The present invention relates in some aspects to compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical, nutritional compositions, etc.), formulations, and food or beverage products comprising, consisting essentially of, or consisting of (a) β-alanine or a derivative of β-alanine, and (b) at least one agent that inhibits the N-methyl D- aspartate (NMDA) pathway or a pathway which converges downstream with the NMDA pathway. The compositions, formulations, and food or beverage products are useful for enhancing physical performance, reducing β-alanine- induced paraesthesia, and improving tolerance and compliance to higher doses of β-alanine, thereby reducing the length of time it takes to achieve peak effect of β- alanine, and increasing the magnitude of peak effect on physical performance in a human or animal.
