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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Amino Acid

ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection)

Mitochondrial antioxidant stack — popularized as harm-reduction adjunct for MDMA neuroprotection.

Pre-Drug Use SupportPost-Drug Use RecoveryHealthy Aging

Overview

Mitochondrial antioxidant stack — popularized as harm-reduction adjunct for MDMA neuroprotection.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Mechanism of action

      ALCAR supports mitochondrial β-oxidation; ALA is a universal antioxidant and recycles vit C/E and glutathione.

      Pathways
      • · Mitochondrial energetics
      • · Antioxidant recycling

      Effects on the body

      Organ system effects

      Evidence-based benefits

      Animal evidence for reduced serotonergic neurotoxicity from MDMA

      Limited evidence

      Potential side effects

      Common
      • · Insomnia (ALCAR if late)
      Rare
        Serious

          Drug interactions

          No notable interactions reported.

          Safety & non-supplemental interactions

          Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

          Other notes
          • ·Discuss with a clinician if you have active liver disease or take hepatotoxic medications.

          Supplement interactions

          Pairs well with

          None listed.

          Avoid combining with

          No specific avoidances listed.

          Dosing & bioavailability

          Typical dose
          ALCAR 500–1000 mg + ALA 300–600 mg before and 4–6h after; avoid late-night ALCAR
          With food?
          With food

          Where to buy

          Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

          Amino Acid
          ALCAR + ALA …
          Amazon
          Wide selection · fast shipping
          Amino Acid
          ALCAR + ALA …
          iHerb
          Global delivery · curated brands
          Amino Acid
          ALCAR + ALA …
          Thorne
          Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

          Scientific evidence (8)

          Systematic reviewNeurobiol Aging · 2000

          Acetyl-L-carnitine and mitochondrial function

          Pettegrew JW, et al.

          Review of ALCAR in cognitive disorders.

          Key findings

          Improved mitochondrial function and cognition in older adults.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) — Animal evidence for reduced serotonergic neurotoxicity from MDMA

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) Animal evidence for reduced serotonergic neurotoxicity from MDMA" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) and "Animal evidence for reduced serotonergic neurotoxicity from MDMA". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) — randomized controlled trial

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) — meta-analysis

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) — pharmacokinetics

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) — safety adverse events

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) — dose response

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

          Google Scholar: ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) — clinical evidence

          Live Scholar search

          Cross-database citation index for ALCAR + ALA (Mitochondrial Protection) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

          Key findings

          Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

          Open study
          Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.