DMAE supplement pill and cream benefit and side effects - research studies, latest information
Used as brain enhancer and stimulant
October 19 2016 by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

DMAE is known chemically as dimethyl-amino-ethanol. It has been known in Europe by the product name Deanol for several decades. It has two methyl groups and is chemically similar to choline. This supplement has been popular for many years in those interested in improving mental alertness and clarity of thinking. In recent years this nutrient has been promoted for skin health and DMAE cream products are now available without a prescription. It is not a vitamin since it can be made by the body, a vitamin is a substance that the body cannot make by itself and needs to obtain through food.
   I like this supplement for occasional use if I want to feel mentally alert and focused. However, if I take more than one capsule it makes me edgy and tense, and I feel muscle spasms in my upper shoulders and neck. I prefer using a combination formula that has several nutrients in small amounts rather than a high dose of one nutrient. This supplement has been touted as an anti-aging nutrient but I have not seen any studies to confirm this claim. I like the effects from these pills, although I prefer using acetyl l carnitine or a combination formula called Mind Power Rx.

 Source Naturals, DMAE, 351 mg, 200 Tablets
DMAE supplement bitartrate 351 mg per pill, provides 130 mg of actual DMAE

 

 

Buy DMAE and/or Mind Power Rx brain enhancer

Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 1 Tablet
  Amount Per Serving % Daily Value
DMAE (from 351 mg DMAE bitartrate) 130 mg †
† Daily Value not established.

Suggested use: Take half or one DMAE capsule in the morning before or with breakfast a few times a week, not every day. If you wish to take half, just pull on each side of the capsule and pour half in water or juice. For better absorption, a lower amount a few minutes before breakfast or lunch should work well. You may need a higher dose if taken with food. If a particular DMAE supplement you are using is potent, then taking it with food would slow the absorption and reduce the risk for side effects.

Buy DMAE supplement for cognitive improvement, Mind Power Rx for more alertness and focus, Eyesight Rx for better close and distance vision, additional brain supplements such as acetyl l-carnitine

Mind Power Rx brain boosting formula combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support healthy:

Memory and Mood
Mental clarity
Concentration 
Alertness and Focus

Why purchase all the individual herbs and nutrients separately -- at great expense -- when you can buy this excellent combination? The herbs and nutrients in Mind Power Rx include bacopa monnieri, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba, Ginseng, Gotu kola, Reishi, and Rhodiola. The nutrients and vitamins in this natural mind enhancing product include Acetyl l-Carnitine, carnitine, carnosine, choline, Inositol, vitamin B12, pantothenic acid, trimethylglycine, tyrosine, and vinpocetine.

Research for Alzheimer's, memory loss, age related mental decline
Studies with DMAE go back to the 1950s. One double blind, placebo-controlled trial performed in twenty-seven patients with severe Alzheimer's disease did not show significant benefits (Fisman 1981). Another study on twenty-one patients with memory deficits was also discouraging since no improvement was found in memory (Caffarra 1980). However, it was found helpful in patients with age related mental decline. DMAE was given for four weeks to fourteen older patients (Ferris 1977). Ten patients improved and four were unchanged. The patients on the supplement had reduced depression, less anxiety, and increased motivation, but they had no improvement in memory. The researchers say, "the results thus suggest that although DMAE may not improve memory, it may produce positive behavioral changes in some senile patients." Dementia is a term that is now substituted for senility and is sometimes used to denote a severe case of age related cognitive decline.

Anti-aging, longevity, lifespan increase
DMAE has been touted as an anti-aging nutrient but there have not been any human studies evaluating the claim that this substance slows aging.

If you give aging, but not too old, healthy lab mice a little DMAE every day, they live 50 percent longer than lab mice that are not given DMAE. A study published in 1973 in Experimental Gerontology shows this. Richard Hochschild experimented added DMAE to the drinking water of male J/A mice. These mice, for lab mice at least, live to be quite old. At the start of Hochschild’s study the animals were all older than 600 days. Hochschild used the acetamidobenzoate salt of DMAE. In terms of pure DMAE the human equivalent of the dose the mice were given would be 7 mg DMAE per kg bodyweight per day. Exp Gerontol. 1973 August.

DMAE positive effects - benefit and enhancement of mood and alertness
Most people notice being more alert and focused within a couple of hours. The benefit of alertness and focus can last most of the day. A few report a higher sense of wellbeing. DMAE is recommended to be taken in the early part of the day. I also like the mind boosting effect of Acetyl l-carnitine, but my favorite is a combination of several nutrients and herbs found in Mind Power Rx.

There are dozens of herbs and nutrients available in health food stores that influence mental function. One that has been popular for many years is DMAE, which stands for dimethyl-amino-ethanol. A recent German study evaluated the brain's electrical reaction during presentation of videoclips of 7 minute duration in 80 subjects with borderline emotional disturbance. The researchers recorded the different emotional states by having the subjects watch these film excerpts. Half of the subjects were then started on a daily dose and the testing was repeated after 6 and 12 weeks. The testing included showing the videoclips, filling out mood questionnaires, and also evaluating the brain's electrical reaction through EEGs (electrodes placed on the scalp that measure brain activity) . The results showed that those who took the DMAE daily had a decrease in theta and alpha1 brain electrical activity indicating that they were more alert. Furthermore, the questionnaires revealed that those on DMAE had a better mood. The researchers conclude, "DMAE can be interpreted to induce a psychophysiological state of better feeling of wellbeing on both levels of analysis mood and electrical pattern of brain activity in subjects suffering from borderline emotional disturbance."
     Dr Sahelian says: Most people notice being more alert and focused within a couple of hours after taking a pill. This dietary supplement is available in dosages ranging from 100 to 400 mg. It is best to start with a low dose, such as 50 to 150 mg of actual DMAE since high doses can cause anxiety, restlessness, and muscle tenseness in the neck and shoulders. When taken late in the day it may cause insomnia.

Efficacy of dimethylaminoethanol containing vitamin-mineral drug combination on EEG patterns in the presence of different emotional states.
Eur J Med Res. 2003.
The psychophysiological model of provoking different emotional states by watching film excerpts with various emotional contents was used to characterize drug action in 80 subjects. Analyzing the brain's electrical reaction during presentation of 5 videoclips of 7 min duration followed by 3 minutes pause revealed a content specific representation of topographical frequency changes. This procedure was repeated after 6 and 12 weeks of daily intake of a vitamin-mineral drug combination containing dimethylaminoethanol or placebo. Subjects taking DMAE supplement for 3 months developed significant less theta and alpha1 power in sensomotoric areas of the cortex. Since decreases in theta and alpha1 electrical power have been associated with increased vigilance and attention, subjects taking DMAE combination obviously were more active and felt better. Therefore the vitamin-mineral combination containing DMAE can be interpreted to induce a psychophysiological state of better feeling of wellbeing on both levels of analysis mood and electrical pattern of brain activity in subjects suffering from borderline emotional disturbance.

Side effects, safety, caution, risk, danger, what effect you many notice on high doses
 DMAE is available in varying dosages. It is best to start with a low dose, such as 50 to 150 mg of actual DMAE to avoid side effects. High doses can cause anxiety, restlessness, and muscle tenseness or stiffness in the neck, jaw, and shoulders. When taken late in the day it may cause insomnia or shallow sleep. Other adverse effects on high dosages include irritability, headache, and overstimulation. We have not seen any studies regarding it influence on blood pressure, but it is possible very high does could raise BP.

I get muscle tenseness in the neck when I take 2 tablets. Is this common?
   I'm not sure why high doses cause this problem in the neck. But in my experience, low doses don't cause the neck muscle tenseness.

I've had a chronic problem with stiff neck and DMAE bitartrate made it worse.

Does it cause seizures?
   I have not seen any specific human studies regarding its effect on epilepsy or seizure occurrence.

Q. I am the Behavioral Sleep Specialist and recently learned about DMAE. Most websites have information about how it supports cognitive function. However, DMAE increases acetylcholine levels and I read that can make people drowsy. Therefore, I am interested in its possible use to help people sleep. However, I also read that use of DMAE can be stimulating. I’ve Googled and am confused by these two opposite perspectives. I would be deeply appreciative if you could reply with your knowledge and possibly some references.
   A. In my experience high doses of DMAE, even if taken in the morning, can cause too much alertness leading to insomnia or difficulties with sleep.

Product availability over the counter
This mind enhancer is usually sold as DMAE bitartrate. A 350 mg pill of DMAE bitartrate yields 130 mg of actual DMAE. It is also available as liquid. One product contains 35 mg per drop. Most users notice an effect from 50 to 150 mg of actual DMAE or 150 to 350 mg of the bitartrate.

Is liquid better that a oral supplement form?
   DMAE in a capsule form is quite well absorbed, I don't see the need for liquid ingestion although some people may prefer this form.

What is DMAE serum?
    I don't know what a company means by DMAE serum, perhaps they mean liquid? I think of the word serum having to do with blood.

Dr. Sahelian' s experience with this nutrient
Within two hours of taking 130 mg of actual DMAE, I notice a definite increase in alertness and slight mood and visual enhancement. I also get more motivated to work on projects and seem to work more efficiently. On higher amounts I have experienced neck stiffness and anxiety. I also like Acetyl-carnitine as a mind booster and Mind Power Rx, a combination formula.

Summary and review
 DMAE can be helpful in the elderly who have cognitive decline. This nutrient can also be taken by an adult of any age who needs to be more focused and alert.

I have seen spellings as dimethylaminoethanol and dimethylamine. Which is right?
   Dimethylaminoethanol is the correct spelling.

Testimonial
I gave my 12 year old daughter 50 mg of DMAE supplement each morning before school and it helped her grades tremendously, raising them from Bs to As, she dropped back to Bs when off the DMAE. I find this nutrient helps me stay focused and improves my short term memory and word recall.

Inquiries
What is your opinion on Dmae as a stress handling supplement. My thyroid has never been an issue. But fight or flight responses are so hard to deal with. I need help in finding out if dmae or rhodolia is safe for me to take. I take zero anything. I just picked up a B vitamin supplement to help handle stress. I have no clue if I'm hyper or hypo regarding the thyroid.
   This brain supplement can cause anxiety in high doses, I do not think it is the best choice for stress reduction, but it is difficult to predict in any one person.