What Is Mucuna Pruriens?

While we love to be playful at MOOD™, we take our plant-activated, vegan-friendly ingredients very seriously. One of our favorite ingredients is a little-known tropical legume called Mucuna Pruriens. Keep reading to discover why we love this natural, adaptogenic ingredient so much!

As we mentioned above, Mucuna Pruriens is a tropical legume, particularly found in India. It is highly regarded for its medicinal and nutritional properties due to the high amount of bioactive compounds found in its seeds and pods. What do we mean by bioactive? Bioactive compounds are nutrients and non-nutrients found in fruits, veggies, and other food-derived sources that can produce physiological effects beyond their typical nutritional properties. In other words, bioactive compounds are capable of multiples, which we totally LOVE!

One of the key compounds of Mucuna Pruriens is L-DOPA (levodopa), a precursor to dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Due to its high L-DOPA content, Mucuna Pruriens has been used in traditional medicine to treat various neurological conditions, by helping to replenish dopamine levels in the brain. Increasing or restoring dopamine levels may also enhance physical and sexual pleasure. More about that wonderful benefit is written below. 

Beyond its neurological benefits, Mucuna Pruriens is also known for its adaptogenic properties, which may help the body manage stress and improve overall well-being. It has been used to enhance mood, reduce anxiety, and boost cognitive function. Additionally, this plant-activated ingredient is a rich source of nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it a valuable dietary supplement. It has also been explored as an aphrodisiac, the effects of which are often attributed to its ability to enhance sexual function and libido. Some of the key ways it may work as an aphrodisiac include:

• Providing a boost to dopamine. As we already mentioned, Mucuna Pruriens is rich in  L-DOPA (levodopa), a precursor to dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. By increasing dopamine levels in the brain, Mucuna pruriens may enhance mood and promote feelings of pleasure, potentially leading to an increased interest in sexual activity.
• Helping reduce stress. As an adaptogen, Mucuna Pruriens may help your body cope with stress and reduce feelings of anxiety. Lower stress and anxiety levels may have a very positive effect on sexual function and desire. 

Dopaminergic? Check. Adaptogenic? Check. Aphrodisiac? Check. With its multifunctioning abilities to help boost dopamine levels, which can enhance feelings of pleasure, as well as its power to help reduce stress and anxiety, there’s no question as to why Mucuna Pruriens is one of our favorite plant-activated, vegan-friendly ingredients at MOOD. You’ll find Mucuna Pruiens in MOOD PLAY™ and MOOD SEX MAGIC™. Try both to experience the incredible benefits of this ingredient.