A decades-old brain compound, sold mainly as a memory supplement, that reliably clears age-related cellular waste pigment in animals and offers antioxidant effects. Human evidence is thin, dated, and mixed, with rigorous analyses showing no clear benefit. Side effects are usually mild and reversible, but long-term safety is unstudied and products are frequently mislabeled. (Full Review)

Protocol

Dose

250–1,000 mg/day

250–500 mg one to three times daily; typical general brain-health range

Timing

Morning & early afternoon

Stimulating action can disrupt sleep if taken later

Dosing

Split doses

Totals above 250–500 mg split into two or three doses

Time to effect

Lipofuscin clearance

8–12 weeks

Age-pigment reduction assessed in animal studies

Cognitive support

Weeks to months

Memory and cognition effects assessed over this period

Alertness

Hours to days

Subtle, early-onset stimulating effect

Benefits

Medium: Reduction of neuronal lipofuscin

Low: Cognitive support in age-related decline; antioxidant and membrane protection; neuroprotection in cerebral hypoperfusion

Speculative: Lifespan extension; neurodegenerative disease modification

Contraindications

Pregnancy or breastfeeding

Epilepsy or seizure disorder

Uncontrolled hypertension (≥160/100 mmHg)

Severe agitation, mania, or bipolar disorder

Known DMAE sensitivity

Key Interactions

Other cholinergics and choline sources (DMAE, alpha-GPC, citicoline, choline)

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, huperzine A)

Racetam nootropics (piracetam, aniracetam)

Anticholinergic medications (diphenhydramine, oxybutynin, tricyclic antidepressants)

Stimulants and blood-pressure medications

Risk & Side Effects

Medium: Overstimulation and insomnia; headache

Low: Gastrointestinal upset; cholinergic symptoms; irritability, agitation, and blood-pressure effects

Speculative: Reproductive and developmental risk; long-term safety and pCPA exposure uncertainty

Monitoring

Marker	Target	Why
Resting blood pressure	~110–125 / 70–80 mmHg	Detects stimulation-related elevation
ALT	~10–26 U/L	Screens liver stress from chronic use
AST	~10–26 U/L	Complements ALT for liver health
GGT	<20 U/L (men), <15 U/L (women)	Sensitive marker of liver and oxidative stress
Heart rate	~55–75 bpm resting	Flags overstimulation

Cadence: Blood pressure at 2–4 weeks after starting or a dose increase; liver markers and tolerability every 6–12 months

Qualitative Assessment

Sleep quality and time to fall asleep
Subjective memory, focus, and mental clarity
Energy and mood, including any irritability or agitation
Presence of headache, jaw tension, or nausea

Centrophenoxine for Health & Longevity

Protocol

Benefits

Risk & Side Effects

Monitoring

Qualitative Assessment