Hordenine (Phenylethylamine Alkaloid · MAO-B Inhibitor · Thermogenic)

Compound	Hordenine (N,N-Dimethyltyramine)
Chemical class	Alkaloid — Phenylethylamine (Protoalkaloid)
CAS	539-15-1
Primary source	Hordeum vulgare (sprouted barley), bitter orange, cacti (Lophophora)
Key applications	MAO-B inhibitor, thermogenic, nootropic, adrenergic modulator
Claim strength	Moderate
Typical form	Sprouted barley extract; bitter orange extract co-constituent; isolated hordenine
Buy from Herbuno	Request availability and bulk pricing →

Commercial source: Hordenine is commercially available from specialist botanical suppliers as a constituent of sprouted barley (Hordeum vulgare) extract and bitter orange peel extract. Isolated hordenine (free base and HCl salt) is available from specialist chemical suppliers. Contact Herbuno for availability assessment. Traditional use: Hordenine has no specific traditional use as an isolated compound. Sprouted barley preparations have traditional nutritional use across many cultures. Bitter orange containing hordenine as a co-alkaloid has TCM use as described under synephrine. Research trajectory: Hordenine has attracted sports nutrition interest as an adrenergic alkaloid with MAO-B inhibitory properties that may extend the activity of co-administered sympathomimetics (synephrine, dopamine, tyramine). It is increasingly included in pre-workout and nootropic formulations, though dedicated human clinical evidence for hordenine specifically is limited. See sourcing options below.

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Evidence for Hordenine Applications

MAO-B inhibition and dopaminergic modulation: Hordenine inhibits monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), reducing degradation of dopamine and phenylethylamine. This extends the activity of co-present sympathomimetic amines and provides mild dopaminergic enhancement. In equine studies (horse racing performance research), hordenine is considered a performance-enhancing alkaloid via this mechanism. Claim strength: Moderate (mechanism established; human clinical data absent).

Adrenergic stimulation: Hordenine is a beta-2 adrenergic agonist with weaker potency than ephedrine. It produces sympathomimetic effects including mild thermogenesis and fat mobilisation. When combined with synephrine (which acts on beta-3 receptors), hordenine and synephrine provide complementary adrenergic receptor coverage. Claim strength: Moderate.

Nootropic synergy: Hordenine’s MAO-B inhibition extends the half-life of phenylethylamine (PEA), dopamine, and tyramine. In combination with PEA or dopaminergic compounds, hordenine amplifies and prolongs their nootropic/mood effects. This synergistic interaction is the basis for hordenine + PEA formulation strategies in nootropic supplements. Claim strength: Moderate (mechanism rational; human outcome data absent).

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Dosage & Formulator Specification

No established human clinical supplement dose. Typically included in pre-workout formulations at 25–75 mg hordenine per serving as a MAO-B inhibitor adjunct to synephrine or PEA. Isolated hordenine HCl is the most common commercial form for supplement formulation. Contact Herbuno for availability and specification assessment.

Regulatory note: Hordenine is not specifically regulated in most markets as a controlled substance, but its co-presence with other adrenergic alkaloids (synephrine, octopamine) in bitter orange extract formulations contributes to the overall adrenergic stimulant load. Hordenine-containing products should carry the same advisory language as other adrenergic supplement ingredients regarding cardiovascular conditions and co-medication.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Hordenine

Why is hordenine called N,N-dimethyltyramine?
Hordenine is tyramine with two methyl groups added to the nitrogen atom, making it N,N-dimethyltyramine. Tyramine is itself a simple phenylethylamine from tyrosine. The methylation increases lipophilicity and alters receptor binding relative to tyramine. The biosynthetic pathway in barley: tyrosine → tyramine → N-methyltyramine → hordenine (via sequential N-methylation). All three (tyramine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine) are present in bitter orange extract as part of the full phenylethylamine alkaloid complex.

Is hordenine detectable in drug testing?
Hordenine itself is not a banned substance in most anti-doping frameworks, but it can produce false positives for sympathomimetic amines in some immunoassay drug tests. Athletes subject to anti-doping testing should be aware that supplements containing hordenine may trigger screening alerts requiring confirmation testing. WADA does not specifically prohibit hordenine, but national sports federation rules vary.

Can hordenine be combined with phenylethylamine (PEA) in a nootropic formula?
Yes — this is a rational and commercially established combination. PEA has very short half-life (~5–10 minutes) due to rapid MAO-B degradation. Hordenine’s MAO-B inhibition extends PEA plasma residence time significantly, potentially enabling sustained PEA dopaminergic effects. The combination is included in some commercial nootropic products for this purpose. The same MAO-inhibitor dietary precautions (tyramine restriction) apply when MAO-B inhibition is significant.

Is barley grass extract a good source of hordenine?
No — barley grass (young green barley leaf) is nutritionally valued for chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals but contains negligible hordenine. Hordenine accumulates primarily in sprouted barley (malted barley, germinated seeds), not in the grass leaf stage. Barley grass extract from Herbuno is appropriate for nutritional applications but not as a hordenine source. Specify sprouted barley (malted barley) extract for hordenine-targeted sourcing.

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Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.

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