Deanol—better known as DMAE or dimethylaminoethanol—is a choline-like compound found in small amounts in fish and used in supplements and skincare. It is marketed for focus, memory, mood, and skin-firming benefits. Evidence is mixed: topical DMAE has the best human data (notably with 3% gels), while oral DMAE for cognition remains under-researched and controversial. This guide explains what DMAE is, how it might work, where it helps (and where it likely does not), how people typically use it, dosing considerations, and safety red flags so you can make an informed decision with your clinician.
Essential insights for DMAE users
- Topical 3% DMAE gel has shown modest improvements in skin firmness and fine lines in small trials.
- Oral DMAE (100–500 mg/day) is used for “brain” benefits, but human evidence is limited and inconsistent.
- Possible adverse effects include cholinergic symptoms (e.g., GI upset), sleep changes, and rare neurologic reactions; avoid in pregnancy.
- Typical starting dose: 100–150 mg/day of DMAE (as bitartrate) or a 1–3% topical gel once daily.
- People with seizure disorders, bipolar disorder, or on cholinergic/anticholinergic drugs should avoid DMAE unless cleared by a clinician.
Table of Contents
- What is DMAE and how does it work?
- What benefits does DMAE actually offer?
- How to use DMAE: forms, timing, and stacks
- How much DMAE per day?
- Safety, interactions, and who should avoid DMAE
- What the evidence says: strength, gaps, and realistic expectations
What is DMAE and how does it work?
DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) is a small, water-soluble amine that resembles the essential nutrient choline. Supplement makers often position it as a precursor to acetylcholine—the neurotransmitter tied to memory and attention—or as a membrane‐active compound that influences cell signaling in skin. You will see DMAE in two main contexts:
- Oral supplements (often as DMAE bitartrate) marketed for cognitive support, mood, and “brain energy.”
- Topical gels/creams (commonly 1–3%) marketed for skin firmness and the appearance of fine lines.
Proposed mechanisms. In the brain, DMAE may cross the blood–brain barrier and, after methylation, contribute to choline pools that can be converted to acetylcholine. Animal studies suggest increases in choline or acetylcholine signaling under some conditions. Another pathway proposed is incorporation into phospholipids (e.g., phosphatidyl-dimethylaminoethanol), potentially affecting membrane dynamics and receptor function. These mechanisms remain under debate in humans; increases in acetylcholine after typical oral doses are not consistently demonstrated.
In skin, DMAE appears to alter cutaneous biomechanical properties—a “tensing” effect described as increased shear wave velocity or firmness in small randomized studies. Hypotheses include:
- Cell membrane effects: DMAE’s influence on phospholipid metabolism might modify keratinocyte and fibroblast characteristics.
- Mild vasomotor or neuromuscular effects: Some investigators have proposed subtle muscle toning or tightening sensations.
- Anti-inflammatory activity: In vitro and exploratory data suggest potential modulation of inflammation relevant to photoaging.
Where it comes from. Trace DMAE is present in certain fish (e.g., sardines, salmon), and historically, a prescription salt of DMAE (deaner, also called deanol p-acetamidobenzoate) was used for behavioral issues before being withdrawn in the U.S. due to limited benefit relative to alternatives—not due to a specific safety recall.
Regulatory context. In the United States, DMAE is sold as a dietary supplement and in cosmetics; supplements are not pre-approved by the FDA for safety or efficacy before marketing. In contrast, some European authorities consider DMAE an unauthorized ingredient in food supplements, which is one reason European shoppers may not see it in reputable brain-health products.
Bottom line. DMAE is plausibly bioactive, but the clearest human effects are dermatologic (skin firmness with 3% gels). Cognitive benefits from oral DMAE remain uncertain and, if present, are likely modest.
What benefits does DMAE actually offer?
1) Skin firmness and fine lines (topical).
Small randomized, double-blind, split-face trials and open-label extensions suggest that 3% DMAE gel applied daily can improve the appearance of fine wrinkles (especially periorbital), lip shape/fullness, and perceived firmness over 12–16 weeks, with some persistence after short discontinuation. These studies are limited by small sample sizes, short duration, and use of instrumental endpoints rather than long-term clinical outcomes, but they provide the most consistent real-world use case for DMAE.
2) Subjective alertness and attention (oral).
Oral DMAE is marketed for focus and mental energy. Real evidence is inconsistent: older trials sometimes used combination products (e.g., with vitamins/minerals), which makes it impossible to isolate DMAE’s contribution. Contemporary reviews of nootropics generally do not identify strong, standalone RCT support for DMAE enhancing memory or executive function in healthy adults. If users perceive benefits, they likely reflect individual variability, placebo effects, or context (sleep, caffeine, training).
3) Mood and sleep-adjacent effects.
Anecdotal reports include vivid dreams, altered sleep onset, and daytime alertness. Mechanistically, any cholinergic modulation could influence REM sleep density or dream recall, but rigorous clinical trials are lacking. People sensitive to sleep changes should avoid evening dosing and monitor how DMAE affects their sleep quality and latency.
4) Complementary skincare placement.
DMAE sometimes appears in multi-ingredient cosmetics (with retinoids, vitamin C, peptides). In those contexts, DMAE is not the only active, so improvements cannot be attributed solely to DMAE. If you already use a retinoid—still the cornerstone for photoaging—DMAE might add a short-term “tightening” feel, but retinoids and photoprotection produce the bigger long-term gains.
5) Not a treatment for neurological disease.
Historic use of deaner or DMAE derivatives for distractibility or tardive dyskinesia was not convincingly better than placebo in meta-analyses and raised adverse-effect concerns in those populations. DMAE is not a replacement for prescribed therapies in ADHD, dementia, or movement disorders.
Practical use cases—what makes sense.
- Skincare: Consider a time-limited trial of a 3% DMAE gel as an adjunct to sunscreen and retinoids if your goal is slightly firmer, smoother look around eyes or forehead.
- Cognition: If you experiment with oral DMAE, set expectations low, track outcomes (e.g., reaction-time tasks, focus scales), and review after 2–4 weeks; discontinue if no meaningful benefit.
How to use DMAE: forms, timing, and stacks
Forms you will encounter.
- Oral: Capsules or tablets containing DMAE bitartrate, typically listing the amount of DMAE salt per serving. Note that 130 mg DMAE corresponds to roughly 351 mg DMAE bitartrate in one common product format; labels vary, so check whether they list freebase DMAE or the salt.
- Topical: Gels or creams at 1–3% DMAE concentration for face and neck. “Tensing” products often put DMAE alongside humectants (e.g., glycerin) and film-formers for an immediate feel.
Timing.
- Oral: Morning or early afternoon is typical. Because some users report vivid dreams or insomnia, avoid evening dosing until you know your response.
- Topical: Once daily application to clean, dry skin, ideally AM (under sunscreen) or PM (under moisturizer). DMAE is not a substitute for photoprotection.
How to layer in skincare.
- Cleanser
- Hydrating toner or essence (optional)
- DMAE gel (1–3%)
- Moisturizer
- Sunscreen (AM)
If also using retinoids (tretinoin/retinol), apply DMAE at the opposite time of day or on alternating nights until you know your tolerance. Watch for irritation when combining multiple actives.
What can DMAE be stacked with orally?
- Caffeine + L-theanine: For alertness with smoother subjective feel.
- Creatine (3–5 g/day): Evidence-based for cognitive support under sleep deprivation and in demanding tasks; mechanistically distinct.
- Choline donors (alpha-GPC, citicoline): Popular in stacks, but combining with DMAE increases cholinergic load; don’t stack cholinergics unless you understand the risks and are supervised.
Who might consider skipping DMAE stacks entirely?
If your goal is measurable cognitive gain, stronger candidates with better evidence include caffeine + theanine, creatine, and in clinical contexts under physician care, modafinil or prescription cholinesterase inhibitors for diagnosed conditions. DMAE can be a personal experiment but is not the most evidence-based option.
How to evaluate your response.
Use a 2–4 week trial with predefined metrics: sleep diary, simple cognitive tasks (e.g., the Psychomotor Vigilance Task), and subjective ratings of focus, mood, and skin feel/look (with standardized photographs for topical). If you see no meaningful change, discontinue.
How much DMAE per day?
Oral dosing used in the market.
Dietary supplement labels commonly recommend 100–500 mg of DMAE per day (usually as DMAE bitartrate). Because labels may list the salt rather than the freebase, read carefully:
- DMAE bitartrate 350 mg ≈ 130 mg free DMAE (example product).
- Some products state the equivalent free DMAE; others do not. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer.
Practical oral approach.
- Start low: 100–150 mg/day (as free DMAE), once daily with food.
- Assess for 2–4 weeks. If well tolerated and you perceive benefit, some users titrate toward 250–350 mg/day.
- Do not exceed 500 mg/day without clinician oversight. There is no established upper limit for chronic use, and higher doses may increase adverse effects without proven added benefit.
Topical dosing.
- Concentration: Most data involve 3% DMAE gel. Some products use 1–2% to balance feel with tolerability.
- Application: A pea-sized amount per facial zone, once daily. Patch test on the jawline for 48 hours if you have sensitive skin.
- Trial duration: Expect any tightening effect within days to weeks; evaluate the 12–16 week mark for photo documentation.
Special populations.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Avoid oral and topical DMAE (insufficient safety data; animal developmental toxicity signals exist).
- Children/adolescents: Avoid DMAE unless part of a clinician-directed plan.
- Neurologic or psychiatric conditions: Anyone with seizures, bipolar disorder, or movement disorders should not self-experiment with DMAE.
Drug interactions: practical notes.
- Cholinergic medications (e.g., donepezil, rivastigmine): Potential additive effects; avoid unsupervised combinations.
- Anticholinergics (e.g., scopolamine, oxybutynin): Theoretical antagonism; mixing may blunt desired effects of either.
- Stimulants: If you already use caffeine or ADHD meds, be conservative—start at the low end of DMAE dosing and watch for sleep changes or anxiety.
Cycle or continuous?
There is no evidence-based cycling protocol for DMAE. Given uncertain long-term benefits and potential sleep or mood changes, many users adopt intermittent use (e.g., weekdays only) or 8–12 week trials followed by a washout and reassessment.
Safety, interactions, and who should avoid DMAE
What side effects are reported?
- Cholinergic-type symptoms: Nausea, abdominal discomfort, nasal/oral secretions, dyspnea in sensitive individuals at higher exposures.
- Central nervous system: Insomnia, vivid dreams, restlessness, agitation, headaches; rarely, worsening of movement symptoms in susceptible populations has been noted with related deanol use in older literature.
- Dermal/ocular (topical or occupational exposure): Skin and eye irritation or burns at high concentrations; patch test if sensitive.
- Allergy: True allergic reactions appear uncommon; irritation is more typical.
Red-flag groups (avoid unless your clinician says otherwise).
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Insufficient human safety data; animal developmental toxicity concerns at certain exposures.
- Seizure disorders or a history of epilepsy: Cholinergic modulation can be destabilizing.
- Bipolar spectrum or unstable mood disorders: Reports of agitation or sleep disruption make unsupervised use unwise.
- Movement disorders (e.g., tardive dyskinesia): Historical analyses found no benefit and higher adverse event risk with deanol salts in this setting.
- Significant ocular surface disease: Because of irritancy potential, topical DMAE around the eyes requires caution.
Practical safety tips.
- Start low, go slow. If you notice sleep disruption, move dosing earlier or stop.
- Do not combine with other cholinergic agents unless under medical supervision.
- Topical: Keep away from eyes and mucosa; discontinue if stinging, redness, or dermatitis persists.
- Stop immediately and seek care if you experience shortness of breath, severe dizziness, chest tightness, unusual movements, or confusion.
Regulatory reality check.
In the U.S., supplements are not FDA-approved for safety or effectiveness before marketing. In parts of the EU, DMAE is not authorized in food supplements, and authorities have flagged DMAE-containing products accordingly. Buy from reputable vendors, and be wary of exaggerated claims.
What the evidence says: strength, gaps, and realistic expectations
Topical DMAE—moderate but narrow support.
- What we know: Small randomized studies (including split-face designs) indicate that 3% DMAE gel can increase instrumented measures of skin firmness and may reduce the appearance of fine lines around the eyes and forehead over 12–16 weeks. Open-label follow-ups up to one year have reported acceptable tolerability.
- Limits: Small samples, heterogeneous formulations, and reliance on surrogate measures (shear wave velocity, profilometry). We lack large head-to-head trials against retinoids or established actives, and long-term histologic benefit is unproven.
Oral DMAE—weak evidence for cognition.
- What we know: Older trials used DMAE in combinations or as deaner salts for various neuropsychiatric conditions with mixed or negative outcomes. Modern reviews of nootropics mention DMAE but do not highlight robust human RCTs showing clear cognitive benefit in healthy adults.
- Limits: Few contemporary, well-controlled, stand-alone DMAE trials in humans; unclear dose–response; potential for adverse neurologic effects in vulnerable groups.
Safety evidence—industrial and toxicologic context informs caution.
- Irritancy: Chemical safety dossiers and compendia classify DMAE as causing skin and eye irritation (and burns at higher concentrations).
- Developmental toxicity signals: Formal toxicology programs have evaluated DMAE bitartrate in animals due to broad human exposure potential. While translation to typical supplement doses is imperfect, the precautionary stance for pregnancy is justified.
- Supplements landscape: Regulatory reviews emphasize variable product quality and, at times, unauthorized inclusion of pharmacologic actives in “brain health” supplements. This underscores the need to choose reputable brands and consult clinicians.
Realistic expectations.
- If you try topical 3% DMAE, expect subtle, temporary firmness and a smoother look in photo-documented areas; maintain sunscreen and retinoids for durable results.
- If you try oral DMAE, set modest expectations and a clear stop rule if no measurable benefit appears within 2–4 weeks. Consider better-supported options first if your aim is cognitive performance.
What research would help most?
- Dose-finding, placebo-controlled RCTs of oral DMAE in well-defined populations with objective cognitive endpoints.
- Long-term dermatology trials comparing 3% DMAE head-to-head with retinoids, vitamin C, and peptides, including histologic outcomes and patient-reported measures.
- Pharmacokinetics of oral DMAE at commonly used doses in humans, including CNS penetration and acetylcholine biomarkers.
References
- NTP Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity Technical Report on the Prenatal Development Studies of Dimethylaminoethanol Bitartrate (CASRN 5988-51-2) in Sprague Dawley (Hsd\:Sprague Dawley® SD®) Rats (Gavage Studies): DART Report 04 2020 (Toxicology Report)
- Information for Consumers on Using Dietary Supplements 2022 (Guidance)
- Adulteration of Brain Health (Cognitive, Mood, and Sleep Enhancement) Food Supplements by the Addition of Pharmaceutical Drugs: A Comprehensive Review of Analytical Approaches and Trends 2024 (Systematic Review)
- Nootropics as Cognitive Enhancers: Types, Dosage and Side Effects of Smart Drugs 2022 (Review)
- Split face study on the cutaneous tensile effect of 2-dimethylaminoethanol (deanol) gel 2002 (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or combining any supplement or skincare active—especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical or psychiatric condition, or take prescription medications.
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