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Glycine for SleepEvidence & Dosage

Deep sleep, lowering body temperature, and 3 g in the evening.

Studies last updated

Evidence at a glance

Total studies
328
With abstract
49
Meta / Systematic / RCT
50
Highly cited
50
Publication years
1987–2026

Glycine for Sleep in the context of Sleep

This topic is part of our "Sleep" world. There you'll find methodology, evidence and the highest-impact levers — plus the order in which they sensibly build on each other.

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Top studies on Glycine for Sleep

Ranked by influential-citation count and publication year.

  1. Multifarious Beneficial Effect of Nonessential Amino Acid, Glycine: A Review.

    Oxid Med Cell Longev2017Review87 influential citations

    Glycine is most important and simple, nonessential amino acid in humans, animals, and many mammals. Generally, glycine is synthesized from choline, serine, hydroxyproline, and threonine through interorgan metabolism in which kidneys and…

  2. D-serine efficacy as add-on pharmacotherapy to risperidone and olanzapine for treatment-refractory schizophrenia.

    Biol Psychiatry2005n=39RCT79 influential citations

    <h4>Background</h4>D-serine, a selective full agonist at the glycine site of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor, might presently be the compound of choice for counteracting the hypothesized dysfunction of this receptor class in…

  3. Effect of bitopertin, a glycine reuptake inhibitor, on negative symptoms of schizophrenia: a randomized, double-blind, proof-of-concept study.

    JAMA Psychiatry2014n=323RCT75 influential citations

    <h4>Importance</h4>In schizophrenia, the severity of negative symptoms is a key predictor of long-term disability. Deficient signaling through the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor is hypothesized to underlie many signs and symptoms associated…

  4. Strategies to enhance N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated neurotransmission in schizophrenia, a critical review and meta-analysis.

    Curr Pharm Des2010Meta-Analysis65 influential citations

    Although hypofunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated neurotransmission is proposed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, results of the clinical trials of small molecules that enhance the NMDA…

  5. The neuronal network responsible for paradoxical sleep and its dysfunctions causing narcolepsy and rapid eye movement (REM) behavior disorder.

    Sleep medicine reviews2011D64 influential citations

    Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterized by the loss of muscle atonia during paradoxical (REM) sleep (PS). Conversely, cataplexy, one of the key symptoms of narcolepsy, is a striking sudden…

  6. GABA and glycine as neurotransmitters: a brief history.

    British journal of pharmacology2006E56 influential citations

    gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) emerged as a potentially important brain chemical just over 50 years ago, but its significance as a neurotransmitter was not fully realized until over 16 years later. We now know that at least 40% of…

  7. Elevations of endogenous kynurenic acid produce spatial working memory deficits.

    Schizophrenia bulletin2007E55 influential citations

    Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a tryptophan metabolite that is synthesized and released by astrocytes and acts as a competitive antagonist of the glycine site of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors at high concentrations and as a noncompetitive…

  8. REM Sleep at its Core - Circuits, Neurotransmitters, and Pathophysiology.

    Frontiers in neurology2015D52 influential citations

    Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep is generated and maintained by the interaction of a variety of neurotransmitter systems in the brainstem, forebrain, and hypothalamus. Within these circuits lies a core region that is active during REM sleep,…

  9. A randomized add-on trial of high-dose D-cycloserine for treatment-resistant depression.

    Int J Neuropsychopharmacol2013n=26RCT50 influential citations

    Antagonism of N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamatergic receptors (NMDAR) may represent an effective antidepressant mechanism. D-cycloserine (DCS) is a partial agonist at the NMDAR-associated glycine modulatory site that at high doses acts as a…

  10. Glycine antagonist in neuroprotection for patients with acute stroke: GAIN Americas: a randomized controlled trial.

    JAMA2001n=136RCT49 influential citations

    <h4>Context</h4>Elucidation of the ischemic cascade has helped stimulate development of neuroprotective drugs aimed at limiting brain injury in the hours following an ischemic stroke. To date, none of these drugs has shown clinical…

Frequently asked

What dosage was studied?
• Oral, intravenous, dietary, and experimental glycine supplementation (Varies across cited studies; examples include 2 g/day orally, 3 mM, 25 mg/kg, 50-300 mg/kg, 250 ml of 300 mM) • D-serine add-on to risperidone or olanzapine (30 mg/kg/day) • Bitopertin (RG1678), a glycine reuptake inhibitor, added to standard antipsychotic therapy (10 mg/d, 30 mg/d, or 60 mg/d)
Are there safety considerations for Glycine for Sleep?
• Large amounts of glycine are toxic to the human body. • Oral glycine is quickly metabolized in the digestive system. • Human liver transplant protocols used 250 ml of 300 mM glycine pre-implantation and 25 ml daily post-op. • The review notes the need for precautions for safe intake and dose.

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Optimal 17–19°C — a falling core body temperature promotes sleep.

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Sedative/hypnotic — dependence, cognitive risks in older age.

Blue Light Filter

f.lux, Night Shift, glasses — the evidence and the marketing hype.

Bruxism

Teeth grinding — stress, night guard, trigger factors.

Caffeine Timing

Half-life ~5–6h — cut off 8–10h before sleep.

CBD for Sleep

Endocannabinoid system, REM effects, and dosage spectrum.

CBT-I

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia — first-line therapy per the guidelines.

Circadian Rhythm

The internal ~24h clock — light as the main signal, peripheral clocks in the organs.

CPAP

Continuous positive airway pressure — the standard for moderate apnea.

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N3 slow-wave sleep — physical recovery, GH release.

GABA Supplements

Blood-brain barrier, fermented GABA, and efficacy data.

Glycine (Sleep)

3g before bed — lowers core body temperature, modulates deep sleep.

Glymphatic System

The brain's overnight detox — beta-amyloid clearance.

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