5-Amino-1MQ
Small-molecule selective inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)
- Class
- NNMT inhibitor (small molecule)
- Half-life
- Not established
- Route
- Oral
- Cadence
- Daily
- Evidence
- Animal data primarily
Overview
5-Amino-1MQ isn't a peptide — it's a small-molecule enzyme inhibitor that's become wildly popular in the biohacker weight-loss space despite having zero human trial data. It works by blocking NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase), an enzyme overexpressed in fat tissue that drains cellular NAD+ and promotes fat storage. In theory, blocking it should flip your fat cells into fat-burning mode and raise NAD+ levels, supporting mitochondrial function and energy expenditure.
The animal data look compelling: mice on 5-Amino-1MQ lost about 7% of body weight in 11 days without eating less, showed smaller fat cells, better insulin sensitivity, and lower cholesterol. The effect was metabolic, not appetite-driven — a genuinely different mechanism from GLP-1 drugs. A follow-up study showed it worked even better when combined with calorie restriction, normalizing body composition in obese mice and reshaping the gut microbiome.
Here's the problem: every single efficacy claim comes from mouse studies. There are no published human trials — not Phase 1 safety, not even a case series. The compound circulating in research markets is unregulated, purity is all over the map, and the human dose people are using (50–150 mg oral daily) is a guess based on mouse-to-human scaling math. You're essentially running your own Phase 1 trial if you touch this stuff.
Safety considerations
A few of the safety signals worth knowing — the full list, with dosing context and what to monitor, is inside AIx Core.
- Not approved by FDA, EMA, MHRA, or any regulator anywhere. The research-market product is unregulated — purity, actual content, and contaminants vary wildly between sellers.
- Zero published human safety data. No Phase 1 trial has reported results. You have no idea what the human toxicity profile looks like, what the real bioavailability is, or whether the mouse dose scales correctly.
- Chronic NNMT inhibition theoretically impacts SAM/SAH balance and could disrupt methylation-dependent processes (DNA methylation, neurotransmitter synthesis, creatine production). Long-term consequences unknown.
+ 3 more safety notes inside AIx Core →
Commonly monitored
Markers and signals people track when researching 5-Amino-1MQ.
- Body composition (DEXA or bioimpedance — the claim is fat loss without muscle loss)
- Fasting glucose and HbA1c (insulin sensitivity is a claimed benefit)
- Lipid panel (mouse studies showed drops in total cholesterol)
- Subjective energy and mental clarity (NAD+ effects, if real, should show here)
- Homocysteine (blocking NNMT can theoretically raise SAH → homocysteine; no data yet)
- Methylation-sensitive markers if doing long-term use (e.g., methylmalonic acid, though this is speculative)
Frequently asked questions
What is 5-Amino-1MQ?
Small-molecule selective inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). 5-Amino-1MQ isn't a peptide — it's a small-molecule enzyme inhibitor that's become wildly popular in the biohacker weight-loss space despite having zero human trial data. It works by blocking NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase), an enzyme overexpressed in fat tissue that drains cellular NAD+ and promotes fat storage. In theory, blocking it should flip your fat cells into fat-burning mode and raise NAD+ levels, supporting mitochondrial function and energy expenditure.
How is 5-Amino-1MQ administered?
Oral, typically daily.
What is the half-life of 5-Amino-1MQ?
Not established — Pharmacokinetics characterized in mice; human half-life unknown.
Is 5-Amino-1MQ approved for human use?
5-Amino-1MQ is investigational — not approved by the FDA, EMA, or MHRA for human use at the time of writing.
What does the evidence show for 5-Amino-1MQ?
Evidence tier: Animal data primarily. Add clarification that the mouse study used 3× daily SubQ dosing (total 60 mg/kg/day), whereas human self-experimenters typically use once-daily oral dosing at 50–150 mg/day — a different route, frequency, and speculative dose conversion.
What is commonly monitored when researching 5-Amino-1MQ?
Commonly tracked markers + signals: Body composition (DEXA or bioimpedance — the claim is fat loss without muscle loss), Fasting glucose and HbA1c (insulin sensitivity is a claimed benefit), Lipid panel (mouse studies showed drops in total cholesterol), Subjective energy and mental clarity (NAD+ effects, if real, should show here), Homocysteine (blocking NNMT can theoretically raise SAH → homocysteine; no data yet), Methylation-sensitive markers if doing long-term use (e.g., methylmalonic acid, though this is speculative).
Related compounds
Open this in AIx Core for the full picture
Mechanism breakdown, receptor pathway diagram, full safety list, monitored items, source citations, and one-tap add-to-protocol. Free with any account.