What is D-Aspartic Acid?

Overview

Aspartic acid (Asp) is an amino acid that animals and humans naturally make in two forms: L–Asp and D–Asp. Since our bodies can make aspartic acid, it is a non-essential amino acid. L-Asp combines with other amino acids to form proteins vital to life. D-Asp exists freely as small individual molecules in various human and animal tissues [R, R].

Individual L-Asp and D-Asp molecules are made of the same atoms. In fact, they share the same chemical formula (C₄H₇NO₄). The main difference is how they align in space: L-Asp and D-Asp molecules are mirror images of each other, like your left hand and your right hand. These “mirrored” arrangements give L-Asp and D-Asp different properties [R].

What we currently know about the effects of D-Asp made by our bodies comes from animal research. Free D-Asp occurs naturally in nerve and hormone tissues in both animals and humans [R, R, R].

D-Asp is important for brain and nerve development and nerve communication. It also helps produce and release various hormones. However, scientists are still discovering all the ways in which D-Asp affects humans [R].

D-Asp supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. In general, dietary supplements lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for supplements but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.

Additionally, no proper clinical studies on D-Asp as a supplement have been carried out. Thus, the effectiveness and safety of this compound remain unknown. We recommend against using D-asp until proper clinical data are published.

Mechanisms of Action

Effects on the Brain

High D-Asp levels promote proper brain development before and immediately after birth in mice. These levels later decrease, but D-Asp continues to spark nerve development, helping to create awareness of the surrounding environment in adult mice [R, R, R, R].

Scientists consider D-Asp a neurotransmitter: It helps to produce or enhance nerve signals, stimulate new brain connections, store memories, and promote learning in mice [R, R, R,

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