There are a lot of different brain supplements being marketed today, but one of the products with the longest history of research is DMAE Bitartrate. This “nootropic” compound can seriously improve your brainpower and it is very safe and unlikely to cause any unpleasant side effects.
DMAE Bitartrate is particularly beneficial for your memory function, but it can also increase mental adaptability, concentration, brain cell health and give you better analytical processing skills.
While DMAE might not be the strongest cognitive enhancer out there, some people will use Centrophenoxine in its place which is basically an upgraded version of the original. What should you know about DMAE Bitartrate before you use it and what are its reported benefits and effects from research studies?



- Found to enhance mental concentration
- Supports memory by boosting acetylcholine
- Neuroprotective with anti-aging effects
What Is DMAE?
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Dimethyl-aminoethanol, DMAE Bitartrate, is a synthetic supplement which comes in either powder, pill or liquid form. It is available for purchase over the counter since it is also considered to be very safe and generally well-tolerated for human consumption.
This compound is produced in the human brain which is why you will sometimes see it labelled as biosynthetic. However, the amount which is actually produced by the brain is quite small, so it is important to obtain more through our diets or supplementation.
DMAE is found in some food sources, like anchovies, salmon, and sardines. Part of the reason why researchers consider these items to be excellent brain foods is because of the presence of DMAE.
Studies have shown that this chemical is a critical building block for the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine. This has a number of incredible benefits for brain functioning and overall cognition.
Another option is to use Centrophenoxine which is essentially a more powerful version of DMAE. Many people interested in slowing down signs of aging on their brain will use Centrophenoxine because it has highly effective neuroprotectant properties.
DMAE Bitartrate & Brain Function:
In order to understand DMAE and how it works to boost brain function, it is also important to understand the role of Choline and Acetylcholine.
Choline itself is considered to be a member of the B vitamin family and helps to protect the liver from accumulating fat. In addition to this, it acts as a precursor to the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine which is intimately connected with most of our intellectual processes.
Acetylcholine is one of the most critical neurotransmitters for memory storage and retention. It is also implicated in neuroplasticity which looks at how adaptable the connections between your neurons are.
As such, Choline and DMAE Bitartrate are very important for the functioning of the brain. They contribute to the integrity of cell membranes and the healthy functioning of a number of neural activities.
Learning capacity is particularly reliant on sufficient amounts of choline and DMAE in the brain. When you are low on these compounds, you may experience “brain fog” which is characterized by a lack of clarity in your thoughts and a sensation of pressure on your forehead.
Using DMAE Bitartrate and choline supplements also enhances oxygen uptake in the brain which further supports healthy brain functioning.
Benefits Of DMAE Bitartrate:
DMAE, through its ability to help increase levels of Choline and Acetylcholine within the mind, has a number of benefits.
For example, it is known to boost reasoning power, increase creative thought and access to memories, and possibly even improve the speed of memory recall.
Many users have also noted a greater ability to focus and concentrate with an expanded attention span when using DMAE Bitartrate. This effect is even more pronounced with Centrophenoxine which is more concentrated and provides even more Choline to the brain.
DMAE Bitartrate may be useful in the treatment of certain clinical conditions. This includes acting as a treatment for ADD/ADHD and potentially even Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
It may even help to reduce or relieve symptoms of depression. There is evidence to suggest DMAE can be useful in fighting against Huntington’s Chorea, autism symptoms, and more.
Another unrelated benefits is that the production of arachidonic acid is slowed, helping to reduce wrinkles and signs of skin aging.
A 1988 study was conducted by the Institute for Child Behavior in San Diego. This was conducted on autistic children, many of which who had received DMAE. Parents reported by a 2-to-1 ratio that this supplement did help their children to show some improvements.
A 1977 study was conducted on outpatients suffering from dementia. DMAE was given to 14 patients at 600 mg three times a day for a period of one month.
There were no side effects reported and 10 of the subjects did report improvements such as lowered anxiety, irritability, and depression.
DMAE & Choline:
Many researchers consider DMAE to be a replacement for naturally occurring Choline.
Although the exact method of action is still not fully understood, this supplement is considered to be a natural Cholinergic due to the ability to increase the levels of Choline within the brain.
Since Choline is also a natural precursor to the neurotransmitter Acetylcholine, DMAE is very valuable in its role as a Nootropic supplement.
DMAE can actually raise Acetylcholine levels more than Choline Bitartrate by itself because it has better ability to cross over into your brain.
For added benefits, you can stack DMAE with Piracetam supplements which synergize across the cholinergic pathways.
DMAE Bitartrate Side Effects
Side effects of DMAE are quite rare and usually mild. These may include some fishy body odor, confusion, drowsiness, gastrointestinal distress, high blood pressure, irritability, and moderate depression.
Generally, these are only seen when doses much higher than normal are taken. Speak to your doctor before using DMAE bitartrate powder to determine whether this supplement is appropriate for you.
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Article last updated on: March 13th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
It is written:
“DMAE, through its ability to help increase levels of Choline and Acetylcholine within the mind, has a number of benefits.”
Isn’t it better to say DMAE increases levels… within the BRAIN, rather than within the MIND? Mind is a very slippery concept. Slipperier than a brain, no?