How can we help?
Support hours: Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PM PST - Email: [email protected] - Call or Text: (855) 281-2328
< Back to FAQs
What Does Alpha-GPC Do?
Alpha-GPC (alpha-glycerophosphocholine) is a choline-containing phospholipid that helps increase the body and brain’s available choline supply. It supports the production of acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine—two compounds essential for brain signaling and cell membrane structure. After you take alpha-GPC, it breaks down into choline and glycerophosphate. The choline can then be used to support acetylcholine synthesis and choline-dependent neurotransmission.
Because acetylcholine is central to brain communication, alpha-GPC plays a supportive role in cognitive functions like attention, concentration, mental focus, and memory formation and recall. Acetylcholine is also involved in both “fight or flight” and “rest and relax” nervous system signaling, and it acts as a key messenger for activating muscles—so alpha-GPC may also support aspects of muscle performance.*
Alpha-GPC and citicoline (CDP-choline) are both considered nootropic forms of choline, but alpha-GPC contains a higher proportion of choline, making it a more efficient choline precursor by weight.*
Alpha-GPC is included in Qualia Mind to support attention and focus, memory formation and recall, healthy acetylcholine production, cholinergic neurotransmission, and cell membrane structure and function.
References
M. Trabucchi, S. Govoni, F. Battaini, Farmaco Sci. 41 (1986) 325–334.
C.M. Lopez, S. Govoni, F. Battaini, S. Bergamaschi, A. Longoni, C. Giaroni, M. Trabucchi, Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 39 (1991) 835–840.
S. Sigala, A. Imperato, P. Rizzonelli, P. Casolini, C. Missale, P. Spano, Eur. J. Pharmacol. 211 (1992) 351–358.
N. Canal, Others, Le Basi Raz Ter 23 (1993) 102.
R. Di Perri, G. Coppola, L.A. Ambrosio, A. Grasso, F.M. Puca, M. Rizzo, J. Int. Med. Res. 19 (1991) 330–341.
G. Gatti, N. Barzaghi, G. Acuto, G. Abbiati, T. Fossati, E. Perucca, Int. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. Toxicol. 30 (1992) 331–335.
L. Parnetti, F. Mignini, D. Tomassoni, E. Traini, F. Amenta, J. Neurol. Sci. 257 (2007) 264–269.
I.H. Ulus, R.J. Wurtman, C. Mauron, J.K. Blusztajn, Brain Res. 484 (1989) 217–227.
G. Abbiati, T. Fossati, G. Lachmann, M. Bergamaschi, C. Castiglioni, Eur. J. Drug Metab. Pharmacokinet. 18 (1993) 173–180.
G.P. Ceda, G.P. Marzani, V. Tontodonati, E. Piovani, A. Banchini, M.T. Baffoni, G. Valenti, A.R. Hoffman, in: Growth Hormone II, Springer New York, 1994, pp. 328–337.
J.P. Fernández-Murray, C.R. McMaster, J. Biol. Chem. 280 (2005) 38290–38296.
F. Amenta, S.K. Tayebati, D. Vitali, M.A. Di Tullio, Mech. Ageing Dev. 127 (2006) 173–179.
Z. Li, D.E. Vance, J. Lipid Res. 49 (2008) 1187–1194.
F. Gibellini, T.K. Smith, IUBMB Life 62 (2010) 414–428.
N. Canal, M. Franceschi, M. Alberoni, C. Castiglioni, P. De Moliner, A. Longoni, Int. J. Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. Toxicol. 29 (1991) 103–107.
S.H. Zeisel, M.-H. Mar, J.C. Howe, J.M. Holden, The Journal of Nutrition 133 (2003) 1302–1307.
M.Q. Holmes-McNary, W.L. Cheng, M.H. Mar, S. Fussell, S.H. Zeisel, Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 64 (1996) 572–576.
Y.O. Ilcol, R. Ozbek, E. Hamurtekin, I.H. Ulus, J. Nutr. Biochem. 16 (2005) 489–499.
L. Marcus, J. Soileau, L.W. Judge, D. Bellar, J. Int. Soc. Sports Nutr. 14 (2017) 39.
T. Kawamura, T. Okubo, K. Sato, S. Fujita, K. Goto, T. Hamaoka, M. Iemitsu, Nutrition 28 (2012) 1122–1126.
F. Amenta, A. Carotenuto, A.M. Fasanaro, R. Rea, E. Traini, J. Neurol. Sci. 322 (2012) 96–101.
L. Parnetti, F. Amenta, V. Gallai, Mech. Ageing Dev. 122 (2001) 2041–2055.
G. Schettini, C. Ventra, T. Florio, M. Grimaldi, O. Meucci, A. Scorziello, A. Postiglione, A. Marino, Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav. 43 (1992) 139–151.
S.K. Tayebati, D. Tomassoni, A. Di Stefano, P. Sozio, L.S. Cerasa, F. Amenta, J. Neurol. Sci. 302 (2011) 49–57.
D. Tomassoni, A. Catalani, C. Cinque, M.A. Di Tullio, S.K. Tayebati, A. Cadoni, I.E. Nwankwo, E. Traini, F. Amenta, Curr. Alzheimer Res. 9 (2012) 120–127.
F. Amenta, F. Franch, A. Ricci, J.A. Vega, Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 695 (1993) 311–313.
S.K. Tayebati, D. Tomassoni, I.E. Nwankwo, A. Di Stefano, P. Sozio, L.S. Cerasa, F. Amenta, CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets 12 (2013) 94–103.
L. Ferraro, S. Tanganelli, L. Marani, C. Bianchi, L. Beani, A. Siniscalchi, Neurochem. Res. 21 (1996) 547–552.
G. Aleppo, F. Nicoletti, M.A. Sortino, G. Casabona, U. Scapagnini, P.L. Canonico, Pharmacol. Toxicol. 74 (1994) 95–100.
G.P. Ceda, G. Ceresini, L. Denti, G. Marzani, E. Piovani, A. Banchini, E. Tarditi, G. Valenti, Horm. Metab. Res. 24 (1992) 119–121.
F. Amenta, M. Del Valle, J.A. Vega, D. Zaccheo, Mech. Ageing Dev. 61 (1991) 173–186.
A. Ricci, E. Bronzetti, J.A. Vega, F. Amenta, Mech. Ageing Dev. 66 (1992) 81–91.
F. Amenta, F. Ferrante, J.A. Vega, D. Zaccheo, Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 18 (1994) 915–924.
G. Muccioli, G.M. Raso, C. Ghé, R. Di Carlo, Prog. Neuropsychopharmacol. Biol. Psychiatry 20 (1996) 323–339.
D. Bellar, N.R. LeBlanc, B. Campbell, J. Int. Soc. Sports Nutr. 12 (2015) 42.
More Frequently Asked Questions
What is Qualia Mind®?
Qualia Mind® combines 32 ingredients that have been carefully selected to support mental energy, alertness, attention, concentration, focus, memory, mood, motivation, and overall cognitive performance. The word “thinking” can be used as a way to describe the brain’s primary function—taking in, processing, transmitting, and using information. The brain performs these functions using cognitive skills, which collectively allow us to perceive, reason, understand, learn, and remember. Related cognitive skills are grouped together into bigger cognitive domains including complex attention, executive functions, and memory. In the simplest sense, Qualia Mind was formulated to support an array of cognitive skills in these different domains.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Can I take Qualia Mind® while intermittent fasting?
Yes. We consider Qualia Mind® to be compatible with intermittent fasting.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease.
Who should not take Qualia Mind®?
Women who are pregnant or nursing.
Children and teenagers under the age of 18.
Check with your doctor before taking Qualia Mind® if…
you are currently taking any prescription medications.
you have a diagnosed medical condition.
you are concerned about taking it for any reason.
What is the suggested serving size for Qualia Mind®?
The suggested serving size for Qualia Mind® is 3-6 capsules a day.
Is it okay if I have my child or teenager take Qualia Mind®?
We do not recommend giving Qualia Mind® to children or teenagers, because (1) some of the ingredients have only been studied in adults, and (2) a 6 capsule suggested serving size contains 100 mg of caffeine, which when added to the amount of caffeine many teens consume in sodas, coffee drinks, energy drinks, etc., would place them above the amount recommended by doctors (The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests limiting caffeine intake to 100 mg in adolescents ages 12 to 18 years old and has not designated a safe threshold for caffeine in children 11 years old and younger).*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease.
Why is Qualia Mind so expensive?
Most ingredients have many different forms of varying quality and potency. In every case, we chose the absolute highest grade form of each ingredient for Qualia.
Additionally, the quantity of ingredients in Qualia vastly exceeds what is typical for nootropic products. Our raw ingredients cost is actually higher than the market cost of many of our competitors. We encourage you to research the ingredients in our product, the forms of those ingredients, the dosages, and then compare that information with other nootropics on the market. We think you will then agree that Qualia is at the top end in price because it is at the top end in quality.
Can I take less than the suggested serving size of Qualia Mind®?
Yes. It’s perfectly fine to take fewer capsules than the suggested serving size. We encourage you to work with your physician to find an amount of capsules that you feel best supports the cognitive performance results you expect from a nootropic product.
What should I do if I notice a side-effect and think it might be because of taking Qualia Mind®?
If you notice something you think may be a side-effect, please stop taking Qualia Mind® and let us know by email or by calling or texting (855) 281-2328.
Can I take Qualia Mind® in addition to Qualia Focus®?
Research does not suggest any safety concern in taking Qualia Mind® and Qualia Focus® together, though we think of them as being “either/or” rather than “both together” products for most people. Part of the reason we think of them in this way is that each of these products was formulated to stand on its own as a nootropic. Another part of the reason is that each contains caffeine. And, the last part of the reason is that they have an overlap in several other ingredients (e.g., Celastrus, Ginkgo, L-theanine, some B-vitamins). Taking a full suggested serving size of Qualia Mind with Qualia Focus, as an example, would deliver 200 mg of caffeine, which is within the 50-200 mg range where caffeine performs exceptionally well as a nootropic. For people who are not sensitive to this amount of caffeine, we don’t believe that there is any reason why Qualia Mind and Qualia Focus can’t be used together.*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease.
Can I take Qualia Mind® in addition to Qualia Night®?
Yes. Qualia Mind® was designed to complement Qualia Night®.