Agmatine for Schizophrenia
Agmatine is a nutritional supplement for schizophrenia that must be dosed properly in order to experience the positive effects.What is agmatine?
Agmatine is a derivative of the conditionally essential amino acid, L-arginine. Agmatine is produced naturally in the human body and scientists believe that it may be a neurotransmitter that functions, at least in part, to balance the dopaminergic and glutamatergic system in the body. A number of patients with neurological diseases and disorders benefit greatly from taking agmatine as a nutritional supplement to enhance glutamate/GABA balance as well as to enhance the workings of the dopaminergic system. It is particularly useful in the treatment of addictions and dementia, but scientists have recently begun studying agmatine as a nutritional supplement to reduce schizophrenia symptoms as well.Agmatine as a Nutritional Supplement for Schizophrenia
Scientific research has indicated that patients with schizophrenia do not metabolize the amino acid L-arginine in the same way as other people. L-arginine is an important amino acid that is “conditionally essential” which means that it can normally be manufactured from other essential amino acids.Studies have examined how this altered L-arginine metabolism impacts the brain in schizophrenic patients, particularly in the frontal cortex (Brodmann’s area 8). In these studies, researchers found that the enzyme nitric oxide synthase was normal in those with schizophrenia while the activity of the enzyme arginase was significantly increased. Meanwhile gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were significantly reduced while agmatine concentration was elevated. The glutamate/GABA ratio in the glutamatergic system was imbalanced in those with schizophrenia.
The primary L-arginine metabolite levels, L-ctirulline, L-ornithine, and agmatine were abnormal in those with schizophrenia. Agmatine, as an endogenous amine that is produced from L-arginine, has the ability to modulate neurological function by binding to imidazoline and alpha-adrenergic receptors including:
- Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
- 5-HT3 Serotonergic Receptors
- NMDA Receptors
Agmatine as a Natural Treatment for Schizophrenia
Agmatine has been studied as a natural treatment for schizophrenia. Studies in rodents have shown that agmatine was able to block conditioned avoidance responses and reduce hyperactivity. Patients with schizophrenia tend to have lower levels of agmatine circulating in their blood.
Studies indicate that agmatine regulates the dopamine signaling in the brain and scientists believe that alterations in the agmatine levels produced naturally in the body may contribute in some way to the development of psychosis. Scientists believe that increasing levels of agmatine in the brain may be useful in the treatment of schizophrenia that involves low incidences of extra-pyramidal side effects.
Nutricost Agmatine 100 Grams - Pure Agmatine Powder 100 Servings (Agmatine Sulfate)
Agmatine and Carnosine Supplements for Schizophrenia
Dietary supplementation with carnosine and agmatine have demonstrated improvement in schizophrenic patients.Agmatine Dosing for Schizophrenia
It’s vital to note that at lower doses of less than 1000 mg per day, agmatine can reduce certain symptoms of schizophrenia, but at high doses (over 1000 mg per day), it can actually create greater impairment in symptoms of schizophrenia. This may be due to the biphasic effects of agmatine in terms of how it works in the brain. At lower doses, agmatine reduces access to areas of the brain where there are conditioned fear-related memories. In contrast, at higher doses, agmatine increases access to these same memories.Note that agmatine should be administered in very low doses at first and the patient should be observed closely. Doses should only be increased if the patient appears to be responding positively to treatment.
Nutricost Agmatine Sulfate 1000mg, 120 Capsules - Gluten Free, Non GMO, 500mg Per Capsule
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Resources:
• Uzbay, T. (2012). A new target for diagnosis and treatment for CNS disorders: agmatinergic system. Retrieved September 30, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22934767/
• Liu, P. et al. (2016). Altered brain arginine metabolism in schizophrenia. Retrieved October 9, 2023 from https://www.nature.com/articles/tp2016144
• Baytunca, B. M. et al. (2020). Reduced blood agmatine level in early-onset schizophrenia. Retrieved October 11, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32446703/
• Kotagale, N. R. et al. (2012). Psychopharmacological study of agmatine in behavioral tests of schizophrenia in rodents. Retrieved October 11, 2023 from https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21989253/
• Piletz, J. E. et al. (2013). Agmatine: clinical applications after 100 years in translation. Retrieved October 11, 2023 from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359644613001633
• Unal, G. et al. (2018). Agmatine-attenuated cognitive and social deficits in subchronic MK-801 model of schizophrenia in rats. Retrieved October 11, 2023 from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/24750573.2018.1426696
