CDP-Choline (Cytidine Diphosphate Choline or cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine) is also known as Citicoline. This naturally occurring choline source is present in every cell in your body.
CDP-Choline is unique as a choline source. Once it’s digested it separates into cytidine and choline. When it gets to your brain it converts back to CDP-Choline.
This choline is needed to synthesize the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh). ACh is a primary neurotransmitter released by neurons. This electrical signaling between neurons is involved in memory, learning, cognition and recall.
Cytidine is a component of Ribonucleic acid (RNA). This molecule is involved in coding, decoding, regulation and the expression of genes. But once it gets into the brain, it converts to uridine.
The signaling going on between neurons tends to grab choline molecules from cell membranes when choline is in short supply. This is where uridine steps in. It repairs those same cell membranes. To maintain neuron integrity.
CDP-Choline helps:
- Brain Optimization: CDP-Choline provides uridine once it enters in the brain. Uridine repairs, rebuilds and re-supplies the components needed for neuron repair. To keep signaling between neurons optimized for memory, learning, cognition and recall.
- Neurotransmitters: CDP-Choline enhances the release of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine in the brain.[i] [ii]
- Brain Energy: CDP-Choline increases Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in brain cells. ATP is produced in your mitochondria and your main source of cellular energy.
Table of Contents
Overview
CDP-Choline is a type of choline that is present in every cell in your body. You can also get it from eating organ meats like liver.
Choline is considered an essential nutrient because your body uses it faster than it can produce it. So you need to supplement choline either from food or a supplement.
You need choline for the production of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. And to form phosphatidylcholine (PC), used in building cell membranes.
In fact, choline is so vital to cognition and nerve function that, without it, we couldn’t move, think, sleep or remember anything.
CDP-Choline has the unique ability to convert to cytidine and choline once it passes through your digestive system. After it crosses the blood-brain barrier, it converts back to CDP-Choline.
The left-over cytidine in your blood can convert into uridine in your brain. Uridine is necessary for repairing cell membranes.
CDP-Choline is involved in memory and cognitive functions. And provides energy for the brain to conduct sustained mental effort.
CDP-Choline vs. Alpha GPC vs. Choline Bitartrate: What’s the Difference?
Choline is a water-soluble nutrient similar in composition to B-vitamins. CDP-Choline, Alpha GPC, Choline Citrate and Choline Bitartrate are all sources of choline.
CDP-Choline (cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine): Is about 18% choline by weight and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Your body naturally synthesizes choline into CDP-Choline (Citicoline) in your brain.
Taken as a supplement, it’s then converted to cytidine and choline in your gut. Once it crosses the blood-brain barrier it’s converted back to CDP-Choline. The choline then assists cell membranes, and helps create acetylcholine.
The added benefit of CDP-Choline is with cytidine. Cytidine can convert into uridine which is critical in the brain. Uridine is needed to synthesize the phosphatidylcholine (PC) in neuron membranes. It helps repair neurons.
Choline Bitartrate: An economical form of choline, and about 40% choline by weight. So 1 gram of Choline Bitartrate offers 400 mg of actual choline. It does not easily cross the blood-brain barrier. So you won’t experience the same level of nootropic benefits as with Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline.
Alpha GPC: About 40% choline by weight and easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Alpha GPC naturally occurs in your brain as a byproduct of phosphatidylcholine (PC). When your brain needs more choline, and the choline floating around in your brain is running low, it breaks down PC from cell membranes. And turns it into Alpha GPC.
Your body and brain loves it when you use Alpha GPC. Because it doesn’t have to cannibalize its own cells to get more choline.
How does CDP-Choline Work in the Brain?
CDP-Choline boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- CDP-Choline is metabolized in the gut wall and liver to form choline and cytidine. Once choline and cytidine cross the blood-barrier they re-synthesize back into CDP-Choline (Citicoline).[iii]
In the brain choline aids in the synthesis of acetylcholine. And the release of dopamine.[iv] Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter associated with memory and learning.
- CDP-Choline helps repair neural membranes. Choline is a precursor to the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in your brain. ACh carries nerve impulses across synapses. And then is broken down by enzymes.
ACh is then reassembled for reuse. But this breakdown/reassembly process isn’t foolproof. Some ACh gets lost in the process. So your brain goes looking for more choline to make ACh.
If there isn’t enough choline in your blood, it gets it from the phosphatidylcholine (PC) that makes up the outside of the cell membrane of your neurons. The PC in the cell membrane releases choline to help make acetylcholine.
When your neurons lose too much choline, they lose integrity. Nerve impulses break down, and cognitive abilities decline.[v]
Scientists in the lab at MIT showed that this is where uridine steps in. The cytidine in CDP-Choline converts to uridine in your body. And it works as a bridge between choline and neuron membrane synthesis.
Uridine is needed to synthesize the PC in neuron membranes. It is first converted to CDP-Choline. Which is then synthesized into new PC. This new PC can then repair damaged neuron membranes. Membranes that were raided to make acetylcholine.[vi]
How things go bad
As we get older, our brain chemistry and energy metabolism changes. This can happen at any age once we enter our adult years.
↓ Brain cell membranes degenerate
↓ Recall, reaction time and mood diminish
↓ Acetylcholine levels decline[vii]
All of these changes can happen at any age. And our bodies are influenced by the food we eat, what we drink, lifestyle habits, the air we breathe and more.
So CDP-Choline can help for age-related cognitive decline, as well as a student looking to do better in school. By boosting acetylcholine and dopamine. And rebuilding neurons in the brain.
CDP-Choline benefits
Research from hundreds of studies have shown that CDP-Choline will:
- Boost cognition[viii]
- Increase brain energy and speed up formation of brain membranes[ix]
- Boost production of acetylcholine[x]
- Increase blood flow to the brain[xi]
- Offset the harmful effects of stroke[xii]
- Improve memory and learning ability[xiii]
- Boost cognitive performance and memory in Alzheimer’s patients[xiv]
CDP-Choline is water-soluble and quickly enters your brain after you take it. In fact, studies show it has nearly 100% bioavailability in your body. Take it orally or intravenously and your body absorbs the same amount.
Once in your brain it boosts signal transmission, and repairs neurons. CDP-Choline improves your brain function and memory by directly increasing levels of acetylcholine and dopamine. And repairs neurons at the same time.
How does CDP-Choline feel?
The most profound indication of the power of this supplement is with those who have suffered a stroke.
Stroke survivors report that after continued usage of CDP-Choline, most of the noticeable effects of the stroke are gone. Including muscle paralysis and weakness.
Neurohackers report they are better able to concentrate and focus. And experience a significant boost in cognition.
You can feel more mentally alert. And you may even ease the fatigue associated with clinical depression by using CDP-Choline.
Some use CDP-Choline as an alternative to the stimulants prescribed for ADHD.
CDP-Choline Clinical Research
In a study at the University of Utah, 75 healthy males were given 250 mg, 500 mg of CDP-Choline, or a placebo. Tests were recorded after 28 days of supplementation.
The adolescent males receiving 250 or 500 mg of CDP-Choline showed improved attention and psychomotor speed. And reduced impulsivity compared to adolescent males who received placebo.
This study indicates CDP-Choline is effective even in younger age groups. And can be particularly helpful to those dealing with ADHD.[xv]
CDP-Choline Enhances Cognition
A study published in Food and Nutrition Sciences assessed the potential cognitive-enhancing effects of Citicoline (CDP-Choline) in healthy, adult women.
This double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial worked with 60 healthy women from 40 – 60 years old. Each volunteer was given a daily dose of 250 mg or 500 mg of Citicoline, or a placebo for 28 days.
The women who took either dose of Citicoline for 28 days showed a significant improvement in cognition.
The researchers suggested that Citicoline may improve attentional performance in middle-aged women. And it might eliminate the attention deficits associated with central nervous system disorders (i.e. ADHD).
CDP-Choline Improves Memory
Researchers in Japan studied 16 men and women who were given either 500 mg or 2000 mg of Citicoline for 6 weeks. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to study the brains of the participants at the end of the study.
The research team found ATP in the neurons of those in the study increased by over 14%. And membrane phospholipids were boosted by over 32%. These finding were in specific areas of the brain associated with cognition. And the effect was even more pronounced in the group that received the lower dose of Citicoline.
The researchers concluded that Citicoline supplementation could help prevent cognitive decline associated with aging. Along with an increase in brain energy reserves and utilization. And an increase in the components needed to synthesize and maintain cell membranes.
CDP-Choline Recommended Dosage
Recommended CDP-Choline dosage is 250 – 500 mg per day. Taken no more than twice per day. Two daily doses would be one CDP-Choline dose in the morning, and one in the early afternoon.
If you’re adding CPD-Choline to your stack with a racetam, a typical ratio would be 250 mg of Citicoline to 1 gram of Aniracetam or 4 grams of Piracetam.
CDP-Choline Side Effects
Recommended dosages even for extended periods are considered well-tolerated and safe. While CDP-Choline is considered non-toxic, it is possible to experience toxicity with too much choline in your body.
If you experience trouble sleeping, headache, diarrhea, low or high blood pressure, nausea, blurred vision or chest pain – you should stop using CDP-Choline.
Type of CDP-Choline to Buy
CDP-Choline is sold in capsule and powder form. Capsules are usually 250 – 500 mg each. 500 mg of CDP-Choline in powder form is equivalent to 2-level 1/8 tsp scoops.
Cognizin® is a patented, allergen-free, and water-soluble form of CDP-Choline shown in clinical trials to boost brain cell membrane formation by 26%. And increase brain energy by 13.6%.[xvi]
CDP-Choline is often found in pre-formulated nootropic stacks. But as Cognizin® is only offered in premium stacks.
For example, Mind Lab Pro® includes effective doses of 11 brain enhancing nootropic compounds including 250 mg of Citicoline. And Performance Lab® Mind includes 250 mg of Cognizin®.
I recommend Mind Lab Pro® because it addresses all aspects of anxiety, memory and cognitive enhancement, stabilizes mood, brain repair, and maintenance. See my full Mind Lab Pro review for more.
A great alternative is the Performance Lab® Mind supplement which is made to be used with the Performance Lab® NutriGenesis Multi. Which supplies the core essential vitamins and minerals for overall brain and body health.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
CDP-Choline 250 – 500 mg per day
I recommend using CDP-Choline as a nootropic supplement.
CDP-Choline is brain food. And is a natural substance found in every cell in your body.
You can get choline from some of the food you eat. But adequate levels of CDP-Choline are only found in organ meats like liver. So to get its benefits you must take it as a supplement.
CDP-Choline is vital to maintaining optimal brain health. And has been shown to increase cognitive energy, boost brain function, enhance communication between neurons, and protect neural membranes from free radical damage.
Cognizin® is a patented, allergen-free, and water-soluble form of CDP-Choline available in premium nootropic stacks like Performance Lab® Mind. And you’ll get 250 mg Citicoline in Mind Lab Pro®
I suggest starting with a dose of 250 – 500 mg daily. And CDP-Choline is a great compliment to a stack including any nootropic from the racetam-family. Anything that causes an increase in uptake of acetylcholine in your brain.
You need to provide your brain with the CDP-Choline it is demanding. Or it starts cannibalizing your own brain cells to make more acetylcholine. Signs that you’re lacking adequate choline are headaches.
When using CDP-Choline with one of the racetams start with a ratio of 1:4. For example, 250 mg of CDP-Choline to 1,000 mg of Aniracetam.
Stroke survivors may want to up the dose to 2,000 mg per day.
[i] Petkov V.D., Stancheva S.L., Tocuschieva L., Petkov V.V. “Changes in brain biogenic monoamines induced by the nootropic drugs adafenoxate and meclofenoxate and by citicholine (experiments on rats).” General Pharmacology 1990;21(1):71-5. (source)
[ii] Agut J., Coviella I.L., Wurtman R.J. “Cytidine (5’) diphosphocholine enhances the ability of haloperidol to increase dopamine metabolites in the striatum of the rat and to diminish stereotyped behavior induced by apomorphine.” Neuropharmacology 1984 Dec;23(12A):1403-6. (source)
[iii] Rao A.M., Hatcher J.F., Dempsey R.J. “CDP-choline: neuroprotection in transient forebrain ischemia of gerbils.” Journal of Neuroscience Research 1999 Dec 1;58(5):697-705. (source)
[iv] Adibhatla R.M., Hatcher J.F., Dempsey R.J. “Citicoline: neuroprotective mechanisms in cerebral ischemia.” Journal of Neurochemistry 2002 Jan;80(1):12-23 (source)
[v] Wurtman R.J. “Choline metabolism as a basis for the selective vulnerability of cholinergic neurons.” Trends in Neuroscience 1992 Apr;15(4):117-22. (source)
[vi] Wang L., Pooler A.M., Albrecht M.A., Wurtman R.J. “Dietary uridine-5'-monophosphate supplementation increases potassium-evoked dopamine release and promotes neurite outgrowth in aged rats.” Journal of Molecular Neuroscience 2005;27(1):137-45. (source)
[vii] Cohen B.M., Renshaw P.F., Stoll A.L., Wurtman R.J., Yurgelun-Todd D., Babb S.M. “Decreased brain choline uptake in older adults. An in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study.” JAMA 1995 Sep 20;274(11):902-7. (source)
[viii] De Bruin N.M.W.J., Kiliaan A.J., De Wilde M.C., Broersen L.M. “Combined uridine and choline administration improves cognitive deficits in spontaneously hypertensive rats” Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Volume 80, Issue 1, July 2003, Pages 63–79 (source)
[ix] Hurtado O. et. Al “Neuroprotection afforded by prior citicoline administration in experimental brain ischemia: effects on glutamate transport.” Neurobiology of Disease 2005 Mar;18(2):336-45. (source)
[x] Adibhatla R.M., Hatcher J.F., Dempsey R.J. “Citicoline: neuroprotective mechanisms in cerebral ischemia.” Journal of Neurochemistry 2002 Jan;80(1):12-23. (source)
[xi] Watanabe S., Kono S., Nakashima Y., Mitsunobu K., Otsuki S. “Effects of various cerebral metabolic activators on glucose metabolism of brain.” Folia Psychiatr Neurol Jpn. 1975;29(1):67-76. (source)
[xii] Clark W.M. “Efficacy of citicoline as an acute stroke treatment.” Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy. 2009 Apr;10(5):839-46. (source)
[xiii] De Bruin N.M., Kiliaan A.J., De Wilde M.C., Broersen L.M. “Combined uridine and choline administration improves cognitive deficits in spontaneously hypertensive rats.” Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. 2003 Jul;80(1):63-79. (source)
[xiv] Silveri M.M. et. Al. “ Citicoline enhances frontal lobe bioenergetics as measured by phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy.” NMR in Biomedicine 2008 Nov;21(10):1066-75. (source)
[xv] McGlade E., Agoston A.M., DiMuzio J., Kizaki M., Nakazaki E., Kamiya T., Yurgelun-Todd D. “The Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males.” Journal of Attention Disorders 2015 Jul 15. pii: 1087054715593633. (source)
[xvi] Silveri M.M. et. al. “Cognizin® Citicoline Increases Brain Energy (ATP) by 14% and Speeds up Formation of Brain Membranes by 26% in Healthy Adults” Society for Neuroscience San Diego, CA (source)
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Hi David,
Would you say it is OK to consume CDP-Choline/Alpha-GDP together with ALA since they both boost the production of acetylcholine?
Thanks!
RD, it is certainly safe to dose these nootropics together. They are both precursors for the synthesis of acetylcholine but have different mechanisms of action in the brain. The only thing to watch out for is boosting acetylcholine too much. Because that can cause unwanted side effects.
Hi David
Is Citicoline the same nootropic as Citicoline Sodium?
Mick, it is and is also called; 5′-Cytidine diphosphate choline, CDPC, CDP Choline, CDP-Choline, Citicholine, Citicolina, Cytidine 5-Diphosphocholine, Cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine, Cytidine (5′) diphosphocholine, Cytidine Diphosphate Choline, Cytidine Diphosphocholine, Cytidinediphosphocholine.
Thanks David
Is CDP-Choline safe with ashwagandha (300 mg/day) and rhodiola (500 mg every other day)?
I see on your sight that you list both of these as acetylcholinase inhibitors, so I’m wondering if in combination these three would cause too much acetylcholine.
Thanks for the cool website!
Preston, Ashwagandha extract inhibits acetylcholinesterase which boosts levels of acetylcholine in your brain. Rhodiola Rosea acts as a Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitor (MAOI) which boosts extra-cellular levels of the catecholamines like dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine.
So these combined are safe as long as they are not contraindicated with any other meds you are using.
Hi David, congratulations on the great content.
I am in doubt between the hill shapes, you know the difference and which one is better?
CPD-Coline
Acetyl Coline
Phosphatidyl coline
Thank you very much.
Jayadeva, I don’t know what you mean by “hill shapes”. Each of these has a different mechanism of action in your brain. I suggest reading the “overview”, “how ____ works in your brain”, and “how does _____ feel?” for each nootropic. That will tell you what you need to know about the difference between them. There is no “better” choice. It depends on what you are trying to achieve.
Hello David, thanks for the reply, after rereading the article made the following summary:
We need choline for acetylcholine production and to form phosphatidylcholine.
CPD- Choline can be convert to cididine and choline.
Remaining cytidine can be transformed into uridine, needed to repair cell membranes.
Uridine is also required to synthesize phosphatidylcholine.
So would ideally use CPDColine or Alpha GPC in conjunction with Phosphatidylcholine?
If I supplement directly with Phosphatidylcholine I still need CPDColine / Alpha GPC supplementation to provide choline and uridine, even though I have already supplemented with Phosphatidylcholine?
It seems a bit confusing the function of each since CPDColine or Alpha GPC turns into Phosphatidylcholine and I can supplement directly with Phosphatidylcholine and Acetylcholine.
My interest is to increase cognitive ability and as a vegetarian, I believe I have choline deficiency.
Thanks.
Jayadeva, it’s a great question and you have a good understanding on how this thing works. I think your best option would be Alpha GPC stacked with Phosphatidylcholine (PC) and Phosphatidylserine (PS) along with DHA. You would get the building blocks for cell membranes and plenty of choline for acetylcholine synthesis while maintaining cellular integrity.
Hello David, thanks for the suggestion, I will do a test, I believe I will have resolved well with this combination.
Thank you very much.
Hey there. I know there are studies showing use of CDP choline can increase cortisol by stimulating ACTH. Do you worry about this at all?
John, I looked but cannot find any reference showing CDP-Choline increases cortisol. If you can point me to some evidence of this I’m happy to take a look and offer you an opinion.
Hi David,
I have poor short term memory and lack of focus/concentration. I am thinking of trying CDP Choline or Alpha GPC. Which would you recommend ?
I also take half of a .5 mg xanax a few times per week to help with anxiety and it helps my sleep. Is it ok to take xanax with CPD Choline or Alpha GPC ?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
John, as long as you are using Xanax, memory, focus and concentration are going to be a challenge. You can hopefully mitigate some of these side effects by using the suggestions in this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/how-to-improve-memory-and-concentration/
There are no contraindications with Xanax and choline supplements. But you’ll need to try Alpha GPC for a couple of weeks and then CDP-Choline for a couple of weeks and see which one works best for you.
I always enjoy getting the emails and it often leads me down a rabbit hole of investigation. So thank you for that….really…it’s a good thing.
I just got a recent email regarding a study done in Japan on mice using Citicoline and DHA and was very interested in finding out more but when I looked at the study they used 40mg/kg of Citicoline and 300mg/kg of DHA.
I could be wrong but if I calculate for 160lb human at those numbers it would be 2,880mg of Citicoline and 21,600mg of DHA.
Isn’t that a HUGE amount? Most Citicoline I have seen is about 250mg per capsule which would be almost 12 capsules. I have a calamari oil product that has 500mg of DHA so that would be about 43 capsules….I think I would be glued to the toilet if I took that much 🙂
Maybe I missed something.
Christian, you are absolutely correct on dosages and I should have mentioned that in the email. Ideal dosage for DHA is 1,000 mg per day. And CDP-Choline is whatever you need. From 250 – 500 mg per day. Some even go as high as 750 mg per day.
Hi, can you mix CDP Choline with Uridine supplements?
Neil, I suppose you could combine them. But as a nootropic,CDP-Choline provides uridine once it enters in the brain. So not sure why you’d want or need more Uridine.
I am new to nootropics. My thiamine level was 10 so I want to supplement with Sulbutiamine and Citicoline. Not only to raise my thiamine level but for memory, severe fatigue, anxiety etc. I am diagnosed dysautonomia/pots and hypermobility syndrome. I’ve read about the acetylcholine receptors invoked in these illnesses. I am only trying to start one at a time and add after a couple of days so I know if I react badly to anything. Are these two good together as a start? It’s hard to find a lot of research and I want to use more supplements than prescriptions. Hoping you can shed some light in this for me. You have a lot of good info!!!!
Andria, it’s good to start slow if you don’t know how your body will react. But Citicoline and Sulbutiamine work well together. Thiamine is required for the synthesis of acetylcholine and Citicoline provides the raw material for making acetylcholine. Good choice. But you also need some of the other B-Vitamins for the synthesis of acetylcholine. I’d consider adding a high quality B-Complex vitamin like this one: https://amzn.to/2XjeyAt
Dear David.
Thanks so much for your articles about Choline!
I’m fighting depression and some ocd. Between CDP-Choline and Alpha GPC , which is better to try first? I want to try one by one because they are expensive. I’d like to hear your opinion.
Jay, one is not better than the other. But some people respond better to CDP-Choline and some respond better to Alpha GPC.
Please re-read this section of this review: https://nootropicsexpert.com/cdp-choline/#cdp-choline-vs-alpha-gpc-vs-choline-bitartrate-whats-the-difference. And learn how each works in your brain.
Then if you can only afford one, choose one or the other and try it. If it doesn’t help then try the other.
Hello, I was curious to know if I should take this with food or in between meals? I have 300 mg supplements and the directions do not say. Thanks !
Alina, CDP-Choline can be taken with or without food.
Hi David,
I am taking an antipsychotic (quetaipine) for bipolar. I understand it is an anticholigernic. Will taking a choline supplement offset these affects?
Also, I am pregnant and understand the importance of choline for the fetus. Does taking an antipsychotic deplete my choline stores in my body. Will the baby be able to absorb the choline from a supplement even though I am taking an anticholrgenic?
Cheryl, Quetiapine is much more than an anticholinergic. Please see this Wikipedia article so you have a better understanding on what you are dealing with: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quetiapine#Pharmacology.
A choline supplement will not “offset” the effects of an anticholinergic. But it will provide more choline (which is needed for the synthesis of acetylcholine). And combined with a potent drug like Quetiapine could result in too much acetylcholine. Which is dangerous for your and your baby.
This drug also affects dopamine, serotonin and histamine. Which means it is contraindicated with most of the nootropics reviewed here on Nootropics Expert.
Combining nootropic supplements with many prescription drugs can be very dangerous. And in some cases deadly. So please be careful. I’ve tried to include contraindications under the “Side Effects” section of each review on this site. But I can’t cover all of them. Another good resource for contraindications is here: https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html
Thank you. I will take this seriously and talk to my doctors before (potentially) starting any supplements and/or changing meds.
Do you know of any risks of taking choline supplements with lamotrigine?)
Cheryl, lamotrigine doesn’t seem to have any or much effect on acetylcholine in your brain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lamotrigine#Pharmacology
And unless your doctor is a well educated integrative medicine doctor, Osteopath or naturopathic physician, chances are he/she won’t know what you are talking about. Or will give you some kind of blanket statement that dietary supplements don’t work and are not tested.
It’s why I encourage everyone coming to Nootropics Expert to learn how to do your own research. And learn exactly how the prescription medications that they use work in their body and brain.
Hi David,
Thank you for providing all information about this field. I am taking CDP Coline 300mg. What is the best time to take this. Is it better to have the capsules with food or an empty stomach?
Thank you
Naveen, you can take CDP-Choline first thing in the morning and/or early afternoon. With or without food.
Thanks for the reply David.
David,
Actually i should be more specific, i am taking Performance Lab Mind
Citicoline, 250 mg
Phosphatidylserine, 100 mg
N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine, 300 mg
Maritime Pine Bark Extract, 75 mg
Seems like on the days i take those or if i take it several days in a row i get real sensitive to light, not so much natural light but electronic lights, TV Screens, phone screens, computer screens etc
Erik, I’ve never seen any of these ingredients associated with blue light sensitivity. I suggest doing a general search and find out what causes this type of sensitivity. Including underlying health issues, certain drugs, and possibly some supplements.
David,
Have you ever heard of these choline sources causing vision issues like sensitivity to light, it seems like when i take citicholine my eyes are really sensitive when i watch TV, or computer screens, phones etc. I dont recall Alpha GPC doing that
I do not think my probleme is with my cholinergix system since i have a excellent memory like superior i remember stuff from the past and i am known to have the best memory in my familly my probleme that i am fixing over the year is with my Dopaminergic system, i am 40 years old man and i have Adhd since a child took ritalin has a kid from 7 to 11 then pursuie my life without never looking back at this issue… Over the past year i have experience with a lots of nootripoics, and right now i think my dopaminergix system is reaparing itself a bit i tend to need less nootropics depands ont the days ! Im taking right now ” Uridine Monophosphate 300 mg 1 are 2 times a day, choline from bithrate are alpha gpc ( experiencing right now) but i will switch to cdp choline, but i dont need a lot of that stuff, + i take about 1000 mg dha ( Omega 3) everyday+ vitamin b complex 50 mg + vitamin C+ Curcuma + Olive oil + sometimes Lysine for muscle but also excellent to calm you as a nootropics ( you have to be carefull with calcium with lysine, distancing the 2 from each other), + i take Nac, +Teanine + i have recently experience with taurine at night help really good for the gabba system and testosteronne production to! I combine taurine + teanine at night execellent result! wATH ARE YOUR TAUGHT ON tAURINE ?i read its really good for relaxing and heart muscle etc… And has a Adhd person we think a lot of our dopamin systeme etc.. but not a lot of our gabba sytem to calm down excitability of the cells etc..
Thank you as always for your great website and sharing of you Knowdledge
Sincerely Gabriel form Montreal canada ( im french from canadian) sorry for the english
Gabriel, taurine is a excellent choice because it does activate GABA receptors. You may want to try adding a GABA supplement if you need it as well to support what taurine does in your brain.
If you are dealing with ADHD or Adult ADD and know you have issues with your dopaminergic system why are you not using NALT or L-Tyrosine? The rest of your stack looks OK but I don’t see enough support for dopamine in your stack.
Does Cdp Choline rise the serotonin level like alpha gpc does ? I have just start for 2 days alpha gpc to my stack of Uridine Monophosphate + Dha + Vitamin b complex + Curcuma + olive oil +NAC +tEANINE
Ecerything IS WORKING OK BUT I HAVE NOTICE SINCE I TAKE alpha gpc difficulty of breeding a bit since from wath i read alpha gpc rise the serotonin level big time in the brain, rising to much the serotonin can cause lungs and breeding probleme allergic from wath i have read! Does to you knowdlege cdp choline rise also serotonin level ?And if so to wath level ? maybe less then alpha gpc i suppose… ?
Gabriel, CDP-Choline enhances the release of norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and acetylcholine in the brain. If you have problems with Alpha GPC it’s likely you’ll also have problems with CDP-Choline.
But i do not have any probleme with less poten source of choline like Bithrate choline i am trying a smaller dose of alpha gpc to see my reaction 🙂 like 150 mg i took 300 mg and went straight to the moon pretty powerfull stuff alpha gpc for brain and the rest
Good evening David, do you have any recommendation for Parkinson’s disease?
Thank you!
Fabiola, use the search function top right for “Parkinson’s” and see what turns up. I know studies have shown L-DOPA (Mucuna Pruriens) is effective.
Hi David, and thanks for your great articles. Can you tell me if I need to take choline with Bacopa, Ashwagandha, Gotu Kola and Shankhpushpi? I was told by my ayurvedic practitioner to take egg yolk oil, is it enough? Also, having bipolar disorder, I’m afraid cause I read several times that CDP choline and alpha GPC can trigger depression.
Thanks for your reply
Catherine, the first 3 nootropics on your list are considered “adaptogens” and do not need to be taken with anything. Not sure about the 4th on your list.
And I did not come across any research on Bipolar and supplementing with CDP-Choline or Alpha GPC. Where did you find this information?
So I need to take choline if I take DMAE, which I take every day and sometimes twice daily? Is this correct?
Donna, yes you need to use a choline source when using DMAE. Please see the DMAE dosage notes here for reasons why: https://nootropicsexpert.com/dmae/#dosage-notes
David is this a good form of Choline?
Citicoline (Cognizin®)
(from stabilized cytidine 5′-diphosphocholine)
250 mg
Cognizin is a great form of choline. I like it because I know exactly what’s in the product. It’s got clinical trials to back it up. And the reason Opti Nutra decided to use this form of choline in Mind Lab Pro.
I found this article on anticholinegic drugs cause memory loss. Benadryl and most antihistamines are at the top of the list for depleting our choline levels . My husbands memory is poor an he use allergy meds on a daily basis. Here is the link if you want to read it, but I guess you you probably all ready knew this! http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/anticholinergic-drugs-memory-loss.html
Good find Tammy. Anything starting with “anti” often acts as an anticholinergic. Depleting acetylcholine causes a host of problems. Including memory loss.
So if we need to take a certain medicine with this effect -Trileptal- in my case, can we offset this effect by getting extra Choline or taking another nootropic that impact Choline?
Laura, Trileptal seems to work primarily by blocking voltage-sensitive sodium channels, enhanced potassium conductance and modulation of high-voltage activated calcium channels. In other words, it prevents excess firing in neurons. Another study (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5426488/) found that in those with bipolar disorder, and epilepsy, there was a lower amount of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in their brains compared to normal people. And Tripleptal increased BDNF.
So before I can attempt to answer your question, what symptoms are you trying to deal with when you use Trileptal?