Side-by-side · Research reference

5-Amino-1MQvsEpitalon

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

AAnimal-StrongDraft8/38 cited

BHuman-MechanisticDraft8/37 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

Epitalon

Pineal bioregulator · Telomerase activator

5–10 mgPer cycle doseKhavinson 2003

HumanMechanisticKhavinson 2003

HoursHalf-life (est)

SQ or IM · Abdomen · Daily for 10–20 days

01Mechanism of Action

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Epitalon

Primary target

Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)Neelakantan 2018

Telomerase activity (proposed); pineal melatonin axis modulationKhavinson 2003

Pathway

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

Activation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in somatic cells; pineal-axis modulation supports endogenous melatoninKhavinson 2003

Downstream effect

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

Telomere elongation, improved sleep architecture, reported lifespan extension in aged miceKhavinson 2003

Feedback intact?

—

Origin

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

Synthetic 4-AA peptide derived from epithalamin (a natural pineal extract)Khavinson 2003

Antibody development

—

02Dosage Protocols

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Epitalon

Standard dose

100–200 mg / day oralNeelakantan 2018

Anecdotal community range; murine doses scaled.

5–10 mg / day for 10–20 days, 1–2× per yearKhavinson 2003

Anecdotal community protocol. Russian clinical literature uses similar cycling.

Frequency

Once daily, fasted

Once daily during a cycle

Lower / starter dose

50 mg / day

2.5 mg / day

Evidence basis

Animal-strong; no human RCT dataNeelakantan 2018

In-vitro telomerase + Russian clinical trialsKhavinson 2003

Duration

8–12 weeks per cycle

10–20 day cycles, 1–2× per year

Form

Oral capsule

—

Timing

Morning fasted preferred

Pre-sleep preferred (pineal alignment)

Half-life

Hours (estimated; no human PK published)

Hours (estimated)

Reconstitution

—

Bacteriostatic water

04Side Effects & Safety

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Epitalon

GI symptoms

Mild nausea (anecdotal)

—

Methylation disruption

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

—

Long-term safety

Unknown — no human trials

Limited Western RCT data

Cancer risk

Unclear — NNMT also studied in oncology contexts

Theoretical via telomerase activation in pre-malignant cells

Pregnancy / OB

Avoid

Drug interactions

Theoretical with niacin / B-vitamin supplements

—

Injection site reaction

—

Mild irritation

Sleep architecture

—

Improved subjective sleep quality (anecdotal)

Antibody formation

—

Not reported

Absolute Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy

Epitalon

·Pregnancy / breastfeeding
·Active malignancy or pre-malignant state

Relative Contraindications

5-Amino-1MQ

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

Epitalon

·Family history of cancer

05Administration Protocol

Parameter

5-Amino-1MQ

Epitalon

1. Form

Oral capsule. No injection.

Add 1–2 mL bacteriostatic water to 10 mg vial → 5–10 mg/mL.

2. Administration

Take with water, fasted preferred.

SQ — abdomen preferred. Rotate sites.

3. Timing

Morning fasted.

Pre-sleep preferred to align with pineal axis.

4. Storage

Room temp ≤25 °C, dry place.

Lyophilised: room temp, light-protected. Reconstituted: refrigerate ≤30 days.

5. Caveat

Monitor B-vitamin status with chronic use.

29–31G, 4–8 mm insulin syringe.