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Phenylethylamine

Phenylethylamine or PEA is a naturally occurring alkaloid that acts as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter. It has potential benefits as a stimulant and can also improve mood and promote a sense of well-being.

Where does phenylethylamine come from?

Phenylethylamine can be biologically synthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine. This is found in many foods such as meat, fish, eggs, milk, nuts and pulses.

Benefits of phenylethylamine

The claims regarding phenylethylamine are based on the fact that this compound has amphetamine-like effects in terms of its ability to release noradrenaline and dopamine. Dopamine is a hormone that plays a role in feelings of well-being, while norepinephrine is a stimulating hormone that increases heart rate, blood pressure and blood flow. An increase in the levels of such hormones has a dual effect as they improve mood and at the same time increase exercise performance by increasing blood flow. Phenylethylamine levels in the body have been shown to increase in response to exercise and it has been hypothesized that phenylethylamine may be one of the compounds responsible for the positive psychological effects of exercise. For these reasons, increasing phenylethylamine levels through supplementation may be beneficial.

Disadvantages and side effects

A potential disadvantage of phenylethylamine is that it is rapidly metabolized after consumption. The compound has a half-life of only 10 to 15 minutes, so very little of the amount ingested actually reaches the brain. However, when phenylethylamine is taken in conjunction with drugs that block its destruction, it can be very effective in improving mood. Side effects of phenylethylamine have been observed in a small group of people and include headaches, dizziness and drowsiness. Similar to phenylalanine, individuals suffering from PKU need to limit their intake of phenylethylamine.

Recommended intake

Given its rapid destruction in the body, it is difficult to establish a recommended dosage for phenylethylamine. Taken as a non-metabolized molecule, doses from 10 mg upwards per day have been shown to be effective. Phenylethylamine can be taken immediately before a workout or throughout the day to improve mood.

Phenylethylamine supplements

Phenylethylamine is found in some pre-workout supplements and concentrated pre-workout supplements to increase exercise performance and improve mood during exercise. It is also found in some fat burners to improve mood during weight loss phases.

Combinations with other supplements

Phenylethylamine combines well with any pre-workout and fat loss ingredient.

References

  1. Luthy & Schlatter (1983), Biogenic amines in food: effects of histamine, tyramine and phenylethylamine in the human. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch, 177: 439-443
  2. Parker & Cubeddu (1988), Comparative effects of amphetamine, phenylethylamine and related drugs on dopamine efflux, dopamine uptake and mazindol binding. JPET, 245: 199-210
  3. Paterson (1993), The potentiation of cortical neuron responses to noradrenaline by 2-phenylethylamine is independent of endogenous noradrenaline. Neurochemical Research, 18: 1329-1336
  4. Sabelli et al (1996), Sustained antidepressant effect of PEA replacement. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci, 8: 168-171
  5. Shannon et al (1982), Physiologic effects and plasma kinetics of beta-phenylethylamine and its N-methyl homolog in the dog. J Pharmacol Exp Ther, 223: 190-196
  6. Szabo et al (2001), Phenylethylamine, a possible link to the antidepressant effects of exercise? Br J Sports Med, 35: 342-343