Very confused about NAC.. Is it pro-glutamanergic or anti-glutamanergic? Pro-dopaminergic or anti-dopaminergic? All I see is 'modulates glutamate and dopamine' which isn't much help

Comment · Mon, January 12, 2015 · 8 pts

It's a modulator of glutamate. http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=483113 > N-acetylcysteine is a hepatoprotective antioxidant that is converted to cystine, a substrate for the glutamate-cystine anti

Comment · Tue, January 13, 2015 · 8 pts

Basically NAC tricks the body into releasing less glutamate. So it is not blocking the effects of extracellular glutamate at the post-synaptic receptors, like a traditional antagonist. It is metabolizing to cysteine, whi

Comment · Tue, January 13, 2015 · 2 pts

It depends on the brain region it is released in. I don't fully understand the entire glutamate system, so I am still trying to figure out the specifics of why the mechanism works that way. I just know that it does work

Comment · Tue, January 13, 2015 · 1 pts

It is used mainly to improve your antioxidant defenses. It is given to people who overdose on Acetaminophen because of that. There may be some detrimental effects to the heart with long term use, though. I use it before

Comment · Tue, January 13, 2015 · 1 pts

2 grams is very high. At those dosages it might be lowering your DA release. I stick to 500mg when I use it, and have never noticed depressive symptoms.

Comment · Tue, January 13, 2015 · 1 pts

I stick to 500mg dosages. Higher dosages will lead to more of the adverse effects people are reporting.

Comment · Tue, January 13, 2015 · 1 pts

Then take 600mg! Haha

Comment · Wed, January 14, 2015 · 1 pts

High dosages are not necessary, unless you are treating a specific issue. So if you were to overdose on acetaminophen, then you would take a high dosage.

Comment · Wed, January 14, 2015 · 2 pts

We learn more and more every day. That just makes us realize how little we actually know. Haha.

Comment · Wed, January 21, 2015 · 2 pts

It seems it would take higher dosages of NAC to treat tinnitus. I have tinnitus, and I have not really noticed a difference with NAC. D-Cycloserine is supposed to help too. However, it has antibacterial properties.