5-Amino-1MQ vs Alpha-GPC: side-by-side comparison
5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium · 5A1MQ · 5-Amino-1MQ NNMT inhibitor
An orally-active small molecule that inhibits nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme overexpressed in fat tissue in obesity. NNMT normally clears nicotinamide by methylating it (spending a methyl group from SAM); blocking it is intended to recycle more nicotinamide back into NAD+, raise cellular NAD+, and increase metabolic rate in fat cells. It sits on the same NAD+/methylation axis as NAD precursors but works from the opposite direction, reducing NAD breakdown rather than adding raw material.
L-Alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine · Choline alfoscerate · sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine
A natural choline compound found in the brain that acts as an acetylcholine precursor. Alpha-GPC rapidly delivers choline across the blood-brain barrier, where it is used to make acetylcholine. It is sold as a nootropic/pre-workout supplement and, in several countries, prescribed as choline alfoscerate for cognitive decline.
1 / 10 natty scale / 1
Same lane
Both sit in the same class, but they are pointed at different goals: 5-Amino-1MQ at cutting, recomposition, longevity, Alpha-GPC at performance, health.
The tape
Core ratings
The same three rulers every entry on the site is scored with, read head to head.
Natty scale
1 natural · 10 heavy
Effectiveness
Documented effect · of 5Δ0.5
Side-effect severity
Documented burden · of 5Δ0.5
Cost side
Body-load fingerprint
Where each one actually lands its strain, on the calculator's thirteen channels. Tap a row for what it means and which labs track it.
Systemic
Bars show strain at each one's typical protocol, not your dose. ≈ marks values inferred from side-effect data or category rather than hand-graded. For your numbers, run the calculator.
Logistics
The vitals
Benefit side
What each is for
Shared goals carry both dots; a goal with one dot belongs to that side alone.
Run for
Documented upside
- Increases metabolic rate and reduces fat mass in animal models (no change in food intake)
- Raises intracellular NAD+ by blocking its breakdown pathway
- Spares SAM/methyl groups (opposite of the methylation burden from high-dose niacin)
- Supports sirtuin activity via higher NAD+
- Orally active small molecule: no injections
Run for
Documented upside
- Effective, bioavailable choline source that crosses the blood-brain barrier
- Meta-analysis support for cognition in dementia populations
- Acute cognitive (Stroop) improvement shown in healthy men
- Pairs with racetams to reduce choline-depletion headaches
- Generally well tolerated; FDA GRAS at up to ~196mg/day
The downsides
Side effects, aligned
Each entry's documented side effects, sorted onto the same body systems so the gaps and the overlaps are visible. Tap any effect for the detail.
None documented
The exit
Hormonal fallout & recovery
What each does to your own hormone axis while on, and what leaving it costs.
5-Amino-1MQ
Not hormonal. Does not affect the HPTA or testosterone. No PCT required.
Alpha-GPC
Not a hormone and does not affect the HPTA. No PCT required.
Read-out
How they separate
- 01
Enhancement
They land at almost the same point on the natty scale (1/10 vs 1/10): a similar distance beyond natural.
- 02
Side-effect bill
Alpha-GPC's documented side-effect severity is heavier (2/5 vs 1.5/5). The body-load fingerprint above shows where that weight actually lands.
- 03
Coming off
Neither requires PCT: both leave the natural testosterone axis running.
- 04
Logistics
typical runs are 8-12 weeks vs 4-12 weeks.
Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.