Peptide

5-Amino-1MQ

A small-molecule NNMT inhibitor (not actually a peptide) popular in biohacking for muscle preservation. Zero human trials as of 2026.

Editor approved

Summary What is 5-Amino-1MQ, and does it work? Show / hide ↓

5-Amino-1MQ is a small chemical compound, not a peptide. It blocks NNMT, an enzyme that affects NAD+, a molecule cells use in energy processes. One 2026 study in aged mice reported better grip strength, endurance, and recovery than exercise alone, but this is animal-only evidence. No human trials existed as of 2026, so its safety and benefits for people are unknown. Research vendors often sell it at 50 mg daily, but these products are unregulated and may have purity or contamination problems.

What this means for you: The mouse results are interesting, but they do not show that 5-Amino-1MQ works or is safe in people. There is not enough evidence to buy or use it, especially from unregulated vendors.

weak evidence

Research snapshot Preclinical only. Not a peptide. Zero human trials.

Updated 2026-08-11

Tier 5: preclinical only, zero human trials, mislabeled as peptide. Consumer safety concern due to misclassification.

Evidence tierTier 5, Mechanistic hypothesis, minimal human data

Last verified2026-08-11

5-Amino-1MQ is frequently mislabeled as a peptide but is actually a small quinolinium molecule (~286 Da) that inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). By inhibiting NNMT, it preserves cellular NAD+ levels and enhances SIRT1/SIRT3 activity, which is the basis for its marketing as a longevity and muscle-preservation compound.

An August 2026 University of Texas Medical Branch study reported that 5-Amino-1MQ improved grip strength, endurance, and recovery in aged mice, exceeding exercise alone. This is the most significant preclinical result to date for the compound.

However, zero human trials exist as of 2026. The compound is not FDA-approved, not registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, and has no established human safety profile. NNMT is involved in multiple pathways beyond NAD+ regulation, and chronic inhibition may have unintended metabolic effects.

The compound is widely sold by research chemical vendors, typically at doses of 50 mg daily. These products are not regulated, and purity/contamination concerns apply as with all gray-market peptide products.

The confusion about whether 5-Amino-1MQ is a peptide is itself a consumer safety concern. Vendors market it alongside peptides, but it is a small molecule with different pharmacology, different metabolism, and different safety considerations.

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