Dimethylaminoethanol (abbreviated as DMAE) is an organic, amino acid compound that is produced in the human brain. It has become a popular nutritional supplement both in the bodybuilding community and in the world of brain hacking and nootropics.
In Europe, it was previously marketed as a prescription drug called Deanol or Deaner which is used to treat Alzheimer’s and other memory deficits.
Dimethylaminoethanol is also used in skin creams and anti-aging treatments as well as having several industrial uses.
It is found in a number of food sources, especially salmon, anchovies, and sardines.
DMAE is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetycholine and is purported to have similar nootropic benefits to the use of a choline supplement.



- Found to enhance mental concentration
- Supports memory by boosting acetylcholine
- Neuroprotective with anti-aging effects
What Does DMAE Do?
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Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate is sold as a brain supplement that can support your memory and intelligence.
It is a building block for Choline – a nutrient that is a precursor to one of the key neurotransmitters in the brain.
As a source of Choline, DMAE is believed to increase levels of acetylcholine which is critical for memory, learning, rational thinking and data processing.
DMAE is viewed as superior to standard Choline supplements because it has greater bioavailability and more of the active ingredient is able to reach your brain.
Some studies have demonstrated that Dimethylaminoethanol can positively impact brain health as well as neural functioning.
However, in recent years there have been conflicting articles published which raise questions about the effectiveness of this nootropic.
For clinical purposes, it is now more common to use Centrophenoxine which is a modified version of DMAE that displays greater activity in the brain.
Dimethylaminoethanol & Brain Function:
DMAE can be converted into Choline which can then be used to make the brain chemical Acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is used to send signals within the brain as well as throughout the body.
Increasing levels of acetylcholine can lead to better memory encoding and retention as well as heightened synaptic plasticity and memory capacity. You may also notice an extended attention span, and improved focus and concentration.
This supplement also increases the brain’s blood flow. Dimethylaminoethanol improves oxygen and glucose uptake in the brain which increases energy metabolism meaning there is more energy to fuel cognitive activities.
Using Dimethylaminoethanol supplements may also be helpful in the treatment of several clinical conditions. It has demonstrated the ability to alleviate ADHD and symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
There are many users who say it reduces stress, anxiety, and depressive feelings while generally uplifting their mood.
Dimethylaminoethanol & Body Building:
Another common use for Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate is in pre-workout formulations for weight lifters and bodybuilders.
Athletes say that this supplement helps them get focused for their workouts and gives them improved mental tolerance and stamina.
One study found that taking DMAE capsules in combination with ginseng, vitamins, minerals, and other trace elements produces better athletic performance during exercise. It resulted in better heart rate, oxygen consumption, and even blood lactate production.
Dimethylaminoethanol & Your Skin:
DMAE has also been shown to help firm the skin when used in topical rubs or creams. One theory is that it helps to stabilize the cell membranes of epithelial (i.e. skin) cells.
This is plausible since it is known that combining DMAE with phospholipids produces phosphatidyl-dimethylaminoethanol which can then be incorporated into skin cell membranes. (In this respect your skin cells are remarkably similar to brain cells.)
Another hypothesis is that it reduces the accumulation of lipofuscin deposits inside skin cells. These are also known as age spots or liver spots, but they are really an accumulation of fatty acid waste that ultimately contributes to the aging process and the loss of cellular function.
DMAE is observed to promote the removal of lipofuscin deposits in both your brain and within skin cells.
Dimethylaminoethanol Dosing:
Most of the existing studies on DMAE Bitartrate or Deanol supplements use a dose range of between 300 and 1,200 mg per day. This amount can be taken all at once, but it seems to be more effective if broken into at least two daily administrations.
You can also stack DMAE with Piracetam to make the effects stronger. The best course of action is to start by determining your lowest effective dose. Do not increase this dosage until you have become familiar with all the effects.
Some DMAE side effects have been reported in the academic literature. These include constipation, itchiness, drowsiness, insomnia, confusion, and on rare occasions increased blood pressure.
Do not use DMAE if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. This supplement is believed to cause teratogenic effects and may lead to birth defects in developing infants if consumed orally in the days following impregnation.
If you decide to try Dimethylaminoethanol, allow yourself at least two weeks before deciding whether it is working for you. If you find that it is not giving you the results you want, consider switching to Centrophenoxine which is a stronger derivative of DMAE that is becoming more popular in the supplement community.
- Finney JW, Christophersen ER, Ziegler DK. Deanol and Tourette syndrome. Lancet. 1981
- Branyon DW, McDanal CE Jr. Deanol treatment of tics in a 10-year-old girl. Am J Psychiatry. 1983
- Laborit H, Weber B, Baron C, Delbarre B, Pavlovichova H. [2-Dimethylaminoethyl-4-methyl-5-ethyl-3-pyridazone (DMAE MEP or Ag 148) cardiovascular analeptic, vasodilator and hypertensive agent]. Agressologie. 1965
- de Montigny C, Chouinard G, Annable L. Ineffectiveness of deanol in tardive dyskinesia: a placebo controlled study. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 1979
- KLEINSORGE H, RUHE R. [Studies on the effectiveness of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) with and without vitamin supplement in the treatment of geriatric diseases]. Med Welt. 1961
- LABRIOLA RS. [50 CHILD BEHAVIOR DISORDERS TREATED WITH 2-DIMETHYLAMINOETHANOL]. Dia Med. 1964
- PFEIFFER CC, GOLDSTEIN L, MUNOZ C, MURPHREE HB, JENNEY EH. Quantitative comparisons of the electroencephalographic stimulant effects of deanol, choline, and amphetamine. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1963
- Jope RS, Jenden DJ. Dimethylaminoethanol (deanol) metabolism in rat brain and its effect on acetylcholine synthesis. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1979
- PEPEU G, FREEDMAN DX, GIARMAN NJ. Biochemical and pharmacological studies of dimethylaminoethanol (deanol). J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 1960
Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment