Why Should I Take Maca?
If you are looking for a natural way to boost your energy levels and mood, while also providing a pleasant pain management effect, then maca is what you are looking for!* Maca, otherwise known as Lepidium meyenii, is a part of the Brassicaceae family and is traditionally used in the Peruvian highlands.Traditionally, Maca root was used for mood and immune function, and in Peru it is even a popular food source.
Maca contains a class of compounds called the macamides which is where the bulk of maca benefits come from. The macamides also happen to quite closely resemble endocannabinoids, and thus it is no surprise that the macamides exert a wide range of endocannabinoid like effects such as inhibiting FAAH, and activating CB1 receptors. In addition to this, the macamides also have an energizing effect.* The combined effects profile results in a very pleasant mood boosting stimulation, that is also very famous for increasing arousal!
What is Maca?
Maca, also known as Lepidium meyenii, is a cruciferous vegetable, meaning it is a part of the cabbage family. In fact, maca contains many of the same isothiocyanate compounds found in famous cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli. Most importantly though, Maca contains a series of N-alkylamide compounds called the macamides, which is where most of the maca benefits come from. Our maca extract is standardized to an enormous amount of macamides at 5%! This is much higher than most maca extracts on the market which often do not contain more than 0.6% macamides.
Maca Benefits and Uses
- Enhances energy levels and vitality*
- Promotes a positive mood*
- Enhances endocannabinoid activity*
Maca’s New Groove
We have been working on a maca extract for years now and were routinely incredibly underwhelmed with the quality of maca extracts and their effects. That is until we found our current source of maca extract, which upon first dose deeply impressed all of the beta-testers that tried it. It produces the effects we often hear about with maca, but never really get a chance to experience due to the general low quality of maca extracts currently available. With our 5% macamide extract, the effects start to take hold very rapidly. In about 30 minutes you will start to feel a pleasant rise in mood and energy levels, which continues to build for the next 30 minutes.* At the 1 hour mark, these effects are very pronounced, and can certainly turn the day around if you have been experiencing low mood.*
So where are these effects coming from? The macamides quite closely resemble endocannabinoids, and due to this, they also have some fairly pronounced endocannabinoid effects. For example, the macamides can block an enzyme called fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) which breaks down endocannabinoids such as anandamide, 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and even palmitoylethanolamide (PEA). This means that when we inhibit FAAH, the levels of anandamide, 2-AG and PEA can increase, which increases overall endocannabinoid activity. In addition to this, the macamides can also directly bind to and activate CB1 receptors. Overall, this leads to a very pleasant mood boosting endocannabinoid focused effects profile!*
In addition to the endocannabinoid effects, maca also helps dial in energy levels. This pairs very nicely with the endocannabinoid effects, leading to a smooth and uplifting mood boost! The enhanced energy and improved mood also does wonders for arousal, making this a fantastic supplement to explore in the bedroom!*
Maca Stacks
Energy Stack: Maca + Cordyceps Mushroom 10:1 Extract
For any workout or even everyday function, you need to begin with the energy to see you through. This is where Maca and Cordyceps Mushroom come in! With additional energy support, Cordyceps Mushroom is the perfect pair with maca!*
Positive Mood Stack: Maca + High Bioavailability Noble Kava Tablets
For the ultimate mood support, we selected Maca and our high bioavailability kava extract. Kava is also a great modulator of the endocannabinoid system, and adding in the GABAergic effects from kava and the energizing effects from maca, makes for an incredibly well rounded mood stack!*
Endocannabinoid Stack: Maca + Rephyll Capsules
Maca helps upregulate endocannabinoid activity by inhibiting FAAH and directly activating CB1 receptors, however, it does not bind to and activate the CB2 receptors. Beta-caryophylene, in the form of Rephyll however, does a great job of activating CB2 receptors, and thus, combining maca with rephyll, results in a very comprehensive endocannabinoid stack!*
Maca Capsule Dosage
As a dietary supplement, take 200mg of Maca daily.
Maca Capsule Reviews
To gain more insight, see the Maca reviews and experiences below.
Where to Buy Maca
Nootropics Depot offers 15g or 30g of high quality Maca capsules. Nootropics Depot’s Maca has been lab-tested and verified for both product purity and identity.
| *Attention: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
