Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- SAM-e (S-Adenosyl Methionine) is a naturally occurring amino acid crucial for brain health and bodily functions.
- It regulates neurotransmitters, impacting mood, memory, and behavior.
- SAM-e treats depression and anxiety effectively, faster than traditional antidepressants and without their side effects.
- SAM-e enhances neuroplasticity, brain-cell membrane fluidity, and muscarinic receptors, leading to improved learning, memory, and mood.
- SAM-e supplementation with B vitamins at recommended dosages of 400 to 1600 mg daily benefits conditions like depression, anxiety, osteoarthritis pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic liver disease.
SAM-e (S-Adenosyl Methionine, Ademethionine, Adomet) is the naturally-occurring amino acid methionine bound to an ATP molecule. And is found in nearly every cell in your body.
SAM-e helps produce and breakdown the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin in your brain. SAM-e maintains cell membranes and plays a role in a healthy immune system.
Studies show that SAM-e is very effective in treating depression without the side effects of prescription antidepressants. And while pharmaceutical antidepressants can take from 6 to 8 weeks to begin working, SAM-e can work much faster.
The latest research shows that SAM-e can be anti-anxiety, reduces pain including in fibromyalgia, and can improve learning, memory and mood.
SAM-e helps:
- Neuroplasticity. SAM-e is involved in the formation of myelin that surrounds and protects axons. And SAM-e can improve brain-cell membrane fluidity. Enhancing the function of neuroreceptors.
- Neurotransmitters. SAM-e is involved in the synthesis of acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Helping to normalize mood, moderate behavior, and elevate emotions.
- Neuroprotectant. SAM-e helps produce the powerful antioxidant glutathione through a process called transsulfuration. SAM-e helps stabilize cell membranes and promotes the secretion of bile. And through a process called aminopropylation, SAM-e is converted into the antioxidant methylthioadenosine, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties.
Overview
SAM-e (S-Adenosyl Methionine) is a naturally occurring coenzyme that plays many critical roles in your body.
SAM-e is made from methionine and ATP (adenosine triphosphate) during a cycle that recycles the amino acid homocysteine. This cycle requires Vitamin B6 and B12 and folate (B9) to work properly.
SAM-e is a precursor to the crucial antioxidant glutathione which is used in your brain and liver. When glutathione levels drop in your body, liver damage from oxidative stress begins within seconds of exposure to alcohol or toxins.
SAM-e is a methyl donor that contributes to several essential processes in your brain. As a methyl donor, SAM-e is involved in the production and recycling of hormones, cytokines, and the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin.
This methyl donor process is call ‘methylation’, and contributes to gene expression. Affecting how your cells work and communicate including your cell DNA.
SAM-e modifies important molecules in cell membranes that control communications within and between brain cells. SAM-e boosts the number of muscarinic receptors in certain parts of your brain which are critical to this cellular communications network.
SAM-e is used to treat depression, anxiety, osteoarthritis pain, fibromyalgia, and chronic liver disease.
SAM-e is sold as an OTC dietary supplement in the United States and Canada. And as a prescription drug in several European Union countries, and Russia. SAM-e is marketed under the brand names Adomet, Gumbaral, Samyr, Heptral, Agotan, Donamet, Isimet and Admethionine.
How does SAM-e work in the Brain?
SAM-e boosts brain health and function in several ways. But two in particular stand out.
- SAM-e helps alleviate depression. SAME-e is one of the main building blocks your brain needs to produce the neurotransmitters acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin. By raising the levels of dopamine in your brain, SAM-e helps enhance memory, motivation and learning.
Researchers at the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center studied the antidepressant effect of oral SAM-e in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial for 15 patients with major depression.
The researchers found that SAM-e is a safe, effective antidepressant with few side effects and a rapid onset of action. And may be useful for those who cannot tolerate prescription tricyclic antidepressants.[i]
- SAM-e directly influences neuronal signaling. SAM-e increases the number of muscarinic receptors in the hippocampus. We have two kinds of acetylcholine (ACh) receptors in our brain. 1) Nicotinic receptors and 2) Muscarinic receptors
Most of the nootropics we investigate here at Nootropics Expert influence nicotinic receptors and ACh. Muscarinic receptors have a very different mechanism of action. They are part of a large family of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) which are used as an intracellular secondary messenger system.
Your brain has a very complex system of control to regulate different processes going on in different cells at different times. For this to work, there must be a sophisticated means of communication between cells.
GPCRs and their G proteins provide this intercellular communication. And form one of the most important signaling systems in your brain. They are involved in nearly every aspect of your physiology and behavior.
G proteins work by binding neurotransmitters, hormones, growth factors, cytokines, odorants and photons at the cell surface to the GPCR, and activating that receptor. Everything you see, hear, smell, or taste goes through this signaling process.
And SAM-e increases the number of these muscarinic receptors in parts of your brain, including your hippocampus. In one study, aged rats were given SAM-e for 30 days. Supplementation with SAM-e restored the number of muscarinic receptors to levels found in the same areas in young animals.[ii]
Supplementing with SAM-e to increase muscarinic receptors in your brain can boost neuroplasticity and increase learning, memory, mood and even smell and vision.
How things go bad
You have healthy levels of SAM-e throughout your body when you’re young. But as you age, your body makes less of it. This is why young people bounce back from difficult experiences more easily. They’ve got higher levels of dopamine and a higher pain threshold than adults.
SAM-e is a major methyl donor in your body. It is involved in the biosynthesis of hormones, neurotransmitters, proteins and phospholipids.[iii]
SAM-e participates in a sequence of events involving folic acid (folate) and Vitamin B12. Folate converts to 5-MTHF (5-methyltetrahydrofolate) which converts freely circulating homocysteine back into the amino acid Methionine (using Vitamin B12). L-Methionine then binds to an Adenosine group from ATP to create SAM-e.
SAM-e is then able to donate methyl groups (called methylation) to a variety of reactions including the production and breakdown of the neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin in your brain.
This methylation process degrades SAM-e into S-Adenosylhomocysteine. Which is then fed back into this cycle from the beginning. This process is referred to as a ‘one-carbon cycle’.
If you don’t have enough folate or Vitamin B12 available, this SAM-e methylation process breaks down. And the result can be depression, brain fog, poor recall and memory, and pain.
This lack of folate and Vitamin B12 can affect you regardless of age. This is a big enough problem that the Canadian government mandated folate fortification of all flour, and some corn and rice products to address this issue in 1998.[iv]
Low levels of SAM-e, methylfolate, Vitamin B6 and B12 can lead to all kinds of problems. And genetic defects that don’t allow the use of these important vitamins can result in the same symptoms.
↓ Cognition, memory, recall, and mood diminish
↓ Methylfolate, Vitamin B6 & B12 absorption declines
↑ Homocysteine levels rise
↑ Pain levels rise
↓ Mental health, language and fine motor skills decline
All of these changes in brain energy metabolism are contributing factors to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, epilepsy, dementia, and other cognitive symptoms.
But even if you’re not concerned with genetic defects, a lack of B-Vitamins, or the effects of aging, SAM-e can help.
SAM-e benefits
Stress-related disorders like anxiety, major depression and PTSD are some of the most debilitating illnesses known to man. And if you’re reading this, and dealing with any of these, supplementing with SAM-e may help.
To cope with stress requires changes in the expression of “immediate-early genes” in your hippocampus. The same area of your brain you use for learning and memory.
Stressful events result in epigenetic (gene) modifications within ‘immediate-early genes’ in your hippocampus neurons. DNA methylation acts to suppress the expression of these genes. This is where SAM-e comes in…
SAM-e is a methyl donor for the enzyme that methylates your DNA. When SAM-e levels are high enough, a stressful event will not result in DNA de-methylation.
Instead, a stressful event enhances DNA methylation of ‘immediate-early genes’. Which suppress their expression and allows you to adapt in a healthy way to this stressful situation.[v]
SAM-e is a powerful antidepressant. In 2005, researchers combed through the databases of Medline, Psychinfo, AMED, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register. And collated the findings of randomized, controlled trials studying SAM-e for depression through to September 2001.
The team concluded after analyzing all the clinical evidence that SAM-e was effective in treating major depression in adults.[vi]
SAM-e is also a potent pain-killer. A recent study looked at 56 people with arthritis in their knees for 16 weeks. One group took the COX-2 inhibitor Celebrex while the other group took SAM-e.
Researchers found that SAM-e was as effective as Celebrex at eliminating pain. And without the potential side effects of heart attack or stroke that can be caused by using Celebrex.[vii]
Another study on the effect of SAM-e with 17 fibromyalgia patients confirmed a close relationship between primary fibromyalgia and psychologic problems including depression.
SAM-e treatment improved the depressive state of these patients. And SAM-e was found to be an effective and safe therapy in the management of fibromyalgia.[viii]
How does SAM-e feel?
For some, supplementing with SAM-e can be life-changing.
SAM-e can have a profound effect on emotions, depression, and feelings of anxiety. You may experience improved concentration, energy, alertness, and feelings of well-being. Even vision can become clearer.
Once you start supplementing with SAM-e, you should experience at the very least, a general sense of well-being.
SAM-e works particularly well for those who deal with depression or anxiety. Neurohackers report that they no longer have panic attacks. And the feeling of doom is gone.
Adding SAM-e to your nootropic stack can improve sociability, and not feeling overwhelmed by life. Brain fog lifts and thinking is clearer and faster.
Others say that the “dark cloud has lifted”, and all the negativity and stress is gone. Things that normally would irritate are just brushed off, and you move on.
One big word of caution: SAM-e needs Vitamins B6 & B12 and folate to work. Or supplementing with SAM-e may be a waste of time and money because without adequate levels of these B-Vitamins it will not provide any benefit.
You’ll notice reference to B-Vitamins several times in this article on SAM-e. It is that important. Use Vitamin B6 & B12 and folate every day that you supplement with SAM-e. Or use a B-Complex formula that contains methylfolate (B9) (avoid folic acid).
SAM-e Clinical Research
SAM-e Lifts Mood
We have made significant progress in the last 100 years in diagnosing and treating depression. And yet, 10’s of millions still suffer from depression. In 2014, an estimated 15.7 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in the past year.[ix]
In the United States, one in ten Americans are using antidepressants.[x] I don’t have statistics from other countries but I suspect many have similar problems. Unfortunately, antidepressants only work 30 – 50% of the time. And often come with a host of side effects.
One reason that many people continue to suffer from depression is that most doctors are not aware of the link between homocysteine and depression.
If you’re dealing with depression and have had little success with antidepressants, you may have something as simple (and as serious) as a folate deficiency. Or low levels of Vitamin B12. Studies show a link between folate deficiency and impaired metabolism of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.
One study looked at 46 patients with severe depression. 24 of these patients had raised levels of homocysteine. And significantly lower levels of folate, SAM-e, and other metabolites.
The researchers concluded that looking at total homocysteine levels could be a measure of depression. When it is caused by a folate deficiency, impaired methylation (SAM-e), and poor neurotransmitter metabolism (SAM-e). And a potential benefit to simply using vitamin replacement to treat severe depression.[xi]
Or supplementing with SAM-e to treat depressive symptoms.
SAM-e for ADHD in Adults
Ritalin and Adderall are thought to be the most effective treatment in children and adults with ADHD. These stimulants work by potentiating both dopamine and norepinephrine at the synaptic cleft. But stimulant meds for ADHD come with side effects.
SAM-e acts as a methyl donor and is involved in many metabolic pathways. It has both adrenergic and dopamine receptor agonist activity.
A research team at the University of California used SAM-e with subjects diagnosed with Adult ADHD in a 9-week double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
The research team found that 75% of the patients had a significant improvement in ADHD symptoms while using SAM-e. And the 25% who did not respond to SAM-e, did not respond to Ritalin either.[xii]
SAM-e Treats Depression
Scientists at the US Department of Health and Human Services conducted an analysis of 102 individual studies in 25 databases on SAM-e and depression in 2002. The report distilled data gleaned from published studies conducted around the world up to 2002.
This comprehensive report is called, “S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine for Treatment of Depression, Osteoarthritis, and Liver Disease.” The researchers found that SAM-e is just as effective as standard antidepressant drugs at treating depression.
The agency concluded, “Treatment with SAM-e was equivalent to standard therapy for depression”.[xiii]
SAM-e Recommended Dosage
Recommended dosage of SAM-e for nootropic benefit is 400 mg per day.
SAM-e for depression: 400 – 1600 mg daily in divided doses
SAM-e for bone and joint health: 200 – 1200 mg daily in divided doses
SAM-e for liver function issues: 1600 mg daily in divided doses
SAM-e for alcoholic liver disease: 600 – 1200 mg daily in divided doses
Some research and many user reports suggest that once positive effects are achieved, SAM-e doses can be reduced. Some report benefit with as little as 100 mg of SAM-e daily.
Studies show that SAM-e should be consumed with B-Vitamins. When SAM-e donates its methyl group, it breaks down into homocysteine. Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with increased heart disease, birth defects and depression.
Choose a bioactive B-Complex to use with SAM-e. Like the high quality B-Complex like Performance Lab® B-Complex which contains therapeutic amounts of each of the B-Vitamins you need while using SAM-e.
In order to prevent homocysteine accumulating, logic tells us based on its mechanism of action that sufficient levels of B-Vitamins must be present to convert homocysteine into the potent antioxidant glutathione.
Take SAM-e on an empty stomach and an hour before eating any food. SAM-e is best digested in your intestines and not your stomach. Not letting SAM-e settle into your digestive tract could cause stomach upset.
SAM-e Side Effects
SAM-e is produced naturally in your body. So is considered well-tolerated and safe.
If you have bipolar disorder, you could develop mania when supplementing with SAM-e. So check with your doctor before using SAM-e.
If you’re on antidepressant medication, you should check with your doctor before supplementing with SAM-e.
High doses of SAM-e can cause gas, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, anxiety or skin rashes. SAM-e may also trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
Type of SAM-e to buy
SAM-e is available in 200 and 400 mg tablets.
For optimal effects with SAM-e, stable, enteric-coated tablets are recommended. SAM-e should be taken on an empty stomach, either one hour before or two hours after meals.
SAM-e is highly unstable so check expiration dates. And you should get tablets that are packed in sealed, gel-packs for freshness.
Avoid SAM-e in powder form as you’ll likely be unsatisfied with the results.
Nootropics Expert Recommendation
SAM-e 400 mg per day
I recommend using SAM-e as a nootropic supplement.
Your body does make some SAM-e on its own. But SAM-e levels decrease as we age. And you cannot get SAM-e from food.
SAM-e is critical for the methylation process needed for making important neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin.
SAM-e is also involved in the cycle which produces the critical antioxidant glutathione. And it’s involved in maintaining brain cell membrane integrity and fluidity.
SAM-e increases muscarinic receptors in your hippocampus which boosts the activity of acetylcholine and other critical neurotransmitters in your brain. Leading to improved learning, memory and mood.
SAM-e is especially helpful if you’re dealing with depression. Or having difficulty coping with any kind of stress.
We suggest a dose of 400 mg daily. It may take a while for SAM-e to build up in your system. So be patient. Once you’re achieving the affects you want from SAM-e, you can eventually try scaling back your dose to 100 or 200 mg.
SAM-e needs Vitamins B6 & B12 and folate to work. Or SAM-e may not provide the benefit you are looking for. Most integrative medicine doctors and naturopaths recommend stacking a high quality B-Complex when using SAM-e. So make sure you stack SAM-e with the B-Vitamins listed above, or a good Vitamin B Complex formula that uses methylfolate (NOT folic acid).
A high quality B-Complex containing these bioactive B-Vitamins like the Performance Lab® B-Complex .
Join The Discussion - 392 comments
Jeff
February 19, 2019
Is it safe to take SAM-e with CDP/citicoline?
David Tomen
February 20, 2019
Jeff, it is safe to use these two nootropics together as long as each is dosed correctly. Including the B-Vitamins to support SAM-e.
Anne
January 18, 2019
I have a 26 year old son who is a USMC veteran. He is struggling with PTSD and depression. I am going to start him on several supplements, SAMe being one. I can only get him to take the supplements twice a day. I wanted to put him on 1200 of SAMe. Is it ok to take 800 in the morning and then 400 later in the day? I have also ordered a B-Complex.
David Tomen
January 19, 2019
Anne, your dosage suggestion is fine as long as it’s taken with a high quality B-Complex supplement. You may find that after a couple of months you’ll be able to reduce the dosage of SAM-e.
Please see my post on best nootropics for PTSD here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/treating-post-hurricane-ptsd-with-nootropic-supplements/. Suggested PTSD stack at the very end of that post. But I suggested reading the entire thing so you have a better understanding on what you are dealing with.
Anne
January 20, 2019
Thank you David. Heading over to read your post now.
Annie
ZHONGTING FENG
December 17, 2018
Hi David,
I’m Taiwanese. I extremely appreciate your supplement introduction in your YouTube videos.
My B-complex contains sufficient B6, B9, and B12 which are close to the tolerable upper intake level, so I only need one capsule daily. My SAM-e are 400 mg tablets. Now I want to have a 800 mg dosage of SAM-e. You mentioned that SAM-e should be taken with vitamin B-complex together before a meal. So should I take two tablets of SAM-e with one capsule of B-complex together before breakfast instead of taking one tablet of SAM-e with one capsule of B-complex before breakfast and then another one SAM-e alone before lunch? Thank you very much!
David Tomen
December 17, 2018
Zhongting, great question and it’s good to be cautious. If your B-Complex is at the tolerable upper daily limit I suggest using the B-Vitamin with your morning SAM-e dose. And take the other SAM-e dose at noon alone but well before a meal.
You may find that once you get your SAM-e levels optimal you’ll be able to reduce your daily SAM-e dose back to 400 mg or even as low as 100 mg per day.
Zhongting Feng
January 8, 2019
Hi David,
Among Nature Made, Doctor’s Best, Jarrow Formulas, which is your top-recommended brand for SAM-e? Thank you!
David Tomen
January 8, 2019
Zhongting, anyone of those three manufacturers test their product before shipping. So I wouldn’t recommend one over the other for supplements. But SAM-e is unstable and needs to provided in blister packs. I would use that as a guide along with product reviews by verified buyers to make a selection between these three.
Jay LIM
December 12, 2018
Dear David.
Thank you very much for all your help. I am a Korean and please forgive me for my poor English.
For the last eight months, I’ve taken St. john’s wort (Perika). About five weeks after I started taking 900mg, I felt it was working. At the time, I was convinced that I had finally found a way to deal with depression without side effects. But since then, after about six weeks, I felt that it was no longer working.. so Since then, I’ve increased the dosage every six weeks, and now I take 1,800mg, and it still doesn’t seem to work. and then I noticed you said “St. John’s wort does not work for all types of depression or anxiety.”
In fact, I’ve doubted this before (When I felt that 300mg was no longer working). After analyzing my behavior, I started paying attention to dopamine. So at that time, I added Dopa Mucuna(Now Foods) on 300mg of SJW. But then I felt a headache for a while, and I stopped it. (I don’t know if it’s because I took it at the same time as SJW.)
So now I’m going to try SAM-e. What is your opinion on this point? I’ve taken SJW 1800mg for a few weeks. Do I have to slow down the SJW dose, stop it completely, and then start SAM-e? Or Can I start SAM-e(200mg) on the way to reduce the dose of SJW? I want to see the effects as soon as possible, so it’s not easy to wait until I stop the SJW. Actually, it decreased to 1,200 mg from yesterday. Or IS it better to take both SAM-e and 300mg(SJW) at the same time that I first experienced the effects of SJW? ( keep the 300mg of SJW , Just increase the dose of SAM-e by looking at the situation.) I’d like to hear your opinion on which combination to use. Or should I solve the problem in a way other than SAM-e?
PS. I also have taken Ashwagandha, Bacopa, L-theanine, CoQ10, Magtein, Magnesium(lysinate glycinate), Kelp, Zinc, selenium, vitamin ABCDEK, EPA-DHA(Fish oil), and I’m going to add Valerian, Resveratrol, taurine.
David Tomen
December 12, 2018
Jay, St. John’s wort inhibits the uptake of serotonin, dopamine, GABA, glutamate and norepinephrine. Which means that more of each neurotransmitter is available in your brain. But the caveat here is if those neurotransmitters are naturally available in the first place.
I can’t say for sure why you grew tolerant to St. John’s wort but it may be because your brain ran low on at least some of those neurotransmitters.
The problem is trying to figure out which neurotransmitters you are low in. The only way to find out is to add a precursor for each one and one-at-a-time so you can know if something is providing a benefit or not.
SAM-e is likely not the answer you are looking for. At least not by itself because SAM-e contributes to the synthesis of some of these neurotransmitters. But is not a direct precursor to their synthesis.
For example, you still need L-Tryptophan for serotonin and L-Tyrosine for dopamine and norepinephrine. GABA is dosed on its own.
Jay LIM
December 13, 2018
Thank you very much for your detailed and kind reply.
OK, I’ll do as you suggest. I’ll start this process you said. ”The only way to find out is to add a precursor for each one and one-at-a-time so you can know if something is providing a benefit or not.”
First, I’ll start with L-Tyrosine. But there’s still one more question left. Should I stop SJW completely and start this process? Or should I proceed with this process on the basis of maintaining some SJW dose(For example, 900mg) ?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
David Tomen
December 13, 2018
Jay, if you are not experiencing any negative effects with St. John’s wort I think you could continue using it while you are experimenting with other nootropics like L-Tyrosine.
Wim
August 3, 2018
Thanks David for the profound info.
I will add now also SAM-e (Soloesse Italian pure S,S form) to the morning stack before any meal.
From other supplements post of you I understood that also:
-L-tyrosine
-ALCAR
– Alpha Lipoic Acid
also need to be taken on an empty stomach with some coconut oil.
The previous 3 go well together on an emthy stomach with oil.
Is it still ok to add the SAM-e to those 3 at the same moment?
No interactions with those 4 all on same emthy stomach?
On some I read that emthy stomach can also be no protein food or just fruit. Is fruit also ok with SAM-e?
The vitamin-B complex I take 2 hours later with yoghurt & mixed with whey isolate power and stacked extra capsules L-Carnitine Fumarate + magnesium glycinate lysinate chelate + zinc chelated + Q10 Ubiquinol
The B-complex does not need to be taken at same time with SAM-e?
If you see any that better are taken seperare please let me know.
Thanks for the good info
Wim
David Tomen
August 3, 2018
Wim, I suggest taking SAM-e at the same time as you take your B-Complex supplement. Because it needs B6 and B12 to work properly.
The key here is fat-soluble supplements should be taken with a meal or healthy fat like coconut oil.
But amino acids should be taken on an empty stomach because they compete with other amino acid in your meal. Things like meat. Anything in your meal that provides amino acids will prevent the full effect of an amino acid supplement.
Wim
August 5, 2018
Thanks David.
“SAM-e should be taken on an empty stomach” I read above.
I only have an empty stomach in the morning when I take already the amino acids: ALA,ALCAR, l-tyrosine
And the B-complex is written to take with food on the sticker. It is very strong, colours urine fluorid yellow first 2 hours after.
Not sure if I can take that also in the morning with all the rest together.
Thanks
David Tomen
August 5, 2018
Wim, there may be something in your B-Complex supplement that is fat-soluble which could be the reason to take it with food. But the B-Vitamins are water soluble and don’t require fat for transport.
I take my B-Complex with the rest of my stack with good results. You can take SAM-e and your B-Complex at the same time as the amino acids and get their benefit.
Cory
June 27, 2018
I have just begun to use both NAC and SAM e. I’m very excited to see its affects as far as realeving PTSD, and brain fog.
Thank you for your YouTube videos!
Jared
April 9, 2018
Hi David,
Love your website and youtube videos.
What do you think about the use of TMG instead of or in concert with SAM-e? From what I’m reading it seems that it would aid in methylation as well.
David Tomen
April 9, 2018
Jared, Trimethylglycine (TMG) is part of the one carbon cycle prior to the formation of SAM-e. Check out “betaine” in this very complex diagram: https://www.wikipathways.org/index.php/Pathway:WP241. I’ve not done the research but imagine you could use TMG in concert with SAM-e. Not sure what the result would be but if you try it please let us know. Your body needs both.
Yvette
January 16, 2018
Hi! I 55 years old.
I use SAM-e for chronic pain and depression, and it helps a lot, but not on my focus and motivation at work.
I add B-1 and B-6, but not B-12, because B-12 changes my mood – irritable/angry.
Also, I changed to Keto diet, which have improved my mobility and mood. (no fish, because I’m allergic).
Can you give any advice on which nootropic I should consider that will enhance what what it is already working for me, without side effects? (specially for focus and motivation).
David Tomen
January 17, 2018
Yvette, you need ALL the B-Vitamins for your brain to work the way it was designed. Rather than going into specifics here, please concentrate on this section of a post I recently updated on Best Nootropics for 2018 here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics/#vitamin-b-complex. I encourage you to study the rest of that post as well. But for now, put your energy into understanding what each of the B-Vitamins do in your brain. That link has a very brief summary to give an overall idea on how they work together. Then click through each link for specifics and dosage.
Vitamin B12 is likely causing irritation because the rest of the pathways it is required for are out of balance. And you are likely using the wrong kind. You need methylcobalamin and NOT cyanocobalamin. You also need magnesium, zinc and likely lithium. Please see this list (https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/) and scroll through to each so you can go to the full review for dosage and types to buy.
Finally, please study this post on motivation here > https://nootropicsexpert.com/hacking-motivation-with-nootropics/. For motivation, you need to encourage stimulation of glutamate AMPA-receptors to in turn, fire up dopamine neurons. And send dopamine on its way to the nucleus accumbens. That is the dopamine pathway responsible for motivation and pleasure.
First take care of the fundamentals I refer to above. Then try iodine, resveratrol, one of the racetams, noopept and Rhodiola Rosea. For the racetams your safest bet starting out is Aniracetam and Piracetam. Iodine and resveratrol are non-negotiable if you want to solve your issues. But for each of the nootropics I mention here and the rest of this comment, you must closely follow dosage instructions (and types to buy) for each to make sure you feel and experience the results you are looking for. For example, the racetams will not work without also using a choline supplement like Alpha GPC or CDP-Choline, the B-Complex vitamins, magnesium, zinc and a healthy fat like coconut oil.
Denise
April 29, 2019
Hi my son is taking Sam-e 200 complex aged 12 for adhd and anxiety is this blend enough as it is
200mg S adenosylmethionine
Folic said 90 mcg
B12 500 mcg
B6 25mg
Riboflavin 10mg
Zinc 5mg
It is brand nutrition care
Should we give Ritalin still until the Sam-e builds up in his system and howling until we should start seeing effects please
David Tomen
May 1, 2019
Denise, your your son is clinically ADHD it is unlikely that SAM-e and the B-Complex vitamins are going to eliminate all of his symptoms.
Please scroll down the Nootropics List here and see each review for dosages for each of these B-Vitamins: https://nootropicsexpert.com/nootropics-list/
If you want a natural way to help ADHD or a safer way to use Ritalin please see this post: https://nootropicsexpert.com/best-nootropics-for-adhd-add/