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Alpha-GPC: Difference between revisions
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{{SubstanceBox/Alpha-GPC}} | {{SubstanceBox/Alpha-GPC}} | ||
'''''Alpha''-GPC''' ('''L-''alpha''-glycerophosphocholine''', '''choline alfoscerate''') is a water-soluble nutrient which serves as a precursor to both [[choline]] and glycerophosphate within the brain. In humans, choline is considered to be an essential nutrient as its role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects, fatty liver disease, and other pathologies has been well-documented.<ref>Zeisel, S. H., | '''''Alpha''-GPC''' ('''L-''alpha''-glycerophosphocholine''', '''choline alfoscerate''') is a water-soluble nutrient which serves as a precursor to both [[choline]] and glycerophosphate within the brain. In humans, choline is considered to be an essential nutrient as its role in reducing the risk of neural tube defects, fatty liver disease, and other pathologies has been well-documented.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Zeisel, S. H.)), ((Costa, K.-A. da)) | journal=Nutrition Reviews | title=Choline: an essential nutrient for public health | volume=67 | issue=11 | pages=615–623 | date= November 2009 | url=https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article-lookup/doi/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x | issn=00296643 | doi=10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x}}</ref> | ||
Notably, alpha-GPC is one of the three choline-containing phospholipids that can be orally supplemented (the other two being [[citicoline]] and phosphatidylcholine) and its popularity may be due to it being the most efficient pro-drug of choline (with the ability to influence both systemic and brain concentrations of choline). Due to the provision of the other half of the alpha-GPC molecule (glycerophosphate), it also appears to support the structure and maintenance of cellular membranes, similarly to [[citicoline]]. | Notably, alpha-GPC is one of the three choline-containing phospholipids that can be orally supplemented (the other two being [[citicoline]] and phosphatidylcholine) and its popularity may be due to it being the most efficient pro-drug of choline (with the ability to influence both systemic and brain concentrations of choline). Due to the provision of the other half of the alpha-GPC molecule (glycerophosphate), it also appears to support the structure and maintenance of cellular membranes, similarly to [[citicoline]]. | ||
Athletes have been known to use alpha-GPC due to its purported ability to enhance growth hormone production and to enhance power output (which is based on a lone pilot study in support of subjects ingesting 600 mg alpha-GPC prior to exercise<ref>Ziegenfuss, T., Landis, J., | Athletes have been known to use alpha-GPC due to its purported ability to enhance growth hormone production and to enhance power output (which is based on a lone pilot study in support of subjects ingesting 600 mg alpha-GPC prior to exercise<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Ziegenfuss, T.)), ((Landis, J.)), ((Hofheins, J.)) | journal=Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition | title=Acute supplementation with alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine augments growth hormone response to, and peak force production during, resistance exercise | volume=5 | issue=sup1 | pages=P15 | date=17 September 2008 | url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P15 | issn=1550-2783 | doi=10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P15}}</ref>). | ||
When taken as a supplement, this compound has [[psychoactive class::nootropic]] effects which may have the potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease<ref>Parnetti, L., Mignini, F., Tomassoni, D., Traini, E., | When taken as a supplement, this compound has [[psychoactive class::nootropic]] effects which may have the potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Parnetti, L.)), ((Mignini, F.)), ((Tomassoni, D.)), ((Traini, E.)), ((Amenta, F.)) | journal=Journal of the Neurological Sciences | title=Cholinergic precursors in the treatment of cognitive impairment of vascular origin: Ineffective approaches or need for re-evaluation? | volume=257 | issue=1–2 | pages=264–269 | date= June 2007 | url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0022510X07000597 | issn=0022510X | doi=10.1016/j.jns.2007.01.043}}</ref> and other related disorders.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Doggrell, S. A.)), ((Evans, S.)) | journal=Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs | title=Treatment of dementia with neurotransmission modulation | volume=12 | issue=10 | pages=1633–1654 | date= October 2003 | url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1517/13543784.12.10.1633 | issn=1354-3784 | doi=10.1517/13543784.12.10.1633}}</ref> It is easily available and commonly sold for this purpose via online supplement and nootropic vendors. | ||
==Chemistry== | ==Chemistry== | ||
Alpha-GPC is a naturally-occurring choline compound found endogenously (naturally) in the brain which is also made and used for oral consumption. Structurally, Alpha-GPC is comprised of a choline group bound to a glycerol molecule via a phosphate group. | Alpha-GPC is a naturally-occurring choline compound found endogenously (naturally) in the brain which is also made and used for oral consumption. Structurally, Alpha-GPC is comprised of a choline group bound to a glycerol molecule via a phosphate group. | ||
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==Pharmacology== | ==Pharmacology== | ||
Alpha-GPC breaks down into two key components, [[choline]] and glycerophosphate. | Alpha-GPC breaks down into two key components, [[choline]] and glycerophosphate. | ||
Choline and its metabolites are needed for three main physiological purposes: structural integrity and signaling roles for cell membranes as well as cholinergic neurotransmission ([[acetylcholine]] synthesis).<ref>Glier, M. B., Green, T. J., | Choline and its metabolites are needed for three main physiological purposes: structural integrity and signaling roles for cell membranes as well as cholinergic neurotransmission ([[acetylcholine]] synthesis).<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Glier, M. B.)), ((Green, T. J.)), ((Devlin, A. M.)) | journal=Molecular Nutrition & Food Research | title=Methyl nutrients, DNA methylation, and cardiovascular disease | volume=58 | issue=1 | pages=172–182 | date= January 2014 | url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.201200636 | issn=16134125 | doi=10.1002/mnfr.201200636}}</ref> This process essentially allows acetylcholine to accumulate at higher levels than it otherwise would. As acetylcholine is involved in the function of memory and other essential cognitive functions, this could potentially account for its [[nootropic]] effects. | ||
Glycerophosphate, the other component, can also help with the production of cellular membranes, but this remains largely unstudied and is not well understood by the scientific literature. | Glycerophosphate, the other component, can also help with the production of cellular membranes, but this remains largely unstudied and is not well understood by the scientific literature. | ||
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|{{effects/cognitive| | |{{effects/cognitive| | ||
*'''[[Effect::Wakefulness]]''' - In comparison to [[citicoline]], alpha-GPC manifests itself primarily in a physically stimulating manner over a mental stimulation. | *'''[[Effect::Wakefulness]]''' - In comparison to [[citicoline]], alpha-GPC manifests itself primarily in a physically stimulating manner over a mental stimulation. | ||
*'''[[Effect::Dream potentiation]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Dream potentiation]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Focus enhancement]]'''<ref>McGlade, E., Locatelli, A., Hardy, J., Kamiya, T., Morita, M., Morishita, K., . | *'''[[Effect::Focus enhancement]]'''<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((McGlade, E.)), ((Locatelli, A.)), ((Hardy, J.)), ((Kamiya, T.)), ((Morita, M.)), ((Morishita, K.)), ((Sugimura, Y.)), ((Yurgelun-Todd, D.)) | journal=Food and Nutrition Sciences | title=Improved Attentional Performance Following Citicoline Administration in Healthy Adult Women | volume=03 | issue=06 | pages=769–773 | date= 2012 | url=http://www.scirp.org/journal/doi.aspx?DOI=10.4236/fns.2012.36103 | issn=2157-944X | doi=10.4236/fns.2012.36103}}</ref> | ||
*'''[[Effect::Mindfulness]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Mindfulness]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Memory enhancement]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Memory enhancement]]''' | ||
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}} | }} | ||
===Experience reports=== | |||
There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our [[experience index]]. Additional experience reports can be found here: | |||
* [https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_alphaGPC.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: alpha-GPC] | |||
==Toxicity and harm potential== | ==Toxicity and harm potential== | ||
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===Dangerous interactions=== | ===Dangerous interactions=== | ||
''alpha''-GPC is a suspected monoaminergic substance.<ref> | ''alpha''-GPC is a suspected monoaminergic substance.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Tayebati, S. K.)), ((Tomassoni, D.)), ((Nwankwo, I. E.)), ((Di Stefano, A.)), ((Sozio, P.)), ((Cerasa, L. S.)), ((Amenta, F.)) | journal=CNS & neurological disorders drug targets | title=Modulation of monoaminergic transporters by choline-containing phospholipids in rat brain | volume=12 | issue=1 | pages=94–103 | date=1 February 2013 | issn=1996-3181 | doi=10.2174/1871527311312010015}} | ||
</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Trabucchi, M.)), ((Govoni, S.)), ((Battaini, F.)) | journal=Il Farmaco; Edizione Scientifica | title=Changes in the interaction between CNS cholinergic and dopaminergic neurons induced by L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine, a cholinomimetic drug | volume=41 | issue=4 | pages=325–334 | date= April 1986 | issn=0430-0920}}</ref> Alpha-GPC and [[MAOIs]] are a potentially dangerous combination. It is likely that MAOIs could increase the effects of Alpha-GPC unpredictably. Taking this chemical while on prescription MAOIs is strongly discouraged. | |||
==Legal | ==Legal status== | ||
{{legalStub}} | {{legalStub}} | ||
*'''United States''' - Alpha-GPC is completely legal to purchase in the United States as a dietary supplement | |||
*'''United States''' - Alpha-GPC is completely legal to purchase in the United States as a dietary supplement. | |||
*'''Canada''' - Alpha-GPC is completely legal to purchase in Canada as a dietary supplement. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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*[[Choline]] | *[[Choline]] | ||
*[[Nootropic]] | *[[Nootropic]] | ||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-GPC Alpha-GPC (Wikipedia)] | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha-GPC Alpha-GPC (Wikipedia)] | ||
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<references /> | <references /> | ||
[[Category:Cholinergic]][[Category:Psychoactive substance]][[Category:Substance]][[Category:Stimulant]][[Category:Nootropic]] | [[Category:Cholinergic]][[Category:Psychoactive substance]][[Category:Substance]][[Category:Stimulant]][[Category:Nootropic]] | ||
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