Yes, mucuna pruriens can be taken before sleep and should be consumed around 30 minutes before bedtime to help enhance sleep quality.
Mucuna pruriens, also known as velvet beans, is a plant that contains high levels of L-DOPA (levodopa), a precursor to dopamine.
Mucuna pruriens has many benefits, from boosting libido to enhancing muscle gains. This article discusses the use of mucuna pruriens, particularly before sleep!
What is Mucuna Pruriens?
Mucuna pruriens, known as velvet beans for its itchy, “velvety” surface, is an herb native to Africa and tropical Asia.
This herb has served for centuries as a physical performance and health enhancer, particularly for men. Though, in recent times, it is best known to enhance the health and performance of fitness enthusiasts, especially those in the bodybuilding community.
Many of the health benefits of mucuna pruriens are attributed to the high concentration of L-DOPA, a natural precursor to dopamine, the “pleasure” neurochemical.
Dopamine plays a big role in emotional and cognitive health, as well as neuromuscular health, as observed in many conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease.
These L-DOPA-rich beans have also caught the interest of nootropic enthusiasts too, because of the role it plays in mood and motivation.
Though, it’s most notably known to play a role in regulating testosterone production and sexual health, which appears to be a top priority among men over the age of 30. This is precisely why mucuna pruriens is a key ingredient in Testo Lab Pro!
What Are the Health Benefits of Mucuna Pruriens?
As mentioned, much of the health prosperities of mucuna pruriens are down to the high L-DOPA content.
So, how do the bio-effects of L-DOPA manifest into noticeable improvements in men’s health and fitness, and, more specifically, enhancing sleep quality?
Mucuna pruriens affects the activities of several hormones, which in turn offer several health and fitness benefits, such as:
-
Increased muscle mass
Mucuna pruriens has been shown to indirectly boost the production of testosterone. Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and is responsible for influencing muscle protein synthesis and encouraging anabolism (muscle growth).
Low testosterone levels can result in a loss of lean muscle mass, poor muscle growth, and an increase in fat mass. Mucuna pruriens may increase exercise-related muscle and strength gains by helping to boost testosterone production.
-
Improved sex drive and libido
While on the subject of testosterone, mucuna pruriens may also enhance sex drive and libido. This would be as a result of the aphrodisiac properties of mucuna pruriens, stimulating both testosterone production and dopamine status, enhancing physiological and psychological parameters of sexual health.
-
Enhanced reproductive health
In relation to mucuna pruriens effect on sexual health and libido, male fertility also sees an improvement. This herb has been shown to improve sperm quality and reproductive health in a natural and safe way.
-
Improved blood pressure
High blood pressure is just one of the many indicators of unhealthy lifestyle factors, such as high alcohol consumption and smoking.
Mucuna pruriens has been shown to potentially help prevent increases in blood pressure.
-
Boosted mood and motivation
Dopamine plays a major role in mood and motivation, as well as general cognitive performance. The levels of L-DOPA that mucuna pruriens supplies have been found to enhance cognition and potentially possess antidepressant properties.
-
Improved sleep quality
Some studies have shown mucuna pruriens to improve sleep quality in those who had issues with impaired sleep. It’s advised to take mucuna pruriens before bedtime to reap these specific benefits!
When to Take Mucuna Pruriens
If you plan on taking mucuna pruriens to enhance sleep, the best time to take it is around 15-30 minutes before bedtime, as it reaches peak levels in the blood approximately 30 minutes upon consumption.
Though, if you are planning to supplement with mucuna pruriens for the other benefits, such as improved testosterone production, it works even better when taken daily or as part of a supplement stack.
For example, Testo Lab Pro is a formula which contains mucuna pruriens, alongside other testosterone-boosting, male health-enhancing ingredients, such as ashwagandha, luteolin, and D-aspartic acid.
The Take Home
Mucuna pruriens, also known as velvet bean, is a herb that has been used for centuries as a performance and health enhancer.
In recent times, mucuna pruriens is best known as a male sexual health enhancer, particularly due to the L-DOPA content and ability to indirectly boost testosterone.
Mucuna pruriens may also help enhance sleep, especially when taken 15-30 minutes before bedtime.
Though, the best way to take mucuna pruriens is as part of a formula, such as Testo Lab Pro, which can enhance all aspects of male health and fertility.