Last Updated on June 22, 2019

Overview

Uridine is a nucleoside (a component of the nucleic acids DNA and RNA) that is found ubiquitously in nature. Uridine is produced in our own bodies and serves many critical roles in the brain. It is commonly supplemented for its unique benefits to brain function, which include constructing new neuronal structures and long-term upregulation of dopamine.

Uridine is not considered to be an essential nutrient since it is produced in our own bodies, however when supplemented it is able to easily cross the blood-brain barrier and confer additional benefits¹²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1138930. Therefore, it is of considerable interest in the nootropics and medical community alike.

Supplementation has been shown to increase neurite outgrowth by 182+/- 25% and 221+/- 34%¹⁸https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16055952 and increase the number of dendtric spines and hippoocampal neurons¹³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21091953. Supplementation has also demonstrated improvements in learning and memory¹https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1074742703000248²https://www.fasebj.org/doi/abs/10.1096/fj.08-112425, which includes increased spatial short term memory, recognition, recall, attention, and executive functions¹⁷https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22432687.

Many of the memory and learning improvements from uridine likely come from its ability to raise acetylcholine levels through indirect processes in the brain³https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1852434/?tool=pubmed. Additionally, uridine supplementation has also been shown to stimulate ATP release⁸https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15654852/.

One of the most promising features of uridine is its ability to upregulate dopamine release over the long-term. It accomplishes this by repairing dopamine functionality and preventing overstimulation⁵https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8372096⁷https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/009130579500169W²¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/20504471/. It’s been shown to enhance potassium-invoked dopamine release, with one study showing that average dopamine levels were increased by 20.5%¹⁸https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16055952 after 1 and 6 weeks of supplementation.

Uridine has also been shown to reliably reduce depressive symptoms⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15705349¹⁹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080753/²²https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18540779, which are is likely due to the enhanced dopamine release.

 
 
 

Uridine Dosage Information

Uridine comes in two different forms:

Uridine Monophopshate (UMP) – a water-soluble form that is cheaper. Can be taken orally, but should be taken sublingually (under the tongue) for maximal absorption.

Triacetyluridine (TAU) – a fat-soluble form that is four to seven times stronger than UMP when taken orally.

If taking UMP, it is recommended to start out with about 150-200mg per day, and work your way up as you determine the optimal dose for yourself. Too little uridine and you are unlikely to notice any effects, but too much and you may feel emotionally blunting and dullness.

If taking TAU, a a good starting dose is around 25mg, and the same rule applies.

 
 
 

Where to Purchase Uridine

Buy Uridine (UMP) Capsules at Nootropics Depot [Vendor Info]

 

Buy Uridine (TAU) Powder at Nootropics Depot [Vendor Info]

 

 

Uridine Stack Advice:

Uridine + Choline + Fish Oil + B-Complex

Another very promising feature of uridine is its ability to enhance cellular function and construct new synapses between the neurons, which is called synaptogenesis.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the combination of uridine, choline, and fish oil (specifically DHA) can significantly increase synaptogenesis in the brain⁹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18631994¹⁰https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19262950¹¹https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/193394¹⁴https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19400698¹⁵https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16631143¹⁶https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4011061/, with antidepressant effects that are stronger than uridine by itself.

Learn more about the Uridine Stack

 

 

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1074742703000248

2. https://www.fasebj.org/doi/abs/10.1096/fj.08-112425

3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1852434/?tool=pubmed

4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15705349

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8372096

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/205a04471/

7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/009130579500169W

8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15654852/

9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18631994

10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19262950

11. https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/193394

12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1138930

13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21091953

14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19400698

15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16631143

16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4011061/

17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22432687

18. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16055952

19. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3080753/

20. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18540779

21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/20504471/