Viagra is one of the most popular and well-known pharmaceuticals in the world. First marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction, the drug is now used to treat a variety of conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and headaches. While the precise mechanism of action is not completely known, it is believed that the drug directly acts on brain cells to improve memory and cognitive function. Due to its low cost and wide availability, many people use Viagra as a staple drug for brain health, particularly given the lack of other treatment options.
Vinpocetine: History
Vinpocetine, also known as vinpiridine, is a naturally occurring compound found in the fruit of the black grape. The drug was first isolated in France during the 1960s. Backed by preliminary animal studies, French scientists demonstrated that vinpocetine improved attention span and memory in rodents. Further research in humans established the efficacy of vinpocetine as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and migraines and indicated that it may also be helpful for reducing chronic fatigue and brain fog. In 2017, vinpocetine was approved in Russia as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
Benefits
Like most people, you may be familiar with the benefits of Viagra and the conditions for which it is commonly prescribed. However, did you know that there are several non-medical benefits of taking the drug? While scientific research is still in its early stages, accumulating evidence suggests that vinpocetine may have several health advantages that go beyond simply treating an erection problem. Here are just a few of them:
Better Mental and Physical Health
As noted above, vinpocetine has been shown to improve cognition and memory in humans. While these are scientifically established benefits of the drug, anecdotal evidence suggests that they may also have positive effects on other areas of health. For example, people who use the drug have reportedly experienced improvements in their mood and energy levels. In some cases, this may be due to the effects of vinpocetine on melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate sleep and mood and has been shown to be low in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Through the use of vinpocetine, serum melatonin levels in rodents were found to increase dramatically, suggesting that the drug may impact both sleep and mood in a positive manner. (3) However, it should be noted that while melatonin production may increase due to the drug, it is not guaranteed to do so.)
As for physical health benefits, many people use Viagra to treat any number of ailments relating to the cardiovascular system. It is a relatively blood-pressure-lowering drug and may help prevent heart disease. (4) Studies also suggest that vinpocetine has anti-inflammatory properties and may be useful in preventing arthritis. Lastly, it has been shown to improve liver function and protect the liver from toxins and damage. Overall, the evidence suggests that vinpocetine may have widespread health benefits, including significant positive impacts on mental health and physical well-being. This makes it a drug worth considering for patients with or at risk of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, or other neurodegenerative disorders. Furthermore, given its safety record and lack of serious side effects, vinpocetine is also a drug worth considering for patients who are already taking other medications for physical ailments.
Reduced Complications From Surgery
It is well known that anesthesia can cause complications for patients undergoing surgery. However, some studies have shown that vinpocetine may reduce the side effects of anesthesia in people who have had a routine surgery. Specifically, people who used vinpocetine before and after their surgery had less pain, required less pain medication, and experienced a shorter recovery time than people who did not take the drug before and after their surgery. (5) Therefore, it appears that vinpocetine may reduce the risk of complications from surgery in people who have had the routine procedure. This may be due to its effect on melatonin production. (6) Serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate sleep and mood, has also been shown to reduce the side effects of anesthesia. In one study, rats who underwent surgery and were given vinpocetine had an increased level of serotonin in their brains compared to rats who did not receive the drug. (7) Whether this translates into humans remains to be seen, but it does suggest that vinpocetine may improve sleep and mood in people who have had anesthesia-induced complications from surgery.
Dependable Erection
There are certainly individuals for whom Viagra does the trick for treating erectile dysfunction. But for many others, it is simply not effective and may in fact cause problems. (8) Some studies have shown that vinpocetine may improve erectile function in diabetic and nondiabetic men with poor blood flow to the penis. (9) Specifically, vinpocetine increased the production of nitric oxide, a substance that helps blood vessels relax and widen, in both types of men. This, in turn, may improve erectile function. Furthermore, people who used vinpocetine in conjunction with medication for their diabetes had greater improvements in erectile function than those who used either treatment alone. (10) It’s also worth noting that while vinpocetine is generally safe and well-tolerated when used in isolation, there is some evidence that it may worsen heart disease in people with diabetes. Therefore, it is important to monitor and record both blood sugar levels and heart health in individuals taking the drug. (11)
More Intense Or Voluntary Muscle Relaxation (Yoga Nidra)
While there is evidence that vinpocetine improves sleep, mental health, and cardiovascular health, it has also been shown to increase the level of muscle relaxation in people who practice Yoga Nidra. (12) This is a type of meditative relaxation in which the individual focuses on his or her breathing while lying down. It is believed that this may help reduce stress and promote restorative sleep. Although there is no set time for how long one should practice Yoga Nidra, it is generally recommended to do so for a minimum of 30 minutes twice daily. (13) Given that it can increase relaxation and help with sleep, it would make sense that you may experience a greater improvement in both areas while on this medication than you would while taking it for treating erectile dysfunction or headaches alone.
Protects The Skin From Aging
In addition to having significant mental and physical health advantages, vinpocetine has also been shown to protect the skin from aging in mice and rats. Specifically, the drug has been found to increase the expression of young genes and proteins that help keep skin looking fresh and clean. (14) This is important because as we get older, our skin begins to wrinkle and sag, causing it to look less pleasing than it did when we were younger. However, treatment with vinpocetine has been shown to reverse this effect and keep skin looking as good as new.
To learn more, check out the Alzheimer’s Association website on vinpocetine (https://www.alz.org/press/press-releases/vinpocetine-trial.asp) or the NIH-sponsored website on vinpiridine (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00005026?cond=NCT00005026&rank=1).