Thought this may be of interest to some…a very ancient Indian recipe, but with a fair bit of science to support taking it. It has been used for thousands of years in India as part of Siddha medicine, for a variety of different reasons. While human trails are lacking, there is tentative evidence for the active compounds in turmeric such as curcumin having anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anticancer effects.
Some recent research has been of particular interest. One of the main active ingredients, curcumin, has been found to increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which enhances neurogenesis in the brain.[1] One of the other key active compounds in turmeric, aromatic-turmerone, has also been found to induce neuronal stem cell proliferation and differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo.[2] Curcumin has also recently been found to be at least as useful as Prozac in treating depression, but without any of the side effects of the latter, being very well tolerated.[3],[4] It has also recently been found to increase serum testosterone levels by a little over 250% in rats, and at moderate doses, equivalent to human quantities.[5] Testosterone gets associated with aggression (due to steroid abuse) but is actually a very important restorative hormone which is more associated with feelings of peace and contentment, and levels of it decline as we age, over the age of 30. Curcumin in particular has low bioavailability, but this can be increased by consuming with oils or fats (is soluble in these), and with pepper, as the piperine in this has been found to increase bioavailability by 2000%.[6] The latter studies were conducted with rats, which while being obviously different from us, are very similar on a biochemical, physiological, cellular level. If anyone wants to delve more into the science, a review paper is attached.
So here is the Indian "golden milk" recipe using turmeric. Kinda like a wholesome savoury hot chocolate, minus the chocolate...it definitely grows on you. It makes a great nightcap. Makes you feel really relaxed and you sleep really well and feel good on waking, great before cannabis too, synergises nicely! I’ve heard some people swear it makes a great nightcap if one is suffering from cold or flu.
Recipe:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder –
- 300ml milk (or nut milk)
- half teaspoon of pepper
- tablespoon of hemp oil/coconut oil
- dash of cinnamon
- dash of honey
...whizz up together in a blender, or whisk while warming up on hob, then drink anytime or before bed as a post workout, pre bed night cap. Feel free to experiment with recipe’s how one see’s fit, based on preferences. Turmeric is cheap and widely available, and the evidence in so far suggests it could make a viable brain tonic, and it seems to be really quite multifaceted stuff that is worthy of attention.
References:
1. Wang, R., Li, Y.H., Xu, Y., Li, Y.B., Wu, H.L., Guo, H., Zhang, J.J., Pan, X.Y. & Li, X.J. (2010). Curcumin produces neuroprotective effects via activating brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB-dependent MAPK and P1-3K cascades in rodent cortical neurons. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 34, (1), 147-153.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. Hucklenbroich, J., Klein, R., Neumaier, B., Graf, R., Fink, G.R., Schroeter, M. & Rueger, M.A. (2014). Aromatic-turmerone induces neural stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 5, 100.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3. Sanmukhani, J., Satodia, V., Trivedi, J., Patel, T., Tiwari, D,, Panchal, B., Goel, A. & Tripathi, C.B. (2014). Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research, 28,(4), 579-85.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4. Lopresti, A.L., Maes, M., Maker, G.L., Hood, S.D. & Drummond, P.D. (2014) Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 167, 368-375.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5. Abarikwu, S.O., Akiri, O.F., Durojaiye, M.A. & Alabi, A.F. (2014). Combined administration of curcumin and gallic acid inhibits gallic acid-induced suppression of steroidogenesis, sperm output, antioxidant defenses and inflammatory responsive genes. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 143, 49-60.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6. Shoba, G., Joy, D., Joseph, T., Majeed, M., Rajendran, R. & Srinivas, P.S. (1998) Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica, 64, (4), 353-356.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Some recent research has been of particular interest. One of the main active ingredients, curcumin, has been found to increase levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which enhances neurogenesis in the brain.[1] One of the other key active compounds in turmeric, aromatic-turmerone, has also been found to induce neuronal stem cell proliferation and differentiation, both in vitro and in vivo.[2] Curcumin has also recently been found to be at least as useful as Prozac in treating depression, but without any of the side effects of the latter, being very well tolerated.[3],[4] It has also recently been found to increase serum testosterone levels by a little over 250% in rats, and at moderate doses, equivalent to human quantities.[5] Testosterone gets associated with aggression (due to steroid abuse) but is actually a very important restorative hormone which is more associated with feelings of peace and contentment, and levels of it decline as we age, over the age of 30. Curcumin in particular has low bioavailability, but this can be increased by consuming with oils or fats (is soluble in these), and with pepper, as the piperine in this has been found to increase bioavailability by 2000%.[6] The latter studies were conducted with rats, which while being obviously different from us, are very similar on a biochemical, physiological, cellular level. If anyone wants to delve more into the science, a review paper is attached.
So here is the Indian "golden milk" recipe using turmeric. Kinda like a wholesome savoury hot chocolate, minus the chocolate...it definitely grows on you. It makes a great nightcap. Makes you feel really relaxed and you sleep really well and feel good on waking, great before cannabis too, synergises nicely! I’ve heard some people swear it makes a great nightcap if one is suffering from cold or flu.
Recipe:
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder –
- 300ml milk (or nut milk)
- half teaspoon of pepper
- tablespoon of hemp oil/coconut oil
- dash of cinnamon
- dash of honey
...whizz up together in a blender, or whisk while warming up on hob, then drink anytime or before bed as a post workout, pre bed night cap. Feel free to experiment with recipe’s how one see’s fit, based on preferences. Turmeric is cheap and widely available, and the evidence in so far suggests it could make a viable brain tonic, and it seems to be really quite multifaceted stuff that is worthy of attention.
References:
1. Wang, R., Li, Y.H., Xu, Y., Li, Y.B., Wu, H.L., Guo, H., Zhang, J.J., Pan, X.Y. & Li, X.J. (2010). Curcumin produces neuroprotective effects via activating brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB-dependent MAPK and P1-3K cascades in rodent cortical neurons. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 34, (1), 147-153.
Curcumin produces neuroprotective effects via activating brain-derived neurotrophic factor/TrkB-dependent MAPK and PI-3K cascades in rodent cortical neurons - PubMed
Curcumin is a major constituent of curcuma longa, a traditional medicine used to manage mental disorders effectively in China. The neuroprotective effects of curcumin have been demonstrated in our previous studies. In the present research, we confirmed this effect by showing that curcumin...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2. Hucklenbroich, J., Klein, R., Neumaier, B., Graf, R., Fink, G.R., Schroeter, M. & Rueger, M.A. (2014). Aromatic-turmerone induces neural stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Stem Cell Research & Therapy, 5, 100.
Aromatic-turmerone induces neural stem cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo
Aromatic (ar-) turmerone is a major bioactive compound of the herb Curcuma longa. It has been suggested that ar-turmerone inhibits microglia activation, a property that may be useful in treating neurodegenerative disease. Furthermore, the effects of ar-turmerone ...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3. Sanmukhani, J., Satodia, V., Trivedi, J., Patel, T., Tiwari, D,, Panchal, B., Goel, A. & Tripathi, C.B. (2014). Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research, 28,(4), 579-85.
Efficacy and safety of curcumin in major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial - PubMed
Curcumin, an active ingredient of Curcuma longa Linn (Zingiberaceae), has shown potential antidepressant-like activity in animal studies. The objectives of this trial were to compare the efficacy and safety of curcumin with fluoxetine in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). Herein, 60...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4. Lopresti, A.L., Maes, M., Maker, G.L., Hood, S.D. & Drummond, P.D. (2014) Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Journal of Affective Disorders, 167, 368-375.
Curcumin for the treatment of major depression: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled study - PubMed
Investigations with larger sample sizes, over extended treatment periods, and with varying curcumin dosages are required.
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5. Abarikwu, S.O., Akiri, O.F., Durojaiye, M.A. & Alabi, A.F. (2014). Combined administration of curcumin and gallic acid inhibits gallic acid-induced suppression of steroidogenesis, sperm output, antioxidant defenses and inflammatory responsive genes. The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology, 143, 49-60.
Combined administration of curcumin and gallic acid inhibits gallic acid-induced suppression of steroidogenesis, sperm output, antioxidant defenses and inflammatory responsive genes - PubMed
In this study, we investigated the effects of administration of gallic acid (Gal) with or without curcumin (Cur) on the sperm output, steroid level and antioxidant defenses in rat testis in vivo and the expression of inflammatory responsive genes in vitro. Male Wistar rats were divided randomly...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
6. Shoba, G., Joy, D., Joseph, T., Majeed, M., Rajendran, R. & Srinivas, P.S. (1998) Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers. Planta Medica, 64, (4), 353-356.
Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers - PubMed
The medicinal properties of curcumin obtained from Curcuma longa L. cannot be utilised because of poor bioavailability due to its rapid metabolism in the liver and intestinal wall. In this study, the effect of combining piperine, a known inhibitor of hepatic and intestinal glucuronidation, was...
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
