PlainPill

DMAE

People mainly take DMAE for focus, energy. Based on 30 first-hand reports and 1 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #131 of 1,974 overall.

48
User score
Mostly positive
30% positive7% mixed10% negative53% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 64% are positive.

Clinical research
BModerate research base
1
meta-analyses
4
RCTs
218
papers

What DMAE does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

3 more with fewer than 3 reports
betterno changeworse

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

BModerate research base

At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

Nutr Hosp · 2022 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
Dietary omega-3 LCPUFA intake in the prevention of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusion: When assessing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) intake and wAMD risk a total of the three above studies were included, which also produced similar results. Conclusions: the highest DHA consumption reduced the risk of disease by 39 % (effect size: 0.61, 95 % CI [0.50, 0.74], I2 = 14 %, p = 0.31); compared with the lowest EPA consumption, the highest EPA consumption reduced the risk of wAMD by 32 % (ES: 0.68, 95 % CI [0.57, 0.82], I2 = 39 %, p = 0.20).

PubMed 35388706 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

300 mgas reported
at nightas reported
every other dayas reported
500mgdaily
50mgas reported
1-2g1-2x daily

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

bloodshot eyes ×1causes terrible ×1irritability ×1chest pain ×1headache ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“l-glycine needs to be cycled as does dmae”
Source discussion ↗
“DMAE was used as ADD medication before Ritalin. It has side effects like blood shot eyes at higher dosages. But is effective, and cheap.”
Source discussion ↗
“Not feeling any difference.. I find it really weird I don't feel any different than I normally do.. no concentration boost or anything.”
Source discussion ↗
“Picamilon can be taken a few hours before sleep and DMAE is sometimes taken at night.”
Source discussion ↗
“Acetylcholine Receptors DRUG NAME: Choline, DMAE”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for focus

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate