Alpha-Glycerylphosphorylcholine Increases Motivation in Healthy Volunteers: A Single-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Human Study

Alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (alpha GPC) is a precursor of acetylcholine and can increase acetylcholine concentration in the brain. In addition, alpha GPC has a role in cholinergic function as well as monoaminergic transmission, including dopaminergic and serotonergic systems. These monoaminergic systems are related to feelings and emotions, including motivation, reward processing, anxiety, and depression. However, the precise effects of alpha GPC on human feelings and emotions remain to be elucidated. In this study, we investigated changes in the subjective feelings of healthy volunteers using the KOKORO scale before and after administering alpha GPC. Thirty-nine volunteers participated in a single-blind, placebo-controlled design. Participants completed a KOKORO scale test to quantify self-reported emotional states, three times each day for two weeks preceding treatment and then for a further two weeks while self-administering treatment. alpha GPC treatment show a tendency to increase motivation during the intervention period. Furthermore, motivation at night was significantly higher in the alpha GPC group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). However, alpha GPC did not show any effects on anxiety. These data suggest that alpha GPC can be used to increase motivation in healthy individuals.

Automated summary

The study found that alpha GPC shows potential in increasing motivation in healthy individuals, especially with a more pronounced effect at night; however, it does not have a significant impact on anxiety.