If you look at the most effective nootropic stacks being used around the world today, almost all of them include a choline source. Although there are several others, the two most commonly used cholinergics are alpha-GPC and CDP-choline.

If you are interested in learning more about alpha-GPC, you can do so here. But in this article, we're gonna be going over the benefits of CDP-choline.

CDP-choline, also known as citicoline, is a potent nootropic that can have a number of brain-boosting benefits. We'll get to the benefits, potential negative effects, dosage, and stack information shortly. First, let's look at what exactly CDP-choline is.

What Is CDP-Choline?

CDP-choline (aka citicoline, cytidine diphosphate-choline) is a nootropic that can have a number of physical and cognitive benefits. It has been shown to improve memory, attention, motivation, and other aspects of cognitive functioning¹.

Some of CDP-choline's benefits can be explained by its ability to convert to choline and uridine in the body². Once those substances cross the blood-brain-barrier, they convert back into CDP-choline resulting in an increase in the neurotransmitter acetylcholine³.

Acetylcholine is known to play a role in a number of important mental and physical functions. Some of these functions include muscle activation, memory, learning, motivation, and arousal⁴.

Another way that CDP-choline may exert some of its effects is through its ability to increase dopamine receptor densities in certain parts of the brain⁵. This helps to explains, at least in part, how CDP-choline supplementation is able to improve motivation and attention.

Lastly, CDP-choline seems to increase levels of growth hormone (HGH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), at least under some conditions⁶. These mechanisms of action may also help to explain some of CDP-choline's effects.

Benefits Of CDP-Choline

CDP-choline can have a number of nootropic benefits. One of these benefits is increased attention. In a study done on healthy women, CDP-choline was found to significantly improve attention⁷. The women were divided into 3 groups. One group received 250 milligrams (mg) of CDP-choline a day, another group got 500 mg, and the last group was given a placebo. After 28 days of supplementation, the women in the 250 mg group did better on attention tests than the placebo group. And the women in the 500 mg group did even better.

Another potential benefit of CDP-choline is its ability to improve memory. While plenty of healthy CDP-choline users of all ages report memory improvement, most of the scientific studies have been done on the elderly.

One study, for example, was done on elderly subjects with relatively inefficient memories⁸. This study found that CDP-choline was able to improve verbal memory functioning in subjects with relatively inefficient memories.

Another study done on elderly subjects with declining memory, but without dementia, showed similar results⁹. This study found that CDP-choline supplementation improves memory in free recall tasks.

CDP-choline may have other important benefits. Some promising research indicates that CDP-choline may be useful to help with some aspects of addiction.

One study found that short-term treatment with CDP-choline was able to reduce cravings in cocaine-dependent people¹⁰. This study found that cocaine addicts had less cravings after taking CDP-choline.

Another study done on bipolar patients that were dependent on cocaine has similar results¹¹. This study showed that CDP-choline supplementation was able to help with memory and cocaine cravings.

Lastly, CDP-choline may have appetite-reducing effects at higher dosages. A study done to examine the effect of CDP-choline on appetite found that 2,000 mg a day decreased appetite¹². In this study, some of the participants took 500 mg of CDP-choline a day and some took 2,000 mg a day. The participants that took the higher dosage had the greatest reduction in appetite.

Between all the anecdotal reports and scientific studies, here are just some of the potential benefits of CDP-choline:

• Improved memory
• Improved learning
• Increased attention
• Decreased appetite
• Increased motivation
• Increased acetylcholine
• Increased dopamine
• Reduced cravings for drugs and alcohol

CDP-Choline Negative Effects

CDP-choline has an excellent safety profile. Unwanted effects are very rare and when they do occur they are usually very mild.

When negative effects do occur, they may include insomnia (trouble sleeping), headache, upset stomach, diarrhea, nausea, blurred vision, low or high blood pressure, and dizziness. If you experience any of these unwanted effects, simply stop taking CDP-choline and they should resolve on their own.

No known adverse drug interactions with CDP-choline have been published. However, it's always a good idea to speak with a licensed healthcare professional before starting or stopping any supplement, especially if you are taking one or more prescription medications. Since most doctors aren't taught about nootropics, you might have to educate yours a bit. The References section at the bottom of the page may be a good place to start.

CDP-Choline Dosage

CDP-choline is usually taken at a dosage of anywhere from 500 mg a day to 2,000 mg a day¹³. It can be taken all at once, but may work best if taken in two divided doses, spaced 8-12 hours apart.

As with all nootropics, it is recommended that you start with a low dosage and work your way up as needed. Some users report great results with just 500 mg a day. Others report that they don't notice any effects until they get up to 2,000 mg a day. When taking CDP-choline for nootropic purposes, it is generally recommended that you start with 250 mg twice a day for the first couple weeks, and then increase the dose if you are not experiencing the desired results.

CDP-Choline may absorb a little better when taken on an empty stomach. However, this is not necessary. If you experience nausea or upset stomach, you should take CDP-choline with a small meal. This may reduce or eliminate those minor unwanted effects.

Where To Buy CDP-Choline

Though usually not sold in brick-and-mortar stores like Walmart, CDP-choline is readily available online. Many nootropic vendors offer it in one or more forms.

If you are looking for CDP-choline in powder form, you should definitely check out Pure Rawz. They offer high-quality CDP-choline powder at a reasonable price. While you're there, you may want to browse around Pure Rawz's incredible selection of nootropics. They have a vast assortment of nootropics and other products that you won't find anywhere else. Between the awesome selection of high-quality products, reasonable prices, fast and discreet shipping, and excellent customer service, it's no secret why Pure Rawz is one of the most popular nootropic vendors around.

If you're looking for CDP-choline in capsule form, there are a variety of brands to choose from on Amazon. However, you should be careful to choose a reputable brand and not just the cheapest option. Some supplement manufacturers cut corners and sell products that aren't tested for purity. That being said, there are a few brands on Amazon that do hold themselves to a high standard and only offer high-quality, laboratory-tested products. My favorite brand of CDP-choline that you'll find on Amazon is this one. I've used several Double Wood products and they are always of the highest quality.

Stacking CDP-Choline

You can experience many of the nootropic benefits of CDP-choline by taking it by itself. However, many users take CDP-choline as part of a larger nootropic stack.

Stacking simply means taking more than one nootropic at a time. By taking two-or-more nootropics together, users often report better results than from only taking one at a time. These improved results could come from an increase in nootropic effects, from the reduction of negative effects, or both.

For example, CDP-choline is often taken together with piracetam for both of these reasons. Piracetam is a great nootropic, but it can cause headaches in some users¹⁴. This is thought to be caused by reduced levels of acetylcholine in the brain (although I could not find any scientific studies to support this claim). Many users report that taking CDP-choline with piracetam eliminates the headaches, possibly by its ability to increase acetylcholine levels in the brain.

Not only can CDP-choline reduce the negative effects of piracetam, but users often report that it increases the benefits as well. Although it has not been scientifically studied yet, there are countless anecdotal reports of a synergistic effect between these two nootropics. Users say that taking CDP-choline and piracetam together works much better than taking either one alone.

But piracetam isn't the only nootropic that stacks well with CDP-choline. In fact, just about every other (non-cholinergic) nootropic will stack well with this choline source. It's known to be effective for most people, has no known drug interactions, and seems to be extremely safe at recommended dosages.

The most common class of nootropic that gets stacked with CDP-choline is the racetams ( which includes piracetam, aniracetam, and several others). For many users, CDP-choline seems to increase the desirable effects of racetams while reducing or eliminating some of the unwanted effects that sometimes go with them.

CDP-choline can also be stacked with other types of nootropics like adaptogens and eugeroics, just to name a couple. Different stacks work for different people. If the first one you try doesn't work for you, don't give up. Sometimes it takes a little experimentation to find your optimal stack. But once you do, you'll be glad you went through the trouble.

Conclusion

CDP-choline is a potent nootropic with a number of potential benefits. Improved memory, attention, and motivation are all possible with this fascinating cholinergic. CDP-choline seems to be very safe and has been extensively studied by the scientific community.

While it can be taken by itself, CDP-choline is often taken as part of a nootropic stack. It's most commonly stacked with one-or-more racetams but also stacks well with most other nootropics. If you're currently taking a daily nootropic stack and CDP-choline (or an equally powerful choline source) isn't a part of it, you could be missing out on some added nootropic benefits.

Have you used CDP-choline? What has your experience been like? Please leave your answer in the comments section at the bottom. And if you haven't already, sign up for the Nootropics Zone newsletter below to learn about dozens of brain-boosting substances.

References