Side-by-side · Research reference

5-Amino-1MQvsCortagen

Side-by-side comparison across mechanism, dosage, evidence, side effects, administration, and stack synergies. Citations on every claim where available.

AAnimal-StrongAUTO-DRAFTED8/38 cited

BAnimal-MechanisticHUMAN-REVIEWED11/35 cited

5-Amino-1MQ

NNMT inhibitor · Methylation / SAM modulation

100–200 mgDaily dose (oral)Neelakantan 2018

AnimalEvidence levelNeelakantan 2018

HoursHalf-life (est)

Oral · Once daily fasted

Cortagen

Bioregulatory Tetrapeptide · Khavinson-School

TetrapeptideStructure

↓ LPO productsAntioxidant effectKozina 2007

AnimalEvidence level

Injectable · Animal models

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Cortagen

Primary target

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018

Cerebral cortex tissue — molecular targets under investigation

Pathway

NNMT inhibition → preserved cellular SAM + NAD⁺ → restored methylation balance + ↑ thermogenic gene expressionNeelakantan 2018

Antioxidant pathway modulation — suppression of LPO cascade, reduction of protein oxidative modificationKozina 2007

Downstream effect

Reversal of HFD-induced obesity in murine models; improved metabolic profileNeelakantan 2018

Decreased lipid peroxidation products, reduced oxidative protein damage, altered gene expression in cardiac tissueKozina 2007 Anisimov 2004

Feedback intact?

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Origin

Selective small-molecule inhibitor designed in academic medicinal chemistry programsNeelakantan 2018

Synthetic tetrapeptide derived from amino acid analysis of natural brain cortex peptide preparation CortexinAnisimov 2004

Antibody development

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02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Cortagen

Standard dose

100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018

Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.

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Frequency

Once daily, fasted

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Lower / starter dose

50 mg / day

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Evidence basis

Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018

Animal mechanistic studies

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

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Form

Oral capsule

—

Timing

Morning fasted preferred

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Half-life

Hours (estimated; no human PK published)

—

Animal model dose (rat)

—

Injection protocol (dose not specified in abstracts)

Multiple injections over study period.

Avian model dose (chicken)

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40-day injection courseKuznik 2008

Compared to epithalon in hypophysectomized and aged birds.

Human peripheral nerve study

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Therapeutic course (protocol details not provided)

Posttraumatic recovery context — reference cited but not detailed.

Route

—

Injectable (inferred from animal protocols)

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Cortagen

GI symptoms

Mild nausea (anecdotal)

—

Methylation disruption

Theoretical risk if NNMT is over-inhibited (B vitamin metabolism)

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — no human trials

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Cancer risk

Unclear — NNMT also studied in oncology contexts

—

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

—

Drug interactions

Theoretical with niacin / B-vitamin supplements

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Antioxidant suppression

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Suppression of antioxidant activity noted alongside LPO reductionKozina 2007

Mechanism unclear — possible homeostatic adaptation.

Immune/hemostasis effects

—

No effect on immunity or hemostasis parameters in avian hypophysectomy model (unlike epithalon)Kuznik 2008

Epithalon reversed deficits; cortagen did not.

Human safety data

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No adverse events reported in peripheral nerve recovery context

Limited detail in available abstracts.

Absolute Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy

Cortagen

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Relative Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Methylation-sensitive conditions (MTHFR mutation)
·Concurrent niacin / NAD+ precursor supplementation (theoretical interference)

Cortagen

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05Administration Protocol

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Cortagen

1. Form

Oral capsule. No injection.

Reconstitute lyophilised peptide with bacteriostatic water per supplier protocol. Exact volumes depend on concentration supplied.

2. Administration

Take with water, fasted preferred.

Subcutaneous injection typical for bioregulatory peptides — abdomen or thigh. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Morning fasted.

Animal protocols used repeated dosing over weeks. Human timing not established — evening administration common in Khavinson tradition.

4. Storage

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

Lyophilised: refrigerate or freeze per supplier. Reconstituted: refrigerate 2–8 °C, use within guideline window.

5. Caveat

Monitor B-vitamin status with chronic use.

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