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Moderate evidenceBrain & cognition

Sarcosine (N-Methylglycine)

An amino acid that modulates NMDA receptor signalling, studied as an add-on to antipsychotics in schizophrenia. Meta-analysis shows a modest benefit there; it is not a general nootropic.

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What the science says

  • Add-on treatment in schizophrenia Moderate evidence

    A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that sarcosine added to antipsychotic medication reduced total and negative symptom scores compared with placebo. The trials were small, short, and largely from a single research group, which limits confidence.

  • Compared with other glutamatergic add-ons Moderate evidence

    A network meta-analysis of glutamatergic augmentation strategies in schizophrenia ranked sarcosine among the more promising options for negative symptoms, while noting low certainty and few head-to-head comparisons.

  • Cognition or mood in healthy people Limited evidence

    No controlled trial has tested sarcosine for memory, focus or mood in people without a psychiatric diagnosis, so the nootropic marketing is an extrapolation.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseSchizophrenia trials used 1–2 g/day taken once daily, added to existing antipsychotic treatment for 6–12 weeks.
SafetyGenerally well tolerated in trials, with occasional gastrointestinal upset. Sarcosine should not replace antipsychotic medication and should only be added under psychiatric supervision; it may worsen symptoms in people treated with clozapine, where trials have been less favourable. Elevated sarcosine is also a marker in some inherited metabolic disorders. Safety in pregnancy and children is unknown.

How to take it

TimingOnce daily, as in the trials; morning is the usual choice and no comparison of timings exists.
With food?With or without food - it dissolves readily in water and neither pattern was specified in the trials.
Worth knowingTell your psychiatrist you are taking it: elevated sarcosine is also a marker in some inherited metabolic disorders, so an unexplained result on future testing is easier to interpret if it is on your record.

Interactions

With medications

  • clozapine

    Unlike with other antipsychotics, trials of glycine-site agents added to clozapine have been consistently less favourable and may not help. do not add it to clozapine without your psychiatrist's agreement

  • antipsychotic medication generally

    Sarcosine was studied only as an add-on to existing treatment, never as a replacement. never reduce or stop antipsychotic medication because you have started sarcosine

With other supplements

  • glycine and D-serine

    All three act at the same NMDA receptor glycine site, so stacking them adds cost and uncertainty rather than effect. use one at a time

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does sarcosine help schizophrenia?

Sarcosine has moderate evidence as an add-on to antipsychotics: a meta-analysis found it reduced total and negative symptom scores versus placebo, though trials were small, short and largely from one research group. It should only be added under psychiatric supervision, never as a replacement.

Is sarcosine a nootropic for healthy people?

No trial has tested sarcosine for memory, focus or mood in people without a psychiatric diagnosis, so the nootropic marketing is an extrapolation and the evidence is limited.

How much sarcosine is used?

Schizophrenia trials used 1-2 g/day of sarcosine once daily, added to existing antipsychotic treatment for 6-12 weeks.

Can sarcosine be taken with clozapine?

Not without your psychiatrist's agreement: trials of glycine-site agents added to clozapine have been less favourable, and sarcosine may worsen symptoms. Never reduce or stop antipsychotic medication because you started sarcosine.

Scientific references

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