Does citicoline increase dopamine?

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Abstract

Background

Citicoline is a dietary supplement that has been used as a neuroprotective agent for neurological disorders such as stroke and dementia. Citicoline influences acetylcholine, dopamine, and glutamate neurotransmitter systems; serves as an intermediate in phospholipid metabolism; and enhances the integrity of neuronal membranes. Interest has grown in citicoline as a treatment for addiction since it may have beneficial effects on craving, withdrawal symptoms, and cognitive functioning, as well as the ability to attenuate the neurotoxic effects of drugs of abuse.

Objectives

To review the literature on citicoline&#;s use in addictive disorders.

Methods

Using PubMed we conducted a narrative review of the clinical literature on citicoline related to addictive disorders from the years to using the following keywords: citicoline, CDP-choline, addiction, cocaine, alcohol, substance abuse, and substance dependence. Out of approximately 900 first hits, nine clinical studies have been included in this review.

Results

Most addiction research investigated citicoline for cocaine use. The findings suggest that it is safe and well tolerated. Furthermore, citicoline appears to decrease craving and is associated with a reduction in cocaine use, at least at high doses in patients with both bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence. Limited data suggest citicoline may also hold promise for alcohol and cannabis dependence and in reducing food consumption.

Conclusions

Currently, there is limited research on the efficacy of citicoline for addictive disorders, but the available literature suggests promising results. Future research should employ larger sample sizes, increased dosing, and more complex study designs.

Keywords:

Citicoline, Addiction, Substance Use, Substance Abuse, Bipolar Disorder, Cocaine, Substance Dependence, Alcohol, Methamphetamine

Introduction

Addictive disorders are significant public health concerns because they are common, associated with poor outcomes, and result in significant health and economic burdens. Substance use disorders have a 14.6% lifetime prevalence rate in the U.S. (1) and over 20% of all deaths in the U.S. are attributable to substance use and addiction (2). The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that drug and alcohol abuse in the U.S. result in a combined $366 billion annual cost to society (3).

While much research has been conducted and some promising interventions have been identified, developing effective treatments for addictive disorders remains a significant challenge given that many patients still do not respond to either single or multiple treatment interventions, and effect sizes for these interventions remain modest (4). One potentially promising pharmacological intervention for the addictive disorders population may be citicoline, a dietary supplement widely studied and used in Europe. While its clinical applications have primarily focused on cognitive impairment and stroke recovery populations, the past several years have seen increased interest in citicoline as a novel agent in the treatment of addictive disorders.

Citicoline in Neurological Diseases

Citicoline is most widely used as a neuroprotective agent in neurological disorders, including Parkinson&#;s Disease, dementia, traumatic brain injury, glaucoma, and stroke (8). A Cochrane review concluded that citicoline was more effective than placebo for cognitive impairment in vascular dementia and that it was well tolerated, with a trend towards better tolerability than placebo (14). A study of citicoline therapy in elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment showed greater improvements in verbal memory compared to placebo (18). However, another trial showed non-significant effects for citicoline vs. placebo in functional outcomes following traumatic brain injury (19). While a recent study found citicoline effective for cognitive impairment following stroke (20), another trial of citicoline in acute stroke patients confirmed safety and tolerability of the medication but did not find significant differences compared to placebo on the primary outcome of global recovery (21). A drug surveillance study of citicoline in 4,191 stroke patients by Cho & Kim (22) reported that more favorable results were observed in patients given high doses of citicoline (&#; mg/day) for six weeks. The dose-dependency of the citicoline findings in this study was striking, indicating that higher dosing was associated with significant improvements in both the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (23) and the Barthel Index (24) of daily living and that tolerability was good regardless of dosing.

Citicoline in Addictive Disorders

Eight studies examined efficacy or potential mechanisms for citicoline in addictive disorders while one (discussed below) focused on safety ( ). Cocaine use disorders have been investigated most frequently in the literature on citicoline for addictive disorders, with five studies published to date. This literature includes several small studies in cocaine dependent patients that are suggestive of a possible efficacy signal. In a small pilot study, Renshaw et al. (26) demonstrated that cocaine users who were treated for 14 days with citicoline (N=6 for citicoline and N=8 for placebo) reported increased control over their cocaine use and decreased urges for cocaine. Licata et al. (27) conducted an eight-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study of citicoline ( mg/day) in 29 cocaine-dependent individuals. While citicoline did not significantly reduce cocaine use or craving compared to placebo in this small study, it decreased concomitant cannabis and alcohol use. Braken et al. (28) found no associations between citicoline use and changes in the sleep/wake cycle in 12 cocaine-dependent volunteers given citicoline (1,000 mg/day) in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

TABLE 1

AuthorsSubstanceNDesignDosingFindings of interestChinchilla et al., Alcohol20Double-blind, placebo-controlled1,000 mg/dayImproved attention, concentration, and orientation in the citicoline group.Renshaw et al., Cocaine14Double-blind, placebo-controlled500 mg/dayIncreased control and decreased craving with citicoline compared to placebo.Lukas et al., Cocaine8Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover1,000 mg/dayCiticoline safe and well tolerated but no changes in cocaine use.Brown et al., Cocaine44Double-blind, placebo-controlled2,000 mg/dayCiticoline associated with less cocaine use, increased declarative memory performance, and increased treatment retention.Yoon et al., Methamphetamine31Double-blind, placebo-controlledUp to 2,000 mg/dayDecrease in positive UAs with citicoline; increased NAA and Cho with citicoline.Killgore et al., Food16Double-blind, placebo-controlled500 vs 2,000 mg/dayGreater declines in appetite ratings and increased functional brain response to food stimuli in 2,000 mg/day group compared to 500 mg/day group.Bracken et al., Cocaine12Double-blind, placebo-controlled1,000 mg/dayNo association between citicoline and sleep/wake disturbances.Licata et al., Cocaine29Double-blind, placebo-controlled1,000 mg/dayCiticoline safe and well tolerated but no changes in cocaine craving.Brown &Gabrielson, Methamphetamine48Double-blind, placebo-controlled2,000 mg/dayCiticoline group had a reduction in depressive symptoms, increased treatment retention, but no changes in methamphetamine use.Open in a separate window

To date, the largest study of citicoline for cocaine use was in outpatients with both bipolar disorders and cocaine dependence. Brown et al. (29) conducted a 12-week, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept study in 44 individuals with bipolar disorder and comorbid cocaine dependence. Citicoline as an add-on therapy (up to 2,000 mg/day) was associated with reduced likelihood of a cocaine-positive urine at exit, with a covariate-adjusted odds ratio estimate of 6.41, suggesting that participants taking placebo had a 6.41-times higher likelihood of testing positive for cocaine than those taking citicoline. Citicoline also improved declarative memory performance. Study completion rates were twice as high for the citicoline group compared to placebo (39.1% vs. 19.0%).

Two studies investigated the effects of citicoline in methamphetamine dependence. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 31 methamphetamine-dependent volunteers, Yoon et al. (30) administered citicoline (n=16) and placebo (n=15) to determine if citicoline was associated with increased levels of prefrontal N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), a marker of neuronal viability (31) assessed using magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and whether these changes were associated with an increase in negative urine samples. Their findings demonstrated a significant association between citicoline administration (2,000 mg/day) and changes in both NAA and choline-containing compound (Cho) levels. Changes in NAA, but not Cho, levels were associated with negative urine samples. Brown &Gabrielson(32) conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of citicoline (2,000 mg/day) for bipolar and unipolar depression with comorbid methamphetamine dependence in 48 volunteers over 12 weeks. Participants receiving citicoline (n=28) had a significantly greater reduction in depressive symptoms but not methamphetamine use compared to placebo (n=20). Citicoline was also associated with significantly greater treatment retention and study completion compared to those who received placebo.

One study investigated citicoline in an alcohol dependent population. Chinchilla et al. (33) randomized 20 volunteers with alcohol dependence to citicoline or placebo. After 60 days the group receiving citicoline showed greater improvement than placebo on measures of attention, concentration and temporo-spatial orientation, and also had a 143 point decrease in gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels as compared to 38 points for the placebo group.

Finally, while not formally classified as an addictive disorder, Killgore et al. (34) recently investigated the effects of citicoline on appetite and cortico-limbic responses to images of high calorie foods. Over the course of six weeks, they compared 500 mg/day (n=8) versus 2,000 mg/day (n=8) doses of citicoline in healthy adult volunteers. After six weeks there was no difference in weight. However, significant declines in appetite ratings and increases in functional brain responses to food stimuli in the amygdala, insula, and lateral orbital cortex as measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging were present in the mg/day group but not the 500 mg/day group. Notably, increased activation in those brain regions was significantly associated with decreases in appetite ratings.

Safety and Tolerability

The side effect profile for citicoline has been shown to be favorable. A Cochrane review concluded that citicoline tended to be associated with fewer adverse effects than placebo in elderly patients with cerebral disorders (14). In a large drug surveillance study using citicoline(35) with cases, no potential side effects were observed in 95% of patients. Of the remaining patients, 4% experienced digestive symptoms (nausea, stomach pain, and diarrhea), and <1% experienced cardiovascular symptoms (low blood pressure or slow or tachycardia). Safety has also been demonstrated in studies of citicoline in neurological conditions such as chronic cerebral disorder (14), acute ischemic stroke (21), and traumatic brain injury (19). In a large study in stroke patients Cho and Kim (22) found good tolerability at doses up to 4,000 mg.

Citicoline was also shown to be safe and well-tolerated in a range of addictive disorder studies. In a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study of eight occasional cocaine users, Lukas et al. (25) administered a small dose of intranasal cocaine on three separate visits and monitored the participants for 3.5 hours. During either the second or third visit, participants were administered a four-day pretreatment consisting of 1,000 mg/day of citicoline. Citicoline administration did not alter the physiological or subjective effects of cocaine. Similarly, Licata et al. (27) found citicoline to be safe during short-term treatment and to reduce scores on a somatic symptoms scale over 12 weeks. In a study by Brown et al. (29) of patients with bipolar disorder and comorbid cocaine dependence they found that citicoline was well-tolerated and also associated with significantly fewer somatic symptoms than the placebo group. Brown &Gabrielson(32) investigated citicoline for patients with bipolar or unipolar depression and comorbid methamphetamine dependence, and similarly found that citicoline was well-tolerated, with few mild side effects and no patients withdrawing from the study or decreasing medication dosage due to side effects.

Discussion

Citicoline has been reasonably well studied in neurological disorders and appears to have potential beneficial effects in a range of conditions including dementia, glaucoma, and stroke (36&#;38). However, the literature on citicoline in addictive disorders is more limited.

The majority of research on citicoline in addictive disorders has focused on cocaine use. The studies of citicoline in cocaine dependence alone have had very small sample sizes and have generally not focused on reduction in drug use. However, the findings suggest excellent tolerability, with no changes in sleep patterns, and possibly a reduction in craving. A larger study of citicoline was conducted in patients with bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence with positive findings on cocaine use but not mood outcomes (29). These findings suggest that either larger trials of citicoline may be warranted in patients with cocaine use disorders alone or that citicoline may have specific effects in patients with bipolar disorder and cocaine addiction that are not mediated through changes in mood. Because the study of citicoline in bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence was relatively small (n=44) for a trial focusing on mood symptoms, and both manic and depressive symptom severity were relatively modest at baseline, another possibility is that citicoline is effective for mood symptoms, but the study did not have sufficient power to detect this effect. It is noteworthy that the trial of citicoline in a mixed sample of bipolar and unipolar depressed patients with methamphetamine dependence (32) observed improvement in depressive symptoms but not methamphetamine use with citicoline. The studies of citicoline in dual diagnosis populations both used a mg/day dose, while many of the studies in cocaine use without these comorbidities used 500 mg/day - mg/day doses.

Both studies of citicoline in patients with bipolar disorder and stimulant use disorders observed greater treatment retention with citicoline than placebo. The citicoline study in patients with bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence (29) suggest that citicoline may have fewer side effects than placebo. Thus, it seems unlikely that side effects compromised the integrity of the blind resulting in greater retention because participants suspected they were on active medication. An alternative and highly speculative possibility is that subtle improvements in mood, well-being, or physical symptoms with citicoline might result in greater treatment retention.

One study of citicoline in cocaine dependence did not observe significant differences compared to placebo on cocaine use, but did demonstrate a trend toward less alcohol and cannabis use with citicoline(27). In addition, a small study of citicoline in patients with alcohol dependence reported promising findings on cognitive measures and GGT levels (33). Thus, additional research, with larger sample sizes, on citicoline in patients with alcohol or cannabis use disorders is also needed.

A small open label study comparing 500 mg/day vs. mg/day of citicoline for food craving found that self-rated appetite declined significantly in participants given the mg/day dose of citicoline(34). This finding suggests that higher doses of citicoline may be necessary in order to detect significant differences in effects. Furthermore, the authors of the study speculate that citicoline administration may facilitate dopamine release in several brain areas associated with reward including the amygdala. As a result, increased amygdala activation might lead to more aversive reactions to perceived food stimuli and therefore negatively influence craving ratings.

The mechanism by which citicoline may act in addictive diseases is not clear. Given the potent effects of citicoline on cholinergic systems, citicoline may attenuate cravings and withdrawal symptoms via increased acetylcholine and subsequent dopaminergic system modulation. While drug addiction is thought to be a disease of brain reward system dysfunction &#; with a particular focus on dopaminergic neurotransmitter system &#; the role of the cholinergic system in the processes underlying drug addiction has garnered increased interest in the study of addiction (39). Recent research into the mechanisms underlying the influence of the dopaminergic system on drug-taking behavior has identified several cholinergic pathways that appear to play important modulating roles on this system (40). Acetylcholine connections from the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus to the ventral tegmental area are thought to form a loop with dopamine cells in the midbrain and the pons and prefrontal cortex. As a result, acetylcholine input into dopamine bodies in the ventral tegmental area might serve an important gating function for the information traveling between mesocorticolimbic and mesostriatal systems (41). Additionally, cholinergic and dopaminergic systems are thought to coordinate reward functioning in the striatum, with various dopamine receptor subtypes controlling acetylcholine transmission as well striatal cholinergic output modulating dopamine output (42). Further evidence for the modulating effect of citicoline on the cholinergic system comes from magnetic resonance spectroscopy research showing that citicoline administration is associated with increased Cho levels in the brain, although changes in Cho did not correlate with changes in drug use (30).

Citicoline may decrease initiation and maintenance of drug use, as well as increase treatment adherence and relapse prevention via increased cognitive function mediated by increased acetylcholine release. The literature on citicoline in neurological disorders suggests that it may improve cognition. In addition, the trial of citicoline in patients with bipolar disorder and cocaine dependence suggested improvement in some cognitive domains (29). Similarly, the study of citicoline for alcohol dependence found that citicoline administration was associated with significant increases in attention, concentration and temporo-spatial orientation (33).

The role of memory and cognition in the addiction process has drawn increased attention in recent years, with some going as far as to call addiction a disease of learning and memory (43). Specifically, tonic firing of acetylcholine interneurons in the striatum is temporarily depressed in response to rewarding and aversive environmental stimuli (44), and they appear finely tuned towards context recognition, movement control and stimulus detection (39). Furthermore, acute administration of drugs of abuse such as cocaine and amphetamine increase acetylcholine levels in the hippocampus (45), potentially leading to increased memory consolidation of drug-taking behavior and effects.

However, over time and with chronic administration, acetylcholine receptors may be reduced in number, especially during withdrawal. Consequently, cholinergic agonists such as citicoline may be useful in increasing the acquisition of more adaptive behaviors by strengthening the salience of stimuli not associated with substance abuse (39). Citicoline has also been shown to improve cognition in early-onset patients with Alzheimer&#;s disease (46) and improved performance on some neuropsychological and cognitive tests such as the Mini Mental State Examination (47) in patients with cognitive decline (48). Furthermore, through its effects on phospholipid synthesis, citicoline has been associated with improved memory performance and verbal learning in humans (49). Finally, impulsive behavior and poor decision-making are common in addictions (50), and citicoline-facilitated improvements in cognition may contribute to decreased rates of relapse in addictive disorders.

Citicoline may also be neuroprotective against the neurotoxic effects of some drugs of abuse. Chronic use of drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine can result in ischemic injury, in part mediated through glutamate release (51). Citicoline has been shown to be neuroprotective in both animal and human studies of ischemia, and may therefore buffer against some of the neurotoxic effects of chronic substance abuse. This neuroprotective effect may arise through several mechanisms, including repairing neuronal membranes through increased phosphatidylcholine production, repairing damaged cholinergic neurons through increased acetylcholine production, and reduced free fatty acid accumulation (5). Citicoline is thought to be neuroprotective through its ability to decrease extracellular glutamate accumulation in various conditions such as ischemia (16), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (52), and central nervous system injury (53). Evidence from relapse models in cocaine abuse suggests that the glutamatergic system is critically involved in this process. Nucleus accumbens glutamate levels increase during cocaine reinstatement, and glutamate receptor activation is necessary for the reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior (54). As a result, attenuation of glutamate release via citicoline administration may prove useful as a novel pharmacotherapy for the reduction of drug-seeking behavior.

In summary, citicoline appears to be a promising potential treatment for addictive disorders. It is generally safe and well tolerated, even at higher doses. Initial evidence suggests that citicoline may be useful in reducing cocaine use and possibly alcohol and cannabis use. Some studies, however, have reported negative results. Importantly, the study finding the strongest positive results also included the largest sample and the highest dosing of citicoline, suggesting that future studies ought to consider these factors carefully in order to ensure adequate power to detect significant effects. Issues of insufficient sample sizes and conservative dosing will certainly need to be addressed if the literature is to progress, but there are several other directions that we suggest future research might take.

As is evident from the above discussion, the pharmacodynamics of citicolineare complex and multifaceted. Future research will need to investigate more closely how citicoline administration interacts with different neurotransmitter systems given specific circumstances and conditions. For instance, how might citicoline differentially act on cocaine or methamphetamine addiction compared to alcohol addiction? A more detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying the effects of citicoline might lead to a better understanding of its potential spectrum of efficacy.

Another important area for future research is to test the effects of citicoline in better defined and controlled populations. Several of the larger studies of citicoline in addiction employed dual-diagnosis patients with co-morbid mood disorders. While this patient population is clinically important given that a significant number of people suffering from an addiction also have co-morbid psychiatric conditions, future studies will need to accurately and comprehensively assess psychiatric status in order to better understand the effects of citicoline and addictive disorders in the context of psychiatric conditions. Similarly, accurate documentation of participants&#; concomitant psychopharmacological treatments is essential.

Finally, future research may benefit from investigating the effects of citicoline in various stages of addiction. For example, as mentioned previously, because of its potential cognitively enhancing properties, citicoline may be especially efficacious during the relapse prevention stage of treatment. The importance of designing studies that are targeted and specific cannot be overstated, particularly with an agent whose actions are likely complex.

Acknowledgments

Supported, in part, by NIH grant DA

By Mind Lab Pro

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Last updated: Sep 24, 24

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Citicoline is one of the best nootropic compounds you can take to support overall brain health and function, including brain chemicals. But does citicoline increase dopamine?

Citicoline does influence dopamine levels indirectly. But that's just one aspect of how it promotes healthy brain chemical levels.

In this article, we're going to delve into what citicoline is and what it does, including its multifaceted role in brain chemical balance. We'll discuss citicoline's versatility and cite some research supporting its brain-healthy bioactivities.

We'll also touch on the best dietary supplement that delivers citicoline: the Universal Nootropic, Mind Lab Pro.

This industry-leading formula also supplies several additional nootropics that help maintain dopamine levels, including N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine and more. Let's get to it!

Quick Summary - Best Nootropic Stack for Dopamine: Mind Lab Pro®

Mind Lab Pro is a leading nootropic supplement that supplies 250 mg of Citicoline in each serving.

It also supplies additional support for dopamine levels and other brain chemicals, including L-Tyrosine, L-Theanine, B-Complex vitamins and more.

We'll delve into this citicoline-driven nootropic stack in more detail at the end of this article.

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What is Dopamine?

You're here to learn about citicoline and dopamine, so let's start by discussing what dopamine is and what it does.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter: a special chemical in your brain that functions as a cell-to-cell messenger.

It's a bit like a "feel-good" chemical for the brain's reward system that influences emotions, motivation, and pleasure. Here's what dopamine does:

1. Mood Regulator:

   Dopamine helps control your mood. When you do something you enjoy, like eating a delicious meal or achieving a goal, your brain releases dopamine. This makes you feel happy and satisfied.

2. Motivation Booster:

   It's like your brain's way of saying, "Great job! Let's do that again!" Dopamine encourages you to keep doing things that make you feel good. It's what drives you to finish a project, study for an exam, or even exercise.

3. Learning and Memory:

   Dopamine also plays a role in learning and remembering things. When you have a positive experience, dopamine helps your brain remember it. This way, you're more likely to repeat those good experiences.

4. Movement Control:

   In addition to emotions, dopamine is involved in controlling your movements. It helps your muscles work smoothly. When there's not enough dopamine, it can lead to movement problems.

So, in a nutshell, dopamine is like your brain's way of rewarding you and helping you learn from your experiences. It keeps you motivated, controls your mood, and makes you feel good when you accomplish something.

Dopamine is a crucial neurotransmitter for overall wellness and how we interact with the world around us.

So what happens when dopamine levels are low? Prolonged stress, drug and alcohol misuse, poor nutrition, environmental toxins, low physical activity and other factors can diminish dopamine production and release.

There are a broad range of symptoms associated with low dopamine levels, including:

• Apathy: Reduced motivation, low drive
• Decreased pleasure in everyday activities
• Persistent feelings of fatigue or tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating or focusing
• Low libido; loss of desire
• Mood swings and feelings of sadness or depression
• Sleep problems
• Brain fog; slow cognitive processing

*Note: It's crucial to consult with a medical professional if you suspect you have an imbalance in dopamine or any other neurotransmitter.

That being said, there are some nootropics (brain nutrients) that influence brain chemicals and may help to support healthy dopamine levels. Let's discuss them, starting with Citicoline.

What is Citicoline?

Citicoline is also known as cytidine diphosphate choline and CDP choline.

Want more information on Is Citicoline A Stimulant? Feel free to contact us.

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It is a brain-enhancing nutrient -- also known as a nootropic -- that provides the raw materials, energy, and protection your brain needs to function at its best.

CDP choline is notable as a nootropic because it is so versatile, offering powerful multi-tasking brain bioactivities.

Citicoline is suggested to work as a:

• Brain Energizer:

  Citicoline gives your brain a boost of energy. It increases frontal lobe bioenergetics and helps the brain to utilize energy efficiently. This helps your brain cells fire off electrical signals, which is how they communicate.

• Neuro-Regenerative:

  Citicoline promotes phospholipid synthesis. This refers to creation of essential "building blocks" needed to build, repair, and maintain your brain cell membranes. Notably, it is a "choline molecule donor," providing materials for making Phosphatidylcholine (PC).

• Neuroprotective effects:

  Oral supplementation of citicoline helps keeps brain cells well-nourished and in good shape, which may contribute to a significant improvement of overall brain health.

• Cerebral Circulation Optimizer:

  Citicoline seems to help regulate blood flow in your brain. Healthy blood flow delivers oxygen and neuronutrients that help the brain to function well.

Did you know? Due to its combined brain bioactivities, oral CDP choline has been studied for its potential to help with various brain concerns ranging from cognitive decline to traumatic brain injury.

Citicoline for Brain Chemicals (including Dopamine)

As if the above bioactivities weren't enough, citicoline also plays a role in making important brain chemicals.

It helps acetylcholine synthesis (for memory), norepinephrine (for attention and focus), and dopamine (for alertness and calm thinking). It's like a coordinator that helps these brain chemicals work together.

Here's how oral citicoline intake may influence dopamine, specifically:

Acetylcholine Production: Neurotransmitter acetylcholine helps nerve cells communicate with each other. It plays a role in learning, memory, and muscle contractions, among other functions.

Cholinergic System Activation: Citicoline activates the "cholinergic system" which uses acetylcholine for neuron-to-neuron signaling. It's crucial for performance-driven cognitive function processes.

Dopamine Release: Dopamine and acetylcholine systems are closely intertwined. When you activate the cholinergic system with the help of citicoline, it influences dopamine production and release.

So, while CDP Choline itself doesn't directly produce dopamine, it supports the brain's overall neurotransmitter network, including acetylcholine, which in turn can have an impact on dopamine levels.

Citicoline has demonstrated functional and cognitive status improvements in everything from "petri dish" research to randomized, placebo controlled human trials.

When it comes to dopamine, specifically, researchers have suggested that:

• CDP-choline increases dopamine and noradrenaline levels in the central nervous system (CNS).(1)
• Citicoline appears to stimulate and protect dopaminergic neurons (in culture).(2)
• CDP-Choline increases dopamine synthesis, likely by enhancing activity of the dopamine precursor tyrosine and helping to keep dopamine active for longer periods.(3)
• Citicoline appears to increase the density of dopamine receptors, helping to restore function that is typically diminished by aging (animal research).(4)

In summary, citicoline's role in enhancing brain function includes indirectly influencing dopamine by supporting the cholinergic system.

This interaction can have implications for mood, motivation, and cognitive processes, making citicoline a valuable tool for promoting brain health and potentially improving dopamine-related functions.

Other nootropic compounds that influence dopamine levels

Citicoline isn't the only nootropic you can take to help enhance brain function and increase dopamine. Some other options to consider include:

L-Tyrosine

L-tyrosine is a "master precursor" raw material for making brain chemicals. When you consume L-tyrosine through your diet or supplements, your body converts it into L-DOPA, and then L-DOPA is transformed into dopamine. This conversion process takes place primarily in the brain.

Learn more about L-Tyrosine

L-Theanine

L-theanine, a natural amino acid found in tea, has the ability to influence dopamine indirectly. This amino acid crosses the blood brain barrier and calms the brain by promoting the release of serotonin and GABA, which can help reduce stress and anxiety and indirectly support dopamine balance.

Learn more about L-Theanine

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), play a significant role in influencing dopamine function in the brain, mainly by optimizing cell membranes. Clinical trials have suggested that adequate levels of omega-3s can enhance dopamine receptor sensitivity, promoting more efficient neurotransmission and signaling in the brain.

Tip: While Omega-3 fatty acids are often associated with fish oil products, more advanced supplements are now sourcing these healthy fats from clean, vegan, eco-friendly marine algae.

Probiotics and Prebiotics

The gut produces up to 95% of the body's "feel good" brain chemical, serotonin, which is a precursor that is used to make dopamine. In addition to indirectly helping dopamine, some strains of probiotics in the gut can also directly produce small amounts of dopamine and GABA. These neurotransmitters play a role in regulating mood and cognitive performance. Probiotics and Prebiotics both optimize the gut.

Caffeine

Caffeine blocks a neurotransmitter called adenosine, which normally promotes relaxation and sleepiness. By inhibiting adenosine, caffeine increases the release of several neurotransmitters, including dopamine. This rise in dopamine may improve alertness, mood and concentration. But take heed: excessive caffeine may have a negative impact on dopamine levels.

Essential Vitamins and Minerals

Some essential vitamins and minerals play a role in dopamine concentrations, too. They include:

B-complex: Vitamins B6, B12, and folate may help neurotransmitter metabolism too. Most notably the essential nutrient vitamin B6, which regulates mood and cognitive function by synthesizing dopamine, GABA, serotonin, noradrenalin, and histamine. Learn more about Vitamin B6

Magnesium is a cofactor in the enzyme that converts the precursor L-tyrosine into L-DOPA, a critical step in dopamine synthesis. It also regulates calcium, which plays a role in keeping dopamine levels balanced and functioning properly.

Vitamin D may play a role in dopamine regulation by interacting with various enzymes and receptors involved in dopamine synthesis and signaling. Insufficient vitamin D levels have been associated with mood disorders like depression, which are often linked to dopamine imbalances.

Best Citicoline Supplement for Dopamine and More: Mind Lab Pro®

Supplying 250 mg of premium-quality Citicoline per serving, Mind Lab Pro® (MLP®, the Universal Nootropic) is the best nootropic supplement on the market for supporting healthy dopamine levels.

In addition to Citicoline, MLP includes several additional nootropics that help dopamine. Its full ingredient list:

• Citicoline (CDP Choline), 250 mg

• Phosphatidylserine (PS), 100 mg
• Bacopa monnieri, 150 mg (full-spectrum extract, 24% bacosides with 9 bioactives)
• Organic Lion's Mane Mushroom, 500 mg (fruit and mycelium)
• Maritime Pine Bark Extract, 75 mg: (Standardized to 95% proanthocyanidins)
• N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, 175 mg
• L-Theanine, 100 mg
• Rhodiola rosea, 50 mg (Standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides)
• NutriGenesis® B-Vitamins: Vitamin B6 (2.5 mg), Vitamin B9 (100 mcg), Vitamin B12 (7.5 mcg)

Supplying citicoline and L-Tyrosine together with L-Theanine and B-vitamins, Mind Lab Pro delivers comprehensive brain chemical support, including for dopamine.

Due in part to its pro-dopamine benefits, Mind Lab Pro is the best nootropic for improving mood, concentration, focus, and attention, with minimal side effects.

MLP also optimizes far more brain pathways than just brain chemicals.

It also helps with brain energy production, blood flow to the brain, neuroprotection and brain health, brain waves, membranes of brain cells, and other key areas associated with overall brain wellness.

Functioning as a whole-brain optimizer, MLP can help to promote sharp cognitive function in many ways:

• Attention, concentration, focus and peak productivity
• Mental energy without caffeine; revitalizes brain cells naturally with no crashes
• Maximum mental performance under multitasking, stress, and chaos
• Helps enhance memory: short-range (working memory), learning, verbal memory
• Promotes mental clarity and cognitive ability while multitasking
• Supports mood balance, calm and relaxation
• Nourishes for long-range healthy brain function and cognitive function

With the long list of benefits including help for mood, motivation, balance and drive, you can see how MLP's dopamine support plays a significant role in this formula's overall support for multiple cognitive functions.

Because it is the world's first Universal Nootropic&#;, Mind Lab Pro® is uniquely capable of improving all types of thinking in all types of people -- especially dynamic and performance-driven individuals.

Quality is a big part of the MLP® philosophy.

At its core, an outstanding nootropic supplement should be safe, healthful, and potent.

MLP® stands out in terms of quality, setting high benchmarks in ingredient procurement, manufacturing processes, formulation, and customer support, delivering exceptional value for its price point.

It's clean, vegan, free of unnecessary additives, and delivered in premium vegan NutriCaps®.

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Mind Lab Pro® is Backed by Research.

MLP® is backed by human studies showing it may improve brain function. According to the clinical trials:

• Study 1:

  Researchers reported those taking MLP demonstrated

  significant improvements

  (compared to placebo) in

  information processing tasks

  .(5)

• Study 2:

   People taking MLP significantly improved memory functions, including

  auditory, visual, visual working memory, immediate and delayed recall memory

  .(6)

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Additional dietary supplement options for dopamine

If you are looking for other dopamine-supportive nutrients discussed in this article, here is a list of high-quality supplements that supply them.

• Performance Lab® Mind: Top pick for productivity; supplies citicoline and L-tyrosine plus maritime pine bark extract and phsophatidylserine. This formula is good for dopamine, peak cognitive performance, brain health and mental recovery. Great for working professionals.
• Performance Lab® Omega-3: Advanced plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA+EPA) nootropic. All of the brain health and cognition benefits Omega-3s, but in an ultraclean algae-sourced form. No fishy taste, gastric distress, or negative environmental impact like with fish oil.
• Performance Lab® Prebiotic: A great way to boost your microbiome and optimize it for serotonin (and dopamine) support. Clean prebiotic fiber in vegan capsules that feeds gut probiotics associated with improvements in depression, anxiety and overall mood.
• Caffeine+: The top caffeine pill overall, especially for dopamine. Moderate-dose caffeine enhanced with dopamine-supportive L-Theanine and B-Vitamins. Designed for clean mental and physical energy without crashes, jitters or other side effects.
• NutriGenesis® Multi for Men and for Women: A top-quality multivitamin that supplies essential nutrients for dopamine support, general neurotransmitter health, and overall wellness. Features patented fermented vitamins and minerals that are easy to absorb and eco-friendly.

Conclusion

If you're dopamine levels aren't quite where they should be, you can really feel it in your day-to-day life. Nootropics like CDP choline (citicoline) may help.

The various benefits of Citicoline seem to work together in harmony. It's like a symphony of actions that enhances the structure and function of your brain.

And what's even more exciting is that research suggests Citicoline can help with mental performance, improving attention, focus, and mental energy.

Nutritional supplementation that supports healthy dopamine levels can be an early therapy in mild cases of dopamine imbalance. Citicoline is one nootropic nutrient that can help, but a complex of dopamine-supportive compounds may be even more effective.

Combined with the other dopamine-supportive nootropics discussed in this article, CDP choline may help to support the bright mood, motivation and drive that can help you to be your best.

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