Huperzine A is a natural nootropic that is touted for its ability to enhance memory and cognition by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Its effect on memory makes it a very popular supplement for those who want to improve their studying and recall abilities!

Huperzine A, sometimes called selagine, is an alkaloid compound that is purified from the Chinese club moss Huperzia serrata.

It was first identified in the 1980s, but extracts of the plant have been used in China for centuries as an herbal medicine. Huperzine A is commonly used to treat Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases for its ability to improve memory and cognitive abilities while acting as a neuroprotectant. Huperzine A is commonly taken as a natural supplement in healthy individuals for its nootropic effects.

THE BENEFITS

Huperzine A can be used as a memory enhancer. It is particularly effective when taken while studying for a test or when trying to learn any new material. It can also be taken regularly to help protect against age-related declines in memory.

Most clinical studies of huperzine A have focused on its use as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. A systematic review of 20 randomized controlled trials concluded that huperzine A appears to have beneficial effects on improvement of cognitive function, daily living activity, and global clinical assessment in participants with Alzheimer’s disease.

Huperzine A has also been formally studied as a memory enhancer for students. The students were given a memory test, and then they were given either huperzine A or a placebo. Four weeks later, they were retested. They also took exams in language and mathematics covering the lessons received at school during the four-week time period. Huperzine A was found to significantly enhance memory. It did not, however, improve understanding of mathematics. It just improved the students’ ability to retain and recall facts. The students taking huperzine A had significantly improved scores on their language tests compared to the students taking a placebo!