Organic turmeric has been exhibited to augment Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factors, ward off depression, and enhance cognition, focus, and libido while protecting your brain from inflammation markers.

Curcuma longa (Turmeric) is one of the most researched herbs in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and Chinese rehab. Turmeric has unique nootropic contents. This spice stands far beyond many modern medicines used to treat neurodegenerative conditions like depression, Alzheimer’s, and stroke.

It is a perennial shrub born in southern Asia. It is an associate of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). 

Most of the turmeric we obtain is grown in India. But turmeric is also farmed in China, Taiwan, Japan, Myanmar (Burma), Indonesia, and throughout Africa.

The primary chemical compound in turmeric is a set of compounds called curcuminoids, which include:

• Curcumin (diferuloylmethane)
• Desmethoxycurcumin
• Bisdemethoxycurcumin

The best studied is curcumin, referenced throughout this post on turmeric.

Turmeric contains other essential volatile oils, including a & b-turmerone, ar-turmerone, a-curcumin, and zingiberene. Some of which will also be quoted in this article.

You may have heard that turmeric functions on a molecular level to boost neurogenesis. It increases the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Also, it is a powerful antioxidant that protects your brain from chronic and excess inflammation.

Turmeric is also used to treat digestive ailments, skin conditions, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and liver function, protect from DNA damage, and help treat chest and abdominal pain.

Here we will unveil how organic turmeric powder is a nootropic expert that benefits your brain.

Organic Turmeric Powder- A Nootropic Expert:

Nootropics are smart drugs. It is a various group of healing compounds that tend to improve human thinking, learning, and memory, especially in cases where these functions are damaged.

• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF): Research shows that curcumin in turmeric boosts neurogenesis. Low BDNF can lead to significant depression, OCD, schizophrenia, and dementia. Producing new neurons in your hippocampus is essential for learning, memory, and mood.
• Neurotransmitters: The curcumin in turmeric raises feel-good neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. These neurotransmitters are critical for uplifting mood, cognition, libido, and focus. Curcumin behaves like anti-depressant MAOIs and SSRIs to medicate depression and Alzheimer’s. Curcumin can genuinely improve the effectiveness of anti-depressants (Prozac and Effexor).
• Neuroprotective: The curcumin in turmeric is a potent antioxidant and helps protect your brain from inflammation of all sorts. Chronic inflammation has been linked to anxiety and dementia. Curcumin also lowers the formation of plaque linked to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Summary

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is one of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine’s most potent natural tonics. This antique herbal remedy has been used for at least 6,000 years.

The primary component of turmeric is curcumin (diferuloylmethane), which makes up to 90{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} of total curcuminoid content, with desmethoxycurcumin and bisdemethoxycurcumin, including the rest.

Organic turmeric powder is used broadly in many countries as a staple of their system of nationwide therapy. Turmeric is documented in the official Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China, and the Japanese Herbal Medicines Codex.

In Germany, turmeric is listed in the Drug Codex, endorsed in the Commission E monographs, and in tea form in the official German Standard License monographs.

Curcumin and turmeric have been researched widely for their anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (pain-easing) properties. In fact, a search of the U.S. PubMed database for research on turmeric yields 5,334 clinical trials on animals and humans.

Eventually, the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, which is an element of the same U.S. National Institutes of Health, has this to say about turmeric:

“There are small reliable studies to support the use of turmeric for any health issues because few clinical trials have been performed.”

That declaration by an authorized medical resource in the USA tells you about the American healthcare system and its opinion of alternative medications. And why sites like AMVital® are so crucial for our nootropics, health & wellness community. 

One recent study with 1,010 elderly Asian subjects showed that those who ate curry “frequently” or “very often” had a remarkably higher cognitive version.

Organic Turmeric Powder is more Effective than Prozac.

Turmeric has potent anti-depressant markers and is more effective than the anti-depressant Prozac. Researchers consider turmeric acts by reducing the stress hormone cortisol while enriching levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin.

Turmeric’s principal active element, curcumin, shields against Alzheimer’s, major depression, epilepsy, and other neurodegenerative ailments. Scientists acknowledge much of this defensive action comes from curcumin’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Curcumin modulates neurotransmitter levels in your brain. And on a molecular level, it is a robust inhibitor of reactive astrocyte expression, which controls apoptosis (cell death) in your brain.

How does Turmeric Work in the Brain?

Turmeric promotes brain health and serves in several ways. But two, in unique, stand out. Turmeric improves neuroplasticity. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a development hormone that forms your brain’s new neurons (neurogenesis). Higher levels of BDNF can uplift your mood, intellect, memory, and creativity. Further, it can decrease risks for neurodegenerative ailments like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Several analyses have revealed that turmeric or its bioactive component curcumin greatly stimulates BDNF. Using turmeric or its functional blend of curcumin can upgrade your intelligence and memory. It can elevate your mood levels, specifically if you’re depression-sensitive.

Latest Studies & Research

This analysis’s overseeing of curcumin in mice improved the number of developed cells in the hippocampus, offering that curcumin strengthens neurogenesis in the hippocampus. Morso, curcumin’s action in the brain amplifies neuroplasticity and renews the brain cells.

Another study operating the turmeric volatile oil Ar-turmerone exhibited that this compound also supported brain cell restoration. Scientists found that when neural stem cells were washed in Ar-turmerone, up to 80{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} more stem cells developed into neurons or other cells.

Scientists, afterward, inserted this organic turmeric extract into a part of rats’ brains where these cells are positioned and noticed a comparable growth of stem cells into neurons.

Organic Turmeric Powder- A Mood Enhancer When Consumed with Piperine

Turmeric and its bioactive chemical, curcumin, have been examined and used effectively as an anti-depressant for decades. It encourages dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. These are the ‘feel-good hormones in your brain that minus depressive feelings.

Researchers in India set out to designate how curcumin performed in the brain to deliver this anti-depressant activity. In this study, they analyzed both curcumin and its power to foster mood, as well as the impact of Piperine as a bioavailability enhancer.

The scientists found that curcumin bolsters serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain and inhibits monoamine oxidase enzymes (MAO-A & MAO-B), just like the famous drug anti-depressant MAOIs. Curcumin improved the efficacy of SSRI anti-depressants Prozac, Effexor, and Zyban.

The group found no boost in norepinephrine when using curcumin to stimulate neurotransmitters. 

The scientists found that piling curcumin with Piperine greatly increased bioavailability. They figured out that curcumin fused with Piperine was a “potent natural anti-depressant practice to handle depression.”

How things go wrong

Chronic stress, anxiety, and free radicals (oxidation) harm your brain. This harm can display in many ways, including memory loss, brain fog, anxiety, depression, and even neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

• ↓ Chronic stress diminishes memory
• ↓ Serotonin and dopamine drop
• ↓ Toxins destroy brain cells
• ↓ Free radicals kill neurons and synapses
• ↓ Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor falls

Under chronic stress or depression, your brain fails to send signals between neurons properly. Memory, cognition, and decision-making factors all suffer.

Organic Turmeric Health Benefits

Turmeric is the herb that gives curry powder its yellow tint. It has been vigorously studied to date for applications as a nootropic.

1. Turmeric or any of its several vibrant compounds, including curcumin and Ar-turmerone, unlaces harm to your brain caused by depression or chronic stress.
2. Turmeric and curcumin boost neuron regeneration(neurogenesis), improves dendrites, fix DNA, decrease inflammation, oppose free radical damage, and bolster neurotransmitters.

Turmeric promisingly deters monoamine oxidase enzymes (MAO-A & MAO-B), just like famous anti-depressants, SSRIs, and MAOIs. Research indicates that curcumin or turmeric can amplify the marks of some widespread anti-depressants. Nurturing the ‘feel-good’ hormones serotonin and dopamine can ease depression, improve mood, and stimulate alertness, cognition, decision-making, memory, and even libido.

Antioxidants Protect Your Mitochondria

Curcumin, the most active component of turmeric, triggers genes to make a vast collection of antioxidants that defend your mitochondria. It also enhances glucose metabolism, which is ideal for keeping a healthy balance of gut bacteria. This critical microbiome in your gut instantly affects how well your brain works.

When Turmeric Curcumin Supplements Will Help You?

Curcumin is known to have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-tumor, anti-cancer, anti-phlogistic, anti-diabetic, anti-psoriasis, anti-thrombotic, anti-hepatotoxic and a host of other valuable effects.

If you are in excellent physical and mental health, you may not sense the effects of turmeric or curcumin supplements. Turmeric’s neuroprotective features may not require if your brain is in flawless working order. But the results of long-term supplementation will help you eradicate the risk of conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The most recurring mention of supplementing with turmeric comes from chronic pain patients. Turmeric eases the pain of osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia.

Chronic pain generally leads to insomnia, poor sleep quality, memory loss, depression, and other stress-linked symptoms. Adding curcumin or turmeric to your nootropic items can help shed chronic pain. You’ll sleep nicely and feel better the next day.

Supplementing with turmeric or curcumin improves attention and is noted to reduce the symptoms of migraine headaches.

Turmeric Clinical Research

Eat Your Curry

Curcumin, from the curry spice turmeric, has been shown to decrease beta-amyloid plaques related to Alzheimer’s Disease. But scientists were unsatisfied with the evidence of turmeric’s blessings in routine life.

So in 2003, a research unit in Singapore included 1,010 non-demented elderly Asian people aged 60 – 93 years. They intend to compare Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores for three sorts and regular curry consumption.

They concluded that those who ingested curry “sometimes” and “usually or very often” had much higher MMSE scores than those who “never or seldom” consumed curry.

The study writers declared that regular curry consumption stood as evidence for a better cognitive version. The bottom line → eat your curry.

Turmeric as an Anti-depressant Therapy

A study conducted in India examined the efficacy and safety of eating curcumin for treating major depression.

60 patients detected with major depressive disorder were selected to accept either 20 mg of fluoxetine (Prozac®), 1000 mg of curcumin, or a blend of both daily for 6 weeks.

The study found that the best comeback (77.8{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c}) was with the patients treated with a blend of curcumin and Prozac. The Prozac-only group saw a 64.7{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} progress in depression symptoms, whereas the curcumin-only group scored 62.5{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c}.

The researchers inferred that curcumin could be an effective and safe therapy for patients with major depression.

Curcumin Lowers Stress Levels

Scientists have already realized turmeric’s anti-depressant impacts in animal and human studies. So they suspected curcumin might also relieve stress caused by HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) dysfunction.

For this study, the scientists worked on rats. They subjected the animals to stress for 20 days by placing them in several activities that stressed a rat.

Putting rats through this unfortunate (for the rats) series of events created the sort of symptoms you would notice in humans subjected to persistent, chronic stress.

The rats experienced abnormal adrenal gland weight, inflated thickness in the adrenal cortex, high cortisol levels, and decreased glucocorticoid receptor (G.R.) mRNA expression. These changes backfired by giving the rats curcumin in their foodstuffs.

Fortunately, the research group also found that giving the rats curcumin blocked all these stress-induced physical reactions in their brains.

Finally, the scientists deduced that these results are compelling evidence for the behavioral effects of curcumin in chronically stressed animals. By stretching, humans could correlate to curcumin’s modulating impacts on the HPA axis and neurotrophin expressions.

Organic Turmeric Dosage

Turmeric root contains only about 3{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} of curcumin content. You cannot get turmeric’s rapid healing and nootropic miracles by consuming more curry or adding turmeric to your meals. However, the most suitable way to start enjoying the benefits of turmeric is to get a high-quality, 100{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} organic turmeric powder supplement with at least 95{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} curcuminoids.

But curcumin and turmeric on their own are inadequately absorbed by your gut. It would be best if you enabled the bioavailability and absorption of this potent nootropic.

Consume it With Piperine.

The easiest way to increase bioavailability is to combine turmeric or curcumin with Piperine. One study led to fusing curcumin with 20 mg of Piperine increased bioavailability by 2000{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c}!

Besides, turmeric is fat-soluble, so you must use it with high-quality fat for ultimate absorption. You can eat organic, cold-pressed coconut or olive oil.

• Standardized organic turmeric or curcumin extract (95{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} curcuminoids) 750 mg 3 times per day.
• Turmeric liquid extract: 30 – 90 drops per day.
• Tincture: 15 – 30 drops 4 times per day.
• Dried turmeric root powder 2.5 – 4 grams per day.

Side Effects it May Have

Turmeric is natural and deemed non-toxic and safe when taken in suggested amounts. Overeating turmeric for long periods can induce stomach upset and perhaps ulcers.

You should avoid using it if you have gallstones or obstruction to your bile pathways. Turmeric may reduce blood sugar levels which could be a trouble for people with diabetes.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take turmeric-based supplements.

Also, turmeric can act as a blood thinner; discontinue supplementing with turmeric 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery. Because it can prop the effects of blood thinning drugs.

Turmeric to Buy

Generally, turmeric is sold as a powder, tablets, capsules, tinctures, and tea. It is too favored over curcumin if you’re taking it for inflammatory diseases like arthritis, tendonitis, or an autoimmune condition.

Several brands have designed their own version of this strong nootropic.

Active components of Organic Turmeric powder enclose curcuminoids and volatile oils. Search for the percentage of active ingredients detailed on the package. Your best choice is to pick a standardized extract of at least 95{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} curcuminoids.

Avoid supplements that show “other ingredients” on the label. Look for Certified Organic to confirm the root used in your Turmeric supplement have no heavy metals, pesticides, or herbicides.

Nootropics Expert Recommends using turmeric Extract (95{34cea586b088e0fd38e818617229a3e2b6cc2afe33580d7d159a9fdadf46af5c} curcuminoids) 750 mg 3 times daily.

Your body does not absorb turmeric itself. So to have its benefits, you must use it in a supplement form.

Final Thoughts 

Organic turmeric powder is an anti-Alzheimer. Studies manifest that in Indian regions where people eat curries most often, Alzheimer’s disease is sporadic. It is beneficial for those suffering from depression or chronic pain. The spice commixes curcuminoids, volatile oils, and proteins, making it anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic.

Some neuro hackers keep that turmeric or curcumin is the best natural nootropic. Hence, you can increase its bioavailability by incorporating it with Piperine (black pepper extract) and a healthy fat like olive or coconut oil. Further, you can safely consume up to 3,000 mg of organic turmeric extract daily if needed. Most of you gain all the benefits you need with 750 mg dosed 3 times per day.