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Alpha-GPC: Difference between revisions
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| ''[[Alpha-GPC/Summary|Summary sheet: Alpha-GPC]]'' | | ''[[Alpha-GPC/Summary|Summary sheet: Alpha-GPC]]'' | ||
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'''Alpha-GPC''' ('''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., & Da Costa, K. A. (2009). Choline: An essential nutrient for public health. Nutrition Reviews, 67(11), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x</ref> | '''Alpha-GPC''' ('''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., & Da Costa, K. A. (2009). Choline: An essential nutrient for public health. Nutrition Reviews, 67(11), 615–623. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2009.00246.x</ref> | ||
{{SubstanceBox/Alpha-GPC}} | {{SubstanceBox/Alpha-GPC}} | ||
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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., & Hofheins, J. (2008). Acute supplementation with alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine augments growth hormone response to, and peak force production during, resistance exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 5(Suppl 1), P15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P15</ref>). | 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., & Hofheins, J. (2008). Acute supplementation with alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine augments growth hormone response to, and peak force production during, resistance exercise. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 5(Suppl 1), P15. https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P15</ref>). | ||
When taken as a supplement, this compound has [[psychoactive class::nootropic]] effects which may have potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease<ref>Parnetti, L., Mignini, F., Tomassoni, D., Traini, E., & Amenta, F. (2007). Cholinergic precursors in the treatment of cognitive impairment of vascular origin: Ineffective approaches or need for re-evaluation? Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 257(1–2), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2007.01.043</ref> and other related disorders.<ref>Doggrell, S. a, & Evans, S. (2003). Treatment of dementia with neurotransmission modulation. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 12(10), 1633–54. https://doi.org/10.1517/13543784.12.10.1633</ref> It is easily available and commonly sold for this purpose via online supplement and nootropic vendors. | 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., & Amenta, F. (2007). Cholinergic precursors in the treatment of cognitive impairment of vascular origin: Ineffective approaches or need for re-evaluation? Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 257(1–2), 264–269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2007.01.043</ref> and other related disorders.<ref>Doggrell, S. a, & Evans, S. (2003). Treatment of dementia with neurotransmission modulation. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs, 12(10), 1633–54. https://doi.org/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 in the brain which is also | 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. | ||
Choline is a quaternary ammonium salt, containing a positively charged ammonium cation substituted with three methyl groups and a hydroxyethyl chain. Glycerol is a polysubstituted alcohol consisting of propane with one hydroxyl (-OH) group bound to each carbon in the chain. | Choline is a quaternary ammonium salt, containing a positively charged ammonium cation substituted with three methyl groups and a hydroxyethyl chain. Glycerol is a polysubstituted alcohol consisting of propane with one hydroxyl (-OH) group bound to each carbon in the chain. | ||
In alpha-GPC, the terminal oxygen of the choline chain and a primary hydroxyl group of glycerol are integrated as bridging oxygen into a phosphate group. This phosphate group is a quaternary substituted phosphorus atom connected to four oxygen atoms, two of which serve to bind the choline, glycerol, and phosphate groups into a unified molecule. | In alpha-GPC, the terminal oxygen of the choline chain and a primary hydroxyl group of glycerol are integrated as bridging oxygen into a phosphate group. This phosphate group is a quaternary-substituted phosphorus atom connected to four oxygen atoms, two of which serve to bind the choline, glycerol, and phosphate groups into a unified molecule. | ||
==Pharmacology== | ==Pharmacology== | ||
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*'''[[Effect::Headaches]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Headaches]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Teeth grinding]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Teeth grinding]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Body odor alteration]]''' - This can be caused in some populations, especially those suffering from trimethylaminuria. [[Choline]] (a | *'''[[Effect::Body odor alteration]]''' - This can be caused in some populations, especially those suffering from trimethylaminuria. [[Choline]] (a byproduct of alpha-GPC) is a precursor to trimethylamine, which those with trimethylaminuria are not able to easily break down, oftening resulting in smelling similar to fish. | ||
====Cognitive effects==== | ====Cognitive effects==== | ||
*'''[[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> | *'''[[Effect::Focus enhancement]]'''<ref>McGlade, E., Locatelli, A., Hardy, J., Kamiya, T., Morita, M., Morishita, K., ... & Yurgelun-Todd, D. (2012). Improved attentional performance following citicoline administration in healthy adult women. Food and Nutrition Sciences, 3(06), 769.</ref> | ||
*'''[[Effect::Mindfulness]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Mindfulness]]''' | ||
*'''[[Effect::Memory enhancement]]''' | *'''[[Effect::Memory enhancement]]''' | ||
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==Toxicity and harm potential== | ==Toxicity and harm potential== | ||
Alpha-GPC is non-addictive, is not known to cause harm, and has an [[Toxicity::extremely low toxicity]] relative to dose. Similar to many other [[ | Alpha-GPC is non-addictive, is not known to cause harm, and has an [[Toxicity::extremely low toxicity]] relative to dose. Similar to many other [[nootropic]] substances, there are relatively few physical side effects associated with acute choline exposure. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a particular context, it presents no negative cognitive, psychiatric or toxic physical consequences of any sort. | ||
Regardless, it is strongly recommended that one is familiar with [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance. | Regardless, it is strongly recommended that one is familiar with and uses [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance. | ||
===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ===Tolerance and addiction potential=== | ||
Alpha-GPC is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]] and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating. | Alpha-GPC is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]] and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating. | ||
Tolerance to the effects of alpha-GPC | Tolerance to the effects of alpha-GPC is built [[Time to full tolerance::after prolonged and repeated usage]]. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::7 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::14 days]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Alpha-GPC presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::no other known compounds]], meaning that after the use of Alpha-GPC all other psychoactive compounds will not have a reduced effect. | ||
==Legal issues== | ==Legal issues== | ||
{{legalStub}} | {{legalStub}} | ||
*'''United States''' - Alpha-GPC is completely legal to purchase in the | *'''United States''' - Alpha-GPC is completely legal to purchase in the United States as a dietary supplement/ | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||