Citicoline (CDP-Choline)

What it is

Citicoline, also called CDP-choline, is a naturally occurring compound that supplies choline and cytidine, precursors used to build the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and brain cell membranes. By supporting cholinergic signaling, it is studied as a nootropic for attention and focus.

Benefits

In healthy people, 250-500 mg/day for about four weeks has improved attention and psychomotor (motor) speed in controlled trials. Memory benefits have been reported around 500 mg/day over longer use.

When to take it

Take once daily, or split into two doses; can be taken with or without food. A morning or pre-workout dose suits its focus-oriented use.

Side effects

Usually well tolerated; occasional reports of headache, gastrointestinal upset, or insomnia. Most trials run 4-12 weeks, so very long-term data are limited.

Sources

• McGlade et al. (2019), Effect of Citicoline Supplementation on Motor Speed and Attention in Adolescent Males
• Citicoline Improves Human Vigilance and Visual Working Memory (PMC7878037)

Products containing Citicoline (CDP-Choline)

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