Citicoline, a natural chemical in the body and dietary supplement, can protect the brain from damage caused by stroke and improve cognitive function. It can also increase alertness and improve vision for a short period of time. Its long-term effects are uncertain, but it has few short-term side effects.
Citicoline is a chemical that occurs naturally in the body, which is also sometimes taken as a dietary supplement. Also called CDP-choline, it has been studied for use in a variety of settings since the 1970s. It appears to have effects that can protect the brain from damage that occurs following a stroke or other similar conditions. Used by a healthy individual, it has been shown to increase alertness and even slightly improve vision for a short period of time. Because it’s a natural supplement, there haven’t been as many studies done on it as with most medications, but it appears to have few to no short-term side effects.
One of the most important roles that citicoline plays in the body is in the synthesis of compounds necessary for the production of gray matter in the brain. It can also be converted by brain cells into one of a class of chemicals known as phospholipids, which are important in building cell membranes. In addition to this, it can help replenish the brain with another type of phospholipid called phosphatidylserine. Tests have shown that this chemical can improve learning ability and memorization when given to older people with memory problems.
Citicoline is also quite well known for its ability to protect brain and nerve cells from damage when they are deprived of oxygen, such as during a stroke. Some claims suggest it can speed recovery from strokes and even treat diseases characterized by decreased cognitive function, such as Alzheimer’s. What is certain is that the administration of citicoline can delay the degeneration of cell membranes caused by stroke in laboratory animals, and that similar effects have been observed in human clinical studies.
As a dietary supplement, citicoline is usually sold in capsules containing a dose of approximately 250 mg each. It has been shown to be safe at levels up to 500mg per day in the short term, but most studies of supplemental citicoline don’t last more than a few weeks. Because of this, its long-term effects are uncertain. It is usually taken to improve motivation and mental acuity for a few hours. Its side effects are usually very mild and include elevated body temperature and sleeplessness at night when taken in the late afternoon or evening.
Some who use supplemental citicoline have also reported positive sexual side effects and improved mood. Effects like these may be due to the fact that citicoline can increase the levels of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and norepinephrine, in brain tissue. These chemicals are closely associated with mood regulation and are the likely cause of these effects.
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