Hordenine HCL is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in plant-life like barley.
It is a chemical analog of the common neurotransmitter tyramine, derived from N-methyltyramine. It is also chemically similar to phenylethylamine.
Hordenine, a natural MAO inhibitor, is known to have cognitive-enhancing benefits like improving mental focus and boosting concentration. It also can lift mood and provide energy.
Some of these factors have made the supplement very attractive to weight lifters and anyone trying to lose weight via exercise, as it is thought to boost metabolism. Here’s what we know about Hordedine in HCL form, including effects and dosages.



- Natural MAO inhibitor for enhanced mood
- Stimulates metabolism for weight loss
- Boosts focus, energy & motivation
How Hordedine HCL Works
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Hordenine Hydrochloride, a bioavailable chemical which is able to cross the blood brain barrier, acts as an MAO (monoamine oxidase) inhibitor once inside the body.
MAOs are enzymes within cells which use oxygen to destroy monomamines – amino acids and hormones which play a huge role in the workings of our central nervous systems and neurological function.
Excessive levels of MAO can cause imbalance in these hormones, leading to mood and energy problems, as well as nervous system disorders like ADHD. Hordenine controls and blocks MAOs, allowing hormone levels to remain at strong levels.
The main hormone which Hordeline acts upon is Dopamine, the neurochemical which promotes feelings of natural energy, pleasure, and mental sharpness. Hordeline makes sure that Dopamine remains available in the brain.
Hordenine also stimulates the adrenals to produce more epinephrine, norepinephrine, and adrenaline. These factors can increase cellular metabolism dramatically.
Another one of Hordenine’s powerful functions is to help the body burn off excess fatty acids by exposing them to oxygen. It will continue to do this until the body achieves a state of equilibrium, or a set point of balance. Finally, Hordenine affects blood pressure by vasoconstriction of blood vessels.
Hordenine HCL Physical Effects
Hordenine HCL provides a number of excellent health benefits for the body. Its most potent effect is promoting system-wide natural energy through higher metabolism. It is often paired with caffeine to enhance energy levels even higher.
Hordine has been observed to curb appetite in users. When combined with higher metabolism and Hordenine’s ability to burn off fatty acids, the supplement becomes an excellent tool for weight loss, without any of the nasty side effects that over the counter pharmaceutical weight loss pills can create.
Hordenine has become very popular in fitness communities for these reasons. It is widely marketed on body building websites as a way to boost energy and speed up fat burning during workouts. The supplement appears to have even more synergistic power when stacked with phenylethylamine (PEA), and is thought to rev up fat burning long after exercise has been completed.
Mental Effects of Hordenine HCL
In addition to the physical benefits for users, Hordenine HCL has gained popularity as a cognitive-enhancing nootropic supplement. It is thought of as a “super-charged” version of coffee, providing strong natural energy along with very sharp mental focus.
While it does not have the jittery side effects of caffeine, many users still enjoy mixing a dose of Hordenine right into their morning coffee. Hordenine potentiates the effects of the caffeine while adding a strong mood enhancement component.
By suppressing MAO levels, Hordenine creates a hormonally balanced neurological environment with excellent alertness, very fast response time to stimulus, and the mental acuity to focus upon work for long stretches of time without drifting into a fog.
Buying Hordenine Supplements
When shopping for Hordenine supplements, you may see the product listed with the naming suffix “HCL.” Are there any differences in the effects of the two products?
HCL simply means hydrogen chloride. It is an intermediate salt preparation technique. When you don’t see the HCL suffix, it means the chemical was freebase extracted directly from a plant like barley with no middle step.
Users have reported that the two are nearly identical in effects, though the synthetic Hordenine HCL versions have a much faster onset of effects. They may also dissipate more rapidly than organic forms of Hordenine.
Hordenine HCL and PEA Stacking
As with many nootropic supplements, greater effects can be achieved through stacking, the specific combination of various complementary supplements. Hordedine is most commonly stacked with Phenylethylamine (PEA). PEA is a powerful cognitive enhancing compound which is unfortunately broken down very rapidly by MAOs.
That’s where Hordenine comes in – it prolongs the life span of PEA in the body by inhibiting MAOs. Together, the stack is said to provide intense feelings of euphoria along with general cognitive benefits of better concentration and focus. MAO enzymes are dispatched by the Hordenine Hydrochloride, allowing more norepinephrine and dopamine to remain in the system longer.
Hordenine Dosing
Hordenine HCL works best when it is taken regularly, in the same amount, even at the same time of day. It is recommended to try Hordenine as part of a daily supplementation regimen.
75 mg per day is a common dose, taken over the course of 3 25 mg servings throughout the day. It may take several days before the full effects of just Hordenine are felt.
Try it in a cup of coffee during only one of the three sittings. Then modify the dosage as necessary, getting familiar with how Hordenine interacts with your body before adding additional supplements to the stack.
The combination of the two can be very intense for some people and even overwhelming at higher doses. In fact, the main side effects reported for Hordedine are rapid heart rate and anxiousness – signs of excess energy.
So, start with lower doses and gradually increase over time until you get the desired effects. Overall, Hordenine is a great way to boost energy levels and metabolism naturally.
- Lovett JV, Hoult AH, Christen O. Biologically active secondary metabolites of barley. IV. Hordenine production by different barley lines. J Chem Ecol. 1994
- Barwell CJ, Basma AN, Lafi MA, Leake LD. Deamination of hordenine by monoamine oxidase and its action on vasa deferentia of the rat. J Pharm Pharmacol. 1989
- Schweitzer A, Wright S. Action of hordenine compounds on the central nervous system. J Physiol. 1938
Article last updated on: March 25th, 2018 by Nootriment