When experienced nootropic users talk about the stacks that work best for them, there are a few substances that seem to end up on just about everyone's list. And one of them is the nootropic we're going to take a look at in this post: alpha-GPC.

It's hardly surprising that alpha-GPC is a key component of so many nootropic stacks. It is known to enhance the benefits of certain types of nootropics while reducing the potential for negative effects from others. And although alpha-GPC can have nootropic benefits when taken by itself, it is often taken as part of a larger nootropic stack.

We're gonna look at the potential benefits, negative effects, and dosage of alpha-GPC. Additionally, we'll discuss some common nootropic stacks that include this interesting choline source. But first, let's take a look at what exactly alpha-GPC is.

What Is Alpha-GPC?

Alpha-GPC (aka L-Alpha-glycerophosphocholine or choline alfoscerate) is a natural choline compound found in the brain. It is also a precursor of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine¹.

Because of this, alpha-GPC is classified as a cholinergic². A cholinergic is a substance that increases choline or acetylcholine levels in the brain. To learn more about cholinergics, you may want to read this: What Is The Best Choline Source?

Acetylcholine is known to play a role in memory, motivation, muscle activation, and attention³⁴. Several nootropics work by effecting acetylcholine in various ways. Of all the known cholinergics, alpha-GPC raises acetylcholine levels the most effectively⁵.

Acetylcholine is thought to play a role in Alzheimer's Disease⁶. This is a chronic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease. Taking alpha-GPC has been shown to improve the symptoms of mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's Disease¹. In parts of Europe, it is actually a prescription medication used to treat the disorder.

In the United States and many other countries, alpha-GPC is sold as a nutritional supplement. And it is a very popular one amongst nootropic users for the reasons we'll look at in the next section.

Alpha-GPC Benefits

Users report a number of nootropic benefits from taking alpha-GPC. Some of these benefits include improved memory, motivation, learning, and overall cognitive enhancement.

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of scientific research out there that has looked at the nootropic benefits of alpha-GPC in healthy subjects. Most of the research that has been done on alpha-GPC has looked at its effectiveness at treating the symptoms of certain disorders.

As mentioned above, alpha-GPC has been shown to improve the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease. Another study done on patients with dementia showed that taking alpha-GPC improved several of their symptoms⁷.

People that have suffered a stroke often have impaired cognitive function following the attack. Alpha-GPC was shown to speed up recovery and improve cognitive performance in patients after experiencing a stroke⁸.

A lot of athletes and fitness enthusiasts are taking alpha-GPC for its performance-enhancing effects. One study found that taking 600 milligrams of alpha-GPC before exercise increased power output and raised growth hormone (HGH) levels⁹. Another study also found that alpha-GPC is able to increase growth hormone levels¹⁰.

While the nootropic benefits of alpha-GPC have not been extensively studied, there are tons of anecdotal reports of its effectiveness. Here are some of the benefits of alpha-GPC that people have reported:

• Improved learning
• Increased motivation
• Improved memory
• Improved physical performance
• Increased human growth hormone (HGH) levels
• Faster reaction time
• Overall cognitive enhancement

Alpha-GPC Negative Effects

Alpha-GPC is extremely well-tolerated. Most users do not experience any unwanted effects. When they do experience negative effects, they are generally mild and go away as soon as supplementation is stopped.¹

Some of the negative effects of alpha-GPC that have been reported include headache, heartburn, insomnia, dizziness, skin rash, and constipation. But again, negative effects are very rare and only affect a small percentage of users. Often times taking alpha-GPC with a small meal can eliminate some of these unwanted effects if you experience them.

It's always a good idea to consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting or stopping any new medications, supplements, plants, herbs, exercise routines, diets, or anything else. However, you may have to educate your doctor, as most physicians known very little about nootropics (unfortunately).

Alpha-GPC Dosage

Most of the studies done on alpha-GPC have use dosages between 600 milligrams (mg) and 1,200 mg. Within this dosage range, alpha-GPC has been found to be very safe and negative effects are extremely rare. One study found that taking 1,200 mg of alpha-GPC daily for 6 months resulted in no serious adverse effects.¹²

For nootropic benefits, users usually take anywhere from 500 mg to 1,500 mg of alpha-GPC every day. This is usually taken in 2 or 3 divided doses throughout the day.

Alpha-GPC can be taken with or without food. It may absorb a little better when taken on an empty stomach. However, some users report that this causes heartburn and upset stomach. If this happens to you, taking alpha-GPC with a small meal may help to reduce or eliminate these unwanted effects.

Alpha-GPC Stacks

Alpha-GPC can be taken taken by itself for its nootropic benefits. However, many users take alpha-GPC as part of a nootropic stack.

Stacking simply means taking more than one nootropic at a time. Doing so can have a synergistic effect leading to an overall increase in effectiveness. Alpha-GPC fits nicely into most nootropic stacks because it is very safe, it increases the effectiveness of many other nootropics, and it can actually reduce the side effects of several others.

One of the most common nootropic stacks you'll see people taking is the combination of a racetam and a choline source. One popular example of this would be stacking piracetam and alpha-GPC.

Piracetam is a great nootropic with a long history of safe use and plenty of science to back it up. However, some users report that taking piracetam gives them a headache. Taking alpha-GPC with piracetam, for most people, can eliminate the headache and often makes piracetam's nootropic benefits even stronger.

Another common and simple stack is Noopept and alpha-GPC. Noopept is an extremely popular nootropic right now but it can cause headaches in some users. It is thought that this has to do with low levels of acetylcholine in the brain. By taking alpha-GPC with Noopept, many users report that it eliminates the headaches and increases its nootropic benefits.

Alpha-GPC stacks well with just about every other nootropic. Many experienced nootropic users take alpha-GPC or another choline source every day as part of a much larger stack. But you probably shouldn't stack alpha-GPC with any other choline sources, as too much choline can increase the chances of experiencing negative effects.

The key to finding the best nootropic stack that works for you is experimentation. What works for someone else may do nothing for you. What works wonders for you may do nothing for someone else.

Everyone's brains and bodies are different. You need to figure out what works for you. If the first nootropic or two that you try doesn't work, don't give up. Keep experimenting, and you'll eventually figure out what works best for you.

Conclusion

Alpha-GPC has been shown to be a safe and effective nootropic that fits well into just about any nootropic stack. Taken by itself or as part of a larger stack, this choline booster has a number of potential cognitive-enhancing benefits.

Users often report improvements in memory, learning, motivation, and physical performance. Alpha-GPC is a very common nootropic that's a favorite amongst experienced users and beginners alike. In addition to having cognition-enhancing properties of its own, alpha-GPC can also increase the effectiveness of many other nootropics and reduce the potential for unwanted effects.

If alpha-GPC isn't part of your current stack, you may want to consider adding it. It's very well-tolerated, works for a lot of the people who try it, and it is one of the least expensive nootropics available. While you're unlikely to find alpha-GPC in stores, it's available from almost all of the trusted nootropic vendors on our Where To Buy Nootropics list.

Alpha-GPC seems to stack well with just about every other nootropic out there. To learn about some nootropic stacks that include alpha-GPC (and some that don't), check out our post about some common nootropic stacks. Or if you're brand new to the wonderful world of smart drugs and are looking for a simple nootropic stack to try, you may want to read our post about nootropic stacks for beginners.

Have you used alpha-GPC by itself or as part of a nootropic stack? I'd love to hear all about your experience with it in the comments section at the bottom of the page.

And lastly, if you haven't already, make sure to sign up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter below to learn more about alpha-GPC and dozens of other nootropics.

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