Glycine
⤢ 3D
Glycine is an amino acid that acts as an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord and brainstem and as a co-agonist at NMDA glutamate receptors. Small studies suggest that a few grams before bed can improve subjective sleep quality, and it has been explored as an adjunct in schizophrenia with mixed results. Evidence is limited but it is generally safe.
Too little may be associated with
Subtle effects; generally synthesized adequately.
Too much may be associated with
Generally safe; mild GI upset.
Informational only — not medical advice.
Neurotransmitters
Hormones
Amino acids
Related
Research (20)
- Glycine as a conditionally essential amino acid and its relationship to l-serine Holeček (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Glycine receptors: Structure, function, and therapeutic implications Mizzi et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- The involvement of GABA-rho receptors in regulating ethanol-induced elevation of dopamine, glycine and taurine within the nucleus accumbens of Wistar rats Cadeddu et al. (2025) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Intermittent fasting alerts neurotransmitters and oxidant/antioxidant status in the brain of rats Abdel-Rahman et al. (2024) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- M2 Microglia-Derived Exosomes Protect Against Glutamate-Induced HT22 Cell Injury via Exosomal miR-124-3p Zhang et al. (2024) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Glycine and aging: Evidence and mechanisms Johnson et al. (2023) PubMed ↗
- Membrane Stretch Gates NMDA Receptors Belin et al. (2022) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Taurine and Astrocytes: A Homeostatic and Neuroprotective Relationship Ramírez-Guerrero et al. (2022) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Glycine Transporters and Receptors as Targets for Analgesics Harvey et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Novel Glutamatergic Modulators for the Treatment of Mood Disorders: Current Status Zarate et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Functional Implications of Neurotransmitter Segregation Cifuentes et al. (2021) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Taurine activates glycine and GABA(A) receptor currents in anoxia-tolerant painted turtle pyramidal neurons Miles et al. (2018) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Insulin resistance and glycine metabolism in humans Adeva-Andany et al. (2018) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Chemical sensing of neurotransmitters Pradhan et al. (2014) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
- Interaction between taurine and GABA(A)/glycine receptors in neurons of the rat anteroventral cochlear nucleus Song et al. (2012) Full text ↗ PubMed ↗
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