Last updated 18 September 2026 · SARMs Store editorial team. Products on this site are supplied strictly for laboratory research and are not for human consumption. This guide summarises published research; it is not medical advice and contains no instructions for use. 18+ only.
5-Amino-1MQ at a glance
| Class | Small molecule NNMT inhibitor (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium), not a peptide |
|---|---|
| Developed by | Neelakantan, Watowich and colleagues, University of Texas, 2017 to 2019 |
| Highest evidence | Mouse studies only; no human trial |
| Studied for | Fat cell metabolism, NAD+ salvage, diet-induced obesity models |
| Format | Lyophilised vial (10mg) |
| Storage | Room temperature or refrigerated, dry, away from light |
| UK status 2026 | Research chemical; not a licensed medicine; not named on the WADA list |
What 5-Amino-1MQ is
5-Amino-1MQ is a small, membrane-permeable molecule that inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme expressed in fat and liver tissue. NNMT consumes nicotinamide and S-adenosyl methionine; when it is overactive, less nicotinamide is available for NAD+ synthesis and the cell's energy metabolism slows. It is not a peptide. It is sold alongside peptides because it sits in the same metabolic research niche as NAD+.
What the research found
Mouse studies. Neelakantan and colleagues (Biochemical Pharmacology, 2018) gave 5-Amino-1MQ to diet-induced obese mice for 11 days and reported reduced body weight and fat mass, smaller fat cells and lower cholesterol against controls, without a change in food intake. Follow-up work characterised the compound's selectivity and pharmacokinetics in mice. The same group published a 2019 medicinal chemistry paper on related NNMT inhibitors.
Mechanism. In cultured fat cells the compound raised intracellular NAD+ and S-adenosyl methionine and reduced fat accumulation, consistent with the NNMT hypothesis.
What is missing. No human study of any kind has been published as of September 2026. Safety in humans is unknown, and NNMT has roles in the liver and in cancer biology that have not been characterised for this inhibitor. Anyone reading claims about 5-Amino-1MQ should know that the entire evidence base is a handful of mouse papers from one group.
Stability, storage and handling
5-Amino-1MQ is a stable small molecule supplied as a lyophilised powder. It tolerates room temperature when dry; refrigeration extends shelf life. Keep away from light and moisture. The certificate should show HPLC purity and mass spectrometry identity.
Legal status in the UK, 2026
Not a controlled substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Not a licensed medicine anywhere, so it cannot be sold or advertised for human use in the UK; supplied strictly for laboratory research. It is not named on the WADA Prohibited List, although metabolic modulators can fall under section S4.4 and athletes should assume it is prohibited.
What to check before buying
Milligrams per vial, HPLC purity, mass spectrometry identity, a batch number matching the certificate, and cold-chain shipping. Every Origin Peptides batch is independently tested and its certificate of analysis is published on the product page and the Lab Testing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5-Amino-1MQ a peptide?
No. It is a small molecule enzyme inhibitor.
Has 5-Amino-1MQ been tested in humans?
No published human study exists as of 2026.
How does it relate to NAD+?
NNMT inhibition spares nicotinamide for NAD+ synthesis, which is why the two appear together in the research literature.
Is 5-Amino-1MQ legal in the UK?
Legal to buy and possess as a research compound; not lawful to sell or advertise for human consumption.
Key references
Neelakantan H, Vance V, Wetzel MD, et al. Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Biochemical Pharmacology. 2018;147:141-152. Neelakantan H, Brightwell CR, Graber TG, et al. Small molecule nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibitor activates senescent muscle stem cells and improves regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle. Biochemical Pharmacology. 2019;163:481-492.
Related guides
- NAD+ research guide
- HGH Fragment 176-191 research guide
- Fat loss compounds in the research
- SARMs vs peptides: what the research compares
- How to read a certificate of analysis
- SARMs 101 hub
Research products: Origin Peptides 5-Amino-1MQ 10mg · NAD+ 500mg · HGH Fragment 176-191 · Full Origin Peptides range · Lab Testing