When using black pepper to boost the effects of curcumin orally by 2000%, you only need 400 mg of black pepper (about 1/4 tsp). Black pepper usually contains at least 5% piperine, and often more. All you need is 20 mg of piperine to boost the effects of curcumin orally. 400 mg of black pepper at 5% piperine contains 20 mg of piperine.