Alternative names: Dimethylaminoethanol; brand names Deaner and Deanol.
DMAE supplements won't work for everybody and are not intended as a cure. But they are safe and may be helpful.
Closely related to DEAE (Diethylamino-ethanol) in GH3, a European anti-aging drug.
DMAE is found as a supplement, although it is not widely available. It is sold in many health food stores.
It can take the form of tablet, liquid, cream, or capsule. Tablets or capsules in doses of 50mg, 100mg, or 130mg should not be hard to find. Pills containing 350mg or more of DMAE bitartrate, which typically contain about 130mg of "active" DMAE, are also available.
DMAE by itself is relatively inexpensive. It is, however, sometimes sold in costly "brain-boosting formulas" that contain other supplements such as phosphatidylserine (PS) or acetyl-L-carnitine; these additions may or may not be right for you but they will definitely increase the cost of the product.
DMAE is a compound found in high levels in anchovies and sardines. Small amounts of it are also naturally produced in the human brain.
Medical researchers have speculated that the means by which DMAE increases brain acetylcholine levels is by inhibiting choline metabolism in peripheral tissues, thereby allowing free choline to accumulate and subsequently enter the brain where it is converted to acetylcholine.
DMAE increases the concentration of choline in the bloodstream because it enhances the rate at which free choline enters the blood from other tissues. DMAE increases the levels of choline in the brain due to DMAE's superior ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.
DMAE has been reported to offer the following benefits:
No deficiencies of DMAE have been reported or are believed to occur.
DMAE supplementation is not recommended at this time.
Dosages start at 100mg per day and extend up to 600mg per day as needed. Clinical studies of DMAE have used up to 1,600mg per day with no reports of side-effects and is believed to be relatively nontoxic.
Start slowly. DMAE can over-stimulate the nervous system and cause headaches, tense muscles, or insomnia, although these side-effects are uncommon. Drowsiness has also been reported. Begin with a low dose and see how you respond before gradually increasing the amount you take. If side-effects develop, stop taking the supplement for a day or two and begin at a lower dose.
For ADHD, memory problems or Alzheimer's: 100 to 300mg, taken orally twice a day.
Overdosage can produce insomnia. Take in the morning to avoid this. Take DMAE with meals for best absorption. To help jump-start your day, open the capsules and pour the contents into a smoothie or fruit juice as part of your morning routine.
Although DMAE may help produce brain chemicals needed for mental sharpness, drowsiness, and cognitive impairment have been reported in some people. See how it affects you before you drive or handle heavy machinery.
If you have kidney or liver disease, consult your doctor before taking DMAE. These conditions can affect levels of the supplement in your body.
Effects of supplementation are not immediate but should begin to be felt within several weeks.
Most people taking DMAE do not experience side-effects. However, isolated adverse reactions have cropped up in different studies. Drowsiness, confusion, and high blood pressure have occurred in people with Alzheimer's who were taking this supplement, particularly when high doses were used. DMAE can be over-stimulating for some people. Headaches, irritability, and tense muscles may result, including tightness in the jaw, neck, or shoulders. Weight loss and insomnia may also occur. Lucid dreams have also been reported. These effects should disappear when intake is lowered or stopped.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with DMAE.
DMAE should not be used by epileptics or those with bipolar disorder (manic depression). Maximum safe dosages for children or for pregnant or nursing mothers have not been established.
DMAE improves the behavior and mental function of children afflicted with Down's Syndrome.
DMAE increases the body's release of energy.
DMAE alleviates anxiety. In one study, subjects administered 1,200mg of DMAE per day for 5 days exhibited better control of anxious reactivity.
DMAE helps alleviate the behavioral problems and hyperactivity associated with ADD.
DMAE reduces apathy and increases motivation in persons afflicted with depression.
DMAE decreases the incidence and severity of hangovers in people who consume excessive amounts of alcohol. Subjects in one study reported freedom from the depression or headaches associated with hangovers.
DMAE has been shown to increase daytime motivation and physical energy in persons afflicted with insomnia. As well as reducing the amount of sleep required by about 1 hour per night, users experience sounder sleep.
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