Sarcosine Supplement - Nootropic Properties for Brain Nutrition

Sarcosine is a dietary supplement containing sarcosine, an N-methylated derivative of the amino acid glycine, which is generating much optimism within the scientific community.

What exactly is sarcosine?

Sarcosine (N-methylglycine) is the N-methylated derivative of the amino acid glycine. Like dimethylglycine (DMG) and trimethylglycine (TMG), it is formed from choline and methionine. It is found in egg york, turkey, ham, vegetables and legumes. It was named by the German chemist Justus Von Liebig who was the first to isolate it in the mid-19th century.

In the body, sarcosine is naturally present in muscles and various tissues via the enzyme glycine dehydrogenase. It is formed from choline intake and the metabolism of methionine, and then rapidly broken down into glycine which forms part of the composition of proteins and cell components such as creatine, purines and serine.

Sarcosine is present in the blood at serum concentrations of 1.4 µmol/l (1).

How does sarcosine work?

Sarcosine is a competitive inhibitor of type 1 glycine transporters (2), an agonist of glycine receptors (3), and most importantly, a co-agonist of NMDA (N-methyl-d-aspartate) receptors (4).

It is this mechanism which is arousing the most interest among the scientific community and which has generated a number of studies over the last few years (5-9).

Are there any side-effects from taking sarcosine?

Studies show that sarcosine is remarkably well tolerated and does not produce any side-effects (10). However, regular supplementation is not recommended for those taking antidepressants, especially serotonergic drugs.

How should sarcosine be taken?

The recommended dose is between 1.5g and 3g a day, which is 3 to 6 capsules, ideally taken in two separate doses.

For enhanced effects, we’d also recommend following the steps below throughout the supplementation period:

• Combine the sarcosine with complementary beneficial substances which help optimise nervous system function such as Ginkgo biloba, Huperzia serrata and omega-3s.
• Try not to multi-task too much (concentration requires a lot of energy).
• Counter chronic stress by identifying the situations that trigger it (stress generates cortisol, excess levels of which damage the brain) and by taking regular exercise.
• Ensure you get enough sleep (at least 7 hours a night is recommended for optimal cognitive activity).

1. Allen RH, Stabler SP, Lindenbaum J (November 1993). "Serum betaine, N,N-dimethylglycine and N-methylglycine levels in patients with cobalamin and folate deficiency and related inborn errors of metabolism". Metabolism. 42 (11): 1448–60. doi:10.1016/0026-0495(93)90198-W. PMID 7694037.
2. Guastella J, Brecha N, Weigmann C, Lester HA, Davidson N. Cloning, expression, and localization of a rat brain high-affinity glycine transporter. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1992;89(15):7189–93.
3. Zhang HX, Lyons-Warren A, Thio LL. The glycine transport inhibitor sarcosine is an inhibitory glycine receptor agonist. Neuropharmacology. 2009;57(5–6):551–5.
4. Zhang HX, Hyrc K, Thio LL. The glycine transport inhibitor sarcosine is an NMDA receptor co-agonist that differs from glycine. J Physiol. 2009;587(Pt 13):3207–20.
5. Huang CC, Wei IH, Huang CL, Chen KT, Tsai MH, Tsai P, Tun R, Huang KH, Chang YC, Lane HY, Tsai GE. Inhibition of glycine transporter-I as a novel mechanism for the treatment of depression. Biol Psychiatry. 2013;74(10):734–41.
6. Lane HY, Liu YC, Huang CL, Chang YC, Liau CH, Perng CH, Tsai GE. Sarcosine (N-methylglycine) treatment for acute schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind study. Biol Psychiatry. 2008;63(1):9–12.
7. Singh SP, Singh V. Meta-analysis of the efficacy of adjunctive NMDA receptor modulators in chronic schizophrenia. CNS Drugs. 2011;25(10):859–85.
8. Strzelecki D, Szyburska J, Rabe-Jablonska J. Two grams of sarcosine in schizophrenia - is it too much? A potential role of glutamate-serotonin interaction. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2014;10:263–6.
9. Lee, MY., Lin, YR., Tu, YS. et al. Effects of sarcosine and N, N-dimethylglycine on NMDA receptor-mediated excitatory field potentials. J Biomed Sci 24, 18 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12929-016-0314-8
10. Curtis, D. (2019). A possible role for sarcosine in the management of schizophrenia. British Journal of Psychiatry, 215(6), 697-698. doi:10.1192/bjp.2019.194