How the Uridine Stack Works
The uridine stack works through two main mechanisms to provide therapeutic and nootropic effects.
1.The chemical uridine promotes the creation of new dopamine receptors in the brain, an effect which is more pronounced in brains with fewer dopamine receptors. This is done by activating the D1 and D2 receptor signaling cascade, which stabilizes spikes of dopamine activity that would normally “burn out” receptors and reduce their effective number. Modulation also increases the rate of new receptor formation in areas where they are less dense, effectively increasing the number and density of dopamine receptors. Choline – particularly CDP-choline – also has the potential to increase dopamine receptor density.
2.The stack as a whole supports growth of neural tissue and the protective phospholipid material around it. Having a well-connected and healthy set of dendritic pathways in the brain can improve both mood and cognition, because functionality is optimized or restored.
Uridine research
Some of the details surrounding the mechanisms of the stack come from clinical trials and animal research, which show positive feedback for the combination in a variety of applications.
Dopamine Balance
In a study done at Rutgers University, researchers measured rats’ performance on behavioral tests after being given cocaine or amphetamines. In an experimental group that was also given uridine, the rats reacted much more sensitively to the illicit dopamine-stimulating drugs, demonstrating that the population of dopamine receptors was denser. Another observation with the uridine group was that amphetamines did not raise striatal dopamine levels as much as with the placebo group, because of the balancing effect provided by modulation.
A study done in France provided further evidence for uridine’s benefit for dopamine levels. Scientists found that rats given uridine monophosphate had a higher rate of potassium-mediated dopamine release, as well as an increased rate of neurite growth.