What is Phenylethylamine?

GliSODin
Prepared on April 7, 2009

Discuss with your doctor before taking any alternative medicine. This article is for
reference only, it is not a medical advice. All rights reserved. Do not copy this article to
other website or blog.

What is phenylethylamine? Does it have health benefits? Why
does it always appear in weight control pills?

Phenylethylamine is an endogenous neuroamine; it is always included in
weight loss supplements. While, several studies have shown that
phenylethylamine can relieve depression, even in those that were
unresponsive to standard treatments. [1,2] Studies suggest that a deficit
in phenylethylamine can be responsible for depression [3].

An advantage in the use of phenylethylamine is that it improves mood or
offer benefits without producing a tolerance often associated with
amphetamines [2]. The mechanism of its effect probably is related to the
stimulation of dopamine release [4]. This contributes to an improved mood
state as well as to potentially reduce appetite [5]. In addition,
phenylethylamine may also stimulate lipolysis through its ability to
stimulate catecholamine release and delay reuptake [6]. Phenylethylamine
may have contributed to the greater reliance on fat as an energy source.
Since it can alter the mood, users should consult medical doctors before
taking it or related supplements.

Reference:

1 Grimsby J, Toth M, Chen K, Kumazawa T, Klaidman L, Adams JD,
Karoum F, Gal J, Shih JC. Increased stress response and β-
phenylethylamine in MAOB-deficient mice. Nat Genetics. 1997;17:206–
210. doi: 10.1038/ng1097-206. 2 Sabelli H, Fink P, Fawcett J, Tom C.
Sustained antidepressant effect of PEA replacement. J Neuropsychiatry
Clin Neurosci. 1996;8:168–171. 3 Sabelli H, Borison RL, Diamond BI,
Havdala HS, Narasimhachari N. Phenylethylamine and brain function.
Biochem Pharmacol. 1978;27:1707–1711. doi: 10.1016/0006-2952(78)
90543-9. 4 Nakamura M, Ishii A, Nakahara D. Characterization of β-
phenylethylamine-induced monamine release in rat nucleus accumbens: a
microdialysis study. Eur J Pharmacol. 1998;349:163–169. doi: 10.1016
/S0014-2999(98)00191-5. 5 Dourish CT, Boulton AA. The effects of acute
and chronic administration of beta-phenylethylamine on food intake and
body weight in rats. Prog Neuropschopharmacol. 1981;5:411–414. doi:
10.1016/0364-7722(81)90093-X. 6 Paterson IA, Juorio AV, Boulton AA. 2-
phenylethylamine: a modulator of catecholamine transmission in the
mammalian central nervous system? J Neurochem. 1990;55:1827–1837.
doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.1990.tb05764.