A substance extracted from the Amazonian vine Banisteriopsis caapi was shown in the 1920s to alleviate parkinsonism. These pioneering studies were criticized and forgotten for a number of reasons, including questions as to the identity of the active agent and failure to conduct strictly controlled studies.
In a controlled study, the beneficial effects were maximal by the second hour and persisted until the last evaluation of the patients at 4 hours. However, tremor was not improved and in some patients tremor was exacerbated.
I looked at it briefly and didn't find much encouragement. I have been looking for substances that spur neurogenesis and/or repair dopamine neurons. If you discover anything along these lines regarding Banisteriopsis caapi please post it.
The article "Chinese Traditional Medicine and Adult Neurogenesis in the Hippocampus" discusses the effects of extracts of Chinese formulas on neurogenesis. It also includes Uncaria Rhynchophylla/Uncaria Tomentosa (cat's claw)
Indeed - good catch. From the link: "Ayahuasca is a beverage prepared from a Banisteriopsis caapi (BC) and the leaves of other plants, most commonly Psychotria viridis, which contains the hallucinogen dimethyltryptamine (DMT)."
Here is an article which you may find interesting.
Banisteriopsis caapi, a Forgotten Potential Therapy for Parkinson's Disease?
In addition to discussing the merits of BC for PD therapy they have vintage footage of von Economo's patients being injected with BC (and showing improvement).
"Mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume native to India that has since spread to Africa, The Caribbean, and South America traditionally used as a coffee alternative, a treatment for Parkinson's disease, and as a South American Shamanistic plant. It's active compound is believed to be L-Dopa (5-8%) which is the direct precursor for Dopamine, a neurochemical believed to be heavily responsible for mood, energy, focus, movement, and motivation. L-Dopa works similarly to the serotonin precursor 5-htp in that it bypasses the normal barriers that limit the amount of the respective neurotransmitter available to the brain and body. Other alkaloids of Mucuna pruriens include 5-htp, serotonin, nicotine, various tryptamines, salsolinol, and beta-carbolines that are believed to have an effect on testoterone, libido, and muscle growth."
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