The amount of time it takes to recover from weight loss surgery depends on the type of surgery and surgical technique you receive. New research suggests that running may not aid much with weight loss, but it can help you keep from gaining weight as you age.

Here's why. New research finds that bariatric surgery is an effective long-term treatment to help control high blood pressure. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic? How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Nutrition Evidence Based Does Forskolin Actually Work? An Evidence-Based Review. Medically reviewed by Grant Tinsley, Ph. On this page. What is forskolin? How do weight loss supplements work? Does forskolin actually help you lose weight?

Other health benefits of forskolin supplements. Dosage and side effects. Frequently asked questions about forskolin. The bottom line. How we reviewed this article: History.

Jul 15, Written By Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD, Ariane Lang. Medically Reviewed By Grant Tinsley, Ph. May 29, Written By Atli Arnarson BSc, PhD. Share this article. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alan Carter, Pharm. Metabolism Boosters: Weight Loss Fact or Fiction?

Medically reviewed by Peggy Pletcher, M. Can Cayenne Pepper Help You Lose Weight? Medically reviewed by Natalie Butler, R.

Laxatives for Weight Loss: Do They Work and Are They Safe? By Rachael Ajmera, MS, RD. GLP-1 Drugs Like Ozempic and Mounjaro Linked to Lower Risk of Depression Patients with diabetes who used GLP-1 drugs, including tirzepatide, semaglutide, dulaglutide, and exenatide had a decreased chance of being diagnosed… READ MORE.

As a nootropic , Forskolin is the only known supplement to naturally raise cAMP levels. Forskolin activates the enzyme adenylate cyclase which increases intracellular levels of cAMP Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate.

cAMP was discovered in and its production is now known to be the final common pathway for many hormones and transmitter agents. To put this in practical perspective, hormones and neurotransmitters do not enter the cell. Instead, they activate a receptor on the cell membrane that is part of the adenylate cyclase enzyme complex.

The production of cAMP in a cell is catalyzed by this complex. The elevation of cAMP along with PKA is required for long-term potentiation LTP. This increase in neuroplasticity is how long-term memories are formed and encoded in your brain.

Researchers have found that increases in cAMP rapidly activates the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor BDNF receptor TrkB and induces BDNF-dependent long-term potentiation at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapse in the hippocampus.

In simpler terms, Forskolin boosts cAMP levels which affects long-term potentiation LTP. LTP is an integral part of the process in developing and encoding long-term memories. cAMP helps stimulate the production of CREB cAMP response element-binding protein.

An increase in CREB enhances Long-Term Potentiation LTP. LTP is the connection between brain synapses. Strengthening in response to stimulation by neurons on either side. A major component in both learning and memory. Memories are stored at a cellular level.

And retrieved at a cellular level. This well-travelled pathway is strengthened by boosting cAMP with Forskolin. Forskolin is very effective in lowering blood pressure. Researchers recruited 7 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy DCM.

Forskolin administration dramatically improved left ventricle function. And increased overall cardiovascular performance. Another group of scientists set out to study the effects of Forskolin on cerebral circulation. In this study, rabbits were anesthetized and measuring devices were attached to blood vessels entering and coming out of the brain.

The study found that Forskolin was an effective cerebral vasodilator. Enlarging blood vessels in the brain boosted blood flow. Allowing for more efficient delivery of nutrients and oxygen to brain cells. Environmental factors like the food we eat, exposure to toxins, polluted air, ADHD , illness, stress and aging changes our brain chemistry.

All of these changes are contributing factors to poor quality of life. Research from hundreds of studies, and feedback from neurohackers have shown that Forskolin can:.

Forskolin is fat-soluble and quickly enters your brain after you take it. Once in your brain, it boosts cAMP activity. cAMP is involved in the Long-Term Potentiation process of preserving memories.

Forskolin combined with Artichoke extract is even more effective. Forskolin effectively boosts cAMP levels but also increases PDE4 in the brain.

PDE4 is a cAMP inhibitor and will counteract increases by Forskolin if left unchecked. Inhibiting PDE4 with Artichoke Extract, and boosting cAMP with Forskolin also potentiates dopamine release in the brain.

Boosting processes in this stream of chemical reactions in the brain increases learning and memory. Many neurohackers report that Forskolin with Artichoke Extract improves mood.

It motivates you to want to learn, and to get things done. Some say it works as good as Modafinil. cAMP responsive element binding protein CREB is a protein that modulates the transcription of genes.

Increases in cAMP triggers the activation of CREB. And this transcription factor is a big part of intracellular signaling. It regulates everything from the production of new sperm cells in men spermatogenesis , to the circadian rhythms that control your sleep and awake cycles, to memory formation.

Forskolin increases cAMP which triggers the activation of CREB. Researchers have found through animal studies that CREB is required for a variety of complex forms of memory, including spatial memory and social learning.

Benzodiazepines Benzos like Valium are a class of psychoactive drug used to treat anxiety, insomnia, agitation, muscle spasms, alcohol withdrawal and before medical and dental procedures to keep the patient calm.

Benzodiazepines come with a whole host of negative side effects including addiction, cognitive impairment, decreasing effectiveness tolerance and nasty withdrawal symptoms. Scientists have been studying non- GABA ergic substances that elevate cAMP, and have anti-anxiety activity.

So they took a look at Forskolin. In one animal study, researchers compared the effects on anxiety of Forskolin compared to diazepam Valium.

And found that Forskolin produced significant anti-anxiety activity in both stressed and unstressed animals. Diazepam had an anti-anxiety effect on the unstressed animals.

But did not work for stressed animals. The researchers noted that the anti-anxiety activity of Forskolin was accompanied by a significant elevation of cAMP levels. The researchers concluded that Forskolin was a better option for treating anxiety.

This non-receptor mediated anti-anxiety action through cAMP elevation was preferable to the adverse reactions people get from using receptor-mediated drugs like Benzos.

Acetylcholinesterase AChE is the primary cholinesterase in your body. This enzyme catalyzes the breakdown of acetylcholine ACh once ACh is used in the synaptic cleft during neurotransmission.

This is how it works…. During neurotransmission, ACh is released from the first neuron into the synaptic cleft of the 2 nd neuron where it binds to ACh receptors. And does its job of passing on the neural signal.

Limited published, scientific research indicates that forskolin supplements may have some health benefits.

Here is a closer look at some of the potential health benefits. Consuming forskolin can cause cellular changes, which leads to blood vessel dilation.

This can cause your blood pressure to lower, although clinical trials do not conclusively prove this.

More human studies are needed on forskolin's ability to lower humans' blood pressure. Eye drops containing forskolin could help protect your eyesight against glaucoma, a disease caused by high inner eye pressure. Higher doses even corresponded to greater decreases in eye pressure.

In this study, 90 adults ages 18 to 60 who experienced open angle glaucoma with an intraocular pressure were enrolled. Participants used two eye drops three times per day, and researchers took readings at the first visit, and at the end of weeks one through four.

Results showed a significant difference in eye pressure across every visit. Forskolin works in a similar way to certain asthma drugs by boosting the level of a compound known as cyclic adenosine monophosphate cyclic AMP.

Doing this relaxes the air passages and reduces the risk of respiratory spasms, such as asthma. Researchers in this review cite González-Sánchez et al, which reported that administering 10 milligrams of forskolin capsules in 20 patients daily for half a year resulted in a positive control of asthma attacks.

Participants' breathing volume also was similar to inhalations of the asthma drug "sodium cromoglycate. Limited studies show that Coleus forskohlii extract could aid in weight management, but the most referenced studies are dated, with and human studies showing an effect on weight loss. One more recent clinical study suggests forskolin could promote weight loss in obese men, but more research is needed.

In a randomized, double blind placebo-controlled clinical study, researchers examined the effects of Coleus forskohlii extract on metabolic parameters of obese and overweight people. In this study, participants were given either milligrams of Coleus forskohlii extract or a placebo twice a day for 12 weeks.

Body weight, body mass index BMI waist and hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio were measured every 2 weeks. Results showed that the group consuming the extract experienced improvement in insulin concentration and resistance compared to those taking the placebo.

Despite being a flawed measure , BMI is widely used today in the medical community because it is an inexpensive and quick method for analyzing potential health status and outcomes. You should speak with a health care professional before taking forskolin supplements. They could cause certain side effects, including slow heart rate , low blood pressure, and diarrhea.

Pregnant and nursing women, children, anyone immunocompromised, and those taking medications should avoid taking forskolin supplements.

Forskolin can also interact with anti-platelet drugs, anticoagulants and blood thinners, blood pressure medications, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers. There are no published guidelines on the appropriate use of forskolin supplements.

Speak with a healthcare provider to determine what is best for you based on your health history. The appropriate dose depends on your health, age, and tolerance to supplements. Forskolin supplements are manufactured with dosage ranging from to milligrams.

You should not consume beyond the maximum recommended dose. To ensure a quality product, only choose forskolin supplements that are tested and certified by an independent certifying body, such as the U. Pharmacopeia USP or ConsumerLab.

The label also should not list any treatment, cure, or relief of symptoms for a disease, as this is illegal per the Food and Drug Administration FDA. You can get forskolin from Indian coleus plants while the root contains the forskolin chemical.

Indian coleus and coleus are separate plants. Forskolin comes from coleus plants, which are not considered toxic, but you should not eat them.

Taking it can also increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you take blood thinners. You can take forskolin at any time. You might want to take the supplement with food and earlier in the day because it could give you energy and interrupt your nightly sleep. Forskolin does not use stimulants, but the supplement works in the way caffeine does.

No evidence shows a specific timeline for forskolin results. According to a study on forskolin for glaucoma patients, researchers found measurable results after 4 weeks. You should follow the directions on the product label for dosage and time for expected results.

If you consume a healthy diet, you will likely not need to take any supplements, including forskolin.

lux on a computer with Windows or Twilight on Android phones. Another option is special glasses. Exposure to different temperatures may affect the sleep parameters, the sensation of arousal and the work of the cardiovascular system.

It turns out, however, that heat more than cold disturbs the REM phase and slow wave sleep phase. Interestingly, it is very important whether we are sleeping or half-naked, and whether we are sleeping uncovered or under cover.

It is worth to take care of the temperature of the room in which we sleep, so that it would be comfortable for us - neither too high nor too low. A certain hormone is associated with sleep - melatonin. It is produced from serotonin, which in turn is dependent on the availability of tryptophan in the brain.

Tryptophan is delivered to the brain with the help of certain transporters that also transport other amino acids, including tyrosine and BCAA , which makes them compete. An interesting solution to improve the transport of tryptophan to the brain is the intake of a carbohydrate-rich meal that will cause a significant discharge of insulin from pancreatic cells.

Insulin helps to distribute BCAA and tyrosine to the peripheral tissues that need it, while lowering their concentration in the blood. Thanks to this, tryptophan gains greater access to the transporter. In conclusion, meals rich in carbohydrates increase the amount of tryptophan in the brain[3].

This, in turn, contributes to a more efficient synthesis of serotonin and melatonin, thus facilitating falling asleep. Based on this information, a high-carbohydrate evening meal may give potential benefits to sleep quality.

Although they are mostly used only as pre-workout support , their less-known property is to improve the quality of sleep. This is due to several actions.

Most often, we refer to arginine and citrulline , which increase the amount of nitric oxide in the body. Due to the vasodilating effect, the blood circulation including cerebral circulation improves and the cells are more efficiently supplied with nutrients, especially in people who have problems with blood circulation[4].

Thanks to this, they can regenerate faster. Certain data also indicate the possibility of a short-term increase in growth hormone after the oral ingestion of arginine[5].

Growth hormone effectively increases the efficiency of sleep and allows you to shorten its time without much damage at the level of regeneration, although reports on the importance of arginine supplementation for growth hormone are mixed and should focus more on other aspects of its activity, this leaving more as a curiosity.

Arginine, in addition to the conversion to nitric oxide, can also metabolise to neuroactive agmatine. This also raises the level of nitric oxide in the blood vessels by stimulating eNOS activity, however, it can lower the level of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide, which is also positive, because the excess of NO in neurons is harmful.

Agmatine also has the ability to inhibit NMDA receptors, which reduces the excitability of the nervous system induced by glutamate. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter typically stimulant, and inhibition of its activity allows you to calm down and better feel of GABA.

The role of nitric oxide produced from arginine has been confirmed in a rat study[6]. The supply of arginine in the dark phase of the diurnal cycle resulted in a lower frequency of awakenings and stimulation of deep sleep during the first 4 hours after falling asleep.

Staying on the subject of nitric oxide, it turns out that the increase in NO produced by nNOS and iNOS causes the increase in slow-wave deep sleep and the improvement of night regeneration. The use of an inhibitor of these two forms of nitric oxide synthase degraded the quality of sleep[7].

Inducible and neuronal forms of oxide increase, among others, during a long lack of sleep, which is why sleep after a long break is so intense. However, watch out for large, one-off doses of arginine, because it can affect the activity of the gut, and their excessive growth can be associated more with intense but unpleasant sensations that will surely delay your sleep.

A very interesting supplement, gaining a lot of fans due to its high effectiveness in supporting relaxation, stress reduction and cognitive functions. As it turns out, in certain situations it can also effectively support sleep.

Scientists argue that theanine intensifies alpha waves in the brain, which are most intense during relaxation and meditation [8]. A single dose of mg of l-theanine also shows anxiolytic activity in people who are struggling with anxiety.

The improvement is visible already after 30 minutes from the adoption [8]. Many people have trouble sleeping through tormenting unpleasant thoughts and anxiety in the evening, especially in such situations it is worth considering reaching for theanine. While studying the effects of theanine administered to boys with hyperactivity, some sleep parameters improved, with no negative effects at relatively high doses - mg of l-theanine daily[9].

The daily cycle is closely related to the regulation of melatonin production. In normal conditions it is produced in the evening and at night, and its level falls in the morning, after which we wake up. Melatonin production is disturbed in certain situations, such as too long exposure to light of blue color, taking caffeine, etc.

Its synthesis also decreases with age The Natural cAMP Elevating Compound Forskolin in Cancer Therapy: Is it Time?. Journal of Cellular Physiology. Emily Harrill is our newest Clinical Support Specialist, and a graduate of UNC Asheville with a Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness Promotion.

Improving quality of life for others is her ultimate goal. She enjoys being a part of the team at Sanesco, exploring wellness through the HPA-T Axis and encouraging others to use holistic, integrative means to achieve balanced health.

She loves participating in challenging, empowering, and fun activities — especially Olympic weightlifting and belly dance.

Disclaimer: The information provided is only intended to be general educational information to the public. It does not constitute medical advice. If you have specific questions about any medical matter or if you are suffering from any medical condition, you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider.

Connie Shoemaker has continued to increase her knowledge of herbs and biochemistry as a journey of love. Then, personal health challenges led her to discover a new approach to her health and a determination to share it with others.

In , she began teaching and educating innovative practitioners in the U. and internationally as a manager of marketing, sales, and customer service.

The addition of her Doctor of Naturopathy degree to her existing knowledge base expanded her knowledge and her respect for a more natural approach to healing through balance. At Sanesco, she initially served to oversee technical development of products and services.

In her personal life, Connie educates private clients on various health topics. References 1. Borjigin, J. Diurnal 5-HT Production and Melatonin Formation. Watson, R. Melatonin in the Promotion of Health. CRC Press. Clinical Contributor Clinical Support Specialist at Sanesco International, Inc.

Connie Shoemaker, ND. Stay up to date with sanesco. Other Related Blogs. Follow Us. Get Connected. Get Setup and start today. Nevertheless, the release of stored fat is not enough to promote weight loss on its own.

It needs to be accompanied by a calorie deficit. In other words, for weight loss to happen, energy expenditure calories out must exceed energy intake calories in , which is precisely what was determined in a small study 9.

The researchers recruited 30 men with overweight or obesity. At the end of the trial, there were no significant weight loss differences between the groups. However, both groups showed reductions in waist and hip circumference, which were attributed to the calorie restriction rather than to forskolin 9.

Nonetheless, an older study in 30 men with overweight or obesity suggested that forskolin may promote fat loss while preserving muscle mass There was also a significant increase in free testosterone in the forskolin group.

All that being said, the current evidence is not strong enough to make any recommendations. More research is needed The Indian coleus plant which contains forskolin has been a part of traditional herbal medicine for centuries.

It has been used to treat conditions such as heart ailments, asthma, bronchitis, and constipation In humans, forskolin supplements may also 8 , 9 , 14 :. While forskolin is recognized as safe and typically well tolerated, some users have reported gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhea 9 , As mentioned above, forskolin is generally safe to use.

However, some people may experience diarrhea after consuming it 9 , Researchers believe this side effect happens because forskolin increases the production of acid in your stomach, which may increase bowel movements and loose stools.

Forskolin-induced diarrhea appears to be mild, and symptoms reportedly disappear within 4 weeks of use 9. Evidence suggests that it works via vasorelaxation. This means that it widens blood vessels, such as veins and arteries, by promoting the relaxation of the muscles within their walls, thus improving blood circulation 8.

In addition to having a blood pressure-lowering effect, forskolin is used as a treatment for heart failure. However, research assessing the benefits of forskolin for heart health in humans is limited. Therefore, be sure to consult with a healthcare professional before consuming it.

Based on the current evidence, it is unclear whether forskolin promotes weight loss. However, one study published in suggests that it may raise testosterone levels and promote fat loss while increasing muscle mass. As a general rule, it is a good idea to be skeptical of weight loss supplements.

Some of them show promise in early studies, only to be proven completely ineffective in larger, higher quality studies. The healthiest approach to weight loss tends to be one that modifies your diet to improve your overall health — often, weight loss will follow.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. A supplement produced from an exotic fruit, garcinia cambogia, is the latest weight-loss craze.

But the Internet and television are filled with…. How can you boost your metabolism?