Last verified: today
DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)
Also known as: deanol, dimethylaminoethanol, DMAE bitartrate, DMAE p-Glu, 2-dimethylaminoethanol
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Choline-related compound with weak evidence for skin firmness and mild cognitive support.
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What it does
DMAE is a naturally occurring compound structurally similar to choline, a nutrient involved in brain signaling. In supplement form, it is marketed for cognitive support and skin health. Limited...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose from provided studies
What the Science Says
DMAE is a naturally occurring compound structurally similar to choline, a nutrient involved in brain signaling. In supplement form, it is marketed for cognitive support and skin health. Limited clinical evidence suggests a DMAE-pyroglutamate compound may modestly reduce scopolamine-induced memory impairment in healthy volunteers, and a 3% topical DMAE gel may temporarily increase skin firmness. A small study also found that a DMAE-containing vitamin-mineral combination altered EEG patterns and self-reported mood in people with mild emotional disturbance over 12 weeks.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to boost memory in healthy people without drug-induced impairment. No solid evidence it builds muscle or burns fat. Skin-firming effects are temporary and modest — not a facelift in a bottle. No evidence it treats ADHD, depression, or age-related cognitive decline. The 'double chin reduction' study had only 13 completers and no control group.
Evidence-Based Benefits
A 3% topical DMAE gel increased skin firmness in a small double-blind split-face study.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: 3% topical gel
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
A DMAE-pyroglutamate compound reduced drug-induced memory impairment in healthy male volunteers.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
A DMAE-containing vitamin-mineral supplement improved mood scores and EEG vigilance markers over 12 weeks.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Moderate — animal pharmacokinetic data (rats and mice) shows DMAE is absorbed orally and distributed systemically, but human bioavailability data from the provided studies is limited.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Most human studies are very small (8–80 participants) and often lack proper placebo controls
- The cognitive study used a drug-induced (scopolamine) memory impairment model — results may not apply to healthy adults
- DMAE is structurally similar to choline; high doses may interfere with normal choline metabolism based on animal toxicology data
- Skin-firming and 'double chin' studies are preliminary with no long-term safety data
- Several papers in the provided dataset are entirely unrelated to DMAE as a supplement (dental sealants, eye disease, nanoparticles), suggesting limited high-quality human research exists
Frequently Asked Questions
What does DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) do?
Choline-related compound with weak evidence for skin firmness and mild cognitive support.
What is the effective dose of DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol)?
No established dose from provided studies
Is DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) safe?
Most human studies are very small (8–80 participants) and often lack proper placebo controls
What doesn't DMAE (Dimethylaminoethanol) do?
Not proven to boost memory in healthy people without drug-induced impairment.
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-11-10