There are few discussions online about Uridine side effects for a good reason – there are no serious negative effects recorded by users.
Uridine is a naturally occurring nucleoside and is one of the key components of RNA, the acid which works with DNA to control the expression of our genes.
Maintaining Uridine levels could be the missing link that prevents decay in neural structures and fosters growth.
The substance occurs naturally in beets, sugar cane, sardines, and brewer’s yeast. However, using it as a stand alone supplement is relatively new, so naturally many questions have come up about the possible side effects of Uridine. Let’s take a look at the potential benefits and downsides of this exciting nootropic remedy.



- Increases dopamine & choline in the brain
- Supports cognition, memory & mood
- Protects the brain & promotes synapse growth
Uridine for Brain Health
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What’s the secret to mental longevity? Plasticity.
Plasticity describes the ability of mental structures to grow, adapt, and change over time.
Whenever we form new memories, reflect upon our experiences, come to new logical conclusions about our experiences, small physical changes occur in our brains. Neurites grow and connections between them form as synapses.
These micro networks are the mechanism for encoding memories, forming associative links and connecting concepts. To give you an idea of how vast and intricate these connections are, the human brain is estimated to have 100 million neurons and 100 trillion synapses.
Uridine, along with a few other key neurochemicals, is responsible for managing that growth, and preserving an environment where growth is possible. The only reason we associate mental decline with old age is because these structures become more rigid over time, and less able to adapt to new stimulus.
If supplements like Uridine are kept in balance, amazing advances in life extension and mind expansion might be just around the corner.
How Uridine Works
Uridine’s main function is the regulation of Phosphatidylcholine (PC) synthesis. Phosphatidylcholine is one of the key neurochemicals relating to memory, cellular structure, and lipolysis.
By prompting greater production of Phosphatidylcholine, Uridine stokes the engine which maintains brain cell health, making repairs and boosting Choline. Uridine has been found to raise dopamine levels in the brain, and converts readily into Citicoline.
From here, Aceylcholine is released, adding to a chain of aminos and acids which foster neuron growth and promote plasticity. Encoding abilities are increased as well, aiding in the storage of new information. The process of information passing between neurons is known as synaptogenesis. The more Uridine is present, the greater the rate of synaptogenesis.
Uridine also participates in Long Term Potentiation, the synergistic long term elevation of signal strength between neurons. This process may be behind the formation of long term memories, and happens with no negative Uridine side effects of note.
Uridine User Benefits
For the user, these mechanisms translate into powerful cognitive benefits which can be consciously felt. Brain fog clears, thoughts move more quickly and coherently, there is a decrease in mental sluggishness and an increase in feelings of confidence, contentedness, and euphoria.
Mood and motivation are enhanced while anxiety and stress become more manageable. Uridine alleviates the symptoms of some nervous disorders such as depression and OCD and may even slow the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Most people who take Uridine and similar nootropics do so for more mild everyday conditions. The general lack of Uridine side effects makes it an effective treatment for occasional mood swings, some PMS symptoms, and help focusing for particular activities, like exams. Long term memory is enhanced overall, perhaps permanently. All of these benefits can be increased by stacking Uridine with other cholinergics, such as Alpha GPC.
Known Uridine Side Effects
Due to Uridine’s natural role in RNA, most human bodies are well equipped to handle its presence and as a result Uridine side effects are for the most part a non-issue.
Some very minor imbalances, such as light headaches or stomach aches, are possible based upon individual sensitivity, as with any vitamin or supplement. However, these conditions appear to be temporary and infrequent, if they happen at all.
The only significant chemical side effect of Uridine could be a depletion of B vitamin levels in the body. While the B vitamins are generally known popularly as mood balancers, behind the scenes they are also responsible for cellular health, so it’s important to make sure you get enough of them, particularly B-12, while taking Uridine.
Stacking Uridine With Other Nootropics
There are several popular nootropic stacks involving Uridine which boost the efficacy of each individual component without adding any additional side effects. The best combinations involve some form of choline, such as CDP Choline or Alpha GPC.
Uridine potentiates the choline from these sources producing Acetylcholine in the brain. These “choline cocktails” are recipes for dramatically enhanced neuroplasticity, and can be taken daily.
Best Dosage to Avoid Uridine Side Effects
As discussed, Uridine side effects are generally light. However, you can avoid any chance of physical discomfort by calculating the proper dose for your body. For most people, the average effective Uridine dose is 1 gram. While most people feel notable effects at that dose, you can decrease to 500 mg or increase to 2 grams and still be well within safe dosage range suggestions.
Overall, Uridine’s cognitive benefits – including boosting plasticity enhancing memory, raising mood, and producing sharp clear thoughts – far outweigh any side effects.
- Wurtman RJ, Cansev M, Sakamoto T, Ulus IH. Administration of docosahexaenoic acid, uridine and choline increases levels of synaptic membranes and dendritic spines in rodent brain. World Rev Nutr Diet. 2009
- Wurtman RJ, Cansev M, Sakamoto T, Ulus I. Nutritional modifiers of aging brain function: use of uridine and other phosphatide precursors to increase formation of brain synapses. Nutr Rev. 2010
- Martiniova L, Field MS, Finkelstein JL, Perry CA, Stover PJ. Maternal dietary uridine causes, and deoxyuridine prevents, neural tube closure defects in a mouse model of folate-responsive neural tube defects. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015
- Ulus IH, Watkins CJ, Cansev M, Wurtman RJ. Cytidine and uridine increase striatal CDP-choline levels without decreasing acetylcholine synthesis or release. Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2006
Article last updated on: March 20th, 2018 by Nootriment