N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC or N-acetylcysteine) is the N-acetyl derivative of the naturally occurring amino acid L-cysteine. And works primarily by helping restore the body’s natural antioxidant glutathione (γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine; GSH).
As the most abundant antioxidant in your body, GSH is responsible for maintaining oxidative balance in each of your cells.
Taking glutathione as a nootropic supplement does not adequately restore GSH levels in your brain because it can’t cross the blood-brain barrier. This vastly underrated nootropic, NAC easily penetrates the blood-brain barrier and raises glutathione levels in your brain.[i]
NAC has been used to treat acetaminophen poisoning for decades.[ii] Every year there are 56,000 ER visits from Tylenol overdose, resulting in at least 100 deaths. [iii] NAC provides the glutathione your liver needs to fight off the metabolite NAPQI in Tylenol that does severe liver damage.
As a nootropic, NAC helps prevent glutamate toxicity, boosts dopamine, and reduces inflammation, oxidative and free radical damage.
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine helps:
- Neuroprotection. NAC as a precursor of glutathione, is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenger.[iv] Your brain is especially vulnerable to inflammation, free radical and oxidative damage. Affecting cognition, long-term potentiation, memory and mood.
- Neurotransmitters. NAC modulates glutamate levels and dopamine release in the brain. Excess glutamate in your brain is toxic to brain cells affecting neuron health, cognition, memory and mood. And NAC protects dopamine receptors. Influencing dopamine levels and function in your brain. Even protecting dopaminergic nerve terminals from chronic methamphetamine use.[v]
- Anxiety and depression. NAC reduces irritability, anxiety and depression. NAC increases your body’s antioxidant capacity, and balances excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters in your brain. Resulting in less anxiety and depression.
Table of Contents
Overview
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is the N-acetyl form of the naturally occurring amino acid L-Cysteine.
L-Cysteine is naturally produced in your body using the amino acid methionine. You can also get L-Cysteine from eating ricotta and cottage cheese, yogurt, pork, chicken, turkey, duck, wheat germ, granola and oat flakes.
But acute stress, illness, or a poor diet can deplete L-Cysteine levels in your body and brain. The quickest and most efficient way to boost levels of L-Cysteine is to supplement with N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC).
NAC regulates the amount of glutamate in your brain. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for sending signals between neurons in the brain. This plays an important role in learning and forming memories.
But too much glutamate can be toxic to brain cells. NAC regulates the amount of glutamate and keeps it at safe, healthy levels.
NAC influences the amount of dopamine available in your brain. It works to keep dopamine receptors healthy and able to transmit and receive dopamine. These neurotransmitters are crucial for cognitive energy and drive, motor control, feelings of pleasure, and focus.
NAC is a precursor to the powerful anti-oxidant glutathione (GSH). GSH is a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and free radical scavenger.
Your brain is especially vulnerable to inflammation, free radical and oxidative damage. If left unchecked, inflammation, oxidation and free radicals can negatively affect cognition, long-term potentiation, memory and mood.
As a nootropic, NAC can boost glutathione and dopamine levels in your brain. NAC is also used by medical professionals to treat serious cognitive disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression and anxiety.
How does N-Acetyl L-Cysteine work in the Brain?
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- N-Acetyl L-Cysteine reduces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress results in free radical damage in brain cells. Leading to neurodegeneration and ultimately Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other age-related neuronal disorders. Proteins and DNA are injured, inflammation, tissue damage and cellular apoptosis (cell death) are the result.
And neurohackers are not immune to oxidative stress no matter what your age. Keep this in mind the next time you reach for a Diet Coke. Consumption of the artificial sweetener aspartame induces cortical inflammation and oxidative stress.
Researchers did a study with 30 adult male Wistar rats randomly divided into 3 groups. The control group received distilled water. The second group was given aspartame. And the third group was given aspartame and NAC. Oral administration was done in the morning daily for 90 days.
The study found that NAC affected Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) levels, blocked the COX-2 and PGE2 inflammatory enzymes, and reduced the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) inflammatory cytokines in the rat cerebral cortex. They also found that NAC replenished glutathione levels.
The researchers concluded that NAC prevented neurotoxicity and improved neurological function, suppressed brain inflammation, and oxidative stress response.[vi]
- N-Acetyl L-Cysteine relieves depression. Major depressive disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders. It’s a burden on the individual, family and the community. And the pharmaceutical companies are making literally billions on selling various anti-depressants. Not treating the cause, producing a host of side effects, and in most cases just ‘dumbing down’ the symptoms.
But the pipeline for new anti-depressant drug discovery is at a near stand-still for treating problems like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and common forms of autism.
The good news is that neuroscience continues to work on the problem. And have shown that many of these disorders share inflammation and oxidative stress as part of their disease physiology.
Neuroscientists also discovered that associated pathways causing these diseases include a reduction in proteins that stimulate neuron growth (neurotrophins), increased apoptosis (cell death), and reduced energy generation in mitochondria.
It turns out that NAC seems to have multiple effects on all these pathways. NAC reduces the core symptoms of schizophrenia, reduces depression, and reduces cravings for a number of addictions including cocaine, cannabis and tobacco.[vii]
How things go bad
As we get older or suffer from chronic illness, our brain and body chemistry and energy metabolism changes.
↑ Oxidative stress in brain cells increase
↓ Free radicals damage neurons
↓ Dopamine receptors stop working
↑ Glutamate toxicity causes cell damage and apoptosis
↓ Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) declines
↓ Mitochondria energy declines
All of these changes are often attributed to chronic illness, lifestyle choices, and aging.
Unchecked, they could lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, major depression, schizophrenia, OCD, addictions, autism, and a drop in quality of life.
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine benefits
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is a slightly modified version of the sulfur-containing amino acid L-Cysteine. When taken as a supplement, NAC replenishes intracellular levels of the natural antioxidant glutathione (GSH). Restoring your cells’ ability to fight damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Conventional medicine has used NAC for decades as an inhaled mucous thinner to treat symptoms of cystic fibrosis. NAC is given intravenously (IV) or orally as a treatment for acute acetaminophen poisoning. NAC quickly restores glutathione levels, averting permanent disability or death.
The nootropics community has recently discovered NAC as a way to suppress inflammation in the brain. NAC prevents oxidative stress on brain cells, eliminates free radicals, restores Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), rejuvenates dopamine receptors, and improves overall cognitive function.
NAC can help boost cognition, Long-Term Potentiation for long-term memory formation, short-term and working memory, improve your mood and quell anxiety.
How does N-Acetyl L-Cysteine feel?
Neurohackers report that supplementing with NAC could be the best nootropic they’ve ever used for their brain and overall health. Comments include:
- Thinking is clearer (less brain fog)
- Memory improves
- Concentration and attention improves
- Less anxiety
- Less depression
- Less irritable
- Mood improves (like a ‘clean high’)
- Symptoms caused by ADHD meds disappear
- Obsessive Compulsive behavior decreases
- Sleep quality improves
- Energy levels increase
- Weight maintenance is easier
- Less flu and colds
- Skin looks better
- Feel younger
- Hangovers are less severe
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine Clinical Research
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine increases dopamine
Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease are limited to replacing dopamine in the brain. As well as some medications designed to slow down the disease.
In 2016, researchers at Thomas Jefferson University showed that oxidative stress in the brain could play a critical role in the progression of Parkinson’s. And this stress lowers levels of glutathione, a compound produced in the brain to counteract oxidative stress.
Studies show that N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) helps reduce oxidative damage to neurons by helping restore the levels of the antioxidant glutathione.
In this study, Parkinson’s patients were placed into two groups. The first group received 50 mg/kg NAC intravenously (IV) once per week. And 600 mg of NAC as a supplement twice a day on non-IV days.
The second (control) group received only their standard Parkinson’s treatment. Patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study and again 3 months later.
The evaluation consisted of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and a SPECT brain scan which measures the amount of dopamine transporter in the brain.
Compared to controls, the patients receiving NAC had significant improvements in their scores. One of the study authors said, “We have not previously seen an intervention for Parkinson’s disease have this kind of effect on the brain”. This study demonstrated for the first time the direct effect of NAC on the brain’s dopamine system. NAC has the unique ability to enable dopamine neurons to recover their function.[viii]
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine repairs Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue affecting 1.7 million Americans each year.[ix] TBI can be caused by sports injuries, work accidents, car and motorcycle accidents, falls, and your wife hitting you over the head with a frying pan.
Many survivors end up with long-term or even permanent neurocognitive dysfunction. Affecting cognition, motor function (movement) and personality. These disabilities are estimated to cost $9.2 billion in lifetime medical costs and $51.2 billion in productivity losses.[x]
A major cause of TBI comes from blast exposure on the battlefield. Symptoms are similar to other causes of TBI; dizziness, hearing loss, headache, memory loss, sleep issues, and neurocognitive dysfunction.
In a brain subjected to TBI there is glutamate toxicity, free-radical injury to brain cells, electrolyte imbalances, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, apoptosis (cell death) and stroke.[xi][xii]
This double blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 81 active duty service members at a forward deployed field hospital in Iraq. All service members in this study were exposed to significant ordinance blast and met the criteria for TBI.
Service members were randomly assigned to receive either a placebo or N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) for 7 days. The resolution after 7 days of all the TBI symptoms listed above was the main outcome measure of this study.
The researchers concluded that NAC was a safe pharmaceutical countermeasure of blast-induced TBI. And that further work on long term outcomes and the potential use of NAC in civilian TBI is warranted.[xiii]
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine helps alleviate depression
Both depression and bipolar disorder are complicated by glutathione depletion. The researchers in this double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled study worked with 75 subjects with bipolar disorder.
Subjects received 1 gram of NAC twice daily for 24 weeks. NAC treatment caused a significant improvement with depression with those using NAC.
The researchers concluded, “NAC appears a safe and effective augmentation strategy for depressive symptoms”. In this case with people suffering from bipolar disorder.[xiv]
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine Recommended Dosage
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) suggested dosage for cognitive benefit is 500 mg 3-times per day.
Clinical studies have found that doses up to 2,000 mg per day are safe and effective.
And one German study showed the safety of 2,800 mg per day for 3 months in patients with cystic fibrosis.[xv]
NAC has also proven effective against seasonal influenza and flu-like illnesses. One large study of older adults in Italy took 600 mg of NAC twice daily for 6 months. Only 25% of those adults who used NAC experienced flu-like episodes compared to 79% in the placebo group.[xvi]
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine Side Effects
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is the N-acetyl form of the naturally occurring amino acid L-Cysteine. NAC is considered non-toxic and very safe.
NAC is a slightly modified version of the sulfur-containing amino acid L-Cysteine. So NAC in powder form can have an unpleasant smell.
Very rarely can NAC cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Even more rare are rashes, fever, headache, drowsiness, low blood pressure and liver problems.
Side effects can be a result of very high doses of NAC. And if you have a genetic condition called Cystinuria do not use NAC. This rare condition causes stones to form in the kidneys, ureter and bladder from cysteine. NAC is the N-Acetyl form of Cysteine.
One study has also found that long-term use of high-dose NAC can deplete your body’s stores of zinc. So if you are using NAC everyday you should also supplement with zinc and low dose copper.
Where to buy N-Acetyl L-Cysteine
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is available in powder, tablet and capsule form. NAC capsules and tablets were usually 500 mg.
As of now, the only place you can buy N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is from HR Supplements in Nevada. I highly recommend HR Supplements as a nootropics vendor and use their products which are tested and pure.
But on July 23, 2020, the FDA sent a warning letter to Purple Biosciences LLC about its NAC product. And asserted that NAC was illegally sold as a dietary supplement because it was approved as a drug September 14, 1963. Several other letters were sent to supplement manufacturers. And you can no longer buy NAC on Amazon or many of the other sites that used to sell NAC.
I’ll keep you updated if there are any changes that result from several lawsuits brought against the FDA. In the meantime you can contact your local Congressman or women and state clearly your opinion that NAC is a natural amino acid. And should be available as a dietary supplement to those who find it useful.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) 500 mg, 3-times per day
I highly recommend using N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does synthesize some L-Cysteine from methionine. And you can get L-Cysteine from foods such as dairy, poultry, pork, and some grains and nuts.
But most of us don’t get enough N-Acetyl L-Cysteine from our diet. So supplementation will help. And N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is a highly bioavailable form of L-Cysteine. So you should feel its effects faster.
NAC is helpful for most neurohackers to improve mood, memory, cognition, and concentration. And NAC helps alleviate brain fog, anxiety, and irritability.
NAC is especially helpful to those dealing with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. And stacked with ADHD meds, NAC helps alleviate some of the negative side effects associated with stimulants.
If you can still find it, you can safely use up to 1,800 mg of NAC per day. The usual dose for cognitive improvement is 500 mg dosed 3 times throughout your day.
For now, you can buy N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) from HR Supplements.
[i] Neuwelt E.A., Pagel M.A., Hasler B.P., Deloughery T.G., Muldoon L.L. “Therapeutic efficacy of aortic administration of N-acetylcysteine as a chemoprotectant against bone marrow toxicity after intracarotid administration of alkylators, with or without glutathione depletion in a rat model.” Cancer Research. 2001 Nov 1;61(21):7868-74 (source)
[ii] Scalley R.D., Conner C.S. “Acetaminophen poisoning: a case report of the use of acetylcysteine.” American Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. 1978 Aug;35(8):964-7. (source)
[iii] Neergaard L. “Most Popular painkiller is lead cause of acute liver failure” National AIDS Treatment Advocacy Project natap.org Dec. 25, 2005 retrieved June 17, 2016 (source)
[iv] Eakin K., et. Al. “Efficacy of N-Acetyl Cysteine in Traumatic Brain Injury” PLoS One. 2014; 9(4): e90617. (source)
[v] Hashimoto K., Tsukada H., Nishiyama S., Fukumoto D., Kakiuchi T., Shimizu E., Iyo M. “Effects of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on the reduction of brain dopamine transporters in monkey treated with methamphetamine.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2004 Oct;1025:231-5. (source)
[vi] Saleh A.A.S. “Anti-neuroinflammatory and antioxidant effects of N-acetyl cysteine in long-term consumption of artificial sweetener aspartame in the rat cerebral cortex” The Journal of Basic & Applied Zoology Volume 72, October 2015, Pages 73–80 (source)
[vii] European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP). “Amino acid offers potential therapeutic alternative in psychiatric disorders.” Science Newsline Medicine sciencenewsline.com October 7, 2013 Retrieved June 18, 2016 (source)
[viii] Monti D.A., Zabrecky G., Kremens D., Lian T.W., Wintering N.A., Cai J., Wei X., Bazzan A.J., Zhong L., Bowen B., Intenzo C.M., Iacovitti L., Newberg A.B. “N-Acetyl Cysteine May Support Dopamine Neurons in Parkinson’s Disease: Preliminary Clinical and Cell Line Data.” PLOS ONE, 2016; 11 (6): e0157602 (source)
[ix] Faul M, Xu L, Wald MM, Coronado VG (2010) “Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Emergency Department Visits, Hospitalizations and Deaths 2002–2006”. Atlanta (GA): Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. (source)
[x] Rutland-Brown W., Langlois J.A., Thomas K.E., Xi Y.L. “Incidence of traumatic brain injury in the United States, 2003.” Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation. 2006 Nov- Dec;21(6):544-8. (source)
[xi] Yi J.H., Hazell A.S. “Excitotoxic mechanisms and the role of astrocytic glutamate transporters in traumatic brain injury.”Neurochemistry International. 2006 Apr;48(5):394-403 (source)
[xii] Farkas O., Povlishock J.T. “Cellular and subcellular change evoked by diffuse traumatic brain injury: a complex web of change extending far beyond focal damage.” Progress in Brain Research. 2007;161:43-59. (source)
[xiii] Hoffer M.E., Balaban C., Slade M.D., Tsao J.W., Hoffer B. “Amelioration of acute sequelae of blast induced mild traumatic brain injury by N-acetyl cysteine: a double-blind, placebo controlled study.”PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e54163. (source)
[xiv] Berk M., Copolov D.L., Dean O., Lu K., Jeavons S, Schapkaitz I., Anderson-Hunt M., Bush A.I. “N-acetyl cysteine for depressive symptoms in bipolar disorder–a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.” Biological Psychiatry. 2008 Sep 15;64(6):468-75 (source)
[xv] Dauletbaev N., Fischer P., Aulbach B., Gross J., Kusche W., Thyroff-Friesinger U., Wagner T.O., Bargon J. “A phase II study on safety and efficacy of high-dose N-acetylcysteine in patients with cystic fibrosis.” European Journal of Medical Research. 2009 Aug 12;14(8):352-8. (source)
[xvi] De Flora S., Grassi C., Carati L. “Attenuation of influenza-like symptomatology and improvement of cell-mediated immunity with long-term N-acetyl cysteine treatment”. The European Respiratory Journal. 1997 Jul;10(7):1535-41. (source)
Hi David, last fall I gave my teen daughter 1200 mg of NAC daily for Dermatillomania. After 3 months she was 95 % healed. Its really amazing. Nothing ever helped before. Five weeks ago she discontinued Cymbalta 120mg for MDD and OCD. Cymbalta wasn’t helping for MDD and she was emotionally dull and lacking creativity. She also seemed less depressed last Fall while taking the NAC. I am going to start giving her 600 mg NAC 3 times a day for MDD. If you have any advice on this it will be appreciated.
Thank you
Ellen, NAC likely helped because it supports dopamine receptors. It helps restore dopamine receptors that have been dysfunctional.
If worked for her it may work again. I am a big proponent of “if something works keep on using it” until it doesn’t.
Depression and OCD seem to be related. For more ideas use the search function top right of the top menu and search for the keyword “OCD” and see what turns up.
Hi David!! is it not recommended to take NAC after 4 pm, because it could disturb your sleep? Or can I take it at night? I have insomnia problems.
Thank you!
Probably not a good idea to use it after 4 PM because it supports dopamine use in your brain. And the last thing you need is more dopamine if you are dealing with insomnia.
Taurine, NAC, L theanine, Agmatine, Omega 3, Uridine, Black seed oil, Rhodiola rosea.
David do you see anything in this stack that affects thyroid? I am asking because I have a very sensitive one and my body doesn’t like when I take anything that messes with thyroid.
Also bonus question: If I were to take NMDA agonist and antagonist nootropic at the same time, what would happen? And is it safe to take them both same day(at different times, morning & evening) or would you cycle it?
Sven, I do not see anything on your list that reacts badly with the thyroid. But I am not familiar with Agmatine so cannot comment on that one.
Take a NMDA agonist and antagonist at the same time is a wild card and not sure what the result would be. Let us know if you try it. 🙂 Cycling on different days would be the only way around it I think.
So far my research go NAC seem to be one of the best Nootropics to fight high glutamate.
But what exactly does NAC with excess Glutamate. Does it convert to Gaba, Glutamine ?
Does it bind to it and negate ?
In both situations it sound to be good for panic disorders.
Paolo, NAC does it through the cystine–glutamate antiporter and NMDA Receptors. So to this clinical study and scroll down to the headline “Glutamate” for a full explanation: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3044191/.
hi david
i take glutamine daily, morning and lunch. can i take NAC with it same time ?
or should separate them ?
and should i supplement zinc & copper with when i start NAC ?
i plane to use it for short term, ( 3-4 months )
or its not mandatory ?
Salem, you should be using NAC 600 mg 3-times per day. You take take it with glutamine.
Studies show that long-term use of high-dose NAC may deplete your body’s stores of zinc. So if you are using NAC everyday long-term you should also supplement with zinc and low dose copper. If only for 3-4 months I don’t think it’s that important.
But why would you only use it short-term? This is one supplement that most people should be using daily for the rest of their lives in my opinion.
thanks david for your advice
i will take it daily, and i will take it along with glutamine,
do you recommend taking them before or after a meal ?
and for the night dose, can i take glutamine and NAC before bed ?
Salem, they are both amino acids and could compete with amino acids in your meal. So ideally take them an hour before or two hours after a meal.
NAC affects dopamine receptors so you want to avoid boosting dopamine’s effects late in the day. Or it could interrupt sleep.
I suggest using both 2 or 3-times per day but the last dose before 4 PM.
Hi, can i take both NAC and NALT daily?
Absolutely. I use both nootropics every day.
David why are recommended dosages on some nootropics (like NAC) 600 mg, 3 times per day instead of up to 1800mg a day? Is taking 1800 mg by spreading it out through 3 or 2 dosages a better option than taking 1800 mg at once?
Sven, it’s because the half-life is about 5 1/2 hrs. If you use smaller doses like 600 mg 3-times per day you keep a consistent level available in your system. If you took all 1,800 mg at once in the morning, it would be cleared from your system by afternoon.
Hi! Is there a reason this supplement would cause drowsiness? I added it to my stack (MindLab, Multivitamin, Aniracetam, DHA) 3 days ago and it’s having a strange effect that I’d probably describe as something similar to drowsiness. Almost similar to taking Benedryl, that weird heavy feeling. Is there something I need to balance it with?
Rhiannon, NAC affects dopamine receptors and the way they work. Which makes dopamine in your brain more effective.
Mind Lab Pro boosts dopamine with N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine. It sounds like too much dopamine. You can suppress excess dopamine by raising serotonin. Use 500 mg L-Tryptophan before you go to bed and see if that helps.
Is there any problem to get it along with molybdenum and selenium? Now foods offers 600mg with this minerals.
Karl, Molybdenum is required for your body to metabolize sulfur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine. And NAC influences dopamine receptors. Dopamine pathways are dependent on selenium.
More on the 13 minerals your brain needs here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/13-minerals-essential-for-the-optimized-brain/
Dear David,
Thank you for the wonderful work that you do and I have spent many an hour reading all of the invaluable information you put out here for us all to access.
I suffer from Gilbert’s syndrome but the doctors in the UK don’t really have any understanding of it and believe it to not cause any symptoms.
Just from my own research, I believe that the excess bilirubin causes excess glutamate and inflammation in the brain. High levels of serotonin and maybe dopamine and low levels of GAMMA. Information is so hard to find on it though.
I have always been a happy and positive person but recently I am constantly fatigued, have brain fog, anxious, have pure O tendencies and recently have had depression because of the ongoing symptoms. I am hoping that the above detective work may help me in finding a nootropic that could help. I was given an SSRI antidepressant (citralopram) which literally sent me over the edge with suicidal thoughts etc so stopped that straight away!
Anyway, enough babbling; Basically would NAC be a good one to start with? and would it be a good idea to mix it with Saffron extract or Lemon balm.
I am using the Pro lab multivitamin tablets, milk thistle, taurine, turmeric and L methionine at the moment. But I am lost to be honest as lots of nootropics seem to focus on raising serotine and dopamine.
Any help at all would be very much appreciated.
I am in the UK so some nootropics are hard to get.
Thank you so much and really even a slight nudge in the right direction would be super.
Kind regard
Clare
Clare, I know nothing of Gilbert’s Syndrome except what I read on Wikipedia. So defer to your knowledge and what you have learned.
If it’s true that it causes excess glutamate then I suggest tracking down the nootropics that keep glutamate under control. And help prevent glutamate toxicity. Use the search function here on Nootropics Expert. And search for the keyword “glutamate”.
You’ll get several false positives. So it’ll take some reading. But you are looking for nootropics that prevent glutamate toxicity.
It’s much more difficult to try and reduce both serotonin and dopamine at the same time. Because usually you’ll raise one which depresses the other. Not reduce both at the same time.
NAC may not be a good idea because it supports dopamine. Instead, after you finished researching glutamate toxicity I suggest you do another search for inflammation. And find the nootropics that can help tame inflammation. But be careful, because some that tame inflammation also boost dopamine and/or serotonin.
For example, Saffron extracts (crocin & safranal) inhibit the uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain. So while to helps with inflammation it also boosts something you don’t want boosted.
Dear David,
A friend of mine is struggling with a cocaine addiction and he is trying not to use it anymore but the cravings are sometimes so strong that he does use it again.
What nootropics do you think will help to get off of cocaine? I know that NAC can help because NAC regulates the amount of glutamate in the brain and also influences the amount of dopamine that is available in our brain.
Are there any other nootropics that could be added to NAC that will help him to quit using cocaine?
Many thanks,
Adrian
Adrian, I like your thinking. And your approach to this. It’s a tough one but the only other thing I can think of to try is L-Glutamine: https://nootropicsexpert.com/l-glutamine/.
Other option is do a search of Nootropics Expert for the keyword “cravings”. And see what turns up. You’ll get references to reduction of cravings for things like sugar. Not sure if that will help because I haven’t thought it completely through. But worth exploring I think.
If you had to give someone your top 3 suggestions for healing dopamine receptors after Adderall and Vyvanse abuse , what would be your top 3 picks that you know for certain would help ? Please answer , it would be very much appreciated
Malik, I’ve had great success with NAC, Mind Lab Pro and Aniracetam. I’d use Ashwagandha as well if I could by my body doesn’t like it.
Any ideas on whether its safe to take glutathione supplements at the same time as NAC?
Jaf, I don’t think it’s contraindicated. But too much of anything is not a good idea.
Hi David,
I started using NAC about four months ago for withdrawal from antidepressant Nortriptyline (Allegron). You recommended NAC to treat the withdrawal as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). I went down from 100mg of allegron to 75mg. I don’t want to decrease the dosage any more, I like the way I feel at the moment. But I would like to add the final two nootropics to my stack – Pine Bark Extract that you recommended at the consultation we had and Vitamin D because my Vitamin D level is a bit low. My stack at the moment is very big and I don’t want to take something that I don’t need. So I was thinking, because I don’t withdraw from antidepressant any more to stop taking NAC. But on the other hand I don’t want to feel worse by stopping it. As I mentioned my stack is very big, and I’m not sure how to see if NAC gives me any benefit at the moment. Even if it helps a little bit and I’ll stop it I don’t think I will be able to tell, because of the other nootropics that I take.
David what do you think the best thing for me to do in this situation?
Any help is greatly appreciated.
Mick, you know I’m a big fan of NAC and would continue to use it. Because it’s a precursor to the synthesis of glutathione which is a potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenger. And NAC modulates glutamate levels and dopamine release in your brain. Those are all pretty convincing reasons to use it every day. Don’t you think?
I think it’s a peace of mind continuing with NAC, even if it makes me feel a little bit better in my situation at the moment. By stopping it I’m risking feeling a bit worse than I do now, so I think it’s worth it.
Thanks David.
Hi David,
If my whey protein isolate powder (NOW Sports, so reputable) contains 728mg L Cysteine per serving, and I consume 2 servings per day, is it ok to take NAC separately, 600mg 3 times a day as recommended?
I didn’t notice the whey protein contained L Cysteine until after I bought the NAC. I also take 30mg zinc with 2mg copper as recommended.
I’m wondering if NAC on top of L Cysteine basically means I am then taking too much ‘Cysteine’ in general, as 2 servings of the whey protein is approx 1,500mg, and the 1,800mg NAC means a total of 3,300mg per day…
Thank you!
Chris
Chris, one German study showed the safety of 2,800 mg of NAC per day for 3 months in patients with cystic fibrosis. But I’d check the “side effects” section above in this review to keep an eye out for symptoms. Because side effects from L-Cysteine are usually associated with high doses. If you don’t experience any of those side effects (including getting your liver checked) then you should be OK.
HI DAVID ,,would like to know if I take supplement with NAC will give the same results of l cysteine ..I need to know as there is amino acid supplements contain L cysteine wonder if it gives the same effect ,,and if I take it for long term it will have any side effects,,
Mr. Sam, my understanding is an acetyl group was added to cysteine to help make it more bioavailable and so it could cross the blood-brain barrier. I do not think you’ll get the same nootropic benefit that’s provided by NAC if you just use L-Cysteine.
Hello David,
After reading most of your post, i have a confusion i.e. I feel Ala, NAC and Taurine are interconnected to each other either because on glutathione or cysteine.
Does it mean if i use ala then taking nac is unnecessaryn or vice-versa.
Secondly, I need recommendation from you which nootropics i use to increase mental energy. My blood pressure is generally normal but on lower side. My feets are also cold in summer time.
I have used many nootropics for energy as recommended in your post but still nothing helped me out. I am lacking basic mental energy and motivation. I tried up till now mct oil, alcar, ala, pine bark extract for energy.
To fight this mental fatigue only krill oil, nalt help a bit. I don’t know what’s the problem.
Do you have any suggestions?
Regards
Shivansh Batra
Shivansh, Alpha Lipoic Acid, NAC and Taurine are all very different nootropic supplements. For example, cysteine provided by NAC helps in the synthesis of Taurine. But it has other nootropic functions as well.
You’ve already hinted at a clue on what may be contributing to your mental fatigue. With krill oil it means you’re low in DHA. And with NALT it means you’re low in dopamine and norepinephrine. Both have an effect on energy levels. Please see dosage recommendations including timing during the day for both DHA and NALT here on Nootropics Expert.
A basic energy stack (https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-energy-supplements-to-buy/) includes ALCAR, Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10 and PQQ. That stack ensures your mitochondria can make adequate ATP which is your most basic and fundamental source of energy.
Motivation is associated with the dopamine pathway. But you need more than to simply boost dopamine if you want to activate that pathway. You also need a nootropic to activate AMPA receptors. Which is explained in this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/
The key to making this all work is using adequate dosages and the right timing during your day. You’ll find that info in each of the relevant reviews. Let me know if you require further clarification.
My daughter takes 2400 mg NAC daily (split into two doses) with extra vitamin C to treat a lung problem. She recently started an antidepressant, Lexapro, and seems to be worse. Her symptoms mimic a mild serotonin syndrome. I’ve had serotonin syndrome five separate times from all different meds. I am extremely prone to it. I have yet to find a doctor who has any knowledge on this to help me with this problem as I also have four rear immune and neurodegenerative conditions that need treating but because of this I can’t take the meds I need. I’m hoping you can help me with two things: do you know any specialist that might be able to help me with the too prone to serotonin syndrome issue or have knowledge on it and/or do you know if the combo of an antidepressant and high dose NAC could cause serotonin syndrome? I have read that it affects glutathione and dopamine and serotonin but couldn’t find the direct effect on serotonin. I have found in research that it increases the minimal effective dose of Lexapro so definitely interacts. I appreciate any help you can give in this matter. Thank you.
Amy, I am not aware of any direct contraindication for NAC with Lexapro. But be aware of two things: 1. Lexapro inhibits the liver enzyme CYP2D6 which will increase the effectiveness of anything that is normally metabolized by that enzyme. So I suspect that the already high dose of NAC is even higher when using Lexapro.
2. The other thing is high dosages of NAC suppress zinc levels. Zinc is needed as a cofactor in the synthesis of serotonin.
It sounds like such a high dose of NAC with Lexapro is throwing some major neurotransmitters out of balance. Which will cause side effects and some could mimic Serotonin Syndrome.
I suggest you cut back on your NAC dose and see how that works. The maximum recommended dose for NAC is 1,800 mg and that’s usually split into 3 doses per day. And add a zinc supplement along with a low dose copper supplement. More on zinc here: https://nootropicsexpert.com/zinc/
Hi David ,
I did a Genova methylation panel to check on my current levels, and cysteine came back very low and taurine very high. I supplement with 3000mgs of oral NAC daily divided 3 times thorough out the day to try and boost Glutathione levels. I also supplement Taurine 1000mgs 2 x a day. My physician seems to think the cysteine is converting to taurine somehow. Have you heard of this? He wants me to stop the oral NAC and start transdermal 3 x a day. Just wondering what your thoughts are on the NAC taurine interaction. Thanks.
Paul, Taurine is naturally derived from cysteine in your pancreas. Using both NAC and taurine will influence taurine levels in your system.
David, can I continue taking my multivitamins and other supplements like L-Glutamine with NAC 1000mg?
Delia, yes you can and it’s a great addition to your stack. Esp. if you want to support your immune system.
Greetings
I am curious, David, if you find it possible that n-acetylcysteine could exacerbate or even induce, a cobalamin deficiency. The reason I ask is that shortly after consuming NAC over a period of two days (in total, 1700mg) I began to present with symptoms of b9/b12 deficiency. I did some cursory research in the sequence of glutathione production and found that vitamins b6,9,12 are all involved in the production of glutathione (https://www.researchgate.net/figure…or-biosynthesis-of-Glutathione_fig1_321662012).
Now, being that NAC is a glutathione precursor, do you think that this could have caused a cobalamin deficiency or exacerbated a deficiency I had already had (but was without symptoms)?
Nathan, it was likely a deficiency you were already experiencing and did not know it was happening.
I tell almost every single person I consult with to add a B-Complex supplement to their stack. Because most of us are deficient in 2 or more of the B-Vitamins, magnesium, lithium, iodine, and other critical vitamins and minerals. Being low in just one of them affects a ton of stuff going on in your body and brain.