N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Review for Testosterone Boosting & More

N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid (NMDA) is a derivative of the non-essential amino acid aspartate. As a dietary supplement, it is sometimes used to increase testosterone levels. However, there is very limited research into this use.

We do know that NMDA receptors in the brain are involved in regulating testosterone secretions and supplements that stimulate these receptors have been shown to increase testosterone levels in men with low levels.

However, in one research study that examined the effects of N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid on heavy resistance training and testosterone, there was no effect reported. According to the study, there was also no effect on estrogen, cortisol or prolactin levels.

Instead of using N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid supplements, bodybuilders take D-Aspartic Acid (DAA), which has been shown to increase testosterone levels. This may support male fertility and sexual performance, but more research is needed to determine its effects on exercise performance and lean muscle.

D-Aspartic Acid

Amino Acid

Testo -sterone

Libido

Athletics

How It Works:

• Shown to increase testosterone production
• Supports athletic performance, fat loss & strength
• Boosts sexual health & libido

Dosage:

Between 4 - 8 g per day

Safety:

Generally Well Tolerated

Top D-Aspartic Acid Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid (NMDA)

N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid is a selective agonist at NMDA receptor sites in the brain. It mimics the effects of glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the Central Nervous System.

When N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid comes into contact with NMDA receptors, it activates them in the same way that glutamate does. These receptors play a role in a number of different cognitive and physiological functions.

Glutamate and NMDA receptors are involved in the underlying processes that control neuroplasticity, memory and learning. They are also responsible for the generation of rhythmic patterns for locomotion and breathing.

N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid is not found naturally in biological tissues. It is a potent excitotoxin, meaning it over-stimulates nerve cells and can cause necrosis (premature cell death).

It is being researched in “lesion studies”, a branch of behavioral neuroscience. Scientists administer NMDA to very specific areas of the brains and central nervous systems of animal test subjects to induce localized cellular necrosis.

This is done in attempts to destroy targeted areas of tissue which may be responsible for inducing various undesirable traits and behaviors; like hostility, aggression and/or depression for instance.

Effects N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid

There has been little interest in supplementing with N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid until recently. It has not been well researched and only one supplement company has marketed it as a dietary supplement.

This product is promoted as a way to increase testosterone levels in men. It has been well-established that NMDA receptors do play a role in regulating testosterone secretion. However, studies have shown that administering NMDA as a dietary supplement is ineffective for this use.

In one study published in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, researchers looked at the effects of NMDA over four weeks. Twenty trained men were given a placebo or 1.78 g of NMDA per day for 28 days and then engaged in resistance training.

The participants were assessed before and after the training program for their body composition, muscle strength, cortisol, testosterone, prolactin and gonadal hormone levels.

Both groups saw a significant increase in total body mass and fat free mass, however, the group given N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid did not fare any better than the group given the placebo.

There was no effect on the hormones associated with the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. The increased muscle mass was not associated with an increase in testosterone levels.

D-Aspartic Acid and Testosterone

Unlike NMDA, research shows that the dietary supplement D-Aspartic Acid can have a modest impact on testosterone levels. D-Aspartic Acid has been shown to boost testosterone levels in men with low levels as well as in athletes.

In research studies, it has increased testosterone levels by up to 42% compared to baseline levels. This result was reported within 12 days of taking three grams of DAA per day. Three days after using this supplement, levels were still elevated by 22% compared to the baseline.

DAA works by signalling the release of more gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). This subsequently causes an increased secretion of prolactin release factors (PRF) and growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH).

All three of these hormones stimulate increased release of both luteinizing hormone (LH) and human growth hormone (hGH). LH then stimulates increased production of testosterone within the testes, naturally raising endogenous levels.

DAA is considered to be effective as a short-term testosterone booster and is usually taken on a two-week to one-month cycle. There is insufficient research available to determine whether it is safe for long-term use.

N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Receptors

While NMDA is not considered effective for increasing testosterone levels, NMDA receptors do have a number of important functions in the brain. Research has focused on the link between hyper-stimulation of these receptors and certain neurological conditions.

Hypo-functioning and/or hyper-stimulation of NMDARs can lead to the development of various diseases and conditions including stroke, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, alcoholism, ischemia, head trauma, epilepsy, neuropathic pain, hypoxia, mood disorders and more.

NMDARs are therapeutic targets for a number of pharmaceutical agents. Drugs that are being used to affect NMDARs have a risk of side effects including memory loss, catatonia, hallucinations, ataxia and/or nightmares.

N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Blockers

There is a class of drugs that solely targets the action and functioning of N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid: NMDA Blockers.

One of the best known of these drugs is Namenda (memantine); a FDA-approved pharmaceutical agent commonly prescribed for treating moderate-to-severe cases of Alzheimer’s disease.

Therapy with these types of drugs has been found effective at quickly restoring some degree of motor skills coordination; making it easier for patients to perform typical life activities like grooming, eating and dressing themselves. The psychological effects of having these motor-based possibilities restored is significant.

NMDA blockers inhibit the overstimulation of NMDARs via glutamate. When glutamate causes hyper-stimulation of NMDARs, nerve cell function is inhibiting and eventually the nerve cell dies off.

NMDA blockers are also possibly beneficial for treating various other neurological disorders including vascular dementia, Huntington’s disease and AIDS-related dementia.

Effects of Activating NMDA Receptors

Increasing activity at NMDA receptor sites has been shown to increase the amount of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. In this deep phase of sleep, memory consolidation occurs as well as other important maintenance functions in the body.

When NMDARs become activated, it stimulates the secretion of Pregnenolone (P5); a steroid hormone that is a precursor to mineralocorticoids, estrogens, androgens, glucocorticoids, neuroactive steroids and progesterones. Increased levels of these hormones can improve mental energy levels, mood and more.

NMDAR activation also promotes the synthesis and utilization of anabolic hormones via the endocrine system. Increasing NMDA activity may affect levels of testosterone, hGH (human growth hormone), LH (luteinizing hormone, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone), prolactin and other androgenic hormones.

NMDA receptors may also be involved in regulation visceral pains and peripheral sensation. Therapeutically targeting the NR2B NMDA receptor subtype is thought to be useful for the treatment of chronic neuropathic pain.

Rate This Article

(6 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5, rated)