Despite many years of use, exactly how the substance enhances mental skills is still unclear. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier and raises phosphatidylcholine levels in the brain (Walker, J.E.; Pfeiffer, C.C.; Ansell, G.B.) Studies indicate that DMAE assists in giving the brain's neurons the optimum supply of choline, and it may cause the direct release of acetylcholine from nerve cells and increase the output of it.

It should be mentioned that the benefits of therapy are seen only after long term use. Studies lasting only four weeks showed no improvement..