brain performance naturally! In this post, we’ll explore how vinpocetine works and why it could be exactly what you need to improve your brain health.
What is Vinpocetine?
The periwinkle flower is more than just a pretty aesthetic. In the leaves of the lesser periwinkle plant is a substance called vincamine and vinpocetine is a synthetic compound that derives from it. A component of alternative medicine, medical professionals developed vinpocetine in Hungary, more than 20 years ago. But now it exists as a prescription drug—named Cavinton and Intelectol—in Europe and Japan. However, in the United States and Canada, it is not available as a prescription medicine, only as a dietary supplement online and in health food stores.
It is an effective nootropic, which is a drug or supplement that aims to improve cognitive function and memory. Nootropics may also have the potential to treat neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. Vinpocetine is a lesser-known nootropic, but it may pack a powerful punch with its unique mechanisms and possibly powerful cognitive capabilities. Studies suggest that it can potentially help improve memory, increase blood flow and influence metabolism.
If a patient suffers from a cognitive impairment, or is simply looking to maximize memory and mental clarity, vinpocetine is a natural remedy worth looking into.
Benefits of Vinpocetine
Cognitive Health
Vinpocetine is a powerful cognitive enhancer. It works by increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain, thereby boosting brain activity. This supplement has been shown to help improve focus, increase concentration, and enhance overall cognitive performance. One of vinpocetine’s most reported benefits is its positive effects on the brain, brain cells, blood flow and blood vessels. It reduces calcium levels in the cells and also interferes with an enzyme called phosphodiesterase type 1 (PDE1). This process relaxes the brain vessels and allows more blood to flow through them.
Memory
Vinpocetine is recognized as a credible supplement that may help sharpen memory and address conditions that affect memory. Research studies and clinical trials indicate that vinpocetine may benefit people with impairments, as well as those without them.
Helps Fight Brain Fog
Brain fog is a common problem that affects many people. It’s a condition where your brain feels cloudy, making it difficult to concentrate or think clearly. Vinpocetine can help combat brain fog by boosting brain activity and increasing blood flow. It can help improve focus and concentration, making it easier to complete tasks and stay productive.
Alleviates Alzheimer’s Symptoms
Vinpocetine has also been found to be an effective supplement for managing the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disorder that can cause memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. Studies have found that Vinpocetine can help alleviate some of these symptoms, particularly when combined with other Alzheimer’s treatments. Vinpocetine works by protecting brain cells from damage and reducing inflammation, which are two significant contributors to cognitive decline.
Enhances Mood
Vinpocetine can help enhance mood by increasing blood flow to the brain. It can help boost the production of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that play a vital role in regulating mood. This supplement has been shown to help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, making it an effective natural remedy for mood disorders.
Stroke
Vinpocetine may also help reduce damage to the brain after a stroke. In a study of 30 individuals who had recently experienced a stroke, researchers either gave them a placebo or vinpocetine with conventional treatment for 30 days. Results showed that participants who used vinpocetine experienced a significant reduction in residual disability levels after three months.
Additional studies indicate that vinpocetine may improve the body’s ability to convert dietary glucose and lipids to adenosine triphosphate (ATP), improving mental clarity. This is the cellular coenzyme responsible for transporting chemical energy for metabolism. There is a connection between mental clarity and the amount of ATP in the brain. An ample amount of ATP reduces mental fatigue and improves mental clarity. Therefore, the more ATP available in the brain, the faster the patient is able to learn, understand and retain information. However, this research is preliminary and requires further research needs to support these results.
Vision
Studies also suggest that vinpocetine may be beneficial in treating numerous ophthalmologic disorders. In one study, 280 patients took vinpocetine infusions. Subjects with sclerosis, hypertonia and macular degeneration exhibited the most positive results. Patients with ischemic optic neuropathy (ION), glaucoma and myopia saw moderate results.
Vinpocetine benefit patients with these vision disorders because the vessels in the eye share a connection with cerebral circulation. Because vinpocetine improves circulation, it may be an effective treatment.
Hearing
Vinpocetine can also help people with tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, by improving hearing and reducing inflammation in the inner ear.
Reducing Inflammation
Inflammation is one of the leading causes of chronic diseases and health problems, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Vinpocetine has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body. It does this by inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines, molecules that contribute to chronic inflammation. Vinpocetine can also help protect against oxidative stress and free radical damage, which are other major contributors to chronic inflammation.
Side Effects of Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is possibly safe in appropriate doses. However, there is still a risk for side effects. The most commonly reported side effects are headaches, stomach pain, nausea and difficulty sleeping. It may also cause dizziness, nervousness and flushed skin. Although rare, in some cases, the use of Vinpocetine can even lead to low blood pressure and bleeding disorders. It is, therefore, important to consult your healthcare provider before taking Vinpocetine, especially if you have underlying medical conditions.
Interactions and Warnings
Patients who use blood thinners or have hemophilia, heart problems or hypertension should avoid vinpocetine. It may slow blood clotting, so patients with bleeding disorders should avoid it. Also, do not take this supplement for at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery to avoid bleeding during and after the procedure. It may also weaken the immune system, so patients with immunosuppressant conditions like cancer or HIV/AIDS should consult a doctor. Additionally, avoid using it during pregnancy or lactation. Although it most likely will not cause any significant side effects, seek medical advice before taking this supplement and pay attention to any possible side effects.
Where to Buy Vinpocetine
Interested in purchasing Vinpocetine? Look no further than BulkSupplements.com. As a leading manufacturer and distributor of pure dietary supplements, BulkSupplements.com provides top-quality ingredients not only to their consumer brand but also to other brands in the food and supplement industry. Rest assured, all products are manufactured and tested in compliance with current and proper manufacturing practices. Don’t hesitate to reach out to BulkSupplements.com to place your order for Vinpocetine extract today!
Dosage for Vinpocetine
As a dietary supplement, the recommended dosage for vinpocetine powder is 10 mg three times a day, or following a physician or healthcare provider’s instructions. Do not exceed the recommended dosage. Always consult a doctor or healthcare provider before adding vinpocetine or any other supplement to your diet.
The Bottom Line
Vinpocetine is a partially synthesized supplement derived from the periwinkle plant for its cognitive health benefits. You can purchase it as a prescription drug in Europe and Japan. But in the United States and Canada, it is on sale as a dietary supplement.
Research indicates that vinpocetine may enhance cognitive health and memory function by stimulating blood flow to the brain. However, it does so without affecting blood pressure or circulation in the rest of the body. It acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the brain, which may benefit diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Researchers have also tested it as a potential method to prevent or reduce brain damage following a stroke. It may also act as an effective neuroprotective agent.
The supplement is most likely safe and physicians have only reported mild side effects. However, it may have adverse side effects in patients with certain health conditions and it may interact with certain medications. As with all supplements, it is best to confirm with a physician before adding vinpocetine to a daily supplement routine.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease