Huperzine-A is acquired from a Chinese Club Moss and used for hundreds of years by the Chinese people. Originally used as an anti-inflammatory, the club moss has recently been discovered to contain the alkaloid Huperzine-A, which has proven helpful in brain related deficiencies.

Huperzine-A is a highly purified supplement, having to undergo a lot of processes to be derived from the club moss. The supplement works by increasing, or stopping the breakdown, of the amount of acetylcholine in the brain.

Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that functions in the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, carrying impulses between neurons and muscle cells. It is a critical element in a lot of our core bodily processes. Acetylcholine is one of the key neurotransmitters involved in memory and is used to control sensory signals in the brain. Other notable areas in effect by this neurotransmitter include mood and awareness, as well as stimulation of muscle tissue.

By taking the supplement Huperzine-A, we increase the level of acetylcholine by preventing its breakdown. There have been recent studies in China, testing the usefulness of the drug in treating dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The results were positive, proving at least somewhat useful. However, the results were labeled as poor quality, and a retest is required before anything is deemed absolute. The supplement is not entirely understood, but experts have hope and belief in a significant role for it in the future.

Huperzine-A, however, is not only beneficial for prevention of diseases and age-related deficiencies. The supplement has been proven effective in increases both short-term and long-term memory in the brains of the healthy. Stopping the breakdown of acetylcholine slows the decline in memory over time. College students and learning fanatics have been known to take the supplement for increased retention or for cramming before tests. Additional benefits include improved mood and greater focus.

As with all supplements, there are some possible side effects that any user should be aware of before taking, you can find those side effects by reading customer reviews of Huperzine A. Huperzine-A has an effect on heart rate, so people with heart conditions should avoid. The supplement has also been found in rare instances to cause nausea, high blood pressure, slowed heart rate, increased saliva, and loss of appetite. Unhealthy individuals should consult a physician before use.

How Huperzine-A Works to Improve Brain Function

To understand how it works, a general understanding of brain chemistry involving memory loss will help. If we examine Alzheimer’s Disease, one of most severe forms of memory loss and brain confusion, we can learn more about how Huperzine-A supports brain function. A cure for this disease has still not revealed itself to dedicated scientists, yet an enormous amount of information about the brain has become known through studies and research.

One area revealed is the importance of a neurotransmitter named acetylcholine.

It shows that if there is too little of acetylcholine (which helps form memories) you may experience a diminishing brain memory function. Studies have demonstrated that acetylcholine-producing nerve cells die off, and are limited when Alzheimer’s Disease occurs. There is a deficiency of this neurotransmitter. With not enough acetylcholine, many people experience memory loss, “fogginess” and confusion.

Again, this supplement is in its early stages of use, and not much known about it. For good users, there are rarely any issues, and the positive effects on learning can be incredible.