Vinpocetine is chemically related to, and derived from vincamine, an alkaloid found in the periwinkle plant with many benefits. It was introduced into clinical practice in Europe more than two decades ago for its role in brain and heart disorders and related symptoms. Experiments with this periwinkle extract indicate that it can dilate blood vessels, cross the blood-brain barrier, enhance circulation in the brain, improve oxygen utilization, make red blood cells more pliable, and inhibit aggregation of platelets. It even has antioxidant benefits. Levels peak in the bloodstream within an hour and a half after ingestion.
Benefit and uses
The most useful attributes appear to
be in the area of brain boosting / nootropic qualities and perhaps as a
treatment in those who have had a stroke.
Buy Vinpocetine supplement on sale
Buy
Vinpocetine supplement or subscribe to a Free newsletter on how to improve brain
function naturally
Dosage:
A vinpocetine capsule is sometimes recommended to be taken more than once
daily however many people may be sensitive to this supplement and should limit
their initial use to no more than 5 mg daily. Always start your first time with
half a 5 mg pill in order to see if you have any negative responses to it. By
taking a small amount at first, you could avoid an unpleasant effect. We
don't suggest buying 20 mg tablets or capsules since taking a 20 mg capsule or
tablet can cause adverse effects such as dizziness and lightheadedness. Even the
10 mg can cause dizziness in some users.
Vinpocetine 5 mg per pill. If you have not tried
this brain booster before, use a the lower dosage of 5 mg a day instead
of two pills at 10 mg.
Purchase Vinpocetine supplement 5 mg
per capsule
Vinpocetine side effects,
safety, caution, risks with high dosage
To avoid a vinpocetine side effect, always start with a low
dose, such as half of a 5 mg capsule or tablet. High doses can cause the side effect of
dizziness, weakness, and uneasy feeling. Do not take a 10 mg pill unless you have first tried half of a 5 mg dose,
then a 5 mg both without any adverse effects.
Testimonial
Q. I had a sudden blood platelet increase after taking vinpocetine 10 mg twice a day. I have stopped taking the two pills per day and
have not had high platelet counts.
This is the first we have heard of this supplement leading to high
platelet count. We actually prefer people not take vinpocetine more than 5 mg a
few times a week. We'll see if others report high platelet count associated with
the use of this mind supplement.
My husband and I tried Vinpocetine. Our first reaction was that we had gone to heaven, a place where we were 30 years younger. Our minds were clear, we felt energetic and great. This was on the first day. However, by the third day I was sick, dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, and feeling terrible. Still the initial reaction was so powerful that I kept trying to adjust the dosage and find a way to make it work again. It was something like I hear about those who try heroin for the first time. If only we could take it again, but, alas, it made me very sick and my husband decided to stop taking it after watching what it did to me.
Research and benefit, when to use
Alzheimer's disease - found not to be of benefit
Fifteen Alzheimer patients were treated with increasing doses (30,
45, and 60 mg per day) in an open-label pilot trial during a one-year period.
The study was done at VA Medical Center, in San Diego, California. The
supplement failed to
improve cognition at any dose tested. There were no significant side effects from the
therapy.
Antioxidant activity
Synaptosomal response to oxidative stress: effect
of vinpocetine.
University of Coimbra, Portugal.
Free Radic Res 2000.
The antioxidant effect might contribute to the protective
role exerted by the drug in reducing neuronal damage in pathological situations.
Atherosclerosis, hardening of the arteries
PLoS One. 2013. Inhibitory
Effects of Vinpocetine on the Progression of Atherosclerosis Are Mediated by Akt/NF-κB
Dependent Mechanisms in apoE(-/-) Mice. These results suggest that vinpocetine
exerts anti-atherogenic effects through inhibition of monocyte adhesion,
oxidative stress and inflammatory response, which are mediated by Akt/NF-κB
dependent pathway but independent of PDE1 blockade in macrophages.
Dementia
Researchers at the
University of Surrey in Guildford, England administered it to patients suffering
from mild to moderate dementia (Hindmarch 1991). Two hundred and three patients included
in a placebo-controlled, randomized double-blind trial received every day for sixteen
weeks either 10 mg doses of vinpocetine three times a day, 20 mg doses
three times a day, or placebo three times a day. There were no clinically relevant side
effects reported. Statistically significant cognitive improvements were found in favor of
active treatment groups compared to placebo. The patients on 10 mg performed slightly
better than those on 20 mg.
In a double blind clinical trial, vinpocetine was shown to offer significant
improvement in elderly patients with chronic cerebral dysfunction.
Forty-two patients received 10 mg three times a day for thirty days, then 5 mg
three times a day for sixty days. Matching placebo tablets were given to another forty
patients for the ninety-day trial period. Patients on vinpocetine scored consistently
better in all cognitive evaluations. No serious side effects were reported.
Eye health
Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2015. Vinpocetine modulates metabolic activity and
function during retinal ischemia. Vinpocetine protects against a range of
degenerative conditions and insults of the central nervous system via multiple
modes of action. The results of this study indicate that vinpocetine mediates
ischemic damage partly through altered metabolism and has potential beneficial
effects as a treatment for ischemia of neuronal tissues.
High altitude sickness
I have not come across any studies regarding its role or benefit in prevention
of high altitude symptoms or problems while mountain climbing.
Macular degeneration treatment
I read on a website that vinpocetine could be helpful in treating wet macular
degeneration, to help increase available oxygen to the eye. Do you believe it
would be helpful. I am currently being treated for it in my right eye, am
receiving injections in the eye of anti-VEGF factors and taking some additional
supplements as well as, I believe, steroid drop in the eye, all prescribed by a
retinal specialist. He seems open to alternative techniques, probably feeling
the mostly likely wont hurt the situation.
I found one Russian study with oral vinpocetine that showed some
benefit.
Effect of vasoactive agents on visual functions and
ocular blood flow in patients with early manifestations of age-related macular
degeneration
Vestn Oftalmol. 2007.
Forty patients aged 40 to 65 years who had non-exudative forms of age-related
macular degeneration (AMD), including 20 patients with degeneration of the
retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), 15 with retinal drusen, and 5 with RPE atrophy
were examined. All the patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 comprised 20
patients receiving, in addition to conventional therapy, cavinton forte (1
tablet contains 10 mg of vinpocetine). Group 2 (control) included 20 patients
receiving conventional therapy (antioxidants, peptide bioregulators, lutein containing
agents). Medical treatment was performed during 2 months. After a course of cavinton therapy, patients with
age-related macular degeneration were observed to have better visual acuity,
improved retinal function, and increased a- and b-wave amplitudes on a macular electroretinogram. There was improvement of ocular blood flow values, which is
indicative of better uveal blood supply.
Memory enhancement
Twelve healthy female volunteers received pre-treatments with
40 mg three times a day or placebo for two days according to a randomized,
double-blind crossover design. On the third day of treatment and one hour
following morning dosage, subjects completed a battery of psychological tests.
Memory was significantly improved following treatment when compared to placebo.
The 40 mg three times a day is a very high dose and could lead to
side effects.
Vinpocetine may improve memory if lack of circulation or poor
circulation to the brain or lack of adequate oxygenation is the cause of
the memory loss. I think other supplements, especially a combination of
mind boosting herbs and nutrients is a better option than vinpocetine by
itself.
Meniere's disease
I would
like to know if it could be helpful in managing Meniere's disease by increasing blood flow
to the inner ear and decrease the vertigo attacks? It would be worth the try.
I agree that it would be worth a try. There’s been one small
study showing positive effects, but I haven’t had a chance to try it with a patient
in my office.
Opiate withdrawal
Q. I would like to know if this product Vinpocetine can be effective for craving
of opiate pills.
A. I have seen no research thus far that has evaluated this natural
product for pain medication withdrawal, I do not have any reason to believe it
would be of benefit but I can't be certain.
Seizures, epilepsy
Are you aware of any
research showing that vincopetine can reduce or eliminate seizures? A publication,
"Astonishing Mental Miracles", says that a Russian study shows this to be true,
but does not have a bibliography or any way to verify the statement. My daughter has had
seizures for 21 years, with many falls and injuries. Does vincopetine interact with
Tegretol (carbamazepine)? She has taken Tegretol for about 20 years, with bad effect on
her white blood cell count.
One or two small foreign studies have indicated that vinpocetine may be slightly
helpful for seizures, but it is unlikely that it has any significant influence.
Most cases
of seizures are not due to poor blood flow. Based on my current knowledge,
I doubt this supplement would make a significant impact on seizures. I don't know of
any research done with it in combination with Tegretol.
Sexual enhancement, erectile
dysfunction
We have not had any direct experience or any feedback from users
regarding the effect on sex drive or performance.
Stroke prevention or treatment
Clin Drug Investig. 2016. Efficacy and Safety of
Vinpocetine as Part of Treatment for Acute Cerebral Infarction: A Randomized,
Open-Label, Controlled, Multicenter CAVIN (Chinese Assessment for Vinpocetine in
Neurology) Trial. 610 acute cerebral infarction patients were randomized into
two groups: the vinpocetine group (469 patients) received cytidine disphosphate
choline 0.4-0.5 g in combination with aspirin 75-100 mg or clopidogrel 75 mg
once daily, plus vinpocetine 30 mg intravenously once daily for 7 days, while
the control group (141 patients) received cytidine disphosphate choline 0.4-0.5
g in combination with aspirin 75-100 mg or clopidogrel 75 mg once daily for 7
days. Additionally, patients received medications for symptoms such as
hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and intracranial hypertension when
necessary. When used as part of treatment for acute cerebral infarction,
vinpocetine improves patients' cerebral blood flow, cognitive quality,
neurological functions, and QOL. Vinpocetine could be an effective and safe
component of treatment regimen for acute cerebral infarction.
Acute and Chronic effects of Vinpocetine on Cerebral
Hemodynamics and Neuropsychological Performance in Multi-infarct Patients.
J Clin Pharmacol. 2005.
Twenty-six patients (17
men, 9 women) with multiple cerebral infarctions, aged between 50 and 83 years were examined, 14 of whom received vinpocetine
and 12 placebo. Three months later, the vinpocetine patients
did not show any significant worsening in digit span backward test, while the
placebo group did. No other significant differences in the neuropsychological
test could be detected between the treatment and the placebo groups. Longer
lasting and higher dosage of therapy is suggested to prove its
potential effect.
Asymptomatic ischemic cerebrovascular disorders and neuroprotection with
vinpocetine.
Ideggyogy Sz. 2003.
Vinpocetine has been found to interfere with various stages of the ischemic
cascade: ATP depletion, activation of voltage-sensitive Na(+)- and
Ca(++)-channels, glutamate and free radicals release. The inhibition of the
voltage-sensitive Na(+)-channels appears to be especially relevant to its neuroprotective
effect. Pronounced antioxidant activity of the
drug could also contribute to the neuroprotection. PET studies in primates and
man showed that 11C labelled vinpocetine passes the blood-brain barrier rapidly.
Heterogeneous brain distribution of the compound was observed mainly in the
thalamus, basal ganglia, occipital, parietal and temporal cortex, regions which
are closely related to the cognitive functions. PET studies in chronic ischemic
stroke patients revealed favourable effects of vinpocetine on rCBF and glucose
metabolism in the thalamus, basal ganglia and primary visual cortex. It seems,
vinpocetine could be of benefit for the treatment in this early stage of
cerebrovascular disease and may also become a new therapeutic approach
to prophylactic neuroprotection in patients at high risk of ischemic stroke.
Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
I have not seen enough studies regarding vinpocetine
and tinnitus to know for sure whether it is of benefit, but if other medical treatment options have
failed, and your doctor approves, it is worth a try.
Availability as a
supplement
Vinpocetine is sold in 5 and 10 mg capsules or tablets. You can find it
online or in health food stores.
Absorption and
distribution in the brain
Human positron emission tomography with oral 11C-vinpocetine
Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Karolinska Institute,
Stockholm.
Orv Hetil. 2003.
The authors wished to investigate the kinetics and distribution of vinpocetine in the brain and body after oral administration with PET in order to
prove, that PET is useful in the non-invasive in vivo determination of these
parameters. Vinpocetine was labelled with carbon-11 and the
radioactivity was measured by PET in the stomach, liver, brain, colon and
kidneys in healthy male volunteers. After oral administration, [11C] vinpocetine appeared
immediately in the stomach and within minutes in the liver and the blood. In the
blood the level of radioactivity continuously increased until the end of the
measurement period, whereas the fraction of the unchanged mother compound
decreased. Radioactivity uptake and distribution in the brain were demonstrable
from the tenth minute after the oral administration of the labelled drug
(average maximum uptake: 0.7% of the administered total dose). Brain
distribution was heterogeneous (with preferences in the thalamus, basal ganglia
and occipital cortex). Vinpocetine, administered
orally to human volunteers, readily entered the bloodstream from the stomach and
the gastrointestinal tract and thereafter passed the blood-brain barrier and
entered the brain. Radioactivity from [11C]vinpocetine was also demonstrated in
the kidneys and in urine.
Recommendations and review
Vinpocetine appears to be beneficial in cognitive disorders that are due to poor
blood flow to the brain. Therefore, individuals with atherosclerotic vascular disease are
probably the most likely to benefit. Until long-term studies are available, regular
intake for prolonged periods should be limited to 5 mg or 10 mg once daily.
My
experience with this supplement
I like the effects from vinpocetine. On 5 mg, I notice improvement in
concentration and focus and enhancement of color perception peaking at about two hours
after dosing. Thereafter, the effects gradually decrease but persist for a few hours. I do
not notice any significant changes in mood or energy levels, although on higher dosages
there is a brief period of feeling uneasy. Patients often report an enhancement of visual
and auditory perception, along with better focus and clarity of thinking. If I
take more than 10 mg I notice side effects that include a feeling of
lightheadedness, dizziness or nausea.
Testimonial
Thanks for the great site, I really appreciate all the info on herbs and
supplements. It might be a good idea to note that Vinpocetine mixes terribly
with alcohol. It seems to magnify the negative effects of alcohol. Making one
appear and act much drunker than they normally would on a given amount of
alcohol. It is not a pleasant experience. I like alcohol, and I like Vinpocetine
but I absolutely do not like them together. Depending on the situation, this
info could save someone a lot of trouble.
Use by children or teenagers
Are here any precautions or known side effects or contra indications in use vinpocetine
by adolescent or younger children.
I’m not familiar with research regarding its use in children.
My 7 year old daughter has mild spastic dyplasia and has a hard
time focusing on simple tasks. Would it be something that may help her?
Vinpocetine is a good mind booster, mostly working as a
dilator of blood vessels in the brain. It also helps improve vision. I have not come
across any studies with its use in this condition and my educated guess would be
that it may not have an effect but I can't be sure.
Combination with other dietary supplements
Do vinpocetine and ginkgo biloba herbal extract work well together?
Since they work by different mechanisms, half
the amount of each taken together seems reasonable.
Withdrawal symptoms
I started with vinpocetine and stayed on it for several
months. Amazing I noticed a new clarity for a day or so when I began. The
problem I had was when I went off. Head flutters for two weeks, (I
thought I was coming down with a head-cold). Sometimes, I thought I was going to
faint. I thought this vinpocetine side effect was permanent for a few days and was ready to go to an MD.
But it passed.
Other products available online
Source Naturals, Vinpocetine, 10 mg, 120 Tablets
Jarrow Formulas, Vinpocetine, 5 mg, 100 Capsules
Buy Vinpocetine or Mind Power Rx brain enhancer
| Supplement Facts | ||
| Serving Size: 1 Capsule | ||
| Serving Per Container: 100 | ||
| Amount Per Serving | % DV | |
| Vinpocetine | 5 mg | * |
| * Daily value not established. | ||