5-Amino-1MQ vs Modafinil: 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.
Provigil · Modalert · Alertec
A wakefulness-promoting medication approved for excessive sleepiness from narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea and shift work sleep disorder. Described as a CNS stimulant / atypical dopamine reuptake inhibitor, it is widely used off-label as a cognitive enhancer. Approved in the US in 1998 and sold as Provigil among other brands.
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, Modafinil 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 5Δ1.5
Side-effect severity
Documented burden · of 5Δ1
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
- Strong, sustained wakefulness without the crash of classic stimulants
- Improved focus and reduced fatigue (basis of off-label cognitive use)
- FDA-approved and well-characterised for sleep disorders
- Long half-life gives all-day coverage from a single morning dose
- Generally well tolerated at standard doses
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.
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.
Modafinil
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
Modafinil's documented side-effect severity is heavier (2.5/5 vs 1.5/5). The body-load fingerprint above shows where that weight actually lands.
- 03
Body load
The widest gap at typical protocols is mood & sleep (Modafinil 3.2/10 vs 1.4/10).
- 04
Coming off
Neither requires PCT: both leave the natural testosterone axis running.
- 05
Logistics
typical runs are 8-12 weeks vs 1-12 weeks.
Generated from each entry's data file. Descriptive, not a recommendation; nothing here is medical advice.