Galantamine vs Huperzine A
Galantamine has long been considered one of the most effective lucid dream herbs with a wealth of scientific research supporting its claim as the King of Lucid Dream Supplements. Within the last few years, Huperzine-A has burst onto the scene challenging Galantamine's supremacy. Which of these is Simba, the true Lion King, and which is Scar, the pretender to the throne, destined to be eaten by his own hyena henchmen?
Galantamine vs Huperzine A - Round 1...fight!
Galantamine (or as I like to casually refer to it, Galanthus Caucasicus) helps people have lucid dreams because of its ability to increase Acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the brain by preventing it from breaking down. Acetylcholine is quite possibly the most important neurotransmitter involved in lucid dreaming. Why? We'll save that for another article but basically, it is because it lengthens out REM sleep (which is where most lucid dreams occur) and because it tends to give the dreamer a sense of self-awareness and dream control, among other things. Anything that will increase ACh levels in the brain after 5-6 hours of sleep is going to help you have lucid dreams.
Huperzine-A also increases ACh levels in the brain by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (yes, that is a real word) which breaks down ACh. Although it is not as well known as galantine, I, personally have found huperzine to be superior for a couple of reasons:
Galantamine vs Huperzine - Round 2...Fight!
First, let me say that, having used both huperzine and galantamine, if taken correctly, both can work well to induce lucid dreams. Also, neither of them will work very well on their own and will be best used if taken in combination with a few other supplements.
The main reason that I prefer huperzine to galantamine is that galantamine tends to make me feel really groggy in the morning. I wake up feeling like I got kicked in the face in my sleep. I end up dreading taking it again because I know how I will feel in the morning.
Huperzine, on the other hand, seems to work at least as well as galantamine for inducing lucid dreams but I typically wake up feeling well rested. I often sleep better when taking huperzine than when I take nothing at all.
Price is another factor for me. Quality galantamine and quality huperzine are both quite expensive, although Dream Leaf offers a quality Huperzine blend that comes with all of the right combinations of ingredients for a reasonable price. Check out How Dream Leaf works.
Huperzine vs galantamine - finish him!
In conclusion, if you are looking to get into lucid dreaming, you can't go wrong with either of these supplements. In fact, taking one of these supplements is probably the best thing you can do to help yourself become lucid consistently.
For more information on huperzine, and other natural brain stimunlants, check out this great article, 16 best brain-boosting natural stimulants, by Dr. Kevin Curran.