DMAE stands for dimethylaminoethanol, a chemical produced naturally in the body, but which is also available from some dietary sources. It plays an important part in many of the brain's chemical processes, and may serve as a precursor to the brain chemical acetylcholine. As such, DMAE is believed to play a wide role in many conditions that affect the brain.
Initially, DMAE was marketed as a treatment for attention deficit disorder. Currently, the two main uses of DMAE as a supplement are for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder that results from long-term use of antipsychotic medications. Clinical research has yet to prove definitively that DMAE is effective in treating either of these conditions, however.
Previous studies have used DMAE ranging in doses up to 1,600 milligrams per day. However, because of possible adverse side-effects (see below), DMAE supplementation is not recommended as of this writing.
In addition to being produced naturally in the body, DMAE is available in supplement form (including tablet, liquid and capsule), but it is not widely available.
Although DMAE is considered relatively non-toxic, studies have shown that patients with Alzheimer's disease may experience drowsiness and confusion following DMAE supplementation. In addition, episodes of mania and depression have been reported as possible side-effects, and a study published in the early 1980s suggested that DMAE may actually cause, not prevent, symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Patients diagnosed with epilepsy or bipolar disorder, or those suffering from kidney or liver disease, should not take DMAE.
As of this writing, there are no well-known drug interactions associated with DMAE. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking DMAE or any other herbal remedy or dietary supplement.
References
Governor Gavin Newsom has retracted the proposed budget cuts to the Medi-Cal acupuncture program for low-income Californians for the 2024-2025 budget year. This decision marks a significant victory for health care providers and advocates who have long championed acupuncture as a vital component of comprehensive medical care.
There’s no doubt that many of your patients visit your practice because they are in pain. And there’s certainly no doubt that curcumin from turmeric (Curcuma longa) can be incredibly effective in stopping that pain, whether due to chronic conditions like arthritis or acute pain from intensive workouts. But your patients may also benefit from curcumin for other reasons.
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Fair and appropriate wages in health care are typically based on economic evaluations. A simple literature review illuminates that acupuncture is missing economic evaluations; which implies you are either underpaid or overpaid. The complexity of services provided by most American acupuncturists, which they are trained and certified to provide, must be reimbursed fairly.
