RESEARCH MONOGRAPH · KDC-MN-385

Hordenine

May 9, 2026 Kodiac biolabs Research Revised May 30, 2026 2 min read

Our opinion on this compound

49/100

Mild MAO-B inhibitor and adrenergic releaser; mostly bro-science but the MAO data is real

Hordenine is N,N-dimethyltyramine, a phenethylamine alkaloid found in germinating barley (hence the name, from Hordeum) and a few cactus species. It's been a supplement-industry favorite for years as a 'pre-workout focus aid,' which is mostly bro-science with thin clinical backing.

The pharmacology is more interesting than the marketing. Hordenine is a moderately selective MAO-B inhibitor with Ki in the low micromolar range, weaker monoamine releaser activity than tyramine itself, and some TAAR1 agonism. The MAO-B selectivity is the most reproducible finding and shows up consistently in the older biochemistry literature. The CNS penetration in humans is poor, which is why the subjective effects of oral hordenine are mild at best.

What we like: as a tool compound for MAO-B selectivity questions in tissue and cellular work, it's a reasonable natural-product reference. The bovine MAO-B kinetic work from the 1980s and 1990s is a clean foundation.

What we don't like is the human supplement market. Hordenine gets stacked with caffeine and other stimulants and marketed for focus and energy, but the actual in-human cognitive or stimulant effects at typical supplement doses (25 to 75 mg) are pretty minimal. The MAO-B inhibition is real but mild, the catecholamine releaser effect is weak, and the bioavailability story is unfavorable.

The interaction risk is the thing that worries us more than the modest effects: combining MAO-B inhibition with other monoamine-modifying compounds (especially MAO-A inhibitors or strong adrenergic releasers) is not something to play with casually, and the supplement industry generally does not flag this.

Sourcing for research is straightforward, hordenine HCl is a small molecule, synthetically accessible, and reliable HPLC-grade material is available from multiple analytical suppliers. Purity and enantiomeric integrity are not concerns since hordenine is achiral.

Staying power is low. The compound is too weak to make a real clinical case for, the supplement use is mostly stacking-and-marketing, and the more interesting MAO-B work has moved to selegiline and rasagiline class compounds.

Evidence: 35
Mechanism: 60
Reliability: 45
Safety: 60
Sourcing: 65
Value: 55
Signal: 35
Staying power: 40

Plain-language summary Intrigue 35 / 100

Hordenine (N,N-dimethyl-tyramine) is a phenethylamine alkaloid found in germinating barley and several cacti. It is a weak MAO-B inhibitor and a weak monoamine reuptake inhibitor, and the combination slows the breakdown of dopamine and short-lived trace amines like beta-phenylethylamine (PEA). The supplement use angle is to pair it with PEA, where the MAO-B inhibition extends PEA's normally minutes-long duration into something noticeable. Plasma half-life is one to two hours. The actual pharmacological effects in humans at supplement doses are modest, and most enthusiasm comes from extrapolation rather than human trials. Botanical MAO-B reference compound. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

Phenethylamine MAO-B inhibitor / mild stimulant

N,N-dimethyl-tyramine; a phenethylamine alkaloid found in barley sprouts; a weak MAO-B inhibitor used as a stimulant adjunct.

Abstract

Hordenine (N,N-dimethyl-tyramine; CAS 539-15-1; molecular formula C10H15NO; molecular weight 165.23) is a phenethylamine alkaloid found in germinating barley (Hordeum vulgare) and several cacti. The compound is a weak monoamine oxidase B inhibitor and a weak monoamine reuptake inhibitor; the combined activity slows the degradation of dopamine and trace amines including beta-phenylethylamine (PEA), prolonging their action. Used as a supplement, particularly in combination with PEA where the MAO-B inhibition extends PEA's normally minutes-long duration. Plasma half-life is approximately 1 to 2 hours. The pharmacological effects in humans at supplement doses are modest. Used as a botanical MAO-B inhibitor in research and in supplement formulations.

Mechanism of action

Weak MAO-B inhibitor and monoamine reuptake inhibitor; prolongs duration of PEA and dopamine activity.

Reported research dose ranges

Reported research dose ranges vary across the published literature.

References

Frank M, et al. The biological effects of hordenine and tyramine. Pharmacology 1990.
Smith TA. Phenethylamine and related compounds in plants. Phytochemistry 1977.
Hapke HJ, Strathmann W. Pharmacological effects of hordenine. Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr 1995.

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KDC-MN-385

The full reference document is provided strictly for research use only. It reports research dose ranges from the published literature, not instructions for use in humans or animals.

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FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

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Hordenine

Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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Abstract

Mechanism of action

Reported research dose ranges

References

Read the full monograph

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