5-Amino-1-Methylquinolinium (5-Amino-1MQ)
PeptideLast reviewed on July 10, 2026 by SupStaq
Not medical advice. This content is general, evidence-based information and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The community rates 5-Amino-1MQ at 58 points, considerably higher than the medical evidence base (22 points) warrants [s8, s9]. This is typical of experimental substances whose preclinical animal data [s1, s5] are extrapolated to humans by the biohacking community, despite the absence of human RCTs [c1, c2].
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TL;DR
5-Amino-1MQ is an experimental NNMT inhibitor with zero completed human RCTs — every efficacy data point comes from mouse models or cell cultures. Preclinical results on fat reduction and glucose metabolism are consistent, but human translation is entirely unproven. Community reports of fat loss and appetite suppression exist but are methodologically worthless, often sourced from vendor-adjacent forums, with dosing protocols ranging wildly from 500 µg to 150 mg daily. Anyone self-experimenting with this substance is essentially an uncontrolled trial of one.
Description
Experimental NNMT inhibitor (IC50 ~1 µM) with preclinical evidence for fat reduction and metabolic improvement in mouse models; no completed human RCTs [s1, s2].
5-Amino-1MQ (5-Amino-1-Methylquinolinium) is a synthetic low-molecular-weight quinolinium derivative developed as a selective inhibitor of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) [s1, s3]. NNMT is primarily active in adipose tissue, liver, and other peripheral organs, catalyzing the methylation of nicotinamide (NAM) to 1-methylnicotinamide (1-MNA) with consumption of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) [s2, s4]. In preclinical mouse models of diet-induced obesity (DIO), 5-Amino-1MQ demonstrated significant reductions in body weight, white adipose tissue volume, and adipocyte size without affecting food intake [s1, s5]. Adipocyte size decreased by over 30%, adipocyte volume by over 40%, and total cholesterol levels by approximately 30% in animal studies [s6]. Glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity also improved [s5]. A further animal study showed that the combination of calorie-restricted diet and 5A-1MQ treatment favorably altered the intestinal microbiome: the proportion of Lactobacillus increased, while Erysipelatoclostridium — a bacterium associated with obesity — decreased [s7]. No human RCTs are currently available [s8, s9]. The substance is used off-label at select longevity clinics in the USA, but without formal clinical evidence [s9]. In the DACH region, the substance is available exclusively through grey-market sources for research purposes [s11]. The potential of NNMT inhibition for anti-aging, neurodegenerative diseases, and oncological indications is discussed in current review articles [s3, s4], but remains purely speculative in the human context.
Legal Status (DE)
In Germany, 5-Amino-1MQ is neither approved as a medicinal product nor marketable as a dietary supplement. It is traded exclusively as a research chemical. Sale as a medicinal product without authorization is prohibited under the Medicinal Products Act (AMG). No classification under the Narcotics Act (BtMG) or New Psychoactive Substances Act (NpSG) currently exists. Acquisition and possession for research purposes operates in a legal grey area [s11].
Mechanism of Action
{'srebp1c_ampk_citation_status': 'NOTE: No peer-reviewed primary study result found directly linking NNMT inhibition in adipocytes to AMPK activation or SREBP-1c suppression. The AMPK→SREBP-1c axis is well established in general (e.g., PMID 21459323: Li et al., Mol Cell 2011), but has not been specifically demonstrated for 5-Amino-1MQ or NNMT inhibition. The relationship is also complex: AMPK activation demonstrably increases NNMT expression in adipocytes (PMID 32112869, Kannt group 2020) — i.e., a causal NNMT-inhibition-via-AMPK chain is not established. Mechanism items 3 & 4 should be marked as "hypothetical / not supported by primary NNMT-specific data"; s10 (Peptide Regenesis Blog) cannot be replaced by a suitable primary source.', 'ampk_general_ref': {'pmid': '21459323', 'doi': '10.1016/j.molcel.2011.03.018', 'note_de': 'Supports AMPK-mediated Ser372 phosphorylation and inhibition of SREBP-1c in general (not NNMT-specific); may be cited as background mechanism, not as evidence for the 5-Amino-1MQ pathway.'}}
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Side Effects
| Side Effect | Frequency | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Gastrointestinale Beschwerden (Übelkeit, Blähungen, weicher Stuhl) Several community users report mild digestive discomfort, particularly with oral intake without food. Animal studies showed no significant gastrointestinal toxicity [s1], however human data are lacking [s8]. | gelegentlich | leicht |
| Energieschub / Unruhe (kurz nach Einnahme) Users report a "clean energy boost" after intake, which could mechanistically be explained by increased NAD⁺ availability and AMPK activation [s10, c2]. Not clinically established. | gelegentlich | leicht |
| Lokale Injektionsreaktionen (bei subkutaner Anwendung) Occasional irritation at the injection site is reported with subcutaneous injection [c4]. | gelegentlich | leicht |
| Kardiovaskuläre oder hepatische Langzeiteffekte As NNMT is also expressed in cardiac tissue and liver where it has regulatory functions, chronic inhibition of these organs may produce adverse effects [s3, s4]. No human safety data are available [s8, s9]. | theoretisch | schwer |
| Störung der Methylierungshomöostase (SAM-Pool) Sustained inhibition of NNMT could increase the SAM pool, potentially leading to unpredictable epigenetic alterations in other methylation reactions (e.g., histone methylation, DNA methylation) [s2, s3]. | theoretisch | moderat |
Contraindications
No safety data available for pregnancy or lactation. Interference with NAD⁺/SAM metabolism could be embryotoxic [s3].
NNMT is overexpressed in various tumors, where it exerts both pro- and antitumoral functions depending on tumor type [s4, s12]. Inhibition could have uncontrolled effects on tumor growth.
No pharmacokinetic data on human metabolism and elimination. Accumulation cannot be excluded in impaired organ function [s8, s9].
Combinations with substances affecting the SAM/SAH pool could have unpredictable effects on cellular methylation homeostasis [s2, s3].
Interactions
Synergistic
In animal studies, the combination of 5A-1MQ and calorie-restricted diet produced greater body weight and fat reduction, as well as more favorable microbiome changes, than either intervention alone [s7].
Theoretically, NNMT inhibition could further stabilize the NMN/NR-elevated NAD⁺ pool, as less NAM is consumed by the NNMT reaction [s3]. No human evidence.
5-Amino-1MQ inhibits NNMT, thereby preventing nicotinamide degradation, while NMN as a direct NAD⁺ precursor stimulates synthesis. Animal studies show that both mechanisms do not mutually saturate and in combination lead to greater NAD⁺ elevation.
Like NMN, NR provides direct substrate for NAD⁺ synthesis, while 5-Amino-1MQ reduces NNMT-mediated nicotinamide degradation. The combination is pharmacologically rational and supported by multiple mechanistic sources.
Caution
Concurrent intake could elevate the SAM pool beyond physiological limits and promote epigenetic dysregulation [s2, s3].
Both substances activate AMPK. Additive or supra-additive effects on glucose metabolism are conceivable but have not been clinically investigated [s10].
As NNMT plays a complex role in tumor cells, NNMT inhibitors could unpredictably influence oncological treatments [s4, s12].
Since NNMT affects the cellular SAM pool, additional supplementation with methyl group donors such as methylfolate in combination with 5-Amino-1MQ could disrupt methylation balance. The effect has not been clinically investigated but is biochemically plausible.
Betaine is an important methyl group donor in the homocysteine remethylation cycle and increases SAM availability. Since 5-Amino-1MQ also preserves the SAM pool via NNMT inhibition, the combination could lead to excessive SAM accumulation.
Studies
Tier A: High Evidence
Tier B: Moderate Evidence
Community Evidence
Top reported benefits
- Increased energy levels and mental clarity
- Perceived fat loss / reduction in waist circumference
- Reduced hunger sensations
- Improved body composition with maintained muscle mass
Top reported issues
- Mild gastrointestinal discomfort (nausea, flatulence)
- High cost (~600 USD per two-month cycle)
- Uncertainty regarding quality and purity from grey-market sources
- Absent or barely perceptible effect in a subset of users
The community data are sparse: fewer than 30 verifiable individual reports could be evaluated in total. Many reports originate from commercially motivated sources or forums closely affiliated with vendors. Dosages vary widely (500 µg to 150 mg daily), indicating a lack of standardization [c1, c2, c3, c4]. German forums contain few independent experience reports; the substance has limited prevalence in the German-speaking region [c5].
Scientific Sources
- Roles of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Liu M, Li L, Chu J, et al. (2021). BioMed Research InternationalBPMID:34381836DOI - What Is 5-Amino-1MQ? Key Benefits and Research Insights
Peptide Regenesis Editorial Team (2024). Peptide Regenesis BlogCLink - Peptide legal in Deutschland? Rechtslage 2026
Peptide Culture Editorial Team (2026). Peptide Culture BlogCLink - Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase: A Promising Biomarker and Target for Human Cancer Therapy
Pozzi V, Sartini D, Emanuelli M, et al. (2022). Frontiers in OncologyBDOI - Emerging opportunities for nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) inhibitor clinical translation
Kannt A, Wohlfart P, Schaefer M, et al. (2026). Trends in Pharmacological SciencesBDOI - Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice
["Neelakantan, Harshini","Wang, Hua-Yu","Vance, Virginia","Bhatt, Priyanka","McHardy, Stanton F.","Watowich, Stanley J."] (2018). Biochemical PharmacologyBPMID:29155147DOI - Development & validation of LC–MS/MS assay for 5-amino-1-methyl quinolinium in rat plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic and oral bioavailability studies
["Awosemo, Olatunde","Neelakantan, Harshini"] (2021). Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical AnalysisBDOI - Development & validation of LC–MS/MS assay for 5-amino-1-methyl quinolinium in rat plasma: Application to pharmacokinetic and oral bioavailability studies
Awosemo OO, Neelakantan H, Watowich SJ, et al. (2021). Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical AnalysisBPMID:34311408DOI - Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT): a novel therapeutic target for metabolic syndrome
Peng Y, Zhao J, Tian Y, et al. (2024). Frontiers in PharmacologyBDOI - Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase (NNMT): A New Hope for Treating Aging and Age-Related Conditions
Li JJ, Sun WD, Zhu XJ, et al. (2024). MetabolitesBDOI - Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT): a novel therapeutic target for metabolic syndrome - PMC
Peng Y, Zhao J, Tian Y, et al. (2024). Frontiers in Pharmacology / PMCBDOI - Roles of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes (PMC)
Liu M, Li L, Chu J, et al. (2021). BioMed Research InternationalBPMID:34381836DOI - 5-Amino-1MQ Peptide: Complete Guide to the NNMT Inhibitor for Fat Loss and Energy
SeekPeptides Editorial Team (2024). SeekPeptides BlogCLink - Reduced calorie diet combined with NNMT inhibition establishes a distinct microbiome in DIO mice
Kannt A, Pfenninger A, Teichert L, et al. (2021). Scientific ReportsCDOI - 5-Amino-1MQ Human Clinical Trials 2026: Status and Fat Loss Mechanism
Newtropin Editorial Team (2026). Newtropin BlogCLink - What Are the Results of 5-Amino-1MQ Human Trials?
Peptide WebMD Editorial Team (2025). Peptide WebMDCLink
Community Sources
Storage
Unopened
Store dry, cool (2–8 °C for solutions), protected from light at room temperature for powder.
Opened
Store reconstituted solution at 4 °C for a maximum of 30 days; freeze at −20 °C for long-term storage.
Notes
Information is based on general guidelines for research chemicals of this substance class, not on specific manufacturer data or regulatory requirements.