Mucuna pruriens, commonly known as Velvet Bean, is a legume widely used in traditional Ayurvedic herbalism. M. pruriens is known to naturally possess the direct dopamine precursor, L-Dopa.* Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps to maintain normal brain and nervous system function and promotes a positive mood.* Unlike dopamine, L-Dopa can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and can be used by the brain to produce dopamine.