PEA (Phenylethylamine)
A trace amine that the brain produces naturally — the 'love molecule' in chocolate. Acute mood and focus lift, but the effect is fleeting (minutes).
Limited human trial data. Older Italian research suggested antidepressant effects when paired with MAOI. Anecdotal user reports support acute mood / focus lift. Effects: acute (15–60 min).
PEA is a trace monoamine the brain uses to modulate dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin activity. It's the compound that gives chocolate (and limerence — the early-love brain state) some of its mood-elevating quality. Oral supplementation produces an acute, dopaminergic lift — focus, energy, mood — but the effect is short (15–60 minutes) because monoamine oxidase B breaks it down rapidly. Some users combine it with selegiline (MAOI, Rx) to extend duration; most just use it acutely as needed. Better-described than well-studied.
- Form
- PEA HCl capsules.
- Dose
- 100–500 mg as needed. Start low (100 mg).
- Timing
- AM or pre-task. Acute use — feels within 15–30 minutes, fades within an hour.
- Schedule
- As-needed. Not daily — tolerance builds quickly.
- Side effects
- Headache, jitters, anxiety, GI upset, BP elevation. Brief, but can be sharp.
- Interactions
- MAO inhibitors — significant interaction (massively prolongs PEA action, hypertensive crisis risk). SSRIs, SNRIs — additive serotonergic effects. Stimulants — additive.
- Contraindications
- On MAOIs (serious). Hypertension. Anxiety disorders. Bipolar disorder. Cardiovascular disease.
- Lab markers
- Not standard.
- Food sources
- Cocoa / dark chocolate — small but real amounts. Aged cheeses, fermented soy, some wines. PEA in food is mostly broken down by gut MAO before it reaches the brain — supplemental form bypasses some of this.
Pairs with
L-tyrosine (dopamine precursor — additive). Hordenine (some users combine to slow MAO-B breakdown of PEA — not without risk). Caffeine + L-theanine.
within Bioactive amines & polyamines