N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine boosts dopamine

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC)

David Tomen
Author:
David Tomen
Jill Corleone, RD
Fact Checked:
Jill Corleone, RD
14 minute read
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful anti-oxidant, can boost mood, lower anxiety, improve memory, and reduce compulsive behavior

Key Takeaways

  1. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is a powerful antioxidant that restores glutathione levels in the body and brain, helping maintain oxidative balance in cells.
  2. NAC has neuroprotective properties, reducing inflammation, oxidative damage, and modulating glutamate levels and dopamine release, positively impacting cognition, memory, and mood.
  3. NAC shows potential in treating serious cognitive disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, severe depression, and anxiety by boosting glutathione and dopamine levels in the brain.
  4. NAC can reduce oxidative stress, eliminate free radicals, rejuvenate dopamine receptors, and enhance cognitive function when taken as a supplement.
  5. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) dosage recommendation is 500 mg, 3-times per day

 

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.

I have been using 500 mg NAC 3-times per day and every day for the last decade and it is one of my favorite supplements.

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.

Studies show that as a nootropic, NAC helps prevent glutamate toxicity, boosts dopamine, and reduces inflammation, oxidative and free radical damage.

Where to buy: one of the only vendors still selling NAC and I highly recommend them: Life Extension – NAC

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.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC)

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) is the N-acetyl form of the naturally occurring amino acid L-Cysteine.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) chemical structure
N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC)

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.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine boosts-brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

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.

  1. N-Acetyl L-Cysteine reduces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by free radical damage in brain immune cells. Leading to neurodegeneration and reducing brain health which can lead to 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. And negatively affecting brain health.

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 boosted 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]

  1. NAC 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 immune health issues such as 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 N-Acetyl Cysteine 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.N-Acetyl L-Cysteine relieves depression

↑ 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 health 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 can reduce oxidative stress by replenishing 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. Patients receive intravenous NAC (IV) or orally as a treatment for acute acetaminophen overdose 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)N-Acetyl L-Cysteine boosts the feel-good neurotransmitter dopamine
  • 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 in Parkinson’s Disease

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 of an intravenous n acetyl cysteine (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 Cysteine (NAC) alleviates symptoms related to Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease

People suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may experience long-term oxidative damage and inflammation of lung tissue. And lack of oxygen to the brain can have a severe impact on memory.

In addition, any chronic lung disease, such as bronchitis, can cause airways to constrict. This inflammation may lead to shortness of breath or coughing. Research suggests that taking the potent antioxidant N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC), dietary supplements can help improve symptoms related to COPD, chronic bronchitis, and its complications, and improve lung function.

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine repairs Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue affecting 69 million people worldwide 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 $26 billion in lifetime medical costs and $631 billion in quality of life lost.[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]N-Acetyl L-Cysteine is used to treat Traumatic Brain Injury

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 dosage recommendationsN-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 one of the naturally occurring amino acids of the body, L-Cysteine.

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 (NAC) is available in powder, tablet and capsule form. NAC capsules and tablets were usually 500 mg.

Where to buy: I highly recommend: Life Extension – NAC

NAC was in short supply because 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. Resulting in NAC being difficult to find on Amazon or many of the other sites that used to sell NAC.

Several lawsuits were filed against the FDA. And NAC has since become easier to find in the supplements sections of online stores.

Nootropics Expert Recommendation

N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) 500 mg, 3-times per day

Nootropics Expert Tested and ApprovedI 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.

I recommend N-Acetyl L-Cysteine (NAC) from : Life Extension – NAC

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may also contain other affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

[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] Dewan M.C., Rattani A., Gupta S., Baticulon R.E., Hung Y., Punchak M. Agrawal A., Adeleye A.O., Shrime M.G., Rubiano A., Rosenfeld J.V., Park K.B. “Estimating the global incidence of traumatic brain injury” Journal of Neurosurgery Volume 130; Issue 4 (Apr 2019) (source)

[x] “Traumatic Brain Injury” A Roadmap for Accelerating Progress 2022 Chapter 2 National Academies Press (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)

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Join The Discussion - 546 comments

Christine Robbins
May 11, 2021

Hi David,
I tried the NAC twice. Each time after taking it for about 3 days, I completely check out, not functioning, mentally and physically. I was taking 600 mg 2x a day. Does this mean it is just not for me?
Thanks, and thanks for your great work.
Christine

    David Tomen
    May 12, 2021

    Christine, I think that is a good sign that this is simply the wrong supplement for you.

Bradley Horwith
May 8, 2021

Hey David. I was about to replenish my NAC and noticed that the FDA invoked the drug exclusion provision, as NAC was first studied as a drug in 1963, and therefore is a restricted product now prohibited from sale on Amazon.
I plan to get mine from HR supplements. However, I am confused as to how an amino acid can be considered a drug by any stretch of the imagination. Something tells me the intentions behind this decision are far from positive.
It is just a bummer as I got my NAC from HR Supplements last time. I plan to do so this time as well. I was originally going to get Jarrow’s NAC Sustain as it (supposedly) will effectively increase the half-life through an extended release capsule. However it seems Jarrow has also removed it from their website, likely for the same reason.

    David Tomen
    May 10, 2021

    Bradley, once again someone is lining the pockets of those making these types of decisions. In this case it appear to be a subsidiary of Ashvattha Therapeutics who are in clinical trials using NAC for people recovering from COVID-19.

    This pisses me off to no end because NAC is one of my favorite supplements. Don’t be “confused as to how an amino acid can be considered a drug” because the big pharmaceutical have a extraordinary stranglehold on our political system. And until we can figure out how to elect politicians who are immune to bribes just assume this type of behavior will continue.

Wilma
May 3, 2021

Hi David I have a number of concerns please, is cold pressed coconut oil the same in terms of effectiveness as non cold pressed virgin coconut oil when consuming fat soluble nootropics?
– Is the maximum amount of iron recommended for men over 30 years of age 18 mg or 8 mg?

-How many mg of extra iron and copper should I get when supplementing with NAC twice a day with 600 mg twice a day?

-Could you recommend a good CAPSULE FILLING MACHINE and a good scale for measuring supplements from Amazon or elsewhere?

    David Tomen
    May 4, 2021

    Wilma, unrefined coconut oil, cold pressed coconut oil, and virgin coconut oil are used interchangeably. They are all referring to the same thing.

    The RDA for iron for adult men is 8 mg per day.

    You do not need to worry about supplementing with NAC at recommended dosages and it depleting zinc stores. That only happens at dosages of 20 grams per day.

    This is the scale I use: https://amzn.to/3vGnr4B

    And I can’t find capsule filling machine I use anywhere on Amazon. I suggest you search eBay for : 100 Holes Capsule Machine Filler Size 00 and make sure you select the one for 00 size capsules and don’t get the 0 size by mistake. They should be about $20.

    The 00 capsules I prefer are these: https://amzn.to/3teaoWp

salem
April 30, 2021

hi david

i take NAC from now food, the capsule is 1000mg, is that too much as a one cap ?

they mentioned in the package take 3 times per day, so thats 3000 mg !

for now, i only take one 1000 mg capsule per day. no more

    David Tomen
    April 30, 2021

    Salem, yes that’s high. Upper limit on NAC is around 2,000 mg per day. One German study used 2,800 mg per to treat cystic fibrosis but that was limited to 3 months.

      salem
      May 1, 2021

      so can i take only one capsule 1000mg per day ?
      or i must take a dose of 600mg ?

        David Tomen
        May 2, 2021

        Salem, you should be able to safely use 1,000 mg NAC twice per day. Space out the doses by around 6 hrs.

Dan
April 30, 2021

Hi David, it seems that a couple of sources are stating that NAC in high doses can sometimes redistribute heavy metals into the brain. Is this the case?
If so, what other supplements can counteract this?

Many thanks

    David Tomen
    April 30, 2021

    Dan, the study you are referencing found that dosages of 20 grams of NAC drastically lowered zinc levels. And then computer simulations said this was a zinc problem at 800 mg.

    But then the study concludes with “simulations relative to gastrointestinal conditions suggest that NAC should tend to increase zinc absorption, regardless of its dose”.

    Seems to me that is confusing and scares people.

    I have found after years of 600 mg NAC 3-times per day is that it works as I describe above. I don’t get sick as often. It’s one of my favorite supplements and I’ll continue to use it. Just because it works.

Jose
April 27, 2021

Hello David Can I know why it’s not in your stack anymore?, I fear that that you’ve discovered something negative about N-Acetyl L-Cysteine

And Finally, I would like to know if it also serves to modulates seratonin release in the brain? I have noticed that I sleep better when I consume it together with L Tryptofan compared to L Tryptofan alone

    David Tomen
    April 30, 2021

    Jose, I use 600 mg NAC 3-times per day and have for many years.
    Anything “negative” I’ve found out about NAC is under the “Side Effects” section above.

    NAC does not modulate serotonin release. But if you scroll back up to the very top and carefully read all the way down. You may discover why it’s working for you.

Jon Moore
March 27, 2021

Hi David,

Been trying NAC as I have CFS and a related condition called POTS. Both of which recent studies have linked to brain inflammation and NAC was listed as of potential benefit. I’ve tried 600 mg NAC now and again l found when I take in the day I sleep worse, in particular have more trouble getting back to sleep if I wake early.
Do you have any idea why that might be? Could it mean I’m zinc deficient? Or react the sulphur based compounds?

Or is this better taken in the evening?

    David Tomen
    March 28, 2021

    Jon, that is a new one on me. It could be because NAC helps restore dopamine receptors and makes the work better. That is the only thing I can think of. Or you may be reacting to sulfur-based compounds.

    Zinc deficiency only happens from long-term use of NAC. And that would be 600 mg 3-times per day for a year of using this supplement.

    Try it in the evening and see if that works. It may make matters worse. But some people find that increasing dopamine a little helps them with sleep.

    Also, use the search field top right of the top menu and search for the keyword “inflammation” for some other ideas.

Wong
March 24, 2021

Hi

I would like to know what nootropics you use for detoxify the liver. Does NAC and milk thistle helps since I am taking quite a number of nootropics

    David Tomen
    March 24, 2021

    Wong, Turmeric and phosphatidylcholine (PC).

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