9-MBC is a nootropic agent and research chemical, with a strong effect on the brain, and multifaceted applications.
But unlike other nootropics, 9-MBC has long lasting effects in the brain. Although it is subjectively felt acutely, it works via upgrading the “infrastructure” for dopamine and neuro-vascular function to support cognitive enhancement
Selaginella: features, morphology ,anatomy and reproduction.
9-methyl-β-carboline (9-MBC): Nootropic Properties, Dopamine Enhancer and Restorative.
1. 9-MBC (9-Methyl-β-carboline):
A Modern Nootropic For
Dopamine Enhancement.
Explained by: Lucas Aoun
CEO/Founder of: Ergogenichealth.com.au
Inventor/CEO of: BrainX.me
2. DISCLAIMER/WARNING:
The information depicted in this presentation is purely for
informational purposes only. Please consult your healthcare
professional before making any changes to your lifestyle or routine.
You should consult your physician about interactions between
medications you are taking and nutritional supplements.
3. What Is 9-MBC?
9-MBC is a nootropic agent and research chemical, with a strong
effect on the brain, and multifaceted applications.
But unlike other nootropics, 9-MBC has long lasting effects in the
brain. Although it is subjectively felt acutely, it works via upgrading
the “infrastructure” for dopamine and neuro-vascular function to
support cognitive enhancement (1).
4. How Was It Discovered?
9-MBC was first identified as a potential
neuroprotective agent, in 2008, by
researchers in Germany, although there
were studies conducted on this compound
many years prior. It was initially found to be
of interest due to its ability to upregulate
tyrosine hydroxylase, the enzyme
responsible for converting the amino acid L-
tyrosine into the dopamine precursor, L-
DOPA, and thus create more dopamine in
the brain (4).
5. Key Features of 9-MBC
9-MBC has a direct influence on the dopamine system,
specifically targetting dopamine neuronal health via:
1. Stimulation
2. Protection
3. Regeneration
4. Restoration
5. Repair
6. Revitalisation
6. Main Uses of 9-MBC
Within the nootropic/smart drug
community, 9-MBC has been used
for:
-Reversing stimulant tolerance.
-Restoring sensitivity to
dopaminergics.
-Recovering from drug abuse.
-Increasing motivation.
-Enhancing attention/focus.
-Increasing mood.
-Increasing libido.
7. How Does It Work (Technical)
● 9-MBC interacts with pathways of tyrosine hydroxylase regulation, including the FGF receptor,PKA, PKC
and possibly the PI3K/Akt pathway (11).
● Unexpectedly, 9-methyl-carboline (9-MBC), is taken up via the dopamine transporter and increased the cell
number of dopaminergic neurons, while these additional tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons
originated exclusively from nonproliferative, pre-existing dopa decarboxylase-positive neurons.
The stimulatory properties of 9-MBC were partly reversible when 9-MBC was withdrawn (11)
● Protein and gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase, as well as gene expression of tyrosine hydroxylase-
relevant transcription factors (Nurr1, Pitx3, CREB, CREBBP, GATA2 and GATA3), was increased after 9-
MBC treatment (11).
● Even when 9-MBC was administered chronically, it exerted no neurotoxic effects (11).
8. How Does It Work (Technical)
● 9-MBC induces neurite growth via NCAM and/or the EGF receptor (11).
● Gene expression of various neurotrophic factors (BDNF, GDNF, artemin, neurturin, NGF and CDNF), which
are important for the survival of dopaminergic neurons, for their neurite outgrowth, and which also exert
protective and regenerative properties against various toxins, were increased after 9-MBC treatment (11).
● 9-MBC improved and protected cell metabolism by interacting with complex IV and, as a result, increasing
the complex I activity of the respiratory chain and ATP content, as well as decreasing apoptotic cell
signals (11).
● Degenerating dopaminergic neurons (due to chronic treatment with the complex I inhibitors rotenone or
MPP+) were regenerated by treatment with 9-MBC in in vitro and in vivo experiments, respectively (11).
9. 9-MBC: Mechanism of Action
• Up-regulates, differentiates and protects dopaminergic neurons, dendrites and synapses, especially in the substantia nigra of
the midbrain and in the hippocampus (1)(2)(6)(7)
• Increases dopamine synthesis (1)(7).
• Increases neurotrophins/neurotrophic factors (NGF, BDNF, CDNF [6], GDNF, SHH (5) and decrease apoptic signals (like
caspase-3) (2)
• Decreases inflammation, preventing microglia proliferation and chemokine release [4], protecting against lipopolysaccharide
toxicity (5) and reducing LDH (2)(6) (lactate dehydrogenase). Reduces α-synuclein (4)(5), the aggregation of which form
insoluble fibrils (like lewy bodies), one of the causes of some neurodegenerative disorders, like PD and AD (alzheimer's
disease)
• Increases TH (6) (tyrosine hydroxylase) expression and its transcription factors, and interacts with tyrosine kinases, TH
converts L-tyrosine to L-Dopa, needed for the synthesis of the catecholamines, especially dopamine
• MAO-B inhibition (3), preventing the formation of neurotoxic substances, like DOPAC (from the dopamine metabolization), 6-
OH-DA (oxydopamine), and MPDP⁺/MPP⁺ (from MPTP), the major cause of dopaminergic neurons death.
• Increases/protects/recovers the NADH dehydrogenase (or "complex I" (6) which catalyzes the transfer of electrons between
NADH and Co-Q10), enhancing the mithocondrial respiration chain (7)
• Increase ATP (6)
10. Exploratoration of Effects
Following up on their discovery, this same group of researchers tested the effects of 9-MBC in
vivo, by administering the drug intraperitoneally to rats for either 5 or 10 days, and testing their
performance in the well-known spatial learning task, the radial arm maze. Additional tests of
neuroanatomy and neurotransmitter levels were also performed on these rats, which were
compared to both their non-treated and saline-treated counterparts.
Importantly, the 9-MBC treated rats were otherwise healthy, meaning that the results of the
study can be extrapolated to potential nootropic efficacy in healthy humans, rather than, as is
often the case, surmising potential effects based off of studies normally performed in either
animal models of cognitive disorder, or in humans with reduced mental function.
Remarkably, the 9-MBC treatment significantly improved radial arm maze performance in the
rats after 10 (but not 5) days. This was accompanied by increased levels of dopamine in the
hippocampus, as well as enhanced dendritic formations (length, number and complexity of
synaptic connections) in this same region.
15. What Are The Main Benefits?
• Enhances mood.
• Enhances cognition, learning and memory
(both working and long term).
• Enhances spatial memory and the
movements.
• Neuroprotective (especially in the
hippocampus and the midbrain, and against
PD - parkinson's disease).
• Restores motivation.
• Neuroregenerative (especially in the
hippocampus and the midbrain, and against
PD).
• Recovers dopamine induced damage from
illicit drugs.
16. Anecdotal Reports (Personal
Experiences)
I've been using 15-30mg once a day in the mornings for only a week now and my 40mg Vyvanse dosage is
back at full throttle. The magic is back - I'm literally back at stage 1 of amphetamine the drug you love to
hate. It's as if I took it for the first time, and honestly I think I'd prefer dropping to 20mg now. I used to take
80-160mg Vyvanse for a while too so I can attest to the fact that 9-Me-BC works. It's very easy to source
online and has solid nootropic benefits too. The only thing I haven't tried in my repertoire is microdosing
stims for sensitization but I'm not willing to take the risk plus I'm fairly sure that it won't even work as
explained in this post. As of right now, I plan to keep using 15mg 9-Me-BC daily and using 20-40mg
Vyvanse once a week instead.
If I were to rank effectiveness on tolerance reversal and repairing subjective damage from continued amph
(ab)use it would go:
9-MBC >>> Bromantane > BPC-157 >>> the rest. Highly recommended, this stuff instantly erases
withdrawals and reverses tolerance - what more could you ask for? - Full_Silver
17. Anecdotal Reports (Personal
Experiences)
“It does not feel as strongly stimulating. More restorative, subjectively. Kind of
'refreshing' in a way. Difficult to describe. It does have some mild stimulatory and
wakefulness-promoting effects. But it does not substitute quite as much as e.g.
Bromantane for stronger stimulation. Also no jitters like caffeine, and no apparent
stimulant side effects. The health-related effects have more to do with promoting
dopaminergic neuron upkeep, repair, and restoration against oxidative stress
(including outright regrowth after extreme oxidative damage from lab standard
neurotoxins in cell plate and rodent experiments; the photomicrographs are
astonishing).” - Reddit Psychonaut
18. Anecdotal Reports (Personal
Experiences)
“Finally got around to taking this substance and I'm impressed. Took a 15mg
dose sublingually in the afternoon and felt motivated all day. It's the evening
now and I'm still feeling stimulated. I know I have very low dopamine however,
so whether or not this works for you probably hinges on this fact.” - Guest on
Longecity.
19. Anecdotal Reports (Personal
Experiences)
“I tried 9-MBC back when tht.co was still running. I remember it's effects pretty clearly.
best way to Sum up it's nootropic effects are increased attention over a span of say 5-7
hours (20-40mg). The kind of attention I could manipulate to get something done. So
like I was taking lectures an I found I could just pay complete attention without my
attention wondering. It's like selegaline but different no physical push or excess
motivation just the attention aspect of selegaline (if taken at night and a low dose 2.5mg
to prevent day time Somnolence). It's also a little like bromantine in a way but different
in that I had control over only one aspect of my cognition (namely attention) but no
natural feeling of motivation. Basically with 9mebc even if I had enthusiasm for a mental
activity I could still do it with 9mebc. Basically with 9mebc controlling my attention was
like controlling my breathing; suddenly I notice I am paying attention and as soo as that
happened I could hold it, slow it down or speed it up or not think about it and go on with
my day.” - Chux87, Reddit member
20. Dosages Used
LIGHT MODERATE HIGH
5mg-10mg 10mg-30mg 50mg-75mg
***This is not medical advice. This is purely for research purposes only.
Please consult your healthcare professional. This is a research chemical.***
21. Side Effects
● The major side effects associated with 9-MBC usage is
Photo-sensitivity (DNA damage after UVA rays exposure)
(8)(9)(10).
● Dopamine neurotoxicity with quantities over the maximum
recommended dosages.
● Hyperactive libido/sex-drive.
22. Where To Buy/Sourcing:
As with ALL research chemicals, purity is of utmost importance.
The most reliable vendor for 9-MBC at present, is through Ergogenic Health:
LINK TO BUY 9-MBC:
https://www.ergogenichealth.com.au/product/9-mbc
