We use essential cookies (authentication, your saved goals/stack) by default. With your permission we'll also enable privacy-respecting analytics (Vercel Web Analytics, anonymous load-time metrics) and error-replay diagnostics (Sentry — DOM snapshots only when an error fires) so we can fix bugs faster. Learn more about cookies
N-Methylglycine
An endogenous glycine derivative that inhibits the type-1 glycine transporter (GlyT-1), enhancing NMDA-receptor co-agonism. It is studied as a prescription-style PSYCHIATRIC ADJUNCT — with genuine add-on RCTs in schizophrenia (and smaller signals in OCD and depression) — not as a casual nootropic. Evidence is real but narrow and emerging.
What the evidence says
Most Sarcosine studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.
Most evidence is from medium-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2011–2022 with a typical study size of 40 participants.
Based on 5 studies · 1 meta-analysis · 2 RCTs · 391 total participants
Confidence
ModerateBy outcome
Sarcosine has an evidence score of 3.8/10 — emerging evidence based on 5 indexed studies, including 1 meta-analysis. An endogenous glycine derivative that inhibits the type-1 glycine transporter (GlyT-1), enhancing NMDA-receptor co-agonism. It is studied as a prescription-style PSYCHIATRIC ADJUNCT — with genuine add-on RCTs in schizophrenia (and smaller signals in OCD and depression) — not as a casual nootropic. Evidence is real but narrow and emerging. Representative study: PMID 32122256.
The commonly studied dose of Sarcosine is 500-2000 mg/day in trials (schizophrenia commonly 2 g/day add-on; OCD trials 500-2000 mg/day). Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
Explore: Best supplements for Focus, Memory & Mood
Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 5 studies · how we score
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
Sarcosine (N-methylglycine) is a naturally occurring intermediate of glycine metabolism. Its mechanism is specific and well-defined: it inhibits the type-1 glycine transporter (GlyT-1), raising synaptic glycine and thereby potentiating the glycine co-agonist site of the NMDA glutamate receptor. Because NMDA hypofunction is implicated in schizophrenia, sarcosine has been studied as an ADD-ON to antipsychotics — and this is its strongest evidence: a 2020 meta-analysis of 7 double-blind RCTs (326 patients) found a significant improvement in overall clinical symptoms (SMD 0.51), though the cognitive benefit was positive but non-significant, and notably it did NOT augment clozapine. Smaller studies suggest possible benefit in OCD (an open-label trial) and major depression (a small citalopram-controlled RCT). Important framing: sarcosine is researched as an adjunct to psychiatric treatment under clinical supervision, NOT as a recreational focus/mood supplement. People with serious psychiatric conditions should not self-treat. The evidence base, while real, is modest in size and mostly from a single research group.
Blocks the type-1 glycine transporter, raising synaptic glycine availability.
Higher synaptic glycine enhances NMDA-receptor function at its glycine site — relevant to NMDA-hypofunction models of schizophrenia.
How Sarcosine works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Tap node to isolate • Pinch to zoom • Tap edge for research
500-2000 mg/day in trials (schizophrenia commonly 2 g/day add-on; OCD trials 500-2000 mg/day)
Take with food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Sarcosine (N-methylglycine) | Recommended |
Studied as a psychiatric adjunct, not a casual nootropic.
Minimum: 6 weeks
Optimal: 12 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Once-daily dosing as used in trials.
Dose-response data unavailable. The current published research for Sarcosine does not provide sufficient dose-specific outcome data to generate reliable dose-response curves.
Refer to the Dosage & Timing section above for recommended dose ranges based on available evidence.
Add-on to non-clozapine antipsychotics improved overall clinical symptoms in RCTs.
Positive but statistically non-significant for cognition in the meta-analysis; not a validated nootropic.
Small/open-label studies suggest possible benefit in depression and OCD.
Trials reported good tolerability; occasional headache.
Only use as part of a clinician-supervised treatment plan — not a substitute for prescribed medication.
Likely not beneficial as add-on; consult a prescriber before use.
Not studied — avoid.
Sarcosine did NOT augment clozapine in the meta-analysis and may not be appropriate as add-on to clozapine — discuss with a prescriber.
Studied AS an add-on to first/second-generation antipsychotics; combine only under clinical supervision.
Theoretical interaction via shared glutamatergic/NMDA pathways — caution and clinical oversight.
Tip: Usually transient; reduce dose if persistent
Tip: Take with food
Both are studied as glutamate-modulating psychiatric adjuncts (NAC via glutamate/redox, sarcosine via NMDA co-agonism).
Complementary glutamatergic-modulation rationale (both adjunctive, modestly evidenced).
Glycine is the NMDA co-agonist that sarcosine raises by blocking its reuptake; mechanistically related.
Both target the NMDA glycine site through different routes (research-stage).
The best time to take Sarcosine is in the morning. Take it with food. Daily dosing used in trials; taking with food is reasonable for tolerability.
Sarcosine is generally safe at recommended doses, with a few precautions worth noting. The most commonly reported side effects are headache, mild GI upset. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Patients on clozapine (meta-analysis found no benefit when added to clozapine; some signal of worsening reported elsewhere); Pregnancy/breastfeeding (not studied); Self-treatment of serious psychiatric illness without clinical supervision.
Dual precursor to acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine — enhances memory, focus, and brain cell membrane repair.