Alpha-GPC

Alpha-GPC
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	Alpha-GPC, Choline Alfoscerate, L-Alpha Glycerylphosphorylcholine
Systematic name	[(2R)-2,3-Dihydroxypropyl] 2-trimethylazaniumylethyl phosphate
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Nootropic
Chemical class	Choline derivative
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 50 mg Light 100 - 300 mg Common 300 - 500 mg Strong 500 - 1000 mg Heavy 1000 mg + Duration Total 4 - 8 hours Onset 45 - 75 minutes DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions

Summary sheet: Alpha-GPC

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.

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).

When taken as a supplement, this compound has nootropic effects which may have potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other related disorders. It is easily available and commonly sold for this purpose via online supplement and nootropic vendors.

Chemistry

Alpha-GPC is a naturally occurring choline compound found endogenously in the brain which is also synthesized 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 poly substituted alcohol consisting of a 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 hydroxy group of glycerol are integrated as a bridging oxygens 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

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). This process essentially allows acetylcholine to accumulate at higher levels than it otherwise would. As acetycholine is involved in the function of memory and other essential cognitive functions, this could potentially account for its nootropic effects.

Glycerophosphate, the alternate component, can also help with production of cellular membranes, but this remains largely unstudied and is not well understood by the scientific literature.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Physical effects

• Bodily control enhancement
• Stimulation - The stimulation which alpha-GPC presents can be considered as primarily subtle, about that of caffeine.
• Stamina enhancement
• Headaches
• Teeth grinding
• Body odor alteration - In some populations, especially those suffering from trimethylaminuria. Choline (a bi-product of alpha-GPC) is a precursor to trimethylamine, which some persons are not able to easily break down, often resulting in a "fishy smell."

Cognitive effects

• Wakefulness - In comparison to citicoline, alpha-GPC manifests itself primarily in a physically stimulating manner over a mental stimulation.
• Dream potentiation
• Focus enhancement
• Mindfulness
• Memory enhancement
• Motivation enhancement

Toxicity and harm potential

Alpha-GPC is non-addictive, is not known to cause harm, and has an extremely low toxicity relative to dose. Similar to many other nootropics drugs, there are relatively few physical side effects associated with acute choline exposure. Various studies have shown that in reasonable doses in a careful context, it presents no negative cognitive, psychiatric or toxic physical consequences of any sort.

Regardless, it is strongly recommended that one be familiar with harm reduction practices when using this drug.

Tolerance and addiction potential

Alpha-GPC is 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 are built after prolonged and repeated usage. After that, it takes about 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 14 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). alpha-GPC presents cross-tolerance with no other known compounds, meaning that after the consumption of alpha-GPC all other psychoactive compounds will not have a reduced effect.

Legal issues

This legality section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.

See also

• Citicoline
• Choline
• Nootropic

External links

• Alpha-GPC (Wikipedia)
• Alpha-GPC (Examine)
• Alpha-GPC (r/nootropics FAQ)