What is DMAE? DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol, also called deanol) is a small compound related to choline, the nutrient your body uses to make the messenger acetylcholine. It occurs naturally in the body and is reported in small amounts in fish such as sardines and anchovies, and it appears in focus supplements and in some skin creams. The research on DMAE taken by mouth is older and small, so it is fair to call it a traditional focus ingredient with limited modern evidence. Here is what it is, what studies looked at, and how to read it on a label.
Key takeaways
- DMAE is a compound related to choline, and it is found naturally in the body and in some fish.
- The idea behind DMAE is that it may feed the body's supply of choline, which is used to make acetylcholine.
- Most DMAE research is decades old, small, or tested DMAE inside a multi-ingredient product.
- DMAE is usually one ingredient among several in a focus formula, not a stand-alone answer.
What is DMAE?
DMAE is a compound related to choline, and it is found naturally in the body and in some fish. Chemically, it is choline with one fewer methyl group. On supplement labels you will usually see it as DMAE bitartrate, a stable salt form that is easy to put in a capsule, or simply as "DMAE" or "deanol."
You may also see DMAE on skincare packaging. Topical DMAE in creams is a separate use with its own research, and what a cream does on the skin tells you nothing about what a capsule does in the body. In this article we focus on DMAE taken by mouth.
How is DMAE supposed to work?
DMAE is thought to feed the body's choline supply, and choline is used to make acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger involved in attention, learning and muscle movement, so anything that supports choline supply has long attracted interest in focus formulas.
The catch is that the chain from "swallowing DMAE" to "more acetylcholine where it matters" has not been shown clearly in people. Some early research suggested DMAE could raise choline levels in the blood; other work questioned whether it increases acetylcholine in the brain at all. That uncertainty is why reputable reviews describe DMAE's mechanism as unproven.
What does the research say about DMAE and focus?
Much of the DMAE research is old or small, or it tested DMAE alongside many other ingredients. A fair summary:
| Kind of evidence | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Studies from the 1950s to 1970s | Small and often uncontrolled; some reported better attention or alertness, but the designs do not meet modern standards. |
| A 2003 placebo-controlled study | 80 volunteers with borderline emotional disturbance took a vitamin and mineral combination containing DMAE for 12 weeks; researchers reported changes in brain-wave (EEG) patterns and better self-rated wellbeing. Because DMAE was one ingredient among many, the result cannot be pinned on DMAE alone. |
| Recent reviews | Conclude that the evidence does not establish a reliable benefit from oral DMAE on its own. |
That 2003 result is a useful reminder: DMAE is usually one ingredient among several in a focus formula, not a stand-alone answer. If a product leans heavily on DMAE in its marketing, look at the rest of the label too.
Other choline-related focus ingredients
DMAE often appears alongside related ingredients you might recognize:
- Choline bitartrate: a common form of choline, an essential nutrient with an established Adequate Intake.
- Phosphatidylserine: a phospholipid found in cell membranes, especially in the brain.
- Huperzine A: a compound from a club moss, studied for how it relates to acetylcholine breakdown.
For a closer look at those, read our guide to phosphatidylserine, bacopa, ginkgo and huperzine A.
Where DMAE shows up in Cognitive +™
In our Cognitive +, DMAE bitartrate is the first ingredient listed in a 609 mg proprietary blend that also includes bacopa, L-glutamine, green tea extract, GABA, phosphatidylserine, DHA and huperzine A. Blend totals are on the label; the amounts inside each blend are not. The formula adds 50 mg of choline (as choline bitartrate) and twenty-one other vitamins and minerals. Cognitive + is made to support focus, concentration and mental clarity.*
Good to know before you buy: the suggested use is two capsules once a day, 20 to 30 minutes before a meal with a glass of water. It contains soy and fish (the DHA comes from tuna), its green tea extract is a natural source of caffeine, and it contains iron, so keep it out of reach of children. Every batch is third-party tested for purity and potency; see our standards. If you would rather compare blends with single ingredients first, read Nootropic Blends vs Single Ingredients: How to Read the Label.
How to spot DMAE on a label
DMAE can be listed under several names: DMAE, DMAE bitartrate, dimethylaminoethanol, deanol, or 2-dimethylaminoethanol. In a proprietary blend it will appear in the ingredient list without its own amount, so you will know it is present but not how much. If you want to know the exact DMAE amount, look for it on its own line; in a blend such as Cognitive +, the blend total is on the label but the amount of each ingredient inside it is not.
Is DMAE safe?
DMAE taken by mouth has not been studied enough to set clear long-term safety limits. Reported side effects include drowsiness, confusion and vivid dreams. Because there is so little safety research, it makes sense to avoid DMAE during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless your provider advises otherwise; the Cognitive + label also asks pregnant or nursing mothers to consult a physician before use. If you have a medical condition or take medication, especially medicines that act on acetylcholine, talk to your healthcare provider before using a DMAE-containing supplement.
Frequently asked questions about DMAE
What does DMAE do for the brain?
DMAE is thought to feed the body's choline supply, which is used to make the messenger acetylcholine. Whether that translates into better focus in people has not been clearly shown, so the honest answer is that its effect on the brain is uncertain.
Is DMAE the same as choline?
No. DMAE is closely related to choline in structure, but it is a different compound. Choline is an essential nutrient with an established Adequate Intake; DMAE is not.
What foods contain DMAE?
Small amounts are reported in fish such as sardines and anchovies. The amounts in food are much smaller than those used in supplements.
How long does DMAE take to work?
There is no good evidence for a set timeline. The 2003 study measured its multi-ingredient product over 12 weeks, so if you try a focus formula that contains DMAE, give a consistent routine several weeks before judging it.
Can I take DMAE with coffee?
Many focus formulas, including Cognitive +, already contain a natural source of caffeine. If you also drink coffee, keep an eye on your total caffeine for the day, especially in the afternoon.
Related reading from our Wellness Hub
- What Helps Brain Fog? Start With Sleep, Stress, Food and Focus
- L-Theanine Explained: Calm Focus, With or Without Coffee
Sources
- Dimpfel W, et al. Efficacy of dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) containing vitamin-mineral drug combination on EEG patterns. Eur J Med Res. 2003.
- Examine: DMAE research summary
- PeaceHealth: Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE)
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Choline fact sheet
Individual results vary.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
