Table of Contents
WHAT IS ALPHA GPC?
Alpha GPC is a phospholipid that’s naturally produced in the body. You can boost Alpha GPC levels by eating chicken, eggs, beef liver, soybean, wheat germ, and whole grains. It can also be made in laboratories and consumed as a dietary supplement.
Alpha GPC is sold as a prescription drug in most European countries. In the United States, Alpha-GPC is only available as a dietary supplement. The drug is sold under different names, including choline alphoscerate, L-alpha-glyceryl phosphorylcholine, and Alpha-Glyceryl Phosphoryl Choline.
As a prescription drug, Alpha GPC is used for treating symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and stroke. It’s believed this drug improves cognition by increasing choline and acetylcholine. It also boosts myelin production to promote the functions of the nervous system.
Since Alpha GPC has been shown to be effective in treating Alzheimer’s symptoms such as memory loss and learning impairment, researchers have suggested that it may also boost these cognitive functions in healthy adults. This naturally makes it very appealing for students, CEOs, accountants, and other professionals. There is quite a good number of people taking this drug and reporting great results. However, the scientific evidence supporting Alpha GPC’s effectiveness in boosting cognition in healthy individuals is very limited.
How Does It Work?
Alpha GPC is classified as a cholinergic drug. As such, it increases choline, which in turn boosts acetylcholine levels. This neurotransmitter plays a vital role in brain functions, like learning and memory formation, storage, and retrieval.
Alpha GPC also boosts phosphatidylcholine levels in the body. Low levels of phosphatidylcholine have been linked to neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. By boosting this chemical, Alpha GPC strengthens cell structures, maintains a healthy balance of the brain’s neurochemicals, and improves nerve signaling. It essentially reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
A few studies have also shown that Alpha GPC promotes neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This results in an improved mood and relief from anxiety and depression. It may also boost Inositol phosphate and GABA levels.
 Benefits
Alpha GPC can be used for:
- Treating Cognitive Impairment
Various factors may contribute to cognitive decline or impairment. In some cases, old people get this condition due to insufficient or poor blood flow to the brain. Seizures and brain damage can also interfere with blood supply. The lack of enough blood flow in the brain damages the cells and neurons.
Several studies have looked into the effectiveness of Alpha GPC in treating cognitive decline caused by these factors. Most of these studies are limited to animal subjects, but they’ve all produced very promising results.
In this analysis of several clinical data, it is clear that Alpha GPC can help deal with cognitive decline caused by conditions like cerebrovascular stroke, Transitory Ischemic Attack (TIA), and dementia disorders like vascular dementia and senile dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. The drug consistently improved learning, attention, and memory. No adverse reactions were observed in most patients.
According to this trial, Alpha GPC is not just useful in relieving symptoms of Alzheimer’s, but it can boost the performance of another prescription drug called donepezil. This hints at the possibility of pairing the two drugs for even better results.
- Supporting Stroke Recovery
In this trial, Alpha GPC was administered intramuscularly on patients suffering from transient ischemic attack and stroke at dosages of 1000mg for 28 days, followed by 400mg administered orally for around 5 months. After the study period, the researchers observed significant benefits confirming that Alpha GPC can help patients recovering from acute stroke and TIA.
Some of the people in this study experienced some adverse reactions. It’s best to consult a physician before using Alpha GPC or any other nootropic to treat a medical condition.
- Boosting Athletic Performance
Alpha GPC may also be very helpful for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. The drug can increase the secretion of growth hormone, which plays a vital role in building lean muscle mass. Some users also report a significant boost in power, energy, and speed after taking Alpha GPC. It may also help in burning fat but on a limited scale.
In addition to the above uses, Alpha GPC may also be used for radioprotection and improving eyesight.
Side Effects
Alpha GPC is generally safe, but it may produce a few side effects in some people. Among the commonly reported adverse reactions are nausea, heartburn, irritability, headaches, dizziness, skin rash, nervousness, GI upset, and diarrhea.
Using the drug orally and at low dosages reduces the risk of adverse reactions.
Alpha GPC can interact with some drugs, so do not take it without a doctor’s approval if you’re already under different medications. Pregnant and nursing mothers should also consult physicians before using Alpha GPC.
Dosage
Most people find Alpha GPC effective as a dietary supplement for boosting cognition at dosages of 1200mg per day split into three servings of 400mg each. If it’s your first time using the supplement, start at lower dosages of around 250-300mg per day. Increase the dosages if there are no adverse reactions.
Some people use Alpha GPC with other cognitive boosters like Anoopept and Aniracetam. This is a great way of intensifying the effects of these nootropics. The stacks can be very overwhelming, though, so don’t combine them if your tolerance is poor.
Where to Buy Alpha GPC?
Alpha GPC is regulated in most European countries, so you need a prescription to get it. In the US and Canada, you can find Alpha GPC for sale on online dietary supplement stores.
Make sure to buy your Alpha GPC and other nootropics from reputable stores because quality is a key determining factor on how good or terrible your experience will be. Low-quality nootropics are not just a waste of time and money, but they can actually be very dangerous.
Consult a physician if you want to use these drugs for medical conditions like Alzheimer’s.
