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Definition: "An ergogenic aid is any substance or phenomenon that enhances performance "
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29.07.2012 |
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Echinacea makes you carefree
Researchers at the Hungarian Institute of Experimental Medicine in Budapest have discovered that a surprisingly low dose of Echinacea angustifolia makes people less anxious, worried and fretful. A dose of only 40 mg of extract can have an effect.
Psychotropic effects of Echinacea
Researchers suspect that the alkamides in Echinacea also do something with other – and perhaps still unknown – cannabinoid receptors and that they make the immune system more effective via those receptors.
In animal studies done a few years ago, the Hungarian researchers discovered that Echinacea supplements reduce feelings of restlessness and anxiety. [Phytother Res. 2010 Nov;24(11):1605-13.] This wasn't a complete surprise. These same researchers had previously shown that lowering the concentration of anadamide and blocking the CB1 receptor in animals increased their feelings of anxiety. [Eur J Neurosci. 2002 Oct;16(7):1395-8.]
Sure enough, it worked in rats. In fact, it worked very well indeed. According to these researchers, the amount of Echinacea extract that had a noticeable effect was 3-8 mg/kg of body weight/day.
In comparison, extracts of Passiflora plants used in animal studies have an effect only at the level of 400 mg/kg/dag, extracts of Valeriana officinalis at 100 mg/kg/day and extracts of Turnera aphrodisiaca at 50 mg/kg/dag.
Human study
Results
Light-shaded circles: 20 mg/day, dark-shaded circles: 40 mg/day.
Conclusion
Patent
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