Supplement Scholar
Amino Acid

Glycine

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Glycine. Inhibitory neurotransmitter that improves sleep quality and supports collagen synthesis.

How it works. Activates inhibitory glycine receptors and NMDA glycine site; lowers core body temperature via peripheral vasodilation.

What the research supports. 2 graded claims. Strongest: Improves subjective sleep quality (moderate).

How much to take. Typical dose: 3 g before bed. 30 min before bed.

Side effects and interactions. 1 medication interaction listed. No serious side effects listed at normal doses.

Stacking. Pairs well with NAC.

Forms. 1 forms. Pick one to open its profile.

Key studies. 10 studies cited. The strongest are listed with links to PubMed.

Community. Experiences from people who have tried Glycine. Anecdotes are not medical advice.

Glycine. Inhibitory neurotransmitter that improves sleep quality and supports collagen synthesis.

Molecular structureC2H5NO2 · 75.07 g/mol

What it is

Smallest amino acid; inhibitory in brainstem/spinal cord; precursor for collagen, glutathione, and creatine.

Food sources

Bone brothGelatinSkin/connective tissue of meats

Goals

How it works

Activates inhibitory glycine receptors and NMDA glycine site; lowers core body temperature via peripheral vasodilation.

Pathways

  • Glycine receptor agonism
  • NMDA co-agonism

Effects

  • ↑Sleep quality (subjective) increases
  • ↓Core body temperature decreases
  • +Collagen synthesis supports

What the research supports

Improves subjective sleep qualitymoderate
Improves daytime alertness after restricted sleepmoderate

Strong: consistent results across large trials or meta-analyses. Moderate: several trials, mostly positive. Limited: small or mixed studies. Preclinical: animal or cell research only.

Typical dose
3 g before bed
Timing30 min before bed
With foodEither with or without food.
Best formMost evidence is based on the glycine powder form.
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Side effects & interactions

Common side effects

  • Mild GI upset at high doses

Medication interactions

Clozapinemoderate

May reduce efficacy.

Check any supplement–medication combination with your pharmacist before starting.

Combines with

Pairs well

  • NACBoth rate-limiting for glutathione synthesis.

Key studies

10 studies cited in total.

PubMed: Glycine — Improves subjective sleep quality ↗
Systematic review · PubMed (NLM) · 2026

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Glycine and "Improves subjective sleep quality". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

PubMed: Glycine — Improves daytime alertness after restricted sleep ↗
Systematic review · PubMed (NLM) · 2026

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Glycine and "Improves daytime alertness after restricted sleep". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

PubMed: Glycine — randomized controlled trial ↗
Systematic review · PubMed (NLM) · 2026

Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Glycine and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

Discussion

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