Talk:Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or gingko, also known as the maidenhair tree, is a species of tree native to China used as medicine. The tree was cultivated early in human history and remains commonly planted. Usually taken orally, as an extract in a capsule or pressed pill, or infusing the leaves in hot water to drink it as a tea. Adults have used between 120 and 240 milligrams a day in divided doses. It appears to take 4 to 6 weeks before improvements are noticed, also it have an immediate effect.

Ginkgo leaf extract is commonly used as a dietary supplement, but there is no scientific evidence that it supports human health or is effective against any disease.

The ginkgo leaf is the symbol of the Urasenke school of Japanese tea ceremony. The tree is the official tree of the Japanese capital of Tokyo, and the symbol of Tokyo is a ginkgo leaf. Since 1948, the badge of Tokyo University has been two ginkgo leaves (designed by Shoichi Hoshino), which became the university logo in 2004 with a redesign. The logo of Osaka University has been a simplified ginkgo leaf since 1991 when designer Ikko Tanaka created it for the university's sixtieth anniversary.

The active compounds in ginkgo are Bilobalide, Ginkgoic acid, Ginkgolide-A, Ginkgotoxin (a neurotoxin that in large amounts can cause seizures. Is found in ginkgo seeds and, to a lesser extent, ginkgo leaves), Isorhamnetin, Amentoflavone, Ginkgetin, others...

Ginkgo biloba supplements have been shown to increase dopamine levels in animal and test-tube studies. Both ginkgolides and bilobalide inhibit GABA(A) receptors, with bilobalide demonstrating a more potent effect. Ginkgo biloba Extract (GbE) Restores Serotonin and Leptin Receptor Levels and Plays an Antioxidative Role in the Hippocampus of Ovariectomized Rats.

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

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Side effects of using ginkgo supplements may include increased risk of bleeding, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, and restlessness, but this never happened to me in my experience using an extract daily for a year. Although use of standardized Ginkgo biloba leaf extracts in moderate amounts appears to be safe, excessive use may have undesirable effects, especially in terms of drug interactions. The dosing of anticoagulants, such as warfarin or antiplatelet medication, may be adversely affected by using ginkgo supplements

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

If you are older, have a bleeding disorder or are pregnant, don't take ginkgo. The supplement might increase your risk of bleeding. If you're planning to have surgery, stop taking ginkgo two weeks beforehand.

In an open trial ginkgo biloba, an extract derived from the leaf of the Chinese ginkgo tree and noted for its cerebral enhancing effects, was found to be 84% effective in treating antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction predominately caused by selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors

There is weak preliminary evidence for ginkgo affecting dementia[70][71] and tardive dyskinesia symptoms in people with schizophrenia.

Several studies show that ginkgo has a positive effect on memory and thinking in people with Alzheimer disease or vascular dementia.

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Tolerance and addiction potential

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

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