Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageToxicityInteractionsHow to StoreSimilar SupplementsFrequently Asked QuestionsSources & What to Look For
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Toxicity
Interactions
How to Store
Similar Supplements
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & What to Look For
DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is a compound sometimes used as an ingredient in lotions, creams, and other skincare products.It’s also been studied fordepression,attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD),Alzheimer’s disease,autism, andtardive dyskinesia.
DMAE is made naturally in the body. It was the active ingredient in a prescription drug called Deaner (deanol p-acetamidobenzoate), marketed for children’s learning and behavioral problems for over two decades.It was removed from the market in 1983 because there was not enough evidence that the drug was effective.
DMAE is now available as a dietary supplement.
This article discusses the potential uses of DMAE, its side effects, and precautions to be aware of if you try it.
However, even if supplements are independently tested, they are not necessarily safe for all or effective in general. Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any supplements you plan to take and check in about potential interactions with other supplements or medications.
Supplement FactsActive ingredient:DimethylaminoethanolAlternate names:Deanol, dimethylethanolamine (DMEA)Legal status: Dietary supplement (United States)Suggested dose:100 to 500 milligrams daily for adultsSafety considerations: Not for use in pregnancy, lactation, schizophrenia, or tonic-clonic epilepsy
Supplement Facts
Active ingredient:DimethylaminoethanolAlternate names:Deanol, dimethylethanolamine (DMEA)Legal status: Dietary supplement (United States)Suggested dose:100 to 500 milligrams daily for adultsSafety considerations: Not for use in pregnancy, lactation, schizophrenia, or tonic-clonic epilepsy
Uses of DMAE
Currently, the effects of DMAE aren’t scientifically well documented. There’s not enough compelling research to recommend it for any condition.
Here’s a peek at what we do know about the science behind its more common uses.
Cognitive Function
ADHD
Evidence that DMAE is beneficial for treating attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is lacking, although a study on nutritional treatments conceded that it “probably has a small effect.“There are no other recent trials showing that DMAE is useful for this condition.
Skin Health
DMAE skin-care products are marketed as antiaging, but research is very limited.
One study of people who used a 3% DMAE facial gel for 16 weeks concluded that DMAE may help improve firmness and decreaseinflammationof the skin,which could improve the overall appearance ofaging skin. Specifically, topical (on the skin) application of DMAE showed benefit for things like wrinkles, dark under-eye circles, and neck firmness, and these effects lasted for up to two weeks after the gel was discontinued.
Additional Uses
In addition to the potential health benefits listed above, some people use DMAE to support the following:
There’s no evidence that oral DMAE supplements are effective for any of these conditions.
What Are the Side Effects of DMAE?
It’s important to be aware that consuming a supplement like DMAE may have potential side effects. These side effects may be common or severe.
Common Side Effects
Little is known about the safety of DMAE supplements. However, studies have shown that between 25% and 40% of patients who took DMAE fortardive dyskinesiaexperienced side effects such as:
When used topically, DMAE may cause skin irritation.
Severe Side Effects
DMAE may trigger serious cholinergic side effects (side effects due to an increased level of acetylcholine), including:
DMAE may also increase the risk of seizures.
DMAE should not be used in patients with the following conditions:
Dosage: How Much DMAE Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
There is not enough scientific evidence to establish a safe or effective dose of DMAE.
There have been various doses used in scientific studies. For example, studies in people with involuntary movement disorders have used 400 to 6,000 milligrams (mg) of DMAE daily for up to four months.Doses of up to 1,200 mg per day seem to have a low risk of side effects.
Your safe and effective dose may depend on your age, gender, and medical history. Speak with your healthcare provider to get personalized advice.
What Happens If I Take Too Much DMAE?
Little is known about what effects high doses of DMAE may have on the body, although occupational exposure has been linked to heart and brain problems.
DMAE decreases the sedating effect of barbiturates, a class of drugs that may be used for seizures, migraines, or other conditions.Examples of drugs in this family are phenobarbital and butalbital.
Side effects of DMAE may be more likely if it’s taken with other drugs that increase acetylcholine levels in the body (cholinergic medicines). These include:
Research from 2019 suggests these interactions may primarily be theoretical (existing only in theory, not in real life).Still, the best practice is always to discuss all prescription medications and herbal supplements you take with your healthcare provider before taking DMAE.
It is essential to carefully read a supplement’s ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
How to Store DMAE
DMAE should be stored according to the manufacturer’s directions, typically in a cool, dry place. Keep away from children and pets. Discard after one year or as directed on the package.
Other popular supplements used either topically or orally for skin health include:
Some other supplements that people may take to improve brain function, some with little evidence of benefit, include:
Despite their similar abbreviations, these are two different substances.
Although there’s not much data, a 3% DMAE gel applied to the face for up to one year demonstrated a good safety profile in one study.
Sources of DMAE & What to Look For
DMAE is made in the body. It is also found in certain foods and is available as a dietary supplement in health food stores, pharmacies, and online.
Food Sources of DMAE
DMAE is found in small quantities in fatty fish, such as anchovies, salmon, and sardines.
DMAE Supplements
DMAE is available as a supplement in many forms, including capsules, powders, creams, and serums.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends looking for a Supplement Facts label on your product.This label will contain vital information, including the amount of active ingredients per serving and other added ingredients (like fillers, binders, and flavorings).
Look for brands with current good manufacturing practices (cGMP).Also, look for a product with a seal of approval from an independent organization that provides quality testing. These organizations include:
A seal of approval from one of these organizations does not guarantee the product’s safety or effectiveness, however. Still, it ensures that the product tested and approved was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants.
Summary
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7902, Deanol.Shipkowski KA, Sanders JM, McDonald JD, et al.Comparative disposition of dimethylaminoethanol and choline in rats and mice following oral or intravenous administration.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2019;378:114592. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2019.05.011Malanga G, Aguiar MB, Martinez HD, Puntarulo S.New insights on dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) features as a free radical scavenger.Drug Metab Lett. 2012;6(1):54–59. doi:10.2174/187231212800229282Dubois B, Zaim M, Touchon J, et al.Effect of six months of treatment with V0191 in patients with suspected prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;29(3):527-535. doi:10.3233/JAD-2012-111370Hurt EA, Arnold LE, Lofthouse N.Dietary and nutritional treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: current research support and recommendations for practitioners.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):323–332. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0217-zGrossman R.The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(1):39-47. doi:10.2165/00128071-200506010-00005Rimland B.Controversies in the treatment of autistic children: vitamin and drug therapy.J Child Neurol. 1988;3 Suppl:S68-S72. doi:10.1177/0883073888003001s13Dreher M, Ehlert T, Simon P, Neuberger EWI.Boost Me: Prevalence and Reasons for the Use of Stimulant Containing Pre Workout Supplements Among Fitness Studio Visitors in Mainz (Germany).Front Psychol. 2018;9:1134. Published 2018 Jul 17. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01134Tammenmaa-Aho I, Asher R, Soares-Weiser K, Bergman H.Cholinergic medication for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3(3):CD000207. Published 2018 Mar 19. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000207.pub2Pérez-Sánchez A, Barrajón-Catalán E, Herranz-López M, Micol V.Nutraceuticals for Skin Care: A Comprehensive Review of Human Clinical Studies.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):403. Published 2018 Mar 24. doi:10.3390/nu10040403Meeusen R, Decroix L.Nutritional Supplements and the Brain.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(2):200-211. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0314Dunn M.Have prohibition policies made the wrong decision? A critical review of studies investigating the effects of DMAA.Int J Drug Policy. 2017;40:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.10.005National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know.Food and Drug Administration.Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations.Additional ReadingTadini KA, Campos PM.In vivo skin effects of a dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) based formulation. Pharmazie. 2009;64(12):818-22.Dubois B, Zaim M, Touchon J, et al.Effect of six months of treatment with V0191 in patients with suspected prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;29(3):527-35.
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7902, Deanol.Shipkowski KA, Sanders JM, McDonald JD, et al.Comparative disposition of dimethylaminoethanol and choline in rats and mice following oral or intravenous administration.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2019;378:114592. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2019.05.011Malanga G, Aguiar MB, Martinez HD, Puntarulo S.New insights on dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) features as a free radical scavenger.Drug Metab Lett. 2012;6(1):54–59. doi:10.2174/187231212800229282Dubois B, Zaim M, Touchon J, et al.Effect of six months of treatment with V0191 in patients with suspected prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;29(3):527-535. doi:10.3233/JAD-2012-111370Hurt EA, Arnold LE, Lofthouse N.Dietary and nutritional treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: current research support and recommendations for practitioners.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):323–332. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0217-zGrossman R.The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(1):39-47. doi:10.2165/00128071-200506010-00005Rimland B.Controversies in the treatment of autistic children: vitamin and drug therapy.J Child Neurol. 1988;3 Suppl:S68-S72. doi:10.1177/0883073888003001s13Dreher M, Ehlert T, Simon P, Neuberger EWI.Boost Me: Prevalence and Reasons for the Use of Stimulant Containing Pre Workout Supplements Among Fitness Studio Visitors in Mainz (Germany).Front Psychol. 2018;9:1134. Published 2018 Jul 17. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01134Tammenmaa-Aho I, Asher R, Soares-Weiser K, Bergman H.Cholinergic medication for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3(3):CD000207. Published 2018 Mar 19. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000207.pub2Pérez-Sánchez A, Barrajón-Catalán E, Herranz-López M, Micol V.Nutraceuticals for Skin Care: A Comprehensive Review of Human Clinical Studies.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):403. Published 2018 Mar 24. doi:10.3390/nu10040403Meeusen R, Decroix L.Nutritional Supplements and the Brain.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(2):200-211. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0314Dunn M.Have prohibition policies made the wrong decision? A critical review of studies investigating the effects of DMAA.Int J Drug Policy. 2017;40:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.10.005National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know.Food and Drug Administration.Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations.Additional ReadingTadini KA, Campos PM.In vivo skin effects of a dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) based formulation. Pharmazie. 2009;64(12):818-22.Dubois B, Zaim M, Touchon J, et al.Effect of six months of treatment with V0191 in patients with suspected prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;29(3):527-35.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7902, Deanol.Shipkowski KA, Sanders JM, McDonald JD, et al.Comparative disposition of dimethylaminoethanol and choline in rats and mice following oral or intravenous administration.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2019;378:114592. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2019.05.011Malanga G, Aguiar MB, Martinez HD, Puntarulo S.New insights on dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) features as a free radical scavenger.Drug Metab Lett. 2012;6(1):54–59. doi:10.2174/187231212800229282Dubois B, Zaim M, Touchon J, et al.Effect of six months of treatment with V0191 in patients with suspected prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;29(3):527-535. doi:10.3233/JAD-2012-111370Hurt EA, Arnold LE, Lofthouse N.Dietary and nutritional treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: current research support and recommendations for practitioners.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):323–332. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0217-zGrossman R.The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(1):39-47. doi:10.2165/00128071-200506010-00005Rimland B.Controversies in the treatment of autistic children: vitamin and drug therapy.J Child Neurol. 1988;3 Suppl:S68-S72. doi:10.1177/0883073888003001s13Dreher M, Ehlert T, Simon P, Neuberger EWI.Boost Me: Prevalence and Reasons for the Use of Stimulant Containing Pre Workout Supplements Among Fitness Studio Visitors in Mainz (Germany).Front Psychol. 2018;9:1134. Published 2018 Jul 17. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01134Tammenmaa-Aho I, Asher R, Soares-Weiser K, Bergman H.Cholinergic medication for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3(3):CD000207. Published 2018 Mar 19. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000207.pub2Pérez-Sánchez A, Barrajón-Catalán E, Herranz-López M, Micol V.Nutraceuticals for Skin Care: A Comprehensive Review of Human Clinical Studies.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):403. Published 2018 Mar 24. doi:10.3390/nu10040403Meeusen R, Decroix L.Nutritional Supplements and the Brain.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(2):200-211. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0314Dunn M.Have prohibition policies made the wrong decision? A critical review of studies investigating the effects of DMAA.Int J Drug Policy. 2017;40:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.10.005National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know.Food and Drug Administration.Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations.
National Center for Biotechnology Information.PubChem Compound Summary for CID 7902, Deanol.
Shipkowski KA, Sanders JM, McDonald JD, et al.Comparative disposition of dimethylaminoethanol and choline in rats and mice following oral or intravenous administration.Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2019;378:114592. doi:10.1016/j.taap.2019.05.011
Malanga G, Aguiar MB, Martinez HD, Puntarulo S.New insights on dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) features as a free radical scavenger.Drug Metab Lett. 2012;6(1):54–59. doi:10.2174/187231212800229282
Dubois B, Zaim M, Touchon J, et al.Effect of six months of treatment with V0191 in patients with suspected prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;29(3):527-535. doi:10.3233/JAD-2012-111370
Hurt EA, Arnold LE, Lofthouse N.Dietary and nutritional treatments for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: current research support and recommendations for practitioners.Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2011;13(5):323–332. doi:10.1007/s11920-011-0217-z
Grossman R.The role of dimethylaminoethanol in cosmetic dermatology. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2005;6(1):39-47. doi:10.2165/00128071-200506010-00005
Rimland B.Controversies in the treatment of autistic children: vitamin and drug therapy.J Child Neurol. 1988;3 Suppl:S68-S72. doi:10.1177/0883073888003001s13
Dreher M, Ehlert T, Simon P, Neuberger EWI.Boost Me: Prevalence and Reasons for the Use of Stimulant Containing Pre Workout Supplements Among Fitness Studio Visitors in Mainz (Germany).Front Psychol. 2018;9:1134. Published 2018 Jul 17. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01134
Tammenmaa-Aho I, Asher R, Soares-Weiser K, Bergman H.Cholinergic medication for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;3(3):CD000207. Published 2018 Mar 19. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD000207.pub2
Pérez-Sánchez A, Barrajón-Catalán E, Herranz-López M, Micol V.Nutraceuticals for Skin Care: A Comprehensive Review of Human Clinical Studies.Nutrients. 2018;10(4):403. Published 2018 Mar 24. doi:10.3390/nu10040403
Meeusen R, Decroix L.Nutritional Supplements and the Brain.Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2018;28(2):200-211. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2017-0314
Dunn M.Have prohibition policies made the wrong decision? A critical review of studies investigating the effects of DMAA.Int J Drug Policy. 2017;40:26-34. doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.10.005
National Institutes of Health. Office of Dietary Supplements.Dietary Supplements: What You Need to Know.
Food and Drug Administration.Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) Regulations.
Tadini KA, Campos PM.In vivo skin effects of a dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) based formulation. Pharmazie. 2009;64(12):818-22.Dubois B, Zaim M, Touchon J, et al.Effect of six months of treatment with V0191 in patients with suspected prodromal Alzheimer’s disease.J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;29(3):527-35.
Tadini KA, Campos PM.In vivo skin effects of a dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) based formulation. Pharmazie. 2009;64(12):818-22.
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