Give me the straight dope on DMAE - the wonder supplement

[sludgely]

DMAE

DMAE alleviates the behavioral problems and hyperactivity associated with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) [DMAE increases Attention Span, decreases Aggression, improves Learning ability and sometimes increases Intelligence in 70% of ADD patients].

DMAE increases Attention Span [after 6 weeks of DMAE supplementation students were able to concentrate at lectures better and were able to study and concentrate on exams better].

DMAE inhibits and reverses the Cross-Linking of proteins. to order $4.95

DMAE extends the lifespan of mice by 27-49%.

DMAE facilitates the removal of Lipofuscin from Neurons.

DMAE decreases the incidence and severity of Hangovers in people who consume excessive amounts of Alcohol [after 6 weeks of DMAE use subjects reported freedom from the depression or headaches associated with hangovers].

DMAE may improve Athletic Performance (by improving the body’s production of Energy) [anecdotal reports: many athletes report increased subjective feelings of Energy following DMAE supplementation].

DMAE increases the body’s production of Energy and persons using DMAE subjectively report increases in their levels of Energy.

DMAE mildly stimulates the Central Nervous System (CNS).

Most people who use DMAE supplements report that after 3-4 weeks of DMAE use, they notice a continual mild stimulation of their CNS without side effects.

DMAE increases Alertness.

DMAE alleviates Anxiety [subjects administered 1,200 mg of DMAE per day for 5 days exhibited better control of anxious reactivity].

DMAE increases Assertiveness [after 6 weeks of DMAE supplementation subjects reported having a more outspoken personality].

DMAE reduces Apathy and increases Motivation in persons afflicted with Depression.

DMAE improves the Interhemispheric Flow of Information in the Corpus Callosum of the Brain (thereby improving Creativity and Verbal Fluency).

DMAE improves the behavior and Mental Function of children afflicted with Down’s Syndrome.

DMAE exerts favorable effects on those chronic Dyskinesias (including Tardive Dyskinesia) that occur as a result of long periods of use of Major Tranquilizers.

DMAE increases Intelligence (especially in children).

DMAE improves Learning and Memory.

DMAE decreases the accumulation of Lipofuscin within the Brain.

DMAE elevates Mood [after 6 weeks of DMAE supplementation, subjects reported more affable moods].

DMAE reduces the amount of Sleep required by about 1 hour per night [this effect noted after 6 weeks of DMAE use].

DMAE causes Dreams to become more lucid (vivid).

DMAE users experience a sounder Sleep [after 6 weeks subjects reported waking earlier and having a clearer mind upon waking].

DMAE increases daytime motivation and physical Energy in persons afflicted with Insomnia.

DMAE increases Willpower [after 6 weeks of DMAE use, subjects who previously were unable to stop smoking reported success].

DMAE removes Lipofuscin (age spots) from the skin.

DMAE increases Acetylcholine levels within the Brain:

Medical researchers have speculated that the means by which DMAE increases Brain Acetylcholine levels is by inhibiting Choline metabolism in peripheral tissues, thereby allowing free Choline to accumulate and subsequently enter the Brain where it is converted to Acetylcholine.

DMAE increases the content of Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) in the Brain [research - rats].

DMAE is a component of the chemical structure of Centrophenoxine.

DMAE increases the concentration of Choline in the bloodstream because it enhances the rate at which free Choline enters the blood from other tissues:

DMAE increases the levels of Choline in the brain due to DMAE’s superior ability to cross the Blood-Brain Barrier.

DMAE inhibits the metabolism of Choline in peripheral tissues (permitting “free” Choline to enter the Brain and stimulate the production of Acetylcholine) [research - mice].

References

· Pfeiffer, C., et al. Stimulant effect of 2-Dimethyl-l-aminoethanol (DMAE): Possible precursor of brain acetylcholine. Science. 126:610-611, 1957.

· Caille, E. J. Study concerning the bisorcate demanol effects upon quantified EEG, cortical vigilance and mood. Comparative double-blind, cross-over balanced design versus pirisudanol. Psychol. Med. 18:2069-2086, 1986.

· Pieralisi, G., et al. Effects of a standardized ginseng extract combined with dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate (DMAE), vitamins, minerals and trace elements on physical performance during exercise. Clin Ther. 13(3):373-382, 1991.

· Coleman, N., et al. DMAE in the treatment of hyperactive children. Psychosomatics. 17:68-72, 1976.

· Knoble, M. 2-Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) in behavior problems of children. Science Medicine (Buenos Aries). 119:939-944, 1961.

· Lewis, J. A., et al. DMAE and methylpheni date in minimal brain dysfunction. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 17:534-540, 1975.

· Oettinger, L. The use of DMAE in the treatment of disorders of behavior in children. Journal of Pediatrics. 53:671-675, 1958.

· Murphree, H. B., et al. The stimulant effect of 2-diethylaminoethanol (DMAE) in human volunteer subjects. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 1:303-310, 1960.

· Ceder, G., et al. Effects of 2-Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) on the metabolism of choline in plasma. Journal of Neurochemistry. 30:1293-1296, 1978.

· Zs-Nagy, I., et al. On the role of cross-linking of cellular proteins in aging. Mech Aging Dev. 14:245-251, 1980.

· Sergio, W. Use of DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol) in the induction of lucid dreams. Medical Hypotheses. 26:255-257, 1988.

· Hochschild, R. Effect of dimethylaminoethyl (DMAE) p chlorophenoxyacetate on the life span of male swiss webster albino mice. Exp Geront. 6:133, 1971.

· Pfeiffer, C. C. Parasympathetic neurohumors. Possible precursors and effect on behavior. International Review of Neurobiology. 1959:195-244.

· Rosenberg, G. S., et al. The use of cholinergic precursors in neuropsychiatric diseases. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 36:709-720, 1982.

· Lambert, P. A., et al. Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) in the treatment of late dyskinesia induced by neuroleptic drugs. Ann Med Psychol. 136:625-629, 1978.

· Stafford, J. R., et al. Deanol acetamidobenzoate (DMAE) in tardive dyskinesia. Diseases of the Nervous System. 38:3-6, 1977.

http://smart-drugs.net/info-DMAE.htm

Though it seems to increase lifespans in fruit flies and mice, it has been reported to decrease them in aged quail. Also, tested DMAE factory workers seem to have worsened vision, though there is no telling the quantity they have come in contact with.

Does anyone know the deal with the supplement? You know what they say when something seems too good to be true.

[HeidiKay]

This is the best info I can find for DMAE that’s not coming from someone trying to sell it. It seems like it does have -some- benificial effects, but not much has been confirmed. The list of supposed benifits seems to be a large exageration.

[Squink]

That’s quite the list of benefits. I am particularly impressed that "DMAE is a component of the chemical structure of Centrophenoxine, whatever that is.
NIOSH has this to say about DMAE:

EFFECTS OF SHORT-TERM EXPOSURE:
The substance irritates the skin. The vapour of the substance irritates the respiratory tract. Inhalation of the vapour may cause lung oedema (see Notes). The substance is corrosive to the eyes. The effects may be delayed. Medical observation is indicated.

The CDC goes into more detail.
DMAE sounds like a fairly typical example of marketing gone amok. Some labs have done a few studies on the stuff that gave interesting results, and now it’s being hawked as the greatest thing since sliced bread. DMAE is said to increase acetylcholine production in the brain. Is there any reason to believe that this effect differs qualitatively from the acetylcholine enhancing action of some antidepressants? If not, why take DMAE supplements, when you can take FDA vetted medicines that do the same thing?

[Chairman_Pow]

If not, why take DMAE supplements, when you can take FDA vetted medicines that do the same thing?

Price? Availability of subscriptions? Because the average user doesn’t understand that there are other drugs that do the same thing?

[Duckster]

I see no standard disclaimer on the web site. I wonder how long the site will remain as is before the FDA orders it closed down?

[moriah]

What? It doesn’t also make your whites brighter?

[sludgely]

Like a sucker, I ordered some and decided to satisfy my own curiousity while maintaining a healthy skepticism.

Well, here is a cross-post from another forum in which a large DMAE thread was going on. I figured I might as well post my experiences here as well.

I have decided to discontinue all DMAE use. For those who care, I had been taking the bitartrate since Tuesday at 200mg/day in the morning. Yesterday I took 200mg in the morning plus 100mg extra later in the day.

My reasons for discontinuing use are all follows:

-I don’t like what it has done to my sleeping habbits at all. Yeah, I get up easier in the mornings, but I crash HARD at like 9:00 now when I normally go to bed at 1:00.

-I don’t see any improvements in my memory/concentration/alertness aside from the fact that I am more awake in the mornings than I would normally be. I get more tired throughout the rest of the day though than I would off DMAE, and my alertness/whatever goes down from there as well.

-I haven’t dreamed for shit. I had a dream the first night, but it was disjointed and shitty and I couldn’t remember any of it in the morning aside from the fact that I thought I had colon cancer in it.

-Yeah, the chances are remote, but the report about ocular corrosion scares the fuck out of me.