Mitochondrial

5-Amino-1MQ

5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium · NNMT inhibitor

Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor, not a peptide. Mouse/adipocyte papers (PMID 31028097). Not a stimulant fat-burner and not a human obesity drug. Oral; empty vial list - do not run it through reconstitution.

Not FDA-approved - research chemical
Reviewed by CalcMyPeptide Editorial Team
Last updated: August 2026Evidence: Low1 peer-reviewed citation
Typical research dose
50-100 mg/day (oral)
Frequency
1× daily (oral)
Half-life
Short (~hours, oral)
Common vials
N/A (oral)
CAS
74379-69-4
Molecular weight
~174.2 g/mol

Use-case scores

0–10 against the evidence we have, not a gym ranking. Hidden domains do not apply here.

  • Metabolic / weight2.5/10

    Neelakantan 2019 (PMID 31028097) is mouse/adipocyte NNMT work. Oral research chemical. Not a fat-loss drug. Mechanism band.

Compound card

Class
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor (not a peptide)
Formula
C10H11N2+ (as salt form)
Status
Not FDA-approved · research use

How it works

5-Amino-1MQ (5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a cell-permeable small molecule that selectively inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that methylates nicotinamide - diverting SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) and depleting cellular NAD+ precursor pools.

NNMT is overexpressed in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and aged adipose tissue. By inhibiting NNMT, 5-Amino-1MQ raises NAD+ levels, activates SIRT1 (the longevity sirtuin), and promotes a lean metabolic phenotype. In preclinical studies, it prevented diet-induced obesity without reducing food intake, and preserved muscle mass. It represents a distinct mechanism from NMN/NR supplementation - instead of directly adding NAD+ precursors, it stops NAD+ from being wasted.

Source: PMID: 31028097

Background & History

5-Amino-1MQ (5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small-molecule cell-permeable inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) developed by researchers at Vanderbilt University. NNMT is an enzyme expressed primarily in fat tissue that consumes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to methylate nicotinamide - effectively diverting NAD+ precursors away from energy metabolism. First published in Nature Communications (2018), 5-Amino-1MQ demonstrated that NNMT inhibition in obese mice prevented weight gain without caloric restriction. It has since exploded in biohacking communities as a novel oral compound for metabolic optimization and fat loss.

Research Use Cases

  • ✓Identity: oral NNMT inhibitor, not a peptide
  • ✓Mouse papers vs a human obesity NDA (there is not one)
  • ✓Empty vial list: skip the reconstitution calculator

Dosing

PhaseDoseFrequencyNotes
Research Protocol (Oral)50 - 150 mg1-2x daily oralBased on preclinical scaling. No established human clinical dosing. Often cycled for NNMT inhibition.

Administration

Route / form
Oral capsule or powder
Timing
Morning with or without food.
Empty stomach?
No - Food timing is not critical.

Timeline

Week 1-4
Elevated NAD+ levels (measurable via blood testing). Improved energy metabolism.
Month 1-3
Preclinical data shows fat mass reduction and muscle preservation. Human timeline not established.

Who it is for

NAD+ Optimization

Low

Novel NNMT inhibition mechanism raises NAD+ by stopping its depletion. Complementary to NMN/NR supplementation.

Obesity / Metabolic Health

Low

Preclinical data shows prevention of diet-induced obesity. No human RCTs yet.

Safety & Considerations

Research compound. Limited human safety data. Preclinical studies show favorable safety profile. Avoid in pregnancy. Monitor liver enzymes with extended use. Not combined with MAOIs.

Regulatory & Legal Status

FDA Status (US)
Research Only
WADA Status (2026)
Not Listed

Not currently on the WADA 2026 Prohibited List. Policies may change - verify before competition.

Classification

Research Chemical

US Compounding: Not eligible / not available

⚠️ This information is for educational purposes only and may not reflect the most current regulatory updates. Always verify with official FDA, WADA, and jurisdiction-specific sources before use.

Limits of current evidence

  • Empty vial sizes: this is oral. Do not run it through the reconstitution calculator.
  • This site will not treat obesity from a 5-Amino-1MQ page.

Verdict

5-Amino-1MQ is a quinolinium small molecule, not a peptide. We list it because the library search box gets it. Mouse NNMT papers are not a BMR-doubling supplement.

Interactions & Contraindications

Very limited human safety data - primarily mouse studies. NNMT inhibition affects SAM methylation metabolism; theoretically could affect methylation of other substrates (neurotransmitters, DNA). Avoid with MAOI medications. Monitor liver enzymes during use. Not approved for human use. Oral compound - no reconstitution required.

Synergies & Common Stacks

5-Amino-1MQ preserves NAD+ precursors by blocking their methylation; NAD+ IV directly replenishes the pool. Together they maximize cellular NAD+ availability from both supply and demand sides.

MOTS-c activates AMPK mitochondrial signaling; 5-Amino-1MQ raises NAD+ which also activates SIRT1/AMPK. Complementary metabolic enhancement from different entry points.

GLP-1 agonist suppresses appetite/caloric intake; 5-Amino-1MQ may enhance lipolysis and metabolic rate via NNMT inhibition. Complementary mechanisms for body composition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does 5-Amino-1MQ differ from NMN for NAD+ optimization?▼
NMN/NR directly add NAD+ precursors. 5-Amino-1MQ blocks NNMT, the enzyme that destroys NAD+ precursors. They work via complementary mechanisms and can be stacked. 5-Amino-1MQ may be especially effective in those with high NNMT expression (obese, diabetic, aged).

References

  1. Kannt A et al. “"NNMT inhibition rescues age-associated muscle atrophy".” Nature Communications (2018). PMID: 30552329

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