Dimethylaminoethanol, or Deanol as it is commonly referred to for short, is an amino acid that is found naturally within your brain. It is also an organic compound that is found in a number of different types of fish and other foods.
In recent years, Deanol (DMAE) has been recognized as an important supplement since it is a natural source of choline and a precursor to Acetylcholine.
Taking Deanol supplements can increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters within the brain leading to a number of cognitive benefits and improved mental functions. As a nootropic, you will often see Deanol Bitartrate added to stacks with supplements like Piracetam or Aniracetam.
Alternative, you can use Centrophenoxine which is an enriched version of Deanol powder and is known to produce even greater brain-boosting improvements.



- Found to enhance mental concentration
- Supports memory by boosting acetylcholine
- Neuroprotective with anti-aging effects
Deanol Effects:
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Deanol (Dimethylaminoethanol, DMAE) is a precursor to Choline. This means that when the supplement is consumed in our body, it will actually be broken down into (either through the action and activity of the liver or by crossing over the blood-brain barrier) Choline.
We need this nutrient because Choline itself is a direct precursor to Acetylcholine which is a powerful brain chemical known as a neurotransmitter.
Acetylcholine is thought to play particularly vital roles in the formation of memory, learning capacity, and a number of other cognitive processes.
Another way in which Deanol may work is by crossing over the blood-brain barrier and then binding to phospholipids within the brain. These are special lipids or fat cells that actually form portions of the cell membranes which make up critical nerve and neuron cells within the brain.
There is even evidence to suggest that another part of this type of activity may account for some anti-oxidant like effects that may boost overall brain health.
Deanol Benefits:
Using Deanol supplements is reported to improve mental performance and cognitive function in a number of different areas.
For example, by ensuring that the brain is sufficiently supplied with choline, Deanol can enhance all of the intellectual processes that require the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
This neurotransmitter is responsible for our abilities related to forming new memories, retaining learned information and being able to access stored memories easily.
With greater levels of acetylcholine, your brain is made more plastic and your comprehension and learning capacities are increased. Deanol can also promote optimal levels of oxygen within the blood, boost circulation to the brain and enhance cerebral health.
Deanol for Mood and Energy
Another benefit associated with Deanol is improved mood and feelings of well-being. Many users have indicated that they experience a sense of calm and relaxation while supplementing with Deanol.
This includes a reduction in levels of stress and anxiety.
Some of these effects may be related to the supplement helping to boost Dopamine – another powerful neurotransmitter. Dopamine is involved in our rewards system, but it also plays a role in attention spans, focus, and concentration.
Using Deanol Bitartrate power or tablets may give you higher energy levels and result in greater motivation, especially when stacked with other mood-enhancing nootropics such as Aniracetam and Noopept.
Deanol is also an ingredient in many types of skin care products. The reason for this is because the supplement is thought to have anti-inflammatory properties when used as a topical agent. It has been known to help tighten and tone the skin as well as reducing the appearance of fine lines.
A number of famous doctors have also recently been touting this supplement as a wrinkle-fighting substance that can improve firmness and muscle tone of the skin. Although it does appear promising in these areas, most experts indicate the need for continued study and research into these potential skin benefits.
Deanol Dosage:
Of course, knowing how much to take of a new substance can be quite tricky. In the case of Deanol, just looking at studies might give the wrong idea, since one will quickly find a huge range of doses used.
In fact, studies have been conducted using as little as 100 mg all the way up to 1,000 mg per day. Aside from the standard advice of starting off with as small an effective dose as possible, you also need to consider the purpose for which you are taking the supplement.
Many people try Deanol in the hopes of obtaining some type of cognitive or ‘smart drug’ type of benefits. In this case, begin with about 150 mg and only increase the dosage after you have become familiar with the actual effects and benefits provided by this supplement.
For cognitive benefits, you would probably not want to go above 750 mg total per day unless supervised by a doctor. Another alternative is to take Centrophenoxine which is more powerful and therefore requires a smaller dosage in order to achieve positive results.
Deanol Side Effects:
There are some side effects which have been associated with Deanol as a supplement. We have listed the most commonly reported side effects below, but they are by no means typical or actually common.
Most people will find Deanol to be extremely safe and very well tolerated. However, if you notice any of these effects, please stop taking the supplement immediately and consult with a qualified medical professional:
- Gastrointestinal distress
- High blood pressure
- Fishy smell or body odor
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Moderate depression
Deanol Review:
Deanol is a nootropic supplement that can boost memory, learning, mood, focus and many additional cognitive processes. It is a well-regarded anti-aging compound and it is noted for promoting better brain cell health.
Many people have experienced positive results while taking Deanol or DMAE supplements and the risk of negative effects is very low. While Deanol might not be the most powerful nootropic out there, it is a solid addition to a nootropic stack that uses other Cholinergics such as Piracetam, Aniracetam or Noopept.
More and more, people are choosing Centrophenoxine over Deanol for faster results, but which one you decide to use is really a matter of personal choice.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment