Also known as: HupA, Selagine
Huperzine A is a naturally occurring alkaloid from Chinese club moss that potently inhibits acetylcholinesterase, increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain. It is studied as both a nootropic and adjunct Alzheimer's therapy.
Huperzine A is a sesquiterpene alkaloid isolated from the Chinese club moss Huperzia serrata (Qian Ceng Ta), which has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. It acts as a potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine. By preventing acetylcholine degradation, huperzine A effectively increases cholinergic neurotransmission, which is critical for memory and learning. Unlike pharmaceutical AChE inhibitors such as donepezil, huperzine A also provides neuroprotection against glutamate-induced toxicity and oxidative stress. Chinese clinical trials involving several hundred patients have shown improvements in memory and cognitive function in both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. Its long half-life of 10–14 hours means once-daily dosing is sufficient. Huperzine A is available as a supplement in the US but is used as a drug in China.
Meta-analyses of Chinese clinical trials show huperzine A improves MMSE scores and memory in patients with Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline.
Huperzine A protects neurons against glutamate-induced damage by acting as a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, providing neuroprotection beyond AChE inhibition.
Once daily, morning or early afternoon
Note: dosage is in micrograms (mcg), not milligrams. Long half-life allows once-daily dosing. Cycling (e.g., 2–4 weeks on, 1 week off) is often recommended to prevent tolerance.
Precise low-dose supplementation
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