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Centrophenoxine
Centrophenoxine (Meclofenoxate) is a synthetic nootropic combining DMAE with an auxin plant hormone. It is a potent cholinergic compound that clears lipofuscin (age pigment) from brain cells, boosts acetylcholine, and supports brain energy - making it one of the best-studied anti-ageing nootropics.
Benefits
What is Centrophenoxine?
Centrophenoxine (also known as Meclofenoxate or Lucidril) is a synthetic compound developed in 1959 at the French National Scientific Research Centre. It consists of DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) bonded to pCPA (para-chlorophenoxyacetic acid, a synthetic auxin). This combination dramatically increases DMAE's bioavailability and ability to cross the blood-brain barrier compared to DMAE taken alone.
Centrophenoxine is one of the most extensively studied anti-ageing nootropics, with over 50 years of research. Its most distinctive property is the ability to reduce lipofuscin - the "age pigment" that accumulates in brain cells over time and is associated with cellular ageing and cognitive decline. This waste product buildup is one of the hallmarks of brain ageing, and centrophenoxine is one of the very few compounds shown to reduce it.
Beyond lipofuscin clearance, centrophenoxine is a reliable source of choline for acetylcholine synthesis, supports brain cell membrane health, and improves glucose and oxygen utilisation in the brain. It has been prescribed in Europe for decades for age-related cognitive decline and memory impairment.
- Lipofuscin clearance: Uniquely reduces the accumulation of lipofuscin (cellular waste/age pigment) in neurons - one of very few compounds proven to do this in both animal and human studies.
- Acetylcholine production: DMAE moiety is converted to choline and subsequently acetylcholine, supporting memory, learning, and cognitive function.
- Membrane phospholipid support: Increases phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine in brain cell membranes, improving structural integrity and signal transduction.
- Brain energy metabolism: Improves glucose uptake and oxygen utilisation in brain cells, enhancing cellular energy production.
- RNA stimulation: Increases RNA synthesis in brain cells, which is necessary for protein production and neuronal repair.
- Antioxidant activity: Reduces oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation in neural tissue.
- Typical dose: 250–750 mg per day, divided into 1–2 doses
- For cognitive support: 250 mg, 1–2 times daily
- For anti-ageing: 500–750 mg daily
- As a choline source: 250 mg can be stacked with racetams to provide choline and prevent headaches
- Best taken: In the morning and early afternoon with food
- Onset: Acute effects (alertness) within 1–2 hours; anti-ageing benefits accumulate over weeks to months
- Side effects: Generally well-tolerated. Possible headache, nausea, GI discomfort, or insomnia at higher doses.
- Cholinergic excess: At very high doses, may cause symptoms of acetylcholine excess (muscle tension, jaw clenching, irritability). Reduce dose if this occurs.
- Drug interactions: May interact with anticholinergic medications and cholinesterase inhibitors used for Alzheimer's disease.
- Contraindications: Avoid with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or Parkinson's disease (may worsen symptoms).
- Pregnancy: Not recommended due to insufficient safety data.
- Legal status: Prescription medication in some European countries (Lucidril). Available as a supplement or research chemical in the US and UK.
Natural Sources & Forms
- Synthetic compound: Does not occur in nature - it is a laboratory-synthesised combination of DMAE and pCPA
- Supplements: Available as capsules and powder from nootropic vendors
- Brand name: Lucidril (prescription in parts of Europe)
Frequently Asked Questions
Centrophenoxine (Meclofenoxate) is a synthetic nootropic combining DMAE with an auxin plant hormone. It is a potent cholinergic compound that clears lipofuscin (age pigment) from brain cells, boosts acetylcholine, and supports brain energy - making it one of the best-studied anti-ageing nootropics.
The key benefits of Centrophenoxine include: Cognitive Enhancement, Energy, Focus, Longevity, Memory, Mood.
Lipofuscin clearance: Uniquely reduces the accumulation of lipofuscin (cellular waste/age pigment) in neurons - one of very few compounds proven to do this in both animal and human studies. Acetylcholine production: DMAE moiety is converted to choline and subsequently acetylcholine, supporting memory, learning, and cognitive function. Membrane phospholipid support: Increases phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylserine in brain cell membranes, improving structural integrity and signal transduction. Brain energy metabolism: Improves glucose uptake and oxygen utilisation in brain cells, enhancing cellular energy production. RNA stimulation: Increases RNA synthesis in brain cells, which is necessary for protein production and neuronal repair. Antioxidant activity: Reduces oxidative stress markers and lipid peroxidation in neural tissue.
Typical dose: 250–750 mg per day, divided into 1–2 doses For cognitive support: 250 mg, 1–2 times daily For anti-ageing: 500–750 mg daily As a choline source: 250 mg can be stacked with racetams to provide choline and prevent headaches Best taken: In the morning and early afternoon with food Onset: Acute effects (alertness) within 1–2 hours; anti-ageing benefits accumulate over weeks to months
Side effects: Generally well-tolerated. Possible headache, nausea, GI discomfort, or insomnia at higher doses. Cholinergic excess: At very high doses, may cause symptoms of acetylcholine excess (muscle tension, jaw clenching, irritability). Reduce dose if this occurs. Drug interactions: May interact with anticholinergic medications and cholinesterase inhibitors used for Alzheimer's disease. Contraindications: Avoid with bipolar disorder, epilepsy, or Parkinson's disease (may worsen symptoms). Pregnancy: Not recommended due to insufficient safety data. Legal status: Prescription medication in some European countries (Lucidril). Available as a supplement or research chemical in the US and UK.
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