Oral supplementation of alpha-GPC is primarily of interest for nootropic or cognitive-enhancement purposes. While there are certain cases in which alpha-GPC seems to be beneficial, there isn’t any research in healthy humans that suggests it provides some general “cognitive enhancement”. There are a number of rodent studies that show an improvement in learning and memory in supplemented animals, but these effects have yet to be demonstrated in healthy humans. In older adults with mild to moderate dementia — which involves disrupted cholinergic neurotransmission — alpha-GPC improves cognitive symptoms (e.g., memory and attention impairment).[1][2] Alpha-GPC may also help those with glioblastoma, a type of brain cancer that is very difficult to treat. A 2022 study found that the overall survival rate of people with glioblastoma improved when alpha-GPC was added to surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments.[3] Alpha-GPC may also improve the effectiveness of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (drugs that increase acetylcholine’s availability by slowing down its breakdown), which are used for treating Alzheimer’s disease.[1][4] When Alpha-GPC is added to this standard Alzheimer’s treatment, it may improve behavioral symptoms, functional outcomes, and cognitive symptoms.[5]
Athletes are another population that may benefit from alpha-GPC supplementation. Preliminary evidence suggests that alpha-GPC increases vertical jump power. In one study, both caffeine and alpha-GPC improved vertical jump power, with the greatest improvement in participants who took a 200 mg dose of alpha-GPC.[6][7] Additionally, a pilot study reported that alpha-GPC increased peak bench press force, but not peak power or rate of force development.[8] In one study done in trained cyclists, alpha-GPC improved peak power and time to fatigue when used with L-citrulline.[9] Whether alpha-GPC increases isometric strength is currently unclear.[7][10]