In this article, I’m going to teach you how to restore dopamine production naturally using a supplement known as mucuna pruriens.
It’s almost unbelievable that such an effective and inexpensive natural remedy for opiate withdrawal and recovery can still be so “under the radar.”
But alas this is the case.
My intention is to bring to your awareness the wonderful benefits mucuna can provide you with.
If you decide to add this supplement to your opiate recovery plan, the amount of help you’ll get from it is measurable and undeniable.
Read on to learn how mucuna can help you overcome opiate addiction once and for all…
Table of Contents
Mucuna Pruriens Overview
Also referred to as velvet bean and other less common names, mucuna pruriens is a tropical legume native to Africa and Asia. It contains levodopa (L-dopa), which converts to the chemical dopamine in the brain.
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that promotes enjoyment and interest in life. It also increases mental focus and feelings of pleasure.
Mucuna pruriens can help re-supply your brain with dopamine naturally, leading to enhanced:
- Mood
- Motivation
- Pleasure
- Energy
- Enjoyment of Life!
Opioid Addiction and Dopamine
The repeated use of opioid drugs leads to a serious brain chemistry deficiency that is detrimental to recovery yet easy to correct. I’m referring to the neurotransmitter known as dopamine.
When you use an opioid drug, one of the mechanisms of action that occurs is a HUGE spike in dopamine.
This gigantic surge of dopamine is one of the main reasons why opioids can become so addictive.
This dopamine surplus can lead to intense feelings of euphoria, motivation, and reward, all of which help us to reduce stress and enhance pleasure.
Once you’ve been using opioids daily for as short as 3-4 weeks, something dreadful happens.
Your brain stops producing dopamine on its own.
Since the brain has gotten used to the drugs to supply the dopamine, it discontinues that task as you’re already taking care of it on your own now.
The big problem arises once you quit opioids.
Your brain doesn’t just kick back into high gear producing dopamine on its own like it used to.
Oh no…
Instead, the brain slowly begins to pick up that function again, and it usually takes 3-6 months or longer to begin working as well as it did before opiate addiction.
This extreme dopamine deficiency can lead to the following symptoms:
- Anhedonia (The inability to feel pleasure)
- Exhaustion
- Lack of Motivation
- Stress
When a person quits opioids and gets through the acute withdrawal they often think they’re in the clear and have succeeded in overcoming opiate addiction.
Unfortunately, this lack of dopamine can derail recovery efforts and most people end up using again within 90 days of detoxing because they can’t stand the anhedonia and exhaustion.
Luckily, mucuna pruriens can help your brain produce adequate amounts of dopamine needed to eliminate these symptoms.
How To Use Mucuna Pruriens For Opiate Recovery
As I stated earlier, mucuna pruriens contains an abundance of L-dopa, and L-dopa converts to dopamine in the brain. By taking a high-quality mucuna pruriens supplement 3x a day while quitting opioids, you’ll supercharge your brain’s natural dopamine production.
This will offset the damage opioids have done and kickstart your brain-healing recovery process.
By the first day or a few days in, you’ll feel the mucuna restoring your dopamine levels and as a result, you’ll feel happier, more relaxed, and you’ll have more energy and motivation.
Sounds pretty good right?
Here’s how to use mucuna for your opiate recovery:
- Purchase a high-quality mucuna pruriens supplement (I use this one).
- Take the supplement as directed on the bottle.
- For the first few weeks after detoxing, use up to 3-4x the amount recommended.
- Take mucuna after quitting opioids or during your tapering protocol.
- Take mucuna inside of a combination supplement with other helpful nutrients for recovery.
Key Concepts
- Opioid dependence leads to the brain needing regular use of opioid drugs to supply dopamine.
- Quitting opioids after you’ve become dependent results in a massive dopamine deficiency as the brain doesn’t start producing it in adequate amounts for mental health for quite some time.
- Mucuna pruriens is a natural supplement that contains L-dopa in therapeutic amounts.
- L-dopa converts to dopamine in the brain and thus can help you restore your dopamine levels naturally.
If you have any comments or questions on the use of mucuna pruriens for opiate recovery, please post them in the comment box below.
I got some of this to help after stopping kratom cold turkey (had taken it daily for about a year) I took the dosage on the bottle and felt nothing.
I see you’re recommending more than the dosage the bottle states.
What’s the max mg that’s safe and how many times per day for how long?
I’ve seen so many on Reddit claim you should only take it twice a week. It’s hard to find actual good information on how to use this. You seem to be on to something. Thanks
Have you figured out the answer. Wondering the same thing. I hope you kept it up.
Hi!
Does Mucuna Puriens have any known interactions with other supliments/therapies you recommend?
At night I’m taking cbd oil, 5htp, Melatonin, poison flower,
During the day cbd oil ashwagandha, rhodiola, l- theanine, turmeric blend, camu camu, vitamin c with lysine, fermented mushrooms, and kratom.
Wondering about adding mucuna puriens and hopefully tapering off of kratom with the help of it.
Any thoughts?
Oh and thinking about trying kava.
Thanks!!
There are various interactions. Google “mucuna pruriens interactions” and they all come up for you to review. 🙂
My name is Bro SHAHID I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS THE MORNING BLISS SHAKE OKAY TO DRINK CAUSE I TAKE MEDS FOR BP
Yes, the Morning Bliss smoothie is okay to drink while taking BP meds.
Hi Matt,
I “know” Chris Scott and through him, I now “know” you and am SO pleased with your work. I bought your course and my plan is to one day take your course to become a Recovery Coach myself. I think I could be a good one due to all of the substances I have been addicted to in my life and my success in kicking most of them. I also have a natural compassion for people that have life challenges such as addiction.
Opioids are the last and final substance for me to finish clearing from my system. I am definitely going to start drinking your “Morning Bliss” smoothie (along with some of your other suggestions, etc. I have all of the ingredients on order and am looking forward to trying the “Mucuna Purien. Thanks to you, I have learned about Tianeptine. I use it to bridge the days that I run out of my oxy prescription….
Please keep up the great work. The world needs new approaches to addiction such as those that you and Chris are providing.
Best regards,
Ms. Dusty
This is great Dusty. Glad you’re improving your life with the information you’re learning. And we really need more recovery coaches in the world. There’s a big shortage.
Dude, get off the tianeptine. The withdrawal is like combining a heroin withdrawal with a klonopin withdrawal, it’s hell on earth!
Hello,
we are all on a journey and we need to pick up as much information , recommendations and tips as possible and make our own decisions by researching , reviewing and discussing on platforms like MATT FINCH OPIATE ADDICTION SUPPORT.
Im a long time user of opiates stoping and starting like most people , believe me when I say what Matt is talking about and the recommendations of MACUNA PRURIENS for PAWS I’ve tried it and it Boosted my dopamine levels mood energy I was walking on clouds lol what I would say is there are two types white and brownish powder I got the best results from the brownish powder and mixed with tea it tastes great . People don’t hesitate just get it . Blessings all the way from London UK .
Hi mate I’ve quit subs a month and half ago and suffering low mood and anxiety
I’m also from the uk..I noticed your from London.could you tell me what brand you used ? Thank you.
What else can I take with mucuna pruriens, is that good enough for 6 months or so.
When you say “take 3-4x times the recommended dosage”, do you really mean take 1500mg 3 times a day? That seems to be a lot, and even though i’ve read only a few articles, lot of people say to only take 1000mg once a day.
Also, do you know if this has any interaction with Kratom?
I was taking huge amounts of mucuna because of a dopamine defincency on top of opioids. I have been detoxing from the opioids for 6 weeks and ran out of mucuna….man did I feel the difference. Huge difference. I was also taking it with Kratom and did not have any issues.
What kind of difference? Withdrawal?
Does the body get dependent to Mucuna or dl phenalaline for getting dopamine?
If you take a lot of them for several months then stop, you won’t be creating as much dopamine as before, however, there won’t be withdrawal symptoms at all as they don’t produce dependence. Additionally, you’ll still be making dopamine, maybe a little bit less but an insignificant amount. I’ve taken both of these for 6 months straight and didn’t feel any difference when I stopped them.