A revolutionary discovery made by neurobiologist Rita Levi lead her to prolong her life for up to 100 years! Care to find out what would happen if you took some of it too?
What Is The Nerve Growth Factor & How Was It Discovered?
It is derived from the neurotrophic family that is involved in the proliferation and enhancement of our brain cells.
The neurons!
The Nerve Growth Factor was first discovered in the 1950s by Rita Levi-Montalchi, an Italian neurobiologist who worked as a faculty member at the University of Washington St Louis.
Rita along with her colleague Stanley Cohen was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for this achievement!
What’s even more mysterious about Rita Levi-Montalchi is that she lived to see a hundred and three years!
Her secret elixir of longevity remains unknown – but many hold the NGF responsible for it since she used to take it every day for 30 years since its discovery!
Neurons can be sought as the machinery of our brain – it all starts and ends with a cell, which in this case are the neurons.
This trophic factor is also crucial for the survival of neurons – in deprived states, the neuronal machinery starts deteriorating.
What people do not know is that it is also involved in boosting immunity and sharpening the mind.
But one thing that would amaze you is that the NGF is found in larger quantities in individuals who have been in love for a long time! Typically 12 months or so!
Let’s Back It Up By Science – Research & Studies On The NGF!
A study conducted in 1996 showed promising results in preventing memory deterioration.
In this experiment, rats had to find their way through a maze!
Once their fornix was aspirated unilaterally, they were inoculated with the NGF.
According to Wikipedia: The fornix is a C-shaped bundle of nerve fibers in the brain that acts as the major output tract of the hippocampus.
With the help of this neurotrophic factor, they were able to solve the maze!
As mentioned earlier, the NGF also has a lot to do with immunity and rejuvenation.
It showed signs of healing in ulcers and infections – hence proved by a study conducted in 2015 on its therapeutic effects.
For this reason, it is also found as a core ingredient in many eye drops!
The Nerve Growth Factor also enhances adrenal plasticity and acts on the pituitary gland to trigger the release of essential neuropeptides.
One of the root causes of Alzheimer’s disease is said to be caused by the distorted signaling of the NGF, thus rendering it impotent.
The crux of the story is that its regulation is kept under strict control by the human body and for this reason the NGF is found in very limited quantities.
So what if we decide to top up some of this trophic in our bodies via supplements?
Let’s find out below!
What Is The Proper Dosage Of The NGF?
This substance is naturally found in our bodies in highly regulated quantities.
So dosing it correctly is what’ll make the difference.
This study proved that the optimum dosage of the NGF is 80 ng/day.
That’s because it can not cross the blood-brain barrier due to its large molecular size.
But many other ingredients can cause the levels of this factor to increase in our bodies which I will be listing down in this section below.
Overdosing on the NGF may lead to hypertrophy (increase in size) of some regions of the brain – as proven in this study.
And this is not exactly what you should be looking for – let’s just cut out on the Jimmy Neutron fantasies since not everyone can afford a brain as big as his!
NGF works best when kept in balance – this explains why our body keeps it under strict surveillance.
The half-life of NGF is around 2 hours.
However, the NGF is not commonly found in nootropic stacks or sold separately as a supplement.
What Are The Benefits of The NGF?
Aids In Memory Retention
The NGF not just enhances the levels of Acetylcholine, but also protects the neurons producing them – as shown in this research!
The NGF helps Alzheimer patients recover their memory and also those with Alcohol-induced memory loss!
Supplementing it in our daily lives can make a huge difference!
Elevates The Mood & Alleviates Psychiatric Disorders
We have already mentioned how the NGF is associated with the feeling of love – and here’s the proof!
It is also used for the management of psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression because of its link with pumping up Serotonin production.
This study also shows that exercising can amp up the levels of this factor in your brain.
Superior Cognitive Abilities
Since it is a ‘growth’ factor for the nerves, it will lead to the enhancement of neuronal networks in the brain which contribute to higher cognitive skills.
Anti-Cancer & Cardiovascular Protective Properties
Even though research is still in process, the NGF factor has shown to counteract the damaging effects of a heart attack by generating repair at the microlevel.
Its use with Vitamin A has shown to decrease or prevent cancer, especially those of the Hypothalamus and the Pituitary gland.
Are There Any Side Effects Of The NGF?
Inflammation And/Or Pain
The NGF is released by a certain type of cell known as the ‘mast’ cell – which is filled with histamine and heparin.
Histamine being an inflammatory agent, widely associated with allergies.
Thus the release of NGF in higher concentrations may be associated with pain or inflammation.
Decreased Tolerance To Histamine
Since so much of Histamine is released with the NGF, the tolerance of the former becomes inevitable.
NGF – Nerve Growth Factor Warnings And Interactions
For those of you who have allergies and are taking medications for it – we’d suggest you skip on this one.
This also goes for those who are on anti-histamine medications regardless of cause.
Since the NGF does not come in supplemental or pharmaceutical forms as of yet, we’d suggest keeping an eye out for substances (in the section below) that can increase nerve growth factor levels.
Where Can I Buy The NGF?
The NGF did not get past the FDA approval, hence is not available in the market.
Nerve growth factor is however incorporated in some eye drops – but obviously you can’t use that for ingestion!
You can also buy various forms of NGF from research labs, but that is NOT recommended unless you are a licensed professional, or accredited chemist or biologist who knows what they’re doing!
There are a lot of substances that can increase its levels in our bodies.
They are listed below in the following categories;
- Mushrooms: Lion’s Mane, Cooke, Maitake, Cordyceps, and Panus Giganteus mushrooms.
- Fish oil ingested with Alcohol
- The Perrenial melon (Gac)
- Honey Bee’s secretion (Royal Jelly)
- Rosemary
- Semen
Natural Hormones Or Precursors:
- Estrogen, Progesterone, and Oxytocin
- DHEA
- Melatonin
- ACTH
- Alpha Melatonin Stimulating Hormone
Pharmaceuticals:
- In the form of eye drops
- Selegiline
- 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (Glucose Molecule)
Dietary Supplements (most of which are nootropics):
- ALCAR & ALCAR Arginate
- Ashitaba
- Butyrate
- DHA
- Forskolin
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Gotu Kola
- Huperzine A (Key ingredient in NITROvit) and great for lucid dreaming!
- Lithium
- Milk Thistle
- Nicotine
- Noopept
- Phosphatidylserine
- Pyrolloquinonine Quinone
- Uridine
- Vitamins A & D
- Zinc
Are There Any Supplemental Stacks That Can Increase NGF Levels?
As far as my research is concerned, there aren’t any stacks that present NGF with its own label.
You can, however, find a lot of ingredients that posses the ability to amp up the levels of NGF.
Let’s talk about them below!
The infamous Mind Lab Pro contains the Lion’s Mane mushroom, which is personally my favorite ingredient to top up on that NGF!
It also contains 100 mg of Phosphatidylserine – which may further add to the levels of NGF.
A great blend for all purposes, in my opinion!
If you’re looking for maximum potency, then this blend has got it ALL!
Sometimes you can’t help but fantasize about it as a magic pill!
Uridine Monophosphate, Vitamins, ALCAR, Phosphatidylserine, DHA, PQQ, and many more!
You name it!
All these ingredients can massively cater to promote NGF levels faster!
This is one of the more expensive pre-formulated nootroopic stack supplements out there, so that’s something to keep in mind if you’re on a budget.
This one contains 1% Huperzine-A.
An excellent way to trigger the release of NGF!
Or, read our detailed Alpha Brain Review here!
Other Notable Supplements that Increase Nerve Growth Factor Levels:
NEUROFUEL By Natural Stacks
Aside from its great price tag, this one comes with a killer combination of ALCAR and Forskolin.
It also claims to make you ‘feel the fuel’ within 30 minutes of dosage!
A simple yet very focused blend!
>> You Can Learn More About & Buy Neurofuel Here
The Cortex Nootropic Stack
What I like about the one is that it contains only 4 ingredients and all 4 of them are the most hyped-up and potent nootropics out there.
It contains 80 mg of CDP Choline and 150 mg of Uridine Monophosphate – both of which help dramatically with memory.
Whereas the latter also helps double up NGF levels!
>> You Can Learn More About & Buy The Cortex Nootropic Stack Here
How To Naturally Amplify Your NGF Levels By A Few Simple Lifestyle Changes!
Exercise
Exercise is not just for that beach bod’, but also for the mind!
This study shows how athletes had significantly raised levels of NGF – for all the better!
Falling In Love
Not appropriate for the long run, but will definitely keep the NGF levels high for 12 months or so!
However, nobody fancies an unprecedented heartbreak so be careful! LOL!
Yoga
You can never really go wrong with Yoga, can you?
Basking In The Sun
Not full-blown tans!
Just a mild relaxing soak so that those UV-B rays can sensitize your nerve endings.
Healthy Socializing
With the right kind of people!
The people who celebrate you, not one of those toxic slithering snakes – LOL!
Final thoughts on NGF – Nerve Growth Factor…
Rita lived a long healthy life because of her secret elixir we now know as the NGF.
With study and research, it is now evident that this factor can do wonders for our brain – if kept highly regulated.
The Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a miracle in the field of science, that can undoubtedly enhance brain mass due to its property of neurogenesis.
The take-home message is that whether you’re inclined towards dietary supplements or a few lifestyle changes – motivating yourself towards the goal of enhancing NGF levels in your brain will help you become active, healthy, and smarter!
List Of Nootropics Related to NGF
