Centrophenoxine is sometimes touted as a “nootropic”, or “cognitive-enhancing” compound. Some people claim that it can protect the brain, enhance cognitive function, and even extend lifespan. But what does the science say about its effects, and how much do we actually know about its safety in human users? Read on to learn more about what the current research says about this drug’s potential effects, mechanisms, possible side-effects, and more!

What is Centrophenoxine?

Centrophenoxine, also known as Lucidril and Meclofenoxate, is one of the earliest and most studied nootropics, or so-called “smart” drugs.

Originally developed in 1959, this drug has been studied for its potential to help age-related brain disorders, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. It is also used by healthy people to enhance memory and cognitive function and improve overall brain health [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6].

Centrophenoxine is a combination of two chemicals:

• Dimethyl-aminoethanol (DMAE), which is a natural substance found in some foods (fish, seafood) and in small amounts in the brain. It is a source of choline, and is believed to have stimulating effects on the brain [7].
• Parachlorphenoxyacetic acid (pCPA), a synthetic version of plant growth hormones called “auxins” [4].

Mechanisms

DMAE is the main active component in this drug. Normally, DMAE doesn’t cross the blood-brain barrier very well – however, in the form of centrophenoxine, some studies suggest that it can cross the blood-brain barrier and enter the brain effectively [8, 4, 9].

Once it is absorbed in the body, a portion of centrophenoxine breaks down into DMAE and pCPA in the liver. DMAE is then converted to choline, while the remaining centrophenoxine circulates throughout the body [2, 9].

Although its precise mechanisms are still being actively studied, some early research has suggested a variety of potential mechanisms that may be responsible for some of centrophenoxine’s effects.

Some of these proposed mechanisms include:

• Increasing acetylcholine in the brain. This is a major neurotransmitter that is believed to be essential for cognitive functions such as memory and learning [8, 10].
• Reducing lipofuscin. Lipofuscin is a waste product that builds up in cells (including brain cells) as we age. This is the same waste product that causes brown