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DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is naturally present in small amounts in the human brain, and is found naturally in some foods, like anchovies and sardines. It is a precursor (building block) to Acetylcholine, a major brain neurotransmitter, which of course readily crosses the blood-brain barrier. Research indicates that supplementary DMAE promotes neurological processes which result in increased intellectual capacity, increased learning capability, increased short and long-term memory capability, promotes concentration, focus and alertness, and improves general sensory capabilities (vision, hearing, etc.) DMAE also contributes to the reduction of anxiety and hyperactivity, and contributes to stable behavior and mood. DMAE is part of the "choline cycle", which allows cells to convert certain specific biochemicals into each other as needed. One of the key roles for choline is as the rate-limiting factor in the production of acetylcholine.
Acetylcholine is one of the dozen or so major neurotransmitters which allow brain and nerve cells to communicate with each other. Acetylcholine-using neurons are especially important in:
The RAS is a group of nerve clusters which sits at the top of the spinal cord and acts as a "traffic controller". The RAS determines what stimuli from the senses will be allowed to reach conscious attention, as well as what thoughts and feelings will be allowed to initiate corresponding bodily movements. It is partly due to the RAS that a passing angry thought or feeling doesn't automatically and instantaneously trigger violent behavior toward the object of our anger. It is the intensity of signals (mediated by DMAE- derived acetylcholine) from the RAS to the hippocampus and cerebral cortex which determines the intensity and duration of sustained mental focus and attention - the very issue at the root of genuine attention deficit disorder. Thus DMAE, by being the most effective precursor for brain/RAS acetylcholine, literally increases attention span, mental focus, and ability to screen out distracting and extraneous stimuli (both from the environment as well as from within).
An acetylcholine-deficient RAS will have a difficult time maintaining a high level of focus, attention, alertness and arousal. DMAE is the most effective acetylcholine precursor for several reasons. Choline salts (e.g. choline bitartrate, choline chloride, choline citrate) are frequently broken down by bacteria living in our gut. DMAE does not suffer this fate. What choline is absorbed into the bloodstream has a poor ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier is a two-part barrier which prevents toxins from entering the brain and also prevents disruptions of brain function due to surges in the blood of various nutrients, even those essential for optimum brain function. Unlike choline, DMAE passes easily through the blood-brain barrier. Because of this fact, DMAE has been shown to be effective at doses as low as 10-20 mg, although doses of 500-1000 mg are often needed.
The unique effectiveness of DMAE is also due in part to its ability to inhibit choline oxidase, an enzyme which can divert choline away from acetylcholine production, into betaine production instead. And while a third acetylcholine precursor, phosphatidylcholine, is more effective than simple choline salts, studies have found large (and expensive) doses - 10 to 60 grams(!) - are often needed to elevate brain acetylcholine levels. Many other products on the market rely on phosphatidylcholine, which is not as effective as DMAE.