What’s the best Phenylethylamine dosage to feel the effects of the nootropic supplement commonly known as the “love drug”? That depends on a few factors.
First, which Phenylethylamine effects are you most interested in? This amino acid derivative, commonly known as PEA, boosts concentration, it fights anxiety, it’s an endorphin-stimulating mood enhancer, and it can even function as a fat burning/weight loss/sports performance aid.
Your Phenylethylamine dose may also be dependent on whether you take the supplement on its own, or in a stack with other nootropics, as it is most commonly consumed. Let’s take a look at exactly how Phenylethylamine works in the body to produce its many effects, and then go over recommended doses.



- Stimulates the release of dopamine & norepinephrine
- Promotes positive mood & well-being
- Curbs appetite & supports weight loss
Why Should I Take Phenylethylamine?
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The broad range of mood enhancing supplements currently on the market can be overwhelming to navigate.
With highly specialized functions and a seemingly infinite number of synergistic combinations possible, it can be hard to zero in on the right supplement for you.
Phenylethylamine is generally not prescribed for patients suffering from very serious neurological disorders. Most people who take a Phenylethylamine dosage are already in generally good health, and are looking for an added boost to concentration, mental focus, and mental energy.
The heightened euphoria and “love drug” effects are an amazing perk, but they are not the prime benefit of Phenylethylamine for the typical user, who takes the supplement to lift brain fog.
Phenylethylamine boosts mental stamina to prepare for an important exam or put in concentrated hours on a work project, without nagging distractedness, or boredom. Phenylethylamine’s other main users are in the gym.
Already healthy and fit, body builders who take Phenylethylamine do so to ignite fat-burning metabolism and provide the energetic stamina to power through intense workouts.
Of course, the benefits are not mutually exclusive – fat burning is activated whether you are exercising while on Phenylethylamine or sitting at a desk, while mental clarity comes to you both at the office and in the gym.
How Will Phenylethylamine Work In My Body?
Phenylethylamine, commonly abbreviated as PEA, is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and is fully bioavailable. Its main effects come as a result of the release of a couple of key chemicals. Every Phenylethylamine dosage stimulates production of B-endorphin (beta-endorphin) by the hypothalamus. B-endorphin in turn boosts dopamine and norepinephrine.
Together, these hormones create a feeling of alertness, euphoria, heightened connection to the five senses, and mental focus. Blood pressure is elevated slightly and metabolism is fired within cell mitochondria.
Phenylethylamine also initiates the release of more Acetylcholine, the critical neurotransmitter which is the key to enhanced memory, mental acuity, and reaction time. By facilitating neural communication, Acetylcholine fosters developing verbal and logical reasoning. It keeps brain tissue healthy and thriving, even in much older patients.
What Are Some of the Benefits of A Daily Phenylethylamine Dosage?
Phenylethylamine can be a great aid in the fight against symptoms of depression and anxiety. Mood is elevated overall, and the small, often frustrating problems of daily life become more manageable.
The release of b-endorphin can help stabilize and balance endorphin shortfalls in depressed patients. Phenylethylamine fights feelings of lethargy and apathy, replacing them with interest and energy.
These qualities also come into play when combined with Phenylethylamine’s memory and logic-enhancing qualities. Excellent mood plus better memory recall makes learning more enjoyable and fruitful. Concentration is sharpened and can be sustained for longer periods of time.
Phenylethylamine is frequently marketed as an exercise supplement, with good reason. Weight lifters who take a Phenylethylamine dosage can benefit from accelerated metabolism. This is caused by the stimulation of dopamine and norepinephrine, plus the vasoconstriction of blood vessels.
How Do I Calculate The Right Phenylethylamine Dosage?
As this supplement is considered very stimulating for most people, it is valuable to start with a lower dose. At 100 mg per day, most users report a baseline of cognitive effects like enhanced mental clarity and memory. This is a mild dose. For more intense euphoric effects, doses begin at 250 mg per day and range up to 500 mg per day. This is a moderate to intense dosage, and is also suitable for body builders.
Phenylethylamine Dosages can be taken in the morning and again in early afternoon. Users should avoid taking it late at night as it may interrupt sleep cycles. For maximum fat burning benefits, you should take Phenylethylamine about 30-45 minutes prior to exercising.
Phenylethylamine is known to dissipate rapidly when exposed to MAO (monoamine oxidase) in the body. For this reason, it is very frequently stacked with the nootropic supplement Hordenine, a natural MAO inhibitor. Add 30 mg of Hordedine for every 250 mg of Phenylethylamine. Your normal Phenylethylamine dose amount does not need to change.
What Are The Side Effects of Phenylethylamine?
Phenylethylamine does carry a few side effects, but they are rare for most users. Light headaches or some nausea can occur for sensitive systems, but they will lessen quickly. As Phenylethylamine is a stimulant which can raise blood pressure, no one who is currently prescribed blood pressure medicine should take it. Nor should it be taken by anyone who is currently taking prescribed MAO inhibitors.
A Phenylethylamine dosage should not be taken every day. This supplement works best as an occasional aid to mental energy, mood enhancement, and fat burning on an as-needed basis. If you take it too frequently, you run the risk of either building a tolerance or developing a dependency on its effects. Under normal conditions, it can be a powerful ally for mental and emotional fitness.
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- Calvert R, Vohra S, Ferguson M, Wiesenfeld P. A beating heart cell model to predict cardiotoxicity: effects of the dietary supplement ingredients higenamine, phenylethylamine, ephedrine and caffeine. Food Chem Toxicol. 2015
- Wolf ME, Mosnaim AD. Phenylethylamine in neuropsychiatric disorders. Gen Pharmacol. 1983
- Heuson E, Storgaard M, Huynh TH, Charmantray F, Gefflaut T, Bunch L. Profiling substrate specificity of two series of phenethylamine analogs at monoamine oxidase A and B. Org Biomol Chem. 2014
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Article last updated on: March 29th, 2018 by Nootriment
1 Comment
Your article suggests that PEA should be taken with an MAO Inhibitor (Hordenine is suggested) and it then goes on to state that PEA should not be taken by anyone currently taking an MAO Inhibitor. It would be good to clear this ambiguity up. Actually, I don’t think Hordenine is an MAO Inhibitor. Often, a true MAO Inhibitor is desirable to take with PEA to truly prolong it’s effects, thus lower doses of PEA may be adequate and this would be more desirable. However, it seems only an MAO-B Inhibitor is necessary for this, and an MAO-A Inhibitor (or non-selective MAOI) unnecessary or undesirable. Hypertensive crisis is one of the two main risks/concern with MAO-A Inhibitors (usually attributed to tyramine intake). PEA can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and I’m not sure if this is potentiated further with the presence of an MAO-A Inhibitor (as MAO-A can also break down PEA). Serotonin syndrome is the second main risk/concern with MAO-A Inhibitors, and PEA may have SSRI effects – I’m not sure if it also has serotonin releasing effects. But importantly, serotonin syndrome may be another risk/concern when taking PEA with an MAO-A. L-deprenyl / Selegiline is a selective MAO-B Inhibitor at low dose, and is often used with PEA, but at higher doses this also has non-selective MAO Inhibition effects, thus also inhibiting MAO-A. So, to sum up, keep selective MAO-B Inhibition low, and keep PEA intake low, and keep an eye on acute cardiovascular effects (get a monitor) if you choose to explore this. Educate yourself about any risks as touched upon above, and also be wary of dependence and tolerance issues with PEA which I have heard can affect many people. Thus the concept of cycling may work well – taking time off, as appropriate. I have never tried either an MAOI-B or PEA so I cannot share any first hand experience, but this is the information I have come across so far. I hope it has been of some help.