The Health Benefits of Huperzine A

Huperzine A is a substance extracted from a plant called Chinese club moss (Huperzia serrata). Sold as a dietary supplement, huperzine A is typically touted as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Used in alternative medicine, huperzine A has been found to act as a cholinesterase inhibitor, a type of medicine used to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine (a chemical essential to learning and memory).

Not only used as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease, huperzine A is also said to enhance learning and memory and to protect against age-related cognitive decline.

In addition, huperzine A is sometimes used to boost energy, increase alertness, fight depression, and aid in the treatment of myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disorder that affects the muscles. However, the research is limited.

This article discusses the potential benefits of huperzine A and looks at the research to support this supplement. It also explains potential side effects of huperzine A and drug interactions.

Huperzine A Benefits

While research on the health effects of huperzine A is limited, there's some evidence that huperzine A may offer certain benefits. Here's a look at some key findings from the available research:

Alzheimer's Disease

Huperzine A appears to be of some benefit to people with Alzheimer's disease, according to a 2013 research review published in PLoS One.

Researchers searched for all randomized controlled trials on the efficacy and safety of huperzine A for Alzheimer's disease and concluded that huperzine A was more effective than a placebo in terms of its effects on cognitive function, behavioral disturbance, and functional performance.

This was also found in a 2008 review published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

However, a 2011 study published in Neurology showed huperzine A failed to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients.

The study involved 210 people with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, each of whom received either huperzine A or a placebo for at least 16 weeks. In their analysis of the 177 participants who completed the study, researchers found that huperzine A did not have a significant effect on cognitive function.

Memory Enhancement

Very few studies have tested the use of huperzine A for memory enhancement. However, an older, small study published in the Chinese journal Acta Pharmacologica Sinica in 1999 found that huperzine A helped improve memory and learning in a group of adolescent students.

For the study, 68 junior high students (all of whom complained of memory inadequacy) were given either huperzine A or a placebo every day for four weeks.

By the study's end, members of the huperzine A group showed greater improvements in learning and memory (compared to members of the placebo group).

More research is needed before huperzine A can be recommended for memory enhancement.

Possible Side Effects of Huperzine A

It's likely that huperzine A is safe to take in limited amounts for a limited period of time. However, the following side effects may occur:

• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Contraction and twitching of muscle fibers
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Fainting
• High blood pressure
• Inability to control urination
• Inability to sleep
• Increased saliva and urine
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
  
• Restlessness
  
• Slowed heart rate
• Slurred speech
• Sweating
• Swelling
• Vomiting

Interactions

Huperzine A may interact with certain medications including:

• Anticholinergic drugs including antihistamines, some antidepressants, Parkinson medications like Cogentin (benztropine), Akineton (biperiden), Artane (trihexyphenidyl), and Kemadrin (procyclidine), and anti-nausea medication scopolamine. 
• Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors are medications that treat Alzheimer's disease and include Phospholine Iodide (echothiophate), Prostigmin (neostigmine), and Antilirium (physostigmine).
• Cholinergic drugs are used to treat glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and other conditions and include  Pilocar (pilocarpine), Aricept (donepezil), and Cognex (tacrine).

Given these safety concerns, it's important to consult your healthcare provider if you're considering the use of huperzine A.

Dosage and Preparations

Huperzine A comes in tablets and capsules, and is an added ingredient in several combination supplements touted as memory enhancers.

There is no recommended daily allowance for huperzine A. The following doses have been studied:

• Alzheimer's disease: 300 to 500 micrograms (mcg) daily
• Dementia: 100 mcg twice daily
• Memory booster: 100 mcg twice daily

What to Look For

Nutritional supplements are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As such, huperizone A is not FDA-approved like medications are.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends looking for a product that contains a seal of approval from a third-party organization that provides quality testing, such as U.S. Pharmacopeia, ConsumerLab.com, and NSF International.

A seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product's safety or effectiveness, but it does provide assurance that the product was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants.

A Word From Verywell

Due to a lack of supporting research, huperzine A cannot currently be recommended for treatment or prevention of any health problem. If you're considering the use of huperzine A supplements, consult your healthcare provider before starting your supplement regime to weigh the risks, benefits, and appropriateness.

It's important to note that self-treating Alzheimer's disease (or any other condition) with huperzine A and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious health consequences.