Citicoline: Cognizin Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More

Citicoline (CDP-choline) stands out as one of today's top brain-boosting nootropics. Highly bioavailable and well-tolerated, citicoline influences multiple brain pathways at once -- brain cell membrane repair, neurotransmission, brain energy, neuroprotective activity -- enabling versatile support for healthy aging, cognitive performance, and neurorecovery.

And, as the branded form Cognizin, citicoline's brain health and mental performance benefits are backed by an ever-expanding base of strong scientific evidence. In this article, we delve into citicoline: How it works, research summaries, dosage tips, benefits and more. Let's get to it!

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What Is Citicoline?

Citicoline is a brain supplement (also known as a nootropic) linked to multiple cognition-enhancing effects in human randomized controlled trials. Its benefits may include support for focus, recall, attention and overall brain health. It is one of the best nootropics known to science. In this article we explain why as well as give recommendations on the best supplements that supply this nutrient.

Citicoline (also known as cytidine-5-diphosphocholine, cytidine diphosphate choline or CDP-choline) is a naturally occurring compound in the human body. It is a 2-in-1 brain booster because after it is consumed, it breaks down into two distinct nootropic compounds:

1. Choline, a nutrient related to "good fats" and B-vitamins that is regarded as one of the most important nootropics for brain health and sharp cognition;(1)

2. Cytidine, a compound that is metabolized into uridine, which is another nootropic associated with memory function, brain plasticity, and healthy brain cell membranes.(2)

Citicoline’s two nootropic compounds promote brain health in several pathways. The end result is a single whole-brain optimizer nootropic that can boost brainpower across all age groups and lifestyles -- making it the ideal core ingredient for a brain supplement called Mind Lab Pro.

Experience a Researched Nootropic Supplement

Mind Lab Pro® is the world's most effective brain supplement. It is scientifically shown to enhance brain function.(3,4,5)

• Focus, clarity, speed of thought

• 100% safe, clean, plant-based

• Enhances work, study and play

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• 11 brain supplements in 1 formula

• 250 mg of citicoline per serving

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Benefits of Citicoline

Citicoline's benefits as a supplement can be broadly placed into two categories: brain health support, and nootropic cognitive enhancement.

Important note: almost all human research studies we discuss in this article were conducted using Cognizin, a branded form of citicoline. More on that in a minute.

The following lists show some of the evidence-backed benefits associated with citicoline.

Citicoline Brain Support

• Optimizes brain cells' mitochondria for healthy energy metabolism

• Raises brain levels of neural building-block phosphatidylcholine

• Supports brain chemicals acetylcholine, dopamine and norepinephrine

• Helps create and repair brain cell membranes and DNA.

• Protects brain cells from the damaging effects of free radicals and aging

Cognizin Nootropic Effects

Let's take a look at nootropic-related citicoline structure/function claims used in the U.S. that are highlighted by Kyowa, maker of the best-researched form of citicoline: Cognizin®:

• Supports attention, concentration and focus.
• Supports memory / recall.
• Supports mental energy and brain energy.
• Supports healthy cognitive performance.
  
• Provides essential structural components for synthesizing brain cell membranes.
• Helps maintain normal levels of acetylcholine (memory and cognitive function).
• Enhances communication between neurons.
  
• Protects neural structures from free radical damage.
  
• Helps sustain healthy cellular mitochondria for sustained energy.
• Supports visual function.

We will cover some of the research backing these beneficial CDP choline (as Cognizin) effects a little later in this article. We'll also discuss its potential in another central nervous system pathway: the eyes. Beyond the brain, citicoline is suggested as a vision enhancer.

How Citicoline Might Work

Next let's take a closer look at some citicoline bioactivities believed to account for its various cognitive and brain health benefits.

Brain Energy

Citicoline has been suggested to help the brain generate electrical impulses by supporting proper function of mitochondria: the powerhouses that generate cell energy. Healthy mitochondrial function results in higher levels of ATP energy in brain cells, which in turn powers not only mental energy, but also the demanding tasks of higher-order cognition and brain regeneration.

Brain Regeneration

In addition to supporting the energy that fuels brain regeneration, Citicoline promotes formation and healthy function of brain cell membranes by raising Phosphatidylcholine: one of the phospholipid building block compounds that makes up about 30% of all brain tissue. Due to its ability to affect brain phospholipid composition, Citicoline may help with brain renewal, support efficient formation of new brain cells and promote brain cell membrane integrity.(6)

Neurotransmitters (Brain Chemicals)

Citicoline helps to form acetylcholine, which is the brain's most important executive neurotransmitter.(7) Acetylcholine drives function of working memory, learning and information processing, as well as muscle contraction and speech. Since acetylcholine levels decline with age, and low acetylcholine is linked to brain degeneration, researchers have suggested that Citicoline (as Cognizin) may be helpful for age-related cognitive decline.(8)

Citicoline may also support brain chemical dopamine and norepinephrine production, which are associated with more immediate benefits for mood and performance-driven cognition. Its far-reaching impact on brain chemicals position citicoline as one of the best nootropics for neurotransmitters.

Brain Circulation

Citicoline in supplement form has been suggested to promote healthy cerebral circulation. In one study of patients with brain degeneration and memory problems, researchers reported that left temporal cerebral blood flow appeared to normalize after supplementation with citicoline.(9) This may suggest potential to help with cerebrovascular disorders in general.

Brain Protection

Other brain-protective nootropic supplements supply antioxidant activity that helps to neutralize the brain cell-damaging effects of toxic free radicals. Citicoline adds another level of neuroprotective properties that may be even more important: It protects hippocampal neurons in the brain via phosphatidylcholine synthesis, helping to strengthen brain cell membranes and enhance neural repair.(10)

What is Cognizin®?

Cognizin® Citicoline -- manufactured by Kyowa Hakko Bio Co., Ltd. -- is a patented, clinically studied form of citicoline (CDP-Choline), a compound present in every cell and especially important for brain health. It’s approved in the EU as a Novel Food Ingredient and can be used in both dietary supplements and fortified foods.

Cognizin® is the most effective form of citicoline on the market today, found in the top brain supplements in the world -- including the best nootropic overall, Mind Lab Pro.

Cognizin vs. Citicoline

Citicoline has a long history of neuro-support applications (e.g., age-associated memory concerns, brain injury and recovery contexts). However, conventional citicoline is highly hygroscopic -- it readily absorbs moisture -- making tablets and capsules prone to swelling, cracking, and shortened shelf life unless protected with coatings, excipients, and specialized packaging.

Those safeguards can complicate manufacturing, add cost, reduce formulation flexibility, and may not align with “clean label” preferences.

Cognizin is a nutritional breakthrough that overcomes standard citicoline’s moisture sensitivity with a proprietary stabilization process that creates a highly crystalline, hyperhydrated “tetrahydrate” form (about 10–12% water by weight vs. ≤5% in conventional citicoline).

By pre-optimizing water content, Cognizin is inherently more stable and less susceptible to humidity during manufacturing and storage.

Find out more about the best nootropic choline source

Citicoline Supplement Research Summaries

So what about the research behind citicoline?

Cognizin® is the driving force behind citicoline research. It is just one reason why Cognizin® is the best citicoline to take: they have invested heavily in research studies demonstrating its efficacy and safety.

Let's take a look at a few research studies on Cognizin® Citicoline that demonstrate why it's the best form of citicoline to look for in brain supplements and beyond.

Citicoline helps brain energy and brain cell regeneration

In a randomized controlled trial, 16 healthy men and women with an average age of 47 took either 500 mg or 2,000 mg Cognizin® Citicoline every day for 6 weeks and were then evaluated for changes to their brains’ structure and function. Researchers linked Cognizin® Citicoline to a 13.6% increase in brain ATP (“cellular currency” for brain energy) and 26% increase in brain cell membrane turnover (repair, rejuvenation and replacement; also related to neurogenesis: the birth of fresh new brain cells). Researchers suggest these benefits may help fight brain degeneration related to aging and low brain energy.(11)

Citicoline improves verbal memory and may help rejuvenate brain cells

In this randomized placebo controlled trial, subjects were given 500 mg of Citicoline daily for six weeks, and then continued with either more Citicoline or placebo for another six weeks.

Researchers reported Citicoline was associated with a 7.3% increase in brain photodiesters, and that subjects’ performance in verbal fluency and learning improved as photodiesters increased. Researchers have suggested that that chronic citicoline increases phosphodiesters, sparks the synthesis and rejuvenation of brain cell membrane phospholipids, and therefore may help with age-related changes in the brain.(12)

Cognizin Citicoline Helps Maintain Cognition in Mild Vascular Cognitive Impairment

The IDEALE study was an open-label, multicenter Italian trial in older adults with mild vascular cognitive impairment that compared citicoline (500 mg twice daily; 265 patients) with usual care/no citicoline (84 patients) over 9 months. Cognitive scores in the citicoline group stayed stable from baseline to 3 and 9 months, while the control group declined -- yielding a significant between-group difference. Daily-function measures did not differ, mood showed no significant change, and no adverse events were reported. Taking citicoline appeared to help patients maintain their thinking ability over time compared with similar patients who didn’t take it, and it was well tolerated.(13)

Citicoline may help with attentional performance

In this randomized controlled clinical trial, 60 women age 40 to 60 took 250 mg Cognizin® Citicoline, 500 mg Cognizin® Citicoline, or placebo every day for 28 days, and were then administered cognitive performance testing. Researchers reported that the testing results of this placebo controlled clinical trial showed both doses of Cognizin® were linked to higher test scores, with the 500 mg serving showing the greatest benefit. Researchers concluded that Citicoline may enhance cognitive function and attentional performance in middle-aged women.(14)

Citicoline may help memory in elderly subjects

Elderly study subjects supplemented with Cognizin® Citicoline CDP Choline (500 mg or 1000 mg), placebo, or a drug daily for a span of four weeks prior to mental performance testing.

Researchers reported that, when compared to placebo, Citicoline improved memory, word recall, immediate recall, and delayed recall. Researchers attributed these benefits to Citicoline’s neuroregenerative and cerebral circulation-boosting properties, and suggested it may be helpful for memory loss in geriatric populations.(15)

Healthy adolescents may improve attention with Citicoline supplements

75 healthy adolescent males received 250 mg Cognizin® Citicoline, 500 mg Cognizin® Citicoline, or placebo daily for 28 days. Study subjects completed cognitive performance tests at the study’s starting point and end point.

Researchers reported that the study subjects who took Citicoline showed improvements in attention and psychomotor speed (versus placebo). The larger dosage of Citicoline was more strongly associated with mental performance benefits, including increased accuracy of attention, improved detection ability during attention tasks, and decreased cognitive and behavioural disturbances.(16)

Citicoline may help memory function in healthy older adults

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 100 adults aged 50–85 with age-associated memory impairment and gave them either citicoline 500 mg/day or placebo for 12 weeks; memory was tested with the Cambridge Brain Sciences battery. Compared with placebo, the citicoline group showed significantly greater improvements in episodic memory (Paired Associates test) and in an overall composite memory score, with no serious safety issues reported. The study concludes that daily citicoline may beneficially support memory in healthy older adults.(17)

Citicoline for Reaction Time and Working Memory Accuracy

In a small two-week study of 40 healthy adults, participants were assigned to take either citicoline (500 mg/day) or a placebo and then tested on attention and visual working memory while blood markers of oxidative stress were measured. Compared with placebo, the citicoline group showed faster reaction times and better working-memory accuracy, and their levels of malondialdehyde (an oxidative-stress marker) decreased, whereas placebo participants’ levels increased. The authors conclude citicoline may boost vigilance and visual working memory in the short term, potentially by reducing oxidative stress.(18)

Is Citicoline a drug?

This question is a little complicated to answer. In the United States, citicoline is sold as a supplement. As such, its claims relate to supporting healthy brain function, enhancing some aspects of cognition, fighting cognitive decline and assisting with mild cognitive impairment. In the U.S., Cognizin is sold as a dietary supplement under DSHEA, and not an approved drug.

In other parts of the world, however, oral citicoline is considered for more serious health concerns and cognitive deficits. Citicoline (CDP-choline) has been -- and in some markets still is -- marketed as a prescription drug (e.g., Somazina®, Ceraxon®) in countries such as Japan, Spain, Italy, France, and across parts of Latin America/Asia, often for post-stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI), chronic cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disease and neurological diseases, and other CNS disorders (central nervous system), cognitive/neurologic indications, and age-related cognitive dysfunctions.(19)

Cognizin® is approved in the EU as a Novel Food Ingredient / for foods for special medical purposes -- for use in supplements/foods rather than as a prescription medicine.

Let's take a look at some of citicoline's other uses around the world, where it is sometimes administered more like a pharmaceutical drug than a supplement.

Acute ischemic stroke patients: Citicoline helps form phosphatidylcholine, which is a key raw material used to repair and create healthy brain cell membranes. Due in part to these bioactivities, oral citicoline treatment has been approved in Japan and some parts of Europe for assisting people with acute ischaemic stroke. Researchers have cited data from multiple clinical trials that support the potential of chronic citicoline intake as a safe way to support recovery from issues related to acute stroke and ischemic brain injury.(20)

Vascular dementia: CDP-Choline has been researched for vascular dementia, mild vascular cognitive impairment, and other cerebrovascular disorders that impact memory (including verbal memory), attention and executive functions. In one clinical review, researchers reported CDP-choline helped memory function and behavior in healthy older subjects with memory problems, including subjects with mild-to-moderate vascular cognitive impairment, vascular dementia or senile dementia (elderly patients).(21)

Citicoline combination therapy: Combination therapy refers to when multiple drugs are use together to target a single health concern. One example is a research study that found citicoline and the drug citalopram to be an effective combination therapy for helping with depression. Researchers noted citicoline's influence on mood-related brain chemicals may contribute to its beneficial mood effects.(22)

Disclaimer: In the United States, citicoline (including Cognizin®) is sold only as a dietary supplement and is not approved as a drug. Any mentions of medical conditions such as stroke or brain injury relate solely to citicoline’s historical or current use as a prescription medication in other countries, and are provided for informational purposes only.

Significant difference in alertness when I take these! What's also VERY noticeable is how I can better articulate, esp in a foreign language when I take Mind Lab Pro!

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Other Citicoline Uses

Citicoline for vision

Research suggests oral CDP-Choline has neuroprotective effects. But neurons are not limited to the brain. They include retinal cells required for sharp vision and overall eye health. In one review, researchers have proposed Glaucoma patients may benefit from citicoline supplementation, suggesting that the compound's neuroprotective activity may represent a safe, effective way to support vision.(23) Researchers have also suggested citicoline eyedrops reduce progression of glaucoma.(24)

Discover ultramodern supplements for peak vision performance

Best Brain Supplement with Citicoline: Mind Lab Pro®

Mind Lab Pro®'s is today's top-rated nootropic supplement, known as the "Universal Nootropic" that can help virtually any cognitive function you can imagine.

Citicoline is a featured ingredient in the formula because it optimizes brainpower at a cellular level while nourishing the brain with building block neuronutrients – uniquely supporting the healthy brain metabolism, repair, maintenance and regeneration that are crucial for sharp memory and brain function. Let's take a look at the whole formula:

Mind Lab Pro® includes 11 brain nutrients:

1. Citicoline, 250 mg

2. Phosphatidylserine (PS): Best overall memory-boosting nootropic.

3. Bacopa, 150 mg. Bacopa monnieri as full-spectrum extract, 24% bacosides with 9 bioactives)

4. Lion’s Mane, 500 mg: Organic lion's mane mushroom (fruit and mycelium)

5. Maritime Pine Bark Extract, 75 mg: Standardized to 95% proanthocyanidins

6. N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, 175 mg

7. L-Theanine, 100 mg

8. Rhodiola rosea: Standardized to 3% rosavins and 1% salidrosides

9. Vitamin B6, 2.5 mg, from NutriGenesis®

10. Vitamin B9, 100 mcg, from NutriGenesis®

11. Vitamin B12, 7.5 mcg, from NutriGenesis®

Stacked together in Mind Lab Pro®, these nootropics support every aspect of peak cognitive performance.It is designed to help with:

• Mental clarity and fast processing speed

• Attention and focus and concentration
  

• Multitasking and performing under pressure

• All forms of memory, including new learning

• Mood, stress resistance and motivation

Mind Lab Pro® is also designed to nourish the brain for long range health, helping with age-related cognitive concerns and strengthening antioxidant defenses for healthy brain aging.

Mind Lab Pro® is Backed By Research.

Mind Lab Pro® is one of the only nootropic supplements on the market that has been the subject of rigorous clinical human trials.

In this research, it demonstrated clinical efficacy by improving brain performance across several key cognitive markers.

1. Researchers reported subjects taking Mind Lab Pro experienced significant improvements (compared to placebo) in performing information processing tasks involving simple reaction time (SRT), choice reaction time (CRT) and anticipation.(3)

2. Researchers found that subjects taking Mind Lab Pro demonstrated significant improvements across all memory functions that were tested, including auditory, visual, visual working, immediate and delayed recall memory.(4)

3. Researchers reported Mind Lab Pro® (MLP®) appeared to optimize communication between different brain regions, potentially explaining why some users of the supplement say they feel mentally sharper and clearer.(5)

I was skeptical at first, but I can say that I feel sharper and more clear minded than as long as I can remember.

John Y

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Citicoline Frequently Asked Questions

Why Mind Lab Pro® includes Citicoline

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Summary

Citicoline has earned its reputation as one of the most versatile nootropics available, thanks to its ability to support brain energy, neurotransmitters, circulation, membrane repair, and neuroprotection all at once.

Backed by decades of research and the advanced science of the branded form Cognizin®, it is both safe and highly effective, with human trials showing benefits across memory, focus, mental energy, and long-term brain health.

Whether used alone or as part of a comprehensive nootropic stack like Mind Lab Pro®, citicoline represents a gold standard in brain nutrition -- delivering reliable, multi-pathway support for sharper cognition today and stronger brain performance in the years ahead.

Related Post: Best Choline Supplement