Mucuna Pruriens Muscle Ache/Pain?
AlmostEasy 01 Mar 2015
For various reasons (look here if interested) I ordered some Mucuna Pruriens from Amazon (brand). I started with about 500 mg and noticed subtle effects, nothing diagnostic like I had been hoping for. So I upped it the next day to like 1.5g then the next day around 2.7g. I did notice some interesting cognitive effects but again nothing too drastic and probably for not a long enough period for it to be a legitimate trial.
Now what worries me and prevents me from continuing is that on that large 2.7g dose I began experiencing some extreme muscle pain in my butt muscles actually and some in my legs. Let me emphasize extreme as well, it was a pulsing intense ache that kept me up till like 4 am when I was virtually exhausted at midnight, it was pretty brutal and actually had me a little worried. The following morning I felt it still slightly there but not enough to bother me.
Also I didn't notice this much on the lower doses. Either that or it was so subtle that I didn't accredit it to the supplement.
Would anyone know what this could be about? I'd like to give this thing a proper trial but I'm not sure if this is a sign of an allergic reaction or something, I don't know.
Thanks guys.
Galaxyshock 01 Mar 2015
In my opinion those L-DOPA extracts of Mucuna should only be taken if you have Parkinson's. Maybe in small quantities it's alright, but I'd rather take the whole herb as a tonic.
I also got wierd side effects when I took Mucuna extracts in higher amounts: fever-like symptoms, muscle cramps, insomnia etc.
AlmostEasy 01 Mar 2015
Did you ever find benefits from it at all or did you discontinue due to your problems?
Galaxyshock 03 Mar 2015
I found it increasing motivation, libido and interest in life. I did discontinue because of the flu-like symptoms and general unhealthy feeling. I was using an extract though. I've been meaning to buy some whole herb and experiment again though.
Dopamine is responsible for muscle control and probably why in excess L-DOPA as a dopamine receptor agonist can induce muscle cramps and pain even. I found my muscles very tense when I took the extract in higher doses.
Certain things potentiate Mucuna though which can make lower doses more active - Rhodiola, Schizandra, Echinacea, EGCG (green tea) and I bet coffee too.