DYNAMINE SUMMARY
- Dynamine is a patented supplement manufacturered solely by Compound Solutions.
- Dynamine works to reduce adenosine receptor sensitivity and not block it the way caffeine does.
- It has excellent EMF (energy, mood, focus) attributes.
- Studies indicate it is safe and works well on its own, but is even better in a stack with caffeine and TeaCrine.
- The optimal dosage range lies in the 50-150mg range, taken about 30 minutes prior to exercise.
- Has few side effects and very limited medication interactions.
There's just quite nothing that feels as good as an adrenalin/dopamine rush; we get things done and feel on top of the world doing so.
Naturally, we gravitate to supplements that help us to achieve this state of “nirvana” so to speak.
One of the most promising of these new generation of supplements? One that goes by the name Dynamine. Ready to take a plunge into the world of Dynamine? Let's go!
WHAT IS DYNAMINE?
Dynamine isn’t really all that new when it comes down to it. It is actually found throughout nature, in the foods and beverages we routinely consume that do make us feel good- coffee beans and yerba mate are two excellent examples.
It is, however, most abundant in Kucha leaves, and to a lesser extent cocoa.
Chemically known as 2-methoxy-1,7,9 Tetramethyluric acid, or sometimes just as methylliberine, it is structurally similar to caffeine and TeaCrine. As such, if you probably guessed that its utility as a pre-workout ergogenic aid is highly sought after, you would have been correct.
Dynamine is classified as a methylurate, while caffeine is known as a methylxanthine.
WHO MAKES DYNAMINE?
Dynamine (the patented name for methylliberine) is solely manufactured and distributed by the company Compound Solutions, based in California. The company also holds the patent for several other formulations including TeaCrine and Peak O2.
It was researched and co-developed by Dr. Tim Ziegenfuss, Shawn Wells, and Dr. Hector L. Lopez.
HOW DOES DYNAMINE WORK?
Dynamine primarily functions as an adenosine receptor sensitivity modulator. For context, adenosine is a chemical mediator found naturally in our bodies that accumulate as the day goes by and initiates feelings of sleepiness.
By blocking the interaction of the compound with its receptor, alertness is maintained/heightened and energy levels are enhanced.
This is a similar mechanism behind caffeine’s actions, which results in its alertness-promoting properties. Caffeine, however, acts to primarily blockade the adenosine receptor (acting as an antagonist).
However, as we just mentioned Dynamine excels at modifying the receptor’s sensitivity for adenosine, so that adenosine does not easily influence energy levels.
This is a major advantage over caffeine since caffeine tolerance quickly builds up and makes it exceedingly difficult to experience the boost in alertness common in the beginning.
In addition to this, there is the blockade of dopamine reuptake from cells. The accumulation of dopamine in cells leads to better motivation and drive, as well as a sense of wellbeing.
DYNAMINE BENEFITS
Dynamine possesses several benefits that make it highly sought after in supplemental form, either stand-alone or in stacked formulations. These are the most noteworthy benefits:
- Increases energy levels
- Enhances mental cognition
- May improve mood and motivation
- Supports fat burning
- Improves physical output and performance
- Helps improve focus
RESEARCH ON DYNAMINE
Many studies have been done which assert Dynamine as an ergogenic aid. Let's check out what some of them say.
A 2020 study published in The Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition investigated the effect of coffee consumption along with Dynamine and TeaCrine.
Subjects consumed 5 different combinations of coffee-based beverages, which included:
- 8 oz decaffeinated coffee
- 8 oz regular coffee
- 8 oz regular coffee and 50mg Dynamine
- 8 oz regular coffee, 50mg Dynamine, and 25mg TeaCrine
- 8 oz regular coffee and 100mg Dynamine
Their perceived changes (on a visual analog scale, VAS) were then annotated at the 0-, 60-, 120-, and 180-minute points.
Perceived improvements were recorded against these benefits:
- Mood
- Energy
- Fatigue
- Alertness
- Focus
- Creativity
- Concentration
- Motivation
Combinations that included Dynamine and coffee improved all 8 perceived outcomes, while decaf coffee alone, only improved one.
In addition to this was the very interesting finding that a combination of 150mg caffeine combined with 100mg Dynamine was able to extend the duration (half-life) of caffeine’s actions 3x what it normally is.
OTHER RESEARCH
There haven’t been many independent studies that investigate all the purported benefits of Dynamine, but what is interesting in the report mentioned previously is the fact that it seems to potentiate caffeine’s actions significantly.
It affects caffeine’s pharmacokinetics but is not itself affected in turn.
DYNAMINE DOSAGE
Taken alone, Dynamine can be consumed to the extent of between 25-150 mg daily. Dosages of up to 200mg have also been successfully used without issue.
In addition to being used solo, it can also be combined with the other popular stimulant-based ingredients like this:
DYNAMINE WITH CAFFEINE
There is a growing body of evidence that points to the synergy exhibited by the Dynamine-caffeine combination. Dynamine extends caffeine’s half-life and effective duration of action, allowing you to use less and still experience its benefits.
DYNAMINE WITH TEACRINE AND CAFFEINE
One of the measurements of an effective stimulant, for use at the pre-workout interval or otherwise, is its effect on EMF; energy, mood, and focus.
Dynamine has a much faster onset of action and clearance from the body, peaking in about 15-30 minutes with effects starting to diminish strongly at the 3-hour mark.
TeaCrine, on the other hand, is not a great choice as a pre-workout since it takes a good 2 hour-plus to hit peak effect.it is, however, great for sustained effect but with a lower peak effect.
Caffeine, as previously mentioned, has its effect prolonged under the influence of Dynamine, and even greater synergy when combined with TeaCrine.
A blend consisting of the three allows you to experience the best of both worlds- fast onset of action and prolonged duration of action. This synergy also allows for the use of a lower amount of each individual ingredient when stacked.
WHEN TO TAKE DYNAMINE
Dynamine is included in many pre-workout formulations today since ingredients such as itself with stimulant properties are highly desired in such products.
Apart from this, it may be utilized when an extra mental or energy boost is necessary such as when performing intense or prolonged work on your PC.
It is not necessary to take it with food as it readily crosses the blood-brain barrier to deliver its stimulating action. Take it 30 minutes pre-workout for best effect.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR DYNAMINE TO WORK?
On its own, Dynamine gets to work in as little as 15 minutes. Combined with TeaCrine and caffeine its effects become pronounced slightly quicker.
DO YOU NEED TO CYCLE DYNAMINE?
In contrast to caffeine, tolerance to Dynamine develops much more slowly, if at all. This is based on the way the molecule works; whereas caffeine blocks the adenosine receptor, Dynamine just makes it less sensitive to the effects of adenosine.
This is why tolerance to caffeine quickly develops as the adenosine receptor simply upregulates itself- or becomes more sensitive to smaller amounts of the chemical.
At this time, it is not necessary to cycle Dynamine, though if you are concerned the acute effect will be lost you could simply limit consumption to days you need it.
DYNAMINE SAFETY
Dynamine has achieved self-affirmed GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status, which is a way of fast-tracking the unofficial nod by the FDA (not the same as FDA approval, but an alternative).
A recent 2020 study published in the Journal “Nutrients”, found no obvious hemodynamic signs of danger when Dynamine was consumed in conjunction with TeaCrine at a daily dose of 150mg or less.
DYNAMINE SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects associated with Dynamine usage are generally rare and tend to only include transient insomnia, dizziness, and nausea.
DYNAMINE INTERACTIONS WITH MEDICATIONS
Favorable interactions exist with caffeine, TeaCrine, but also medication such as Theophylline or anti-asthmatics. Dosage reduction is usually advocated in such instances.
On the other hand, an undesirable interaction occurs with the medication Regadenoson, which is an adenosine receptor agonist with specific uses in coronary stress-testing protocols.
Always consult your pharmacist or doctor before using any supplement or medication to analyze possible drug interactions.
WHERE TO BUY DYNAMINE
Dynamine can be purchased as a stand-alone supplement or in a stack with caffeine, TeaCrine, or both of them.
About The Author:
Matt Mosman (MS, CISSN, CSCS) is a research scientist, endurance athlete, and the founder of EndurElite. Matt holds his B.S. in Exercise Science from Creighton University and his M.S. in Exercise Physiology from the University of California. Matt and his family reside in Spearfish South Dakota, where they enjoy running, mountain biking, camping, and all the outdoor adventures Spearfish has to offer.
References:
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 15872156, Methylliberine. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Methylliberine. Accessed Apr. 8, 2021.
- VanDusseldorp TA, Stratton MT, Bailly AR, et al. Safety of Short-Term Supplementation with Methylliberine (Dynamine®) Alone and in Combination with TeaCrine® in Young Adults. Nutrients. 2020;12(3):654. Published 2020 Feb 28. doi:10.3390/nu12030654
- Proceedings of the Fifteenth International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. November 2018:1-37. doi:10.1186/s12970-018-0256-5
- Petermann JB, Baumann TW. Metabolic Relations between Methylxanthines and Methyluric Acids in Coffea L. Plant Physiol. 1983;73(4):961-964. doi:10.1104/pp.73.4.961
- Timothy S. Murbach, Robert Glávits, John R. Endres, Amy E. Clewell, Gábor Hirka, Adél Vértesi, Erzsébet Béres, and Ilona Pasics Szakonyiné. A Toxicological Evaluation of Methylliberine (Dynamine®). Journal of Toxicology 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/4981420
- https://www.memphis.edu/healthsciences/pdfs/pdfs2020/acuteimpact2020.pdf
