Deanol
Also known as: Deanol, DMAE, dimethylaminoethanol, dimethylaminoethanol bitartrate, 2-dimethylaminoethanol
Overview
Deanol, chemically known as 2-dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), is a small molecule structurally related to choline. It is found naturally in small amounts in certain fish like anchovies and sardines. As a dietary supplement, Deanol is primarily used for its purported cognitive enhancing and neuroprotective properties. It is proposed to act as a choline precursor, potentially increasing acetylcholine synthesis in the brain, a neurotransmitter crucial for memory and attention. Additionally, Deanol exhibits antioxidant properties, scavenging free radicals and reducing lipid peroxidation in preclinical studies. While it has been explored for conditions such as ADHD, Alzheimer's disease, and tardive dyskinesia, the quality of evidence for its efficacy in humans is mixed, with many clinical trials showing inconsistent or negative results. Its research maturity level is moderate, with a need for more high-quality systematic reviews and meta-analyses to confirm its benefits.
Benefits
Deanol's purported benefits are largely based on preclinical studies, with limited and often inconsistent evidence from human clinical trials. **Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Effects:** A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found no significant efficacy of DMAE in treating tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder. Evidence for its use in ADHD and Alzheimer's disease is insufficient or negative. Clinical effect sizes are generally small or non-significant, and meta-analyses do not support meaningful clinical benefit in movement disorders. **Antioxidant Activity:** In vitro studies demonstrate DMAE's capacity to scavenge free radicals and reduce lipid peroxidation, suggesting potential neuroprotective effects. This indicates a biological activity, but its translation to clinical benefit in humans is not established. **Hepatoprotective Effects:** Animal studies have shown that DMAE can protect against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity, possibly by enhancing the excretion of toxic metabolites. While promising in animal models, these findings require human validation. **Choline Precursor:** Some evidence suggests DMAE may moderately increase serum choline levels in animal models after administration, supporting its proposed role as a choline precursor. However, this does not consistently translate to improved cognitive function in humans. Overall, while Deanol exhibits some biological activities in preclinical settings, robust clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for cognitive enhancement, neurological disorders, or other health benefits in humans is largely lacking or negative.
How it works
Deanol (DMAE) is primarily proposed to function as a choline precursor, meaning it can be converted into choline within the body. This conversion is thought to potentially increase the synthesis of acetylcholine in the brain, a vital neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning, and attention. Beyond its role in acetylcholine synthesis, DMAE also influences phosphatidylcholine metabolism in the liver. Furthermore, it exhibits antioxidant activity by directly scavenging free radicals and reducing lipid peroxidation, thereby protecting cells from oxidative damage. These mechanisms suggest an influence on brain cholinergic neurotransmission and cellular protection, though the extent to which these mechanisms translate to significant clinical effects in humans remains a subject of ongoing research.
Side effects
Deanol is considered possibly safe when taken orally at doses up to 2 grams daily for short durations (up to 4 weeks) or 500 mg daily for up to 3 months. However, it can cause a range of side effects. **Common side effects (occurring in >5% of users) include:** stomach cramps, stomach pain, diarrhea, drowsiness, and nausea or vomiting. **Uncommon side effects (occurring in 1-5% of users) include:** headache, insomnia, vivid dreams, confusion, depression, increased blood pressure, and agitation. **Rare side effects (occurring in <1% of users) are more severe and include:** exacerbation of schizophrenia symptoms and worsening of tonic-clonic seizures. **Drug Interactions:** Deanol has the potential to worsen symptoms in individuals with psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and depression. Therefore, caution is strongly advised for these populations. **Contraindications:** Deanol should be avoided by individuals with tonic-clonic seizure disorders and potentially by those with other psychiatric conditions due to the risk of symptom exacerbation. **Special Population Considerations:** There is insufficient safety data regarding Deanol use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Due to this lack of information, avoidance is recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding individuals to ensure safety.
Dosage
The optimal dosage for Deanol is not clearly established due to inconsistent efficacy in clinical trials. However, clinical studies have typically used oral dosages ranging from 300 to 2000 mg per day. For short-term use, up to 2 grams daily appears to be generally safe, but the safety of higher doses or long-term use is not well-established. There are no specific timing recommendations, and it is usually administered orally once or twice daily. Deanol is available as a free base or a bitartrate salt, but significant differences in bioavailability between these forms are not well characterized. Oral administration is sufficient to moderately increase serum choline levels. No specific cofactors are identified as necessary for its action.
FAQs
Is Deanol effective for ADHD?
Current evidence is insufficient to support the efficacy of Deanol in the treatment of ADHD. Clinical studies have not consistently demonstrated a benefit.
Does Deanol improve memory or cognition?
Clinical evidence does not robustly support Deanol's ability to enhance memory or overall cognitive function in humans. Most studies show inconsistent or negative results.
Is Deanol safe for long-term use?
Safety data for Deanol is primarily limited to short-term use (up to a few months). Its long-term safety profile, especially at higher doses, remains unclear.
Can Deanol cause side effects?
Yes, Deanol can cause side effects including gastrointestinal discomfort (cramps, diarrhea, nausea), drowsiness, headache, and potentially worsen symptoms in psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia.
Should Deanol be used in pregnancy?
No, Deanol should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data. It is best to err on the side of caution.
Research Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562906/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials concluded that DMAE was no more effective than placebo in treating tardive dyskinesia. The study highlighted the lack of significant clinical benefit despite adequate sample sizes in the included trials, indicating a moderate quality of evidence.
- https://ri.conicet.gov.ar/bitstream/handle/11336/194780/CONICET_Digital_Nro.2959a977-95c6-4fd4-a36c-e96a8f819f37_B.pdf?sequence=2&isAllowed=y – This in vitro study demonstrated DMAE's capacity to scavenge free radicals and reduce lipid peroxidation in microsomal systems. The findings suggest a potential neuroprotective role for DMAE at a mechanistic level, although this was a preclinical study and its relevance to human clinical outcomes needs further investigation.
- https://www.adxs.org/en/page/537/deanol-for-adhd – This source discusses animal studies showing DMAE's protective effects against paracetamol-induced liver toxicity and its influence on brain dopamine release after hypoxia. While these findings support the biological activity of DMAE, they are from preclinical models and require human validation to confirm clinical relevance.
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-524/deanol – This source provides an overview of Deanol's safety profile, indicating it is possibly safe for short-term oral use up to 2 grams daily. It also lists common side effects such as gastrointestinal issues and drowsiness, and highlights the lack of sufficient safety data for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/deanol.htm – This source details various side effects of Deanol, including uncommon ones like headache, insomnia, and agitation, and rare but severe effects such as exacerbation of schizophrenia symptoms and worsening of seizures. It also outlines typical dosage ranges used in clinical studies (300-2000 mg/day) and contraindications for certain psychiatric conditions.
Supplements Containing Deanol
HydroxyStim
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Neuro Core Fruit Punch
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Neurocore Blue Raspberry
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Neurocore Grape
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Neurocore Watermelon
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Neurocore Blue Raspberry
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Neurocore Grape
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Hydroxystim
MuscleTech Concentrated Series