Idebenone Side Effects, Contraindications, Interactions and Dangers

Descriptions of Idebenone side effects are rare online.

A naturally occurring compound in the quinone family and a close relative to coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), Idebenone has largely been used as a treatment for serious nerve disorders like mitochondrial encephalomyopathies and neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s Disease.

For a time, the hit-or-miss success of these treatments led Idebenone to remain relatively obscure. New applications of Idebenone as a cognitive-boosting nootropic have brought renewed attention to the supplement.

Let’s take a look at what is known about the side effects of Idebenone vs the nootropic benefits for mind and body that are starting to stack up.

Idebenone

Anti-Aging Supplement

Energy

Anti-Aging

Brain Function

How It Works:

• Potent anti-oxidant for anti-aging benefits
• Supports ATP production & enegry levels
• Promotes cognitive function & memory

Dosage:

Between 90 - 120 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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A Natural Anti-Oxidant

Very similar in structure and benefits to the well-known natural supplement Coenzyme Q10, Idebenone differs in one key way which makes it even more powerful.

As a short chain compound, it is bioavailable and able to cross the blood brain barrier, unlike CoQ10.

For these reason, its effects are faster, more intense, and more effective than those of CoQ10, which is substantially degraded during the digestion process.

These benefits are chiefly derived from Idebenone’s ability to eradicate free radicals, oxygen-damaged molecules which wreak havoc in cells and can eventually cause cancers and other serious diseases.

This anti-oxidant “scavenger” function is a natural, enzyme-based defense mechanism that comes with no Idebenone side effects.

Cognitive Benefits of Idebenone

Idebenone plays several roles in brain chemistry which create nootropic boosts in cognition. First, it facilitates thetransfer of choline and acetylecholine. These natural compounds have a broad range of mental benefits, derived from the healthy, thriving growth of neural structures like neurons and the synaptic connections between them.

The easier it is to form these connections, the more able the brain is to form and access memories, make logical links between experiences, and create an archive of facts which can then be employed as verbal and logical reasoning.

Idebenone also is known to stimulate NGF (nerve growth factor), a protein neurotrophin which protects against disease in the brain and encourages the growth and repair of nerve tissue. Stress and anxiety can actually reduce the amount of NGF which is secreted, leading to serious cognitive disorders in the long run. Idebenone keeps NGF levels balanced.

Idebenone’s tendency to repair and enhance the structures behind basic cognitive function are what originally inspired the medical community to consider it an Alzheimer’s therapy. Idebenone was developed in the late 1990s to this end, with uneven results.

While it was able to lessen the impact of many classic Alzheimer’s symptoms, it was not able to prevent the disease outright, or cure it once it began. However, these same benefits, when applied to healthy minds, can be dramatic.

Are There Idebenone Side Effects?

For the vast majority of users, Idebenone side effects are rare. The supplement works with natural cell defense and neural repair systems, and is not known to generate any significant side effects or health risks. As with all supplements or vitamins, some people might have individual sensitivities which will cause stomach upset or headaches upon trying a new therapy.

Until you are sure of its effects, start slowly with any new supplement. For some people, the mental clarity and feeling of focus can be so pronounced that it interferes with sleep if Idebenone is taken too close to bedtime. This is not a very common side effect but it is possible, so be sure to take doses earlier in the day until you are sure of your reaction.

When Idebenone is used topically as a cream, it is possible that some light skin irritation, redness, or swelling may occur. However, most nootropic benefits of the supplement are achieved by ingesting it orally, so skin tolerance is generally not an issue in the context of cognitive enhancement with Idebenone.

Some doctors have expressed concern that Idebenone can lower blood pressure in some cases, leading to problems for people who have already been diagnosed with low blood pressure or heart issues. If you are unsure about how Idebenone will interact with your current medical condition, check with your doctor before taking any new supplements.

Best Dose to Avoid Idebenone Side Effects

Idebenone is non-toxic with a broad range of effective doses. Positive user effects have been reported at doses as low as 100 mg per day, while the median dose is 500 mg per day. Taking much more than that won’t typically cause intensified benefits. The maximum recommended dose per day is 1000 mg.

However, to boost the nootropic effects more efficiently, it is better to stack Idebenone with other nootropic supplements, such as cholinergics or racetams. The synergistic pairings will not produce any additional Idebenone side effects, but will magnify the mental clarity these other supplement categories already provide, while adding significant anti-oxidant action into the mix.

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