Comparison
Alpha-GPC vs MOTS-c
Side-by-side of Alpha-GPC and MOTS-c. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
Alpha-GPC
Alpha GPC supplement profile: 300 to 600 mg dosage, acetylcholine synthesis, attention and reaction-time evidence, side effects, and choline donor comparisons.
MOTS-c
MOTS-c peptide is a 16-amino-acid mitochondrial-derived peptide. Preclinical signals for insulin sensitivity, exercise capacity, dosage notes.
Effects at a glance
Alpha-GPC
- •Choline donor supplement, roughly 40% choline by weight; crosses blood-brain barrier efficiently
- •Replicated small gains in attention and reaction time at 300 to 600 mg in healthy adults
- •Standard prescription cognitive medication in much of Europe (Gliatilin) at 1,200 mg/day for vascular cognitive impairment
- •ASCOMALVA trial (n=210) showed cognitive preservation when added to donepezil over 24 months
- •Increases acute power output (~14%, single trial) and transient growth hormone secretion at 600 mg
- •TMAO production raises a contested cardiovascular concern at chronic high doses
MOTS-c
- •16-amino-acid peptide encoded in mitochondrial DNA (12S rRNA region); discovered 2015
- •Activates AMPK in skeletal muscle and liver; improves insulin sensitivity in rodent models
- •Circulating endogenous levels decline with age, motivating the longevity-restoration hypothesis
- •CohBar's MOTS-c analog CB4211 discontinued after phase 1b NASH readout did not meet endpoints
- •Anecdotal protocols use 5 to 10 mg subcutaneously 2 to 3 times weekly
- •Not on the WADA Prohibited List as of 2026; future scrutiny likely given exercise-mimetic mechanism
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Alpha-GPC | MOTS-c |
|---|---|---|
| Category | supplement | peptide |
| Also known as | L-Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine, choline alfoscerate, GPC, alpha-glyceryl phosphorylcholine | Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the Twelve S rRNA-c, MOTSc |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 4 | 0.5 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 600 | 5 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 3 times daily | 2-3x weekly |
| Routes | oral | subcutaneous |
| Onset (hr) | 1 | 1 |
| Peak (hr) | 2 | 4 |
| Molecular weight | 257.22 | 1880.18 |
| Molecular formula | C8H20NO6P | C82H132N22O25S2 |
| Mechanism | Hydrolyzed to free choline and glycerophosphate after absorption; choline supports acetylcholine and phosphatidylcholine synthesis in CNS. | Mitochondrial-derived peptide that activates AMPK in skeletal muscle and liver, improves insulin sensitivity, and translocates to the nucleus under metabolic stress to modulate nuclear gene expression in retrograde mitochondrial signaling. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement (US); prescription medication in much of Europe | Not FDA approved; research-use-only grey market; not currently on WADA Prohibited List |
| WADA status | allowed | unknown |
| DEA / Rx | OTC supplement | Not scheduled (research chemical) |
| Pregnancy | Insufficient data; choline generally recommended in pregnancy | Insufficient data; not recommended |
| CAS | 28319-77-9 | 1627580-64-6 |
| PubChem CID | 71920 | 139599184 |
| Wikidata | Q411478 | Q24832108 |
Safety profile
Alpha-GPC
Common side effects
- mild GI upset
- headache
- dizziness
- occasional insomnia with evening dosing
Contraindications
- established cardiovascular disease (TMAO concern)
- concurrent strong anticholinergic therapy
Interactions
- anticholinergic medications: partial mutual antagonism(minor)
- cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil): additive cholinergic effect, basis for ASCOMALVA protocol(minor)
- scopolamine: partial counteraction of anticholinergic effect(minor)
MOTS-c
Common side effects
- injection-site irritation
- transient fatigue
- headache (anecdotal)
Contraindications
- pregnancy
- lactation
- active malignancy (theoretical)
- severe hypoglycemia risk on concurrent insulin or sulfonylurea
Interactions
- insulin: additive insulin sensitization may increase hypoglycemia risk(moderate)
- metformin: both activate AMPK; theoretical additive metabolic effect, no controlled data(minor)
- sulfonylureas: increased hypoglycemia risk via additive insulin sensitization(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Alpha-GPC comes out ahead for most readers on the criteria we weight: 3 catalogued goals, OTC dietary supplement, oral dosing, with a Tier-B outcome catalogued. MOTS-c is the right call when one of the conditionals below applies.
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Alpha-GPC.
- → If your priority is athletic performance, pick Alpha-GPC.
- → If your priority is healthspan extension, pick MOTS-c.
- → If your priority is metabolic health and glucose control, pick MOTS-c.
Edge case: If you want to avoid research-only / gray-market sourcing, Alpha-GPC is the more accessible choice.
Default choice: Alpha-GPC. Lower friction to source, and broader goal coverage. Reach for MOTS-c only if your priority sits squarely in the goals it owns above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between Alpha-GPC and MOTS-c?
Alpha-GPC and MOTS-c differ in category (supplement vs peptide), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Alpha-GPC or MOTS-c?
Alpha-GPC half-life is 4 hours; MOTS-c half-life is 0.5 hours.
Can you stack Alpha-GPC with MOTS-c?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
Go deeper