5-Amino-1MQ Dosing Guide: Protocols (2026)

5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme implicated in obesity and metabolic dysfunction. Unlike most peptides in the research community, 5-Amino-1MQ is taken orally in capsule form — not by injection.

An oral compound with preclinical evidence: Animal studies show significant anti-obesity effects through NNMT inhibition. No human clinical trials exist. This is not medical advice.

Quick Reference: Community Dosing

Starting dose: 50 mg daily for the first 1–2 weeks to assess tolerance. Typical maintenance: 100–150 mg daily based on individual response.

For the full 5-Amino-1MQ compound profile, vendor pricing, and stack protocols, see our compound overview pages.

Loading vs Maintenance

5-Amino-1MQ doesn't require a traditional loading phase, but gradual dose escalation is recommended:

Week 1–2 (Assessment): Start at 50 mg daily. Monitor for GI tolerance, energy changes, and any side effects.

Week 3–12 (Maintenance): Increase to 100–150 mg daily if well-tolerated. Most community protocols settle at 100 mg as the standard maintenance dose.

Cycling rationale: The 8–12 week on / 4–8 week off approach accounts for the absence of long-term human data. It also allows assessment of sustained metabolic benefits after discontinuation.

Timing Considerations

• Morning dosing: Preferred by most users to align with peak metabolic activity
• Consistent timing: Take at the same time daily for steady NNMT inhibition
• With meals: Optional — some users prefer taking with breakfast to minimize any GI discomfort
• No reconstitution needed: Oral capsule simplifies administration vs. injectable peptides

Routes of Administration

Oral Capsule (Primary Route)

5-Amino-1MQ is uniquely suited for oral administration among research compounds in this space:

Why oral works: Caco-2 cell assay studies demonstrated high passive and active membrane transport with no detectable efflux, indicating excellent oral bioavailability (Neelakantan et al., 2018).

• Capsule sizes: Typically available in 50 mg capsules
• No reconstitution: Ready to take, no bacteriostatic water or syringes needed
• Stable at room temperature: Unlike many peptides that require refrigeration

Not an Injectable

Unlike BPC-157, MOTS-c, or most peptides covered on this site, 5-Amino-1MQ is not administered by injection. It is a small molecule compound (not a peptide in the traditional sense) with properties that allow effective oral delivery.

Where These Numbers Come From: Clinical Context

5-Amino-1MQ dosing is entirely community-derived, extrapolated from preclinical animal research. No human clinical trials have been conducted.

Key Preclinical Data

The foundational study by Neelakantan et al. (2018) demonstrated that 5-Amino-1MQ treatment in diet-induced obese mice produced:

• Progressive body weight loss over an 11-day treatment period
• Reduced white adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size
• Decreased total cholesterol levels
• No changes in food intake — effects were metabolic, not appetite-driven

The study used subcutaneous dosing at 20 mg/kg three times daily in mice (Neelakantan et al., 2018).

NNMT as a Therapeutic Target

The rationale for NNMT inhibition in obesity comes from Kraus et al. (2014), who demonstrated that NNMT knockdown in white adipose tissue and liver protected against diet-induced obesity by increasing cellular energy expenditure (Kraus et al., 2014).

Combined Approaches

A 2022 study showed that NNMT inhibition combined with reduced-calorie diet produced dramatic adiposity and weight loss in DIO mice, normalizing metabolic parameters and establishing a distinct gut microbiome (Neelakantan et al., 2022).

The Human Data Gap

No human clinical trials exist for 5-Amino-1MQ. Community oral doses (50–150 mg daily) are based on:

• Allometric scaling from mouse studies
• Oral bioavailability data from Caco-2 assays
• Community trial and error over several years

Mechanism of Action

5-Amino-1MQ works through a distinct metabolic pathway that differentiates it from appetite suppressants and GLP-1 agonists:

NNMT enzyme inhibition — 5-Amino-1MQ selectively inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, the enzyme responsible for methylating nicotinamide (vitamin B3) into 1-methylnicotinamide. By blocking this reaction, more nicotinamide remains available for NAD+ salvage (Neelakantan et al., 2018).

NAD+ pool restoration — With NNMT inhibited, cellular NAD+ levels increase in adipose tissue. NAD+ is essential for mitochondrial fuel oxidation, sirtuin activation, and overall energy metabolism (Kraus et al., 2014).

SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) preservation — NNMT consumes SAM as a methyl donor. Inhibiting NNMT preserves SAM availability for other critical methylation reactions, including polyamine synthesis pathways that increase energy expenditure.

Increased energy expenditure — The downstream effect is increased cellular fuel oxidation in adipose tissue — essentially making fat cells "burn" more energy rather than storing it. This is metabolically distinct from caloric restriction or appetite suppression.

Adipocyte remodeling — NNMT inhibition promotes changes in fat cell size and function, shifting adipose tissue toward a more metabolically active phenotype with smaller, more insulin-sensitive adipocytes.

Side Effects & Safety

No human clinical safety data exists for 5-Amino-1MQ. All safety information comes from preclinical studies and community reports.

Community-Reported Side Effects

• Mild GI discomfort — Most commonly reported, usually transient in the first week
• Slight stimulant effect — Some users report increased energy/alertness, particularly in the first few days
• Headaches — Occasional, typically mild and dose-related
• Mild insomnia — If taken too late in the day

Preclinical Safety Signals

Animal studies showed no significant adverse effects at therapeutic doses:

• No liver toxicity markers
• No changes in food intake behavior
• No evidence of organ damage at study endpoints
• Selective enzyme inhibition with minimal off-target effects

Considerations

• No long-term data — Even animal studies are short-duration (11 days in the key study)
• Metabolic effects — NAD+ and SAM pathway modulation could have downstream effects not yet characterized
• Drug interactions — Unknown; theoretically could interact with NAD+-dependent pathways or methyl donor supplements
• Pregnancy/nursing — No safety data; avoid use

Stacking 5-Amino-1MQ

5-Amino-1MQ's unique metabolic mechanism makes it complementary to several other compounds:

5-Amino-1MQ + MOTS-c (Metabolic Stack)

Dual mitochondrial and metabolic support:

• 5-Amino-1MQ → NNMT inhibition, NAD+ restoration, adipose energy expenditure
• MOTS-c → Mitochondrial-derived peptide, AMPK activation, insulin sensitivity

5-Amino-1MQ + Tesofensine

Complementary weight management through different mechanisms:

• 5-Amino-1MQ → metabolic pathway (NNMT/NAD+)
• Tesofensine → triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor (appetite + thermogenesis)

5-Amino-1MQ + SS-31

Anti-aging metabolic combination:

• 5-Amino-1MQ → cellular energy metabolism
• SS-31 → mitochondrial membrane stabilization

Stacking Considerations

• Start individually — Assess response to 5-Amino-1MQ alone for 2–4 weeks before adding compounds
• Monitor energy levels — Multiple metabolic enhancers can compound stimulant-like effects
• Blood work recommended — Metabolic panels before and during stacking protocols

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard 5-Amino-1MQ dose?

50–150 mg orally once daily. Most users start at 50 mg and increase to 100 mg after 1–2 weeks based on tolerance. Some advanced protocols use 150 mg.

Is 5-Amino-1MQ taken orally or by injection?

Orally in capsule form. It has high membrane permeability demonstrated in laboratory assays, making it one of the few compounds in this space that doesn't require injection.

How long should a 5-Amino-1MQ cycle last?

8–12 weeks on, 4–8 weeks off is the standard community approach. No long-term human data exists to guide continuous use recommendations.

Does 5-Amino-1MQ suppress appetite?

No — it works through metabolic pathways (NNMT inhibition, NAD+ restoration) to increase cellular energy expenditure in fat tissue. Animal studies showed no changes in food intake despite significant weight loss.

Can 5-Amino-1MQ be stacked with other compounds?

Yes — popular stacks include MOTS-c for mitochondrial support and tesofensine for complementary weight management. Always assess individual compound response before stacking.

What are the side effects of 5-Amino-1MQ?

Community reports include mild GI discomfort, occasional headaches, slight stimulant-like effects, and mild insomnia if taken late. No human clinical safety data exists.

Related Guides

• Tesofensine Dosing Guide — Complementary weight management compound
• MOTS-c Dosing Guide — Mitochondrial peptide for metabolic stacking
• SS-31 Dosing Guide — Mitochondrial support peptide
• Semaglutide Dosing Guide — GLP-1 agonist for weight management comparison
• Peptide Stacking Guide — Principles for combining compounds

References

For educational and research purposes only. This is not medical advice. 5-Amino-1MQ has no human clinical trials; all dosing is community-derived from preclinical research.