by Chris Shugart
Better Mood, More Focus
Over 30 million Americans suffer from these issues. Emerging research shows that a natural substance could offer relief.
Last week, I took a stand-up comedy class with ten other people. Before the class got started, the conversation turned to drugs. (Comedians aren't exactly a "just say no" bunch.) But much to my surprise, seven of my ten classmates said they took prescription drugs for either ADHD or depression.
Now, we could say that people drawn to stand-up comedy are more likely to have these issues. That might be true. However, over 30 million Americans take drugs for ADHD or depression, even the ones who can't crack a joke.
My specialty lies in the overlap between nutrition and cognitive health, so I offered my classmates some tips, the usual stuff about correcting omega-3, vitamin D, and magnesium deficiencies, all strongly linked to cognitive performance. And, like normies tend to do, they balked at the advice. "Fine," I thought. "Just stay on your side-effect-laden meds, ya drug-addled toddlers."
Maybe I'm patting myself on the back for being proactive about mental health, but I think NOT relying on psychiatric drugs to function is a modern-day flex. And except for a few rare cases, good food and nutritional supplements can keep our minds sharp and healthy – no prescriptions required.
That's why my ears perked up when I heard about new research on the nootropic benefits of a natural anthocyanin: C3G.
Drug-Like Benefits Without Side Effects?
You know C3G (Buy at Amazon) as a nutrient-partitioning agent. It helps you get lean, prevent fat regain, and build muscle. However, the biohacking community is getting excited about how it affects focus, mental clarity, and mood. Are they onto something?
Well, researchers have only just begun to study this aspect of C3G. The research is, as they say, emerging, but it hints at possible cognitive benefits. These effects are attributed to C3G's potential to influence neurotransmitters. Monoamine oxidase inhibition is the hypothesized mechanism.
It's a complex topic, but here's a breakdown:
Monoamine oxidase is an enzyme (with two isoforms, MAO-A and MAO-B) that breaks down certain neurotransmitters, including:
- Dopamine: Involved in motivation, reward, and focus.
- Serotonin: Regulates mood, sleep, and emotional stability.
- Norepinephrine: Enhances alertness, attention, and energy.
Some compounds increase neurotransmitter levels in the brain by inhibiting MAO, improving mood, focus, and cognitive performance. MAO inhibitors are used as antidepressants and in Parkinson's treatment. However, they have significant side effects.
Preliminary research shows that certain flavonoids and anthocyanins, like C3G, act as mild MAO inhibitors and provide subtle cognitive and mood benefits without the risks of pharmaceutical MAOIs.
Preclinical research hints that phenolic hydroxyl groups in anthocyanins could bind to MAO's active site, reducing its activity. One in vitro study suggested that C3G and its metabolites mildly inhibit MAO-A, increasing serotonin and norepinephrine levels. The inhibition was less potent than synthetic MAOIs, but it was present.
A related mouse study on black rice extract (rich in C3G) reported increased brain dopamine levels after chronic administration, hinting at possible MAO-B inhibition.
C3G's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties could also protect dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, enhancing their function. A study in rats showed that a C3G-rich extract reduced oxidative stress in the hippocampus, correlating with improved mood in stress-induced depression models.
C3G may also modulate BDNF, a protein linked to neurogenesis and mood regulation. Increased BDNF expression was observed in mice fed C3G-rich diets, which could contribute to reported mood enhancements.
As for ADHD, C3G seems to help via the same mechanisms of action. For example, dopamine dysregulation is central to ADHD.
Plus, C3G improves the health of gut microbiota. New research links gut dysbiosis to ADHD – altered microbiota affects brain function via the gut-brain axis. Too many bad gut bugs are linked to inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. While more studies are needed, the idea is that C3G helps create the kind of healthy gut microbiome that foils ADHD.
How to Use This Info
We can't yet say that C3G "treats" depression and ADHD. The reported effects so far are positive but mild compared to drug treatment. However, it's nice to know that C3G is playing a role in mental health and cognitive enhancement, even if you're taking it primarily for its body composition benefits.
One thing the researchers worry about is the bioavailability of C3G. In their studies, they used plain extracts without delivery systems to enhance absorption. That means it took a lot of C3G to see the benefits. However, the higher quality and more expensive C3G supplements have taken care of the bioavailability issue by adding glycerol monostearate (GMS).
GMS promotes micelle formation in the gut to transport C3G across the intestinal lining effectively. GMS increases C3G's solubility at the absorption site and supports its uptake through lipid absorption pathways. That's just a fancy way of saying you absorb it so your body can put it to work.
Indigo-3G Nutrient Partitioning Agent (Buy at Amazon) uses GMS and contains 300 mg of C3G per serving.
