Is it OK to combine ginseng with vinpocetine?

Answer 1

If Vinpocetine and Ginseng are the only two medications you are taking at the same time, there's no reason to worry if they're used in reasonable doses. There is only one that should really be considered when using this combination.

There are a few kinds of "Ginseng" and many alternatives that should all be considered. For instance, there are three main kinds of Ginseng. American Ginseng (panax quinquefolius): adaptagen, said to increase cooling energy through the body - yin; increases physical/mental endurance in a non-stimulating manner, like a tonic. Korean/Asian Ginseng (panax ginseng): stimulant/adaptagen, said to increase heating energy in the body - yang; stimulates physical energy, bloodflow, blood production, like a stimulant. Siberian Ginseng "Eleuthro" (eleuthrococcus senticosus): often considered the best of the three main "ginsengs," Eleuthro gives many benefits mixed between the two latter ones, but without the common side effect of raising blood pressure. There are many other similar adaptagens that work similarly to ginseng that might be worth exploring as well, like Maca, Ashwaganda, and my personal favorite that helped me for three weeks at 19k ft, Rhodiola Rosea.

The biggest concern over combining Vinpocetine with a ginseng would be the extremely minuscule possibility of having a minor stroke or brain hemorrhage. Since Vinpocetine is a cerebro-vasorelaxant, or a cerebral blood flow enhancer, increasing blood pressure could be under such conditions could prove disastrous. However, part of the Ginsengs' action is due to its role restoring normal levels of your body's own corticosterone, or your natural steroidal anti-inflammatory agent - this may partially be responsible for ginseng's mood brightening effects. Vinpocetine's phosphodiesterase inhibition properties are very similar in action to another better known phosphodiesterase inhibitor that most of us know as Sildenafil, or Viagra. I'd be careful combining both of those. Vinpocetine also has actions at various other sites throughout the brain that affect release, production and regulation of such neurotransmitters like acetylcholine (in your interests, acetylcholine is responsible for memory formation), dopamine (pleasure/reward, sex drive, fine motor skills), and serotonin (mood, calming, turns into melatonin starting at dusk and makes you sleepy). Some of the various Ginsengs' stimulating and tonic properties come from its effect on your acetylcholine system.

I have almost certainly taken Ginseng at the same time as Vinpocetine, as I am an avid natural medicine researcher. The two most common side effects I'd imagine you would experience from such a combination are overstimulation and headache. Nothing serious, but just be smart. Talk to your doctor, start with a conservative dosage of anything that's new to you, and know your b-ody.

-Noah Frisch