Author: kodiac

  • Harmaline

    Plain-language summaryIntrigue 60 / 100

    Harmaline is one of the three main beta-carboline alkaloids in the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and Syrian rue (Peganum harmala). Its critical pharmacological role is reversible MAO-A inhibition, which is what allows oral DMT to reach the brain in ayahuasca brews (without an MAO-A inhibitor, gut MAO destroys oral DMT before it can act centrally). Harmaline by itself produces vivid closed-eye visual imagery at high doses but is not a classical psychedelic. The reversible MAO inhibition is safer than the irreversible MAO inhibitors used as antidepressants but still creates real food and drug interaction risks. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

    Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

    Beta-carboline reversible MAO-A inhibitor

    A beta-carboline alkaloid from Peganum harmala and Banisteriopsis caapi; a reversible MAO-A inhibitor and component of ayahuasca.

    Abstract

    Harmaline (4,9-dihydro-7-methoxy-1-methyl-3H-pyrido[3,4-b]indole; CAS 304-21-2; molecular formula C13H14N2O; molecular weight 214.27) is a beta-carboline alkaloid isolated from Peganum harmala (Syrian rue) and Banisteriopsis caapi (ayahuasca vine). The compound is a reversible MAO-A inhibitor (Ki approximately 5 microM at human MAO-A) with greater than 100-fold selectivity over MAO-B; this reversible MAO-A inhibition is central to the pharmacology of ayahuasca, where harmaline (and harmine) prevent intestinal breakdown of the DMT in the brew, allowing oral activity. Harmaline itself has serotonergic and tremorgenic effects in animals and mild psychoactive effects in humans. Plasma half-life is approximately 2 to 3 hours. Used as a reference reversible MAO-A inhibitor and as a research probe for beta-carboline pharmacology.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • Beta-Phenylethylamine (PEA)

    Endogenous trace amine / TAAR1 agonist

    An endogenous trace amine; a TAAR1 agonist found at low concentrations in mammalian brain; structurally the parent of amphetamine.

    Abstract

    Beta-phenylethylamine (PEA; 2-phenylethylamine; CAS 64-04-0; molecular formula C8H11N; molecular weight 121.18) is an endogenous trace amine produced by decarboxylation of L-phenylalanine. The compound is found at low concentrations in mammalian brain (nM range) and in dietary sources including chocolate, cheese, and certain fermented foods. PEA is the prototype TAAR1 agonist (Ki approximately 700 nM at human TAAR1) with secondary effects on monoamine release and inhibition of MAO-B. Plasma half-life is extremely short (approximately 5 to 10 minutes) owing to rapid MAO-B-mediated degradation; exogenous oral PEA is therefore largely inactive without MAO-B inhibition (selegiline combination is used to extend duration). Behavioral and physiological effects parallel amphetamine but with shorter duration and lower potency. Used as the canonical endogenous TAAR1 agonist in trace amine research.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG)

    Plain-language summaryIntrigue 65 / 100

    Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a TCA cycle intermediate that has shown lifespan extension in mouse studies. Calcium AKG (Ca-AKG) is sold as a longevity supplement, popularized by Rejuvant. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

    Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

    TCA cycle intermediate / 2-oxoglutarate

    A TCA cycle intermediate sold as calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG) for longevity applications based on extension of lifespan in mice and worms.

    Abstract

    Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AKG, 2-oxoglutarate; CAS 328-50-7; molecular formula C5H6O5; molecular weight 146.10) is a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate that declines with age in plasma and tissues. The compound is a substrate for the 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase family of enzymes (including DNA and histone demethylases, prolyl hydroxylases, and TET enzymes), placing it at a hub of cellular regulation. AKG supplementation extends lifespan in C. elegans (up to 50 percent) and in mice when given as the calcium salt at 2 percent in chow. The mechanism in mice is incompletely characterized but appears to involve reduced cellular senescence, improved metabolic flexibility, and reduced inflammaging markers. Sold as calcium alpha-ketoglutarate (Ca-AKG, Rejuvant) for supplemental use. Doses are typically 500 to 2000 mg per day.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • Quercetin

    Plain-language summaryIntrigue 62 / 100

    Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in onions, apples, and capers. It is one half of the dasatinib-quercetin (D+Q) senolytic combination. Quercetin alone has anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory effects. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

    Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

    Flavonoid senolytic / mast cell stabilizer

    A widely distributed flavonoid with weaker senolytic activity than fisetin, often combined with dasatinib in the canonical D+Q senolytic regimen.

    Abstract

    Quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone; CAS 117-39-5; molecular formula C15H10O7; molecular weight 302.24) is a widely distributed flavonoid present in onions, apples, capers, and many other plants. The compound has multiple mechanisms of pharmacological interest: mast cell stabilization (anti-allergic effects), direct antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory effects through NF-kB inhibition, and senolytic activity (in combination with the kinase inhibitor dasatinib in the canonical D+Q regimen developed by Kirkland and Niedernhofer). The senolytic activity of quercetin alone is modest; the dasatinib combination is substantially more effective. Bioavailability is poor as the free aglycone but better as the rutinose glycoside; plasma quercetin concentrations after oral dosing are typically less than 1 percent of the dose. Doses range from 500 mg to 2 grams per day; the senolytic D+Q regimen uses pulsatile dosing of 1000 to 1500 mg quercetin with 100 mg dasatinib for 2 to 3 days monthly.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

    Plain-language summaryIntrigue 72 / 100

    NMN is a direct precursor to NAD+, the central energy cofactor that declines with age. Supplementation aims to restore youthful NAD+ levels. David Sinclair’s lab has been the most prominent in advancing NMN research. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

    Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

    NAD+ precursor

    A direct precursor of NAD+ and the molecule directly downstream of NAMPT, the rate-limiting enzyme of NAD+ salvage; popularized by David Sinclair for longevity applications.

    Abstract

    NMN (ฮฒ-nicotinamide mononucleotide; CAS 1094-61-7; molecular formula C11H15N2O8P; molecular weight 334.22) is the immediate precursor of NAD+ in the salvage biosynthesis pathway, generated by phosphorylation of nicotinamide riboside by NRK kinases or by NAMPT-mediated condensation of nicotinamide with PRPP. NMN was popularized by David Sinclair’s group at Harvard as a longevity supplement for raising NAD+ levels, which decline with age. The compound is converted to NAD+ through NMNAT enzymes after cell uptake (presumed via Slc12a8 transporter or via dephosphorylation to NR with separate uptake). Animal studies show NMN supplementation reverses several age-related phenotypes (vascular, metabolic, neurological) by restoring NAD+ levels. Human clinical trials have shown plasma NAD+ elevation but clinical endpoint changes are modest. The compound is sold as a dietary supplement; FDA classified NMN as a drug investigation in 2022, complicating supplement market availability. Doses are typically 250 to 1000 mg per day.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • JZL184

    Plain-language summaryIntrigue 50 / 100

    JZL184 is the canonical research probe for blocking MAGL, the enzyme that breaks down the endocannabinoid 2-AG. It was developed in the Cravatt laboratory at Scripps and works by permanently inactivating the enzyme, which raises 2-AG levels and produces cannabinoid-like effects without direct receptor agonism. Animal work shows analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, but a meaningful complication is that JZL184 also partially inhibits FAAH (about 300-fold MAGL preference), muddying interpretation of some early studies. Cleaner second-generation tools like KML29 have largely replaced it for definitive mechanism work. Not a clinical compound. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

    Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

    Selective MAGL inhibitor (research)

    A covalent inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL); the canonical research probe for elevating endogenous 2-AG.

    Abstract

    JZL184 (CAS 1101854-58-3; molecular formula C27H24F2N2O5; molecular weight 510.49) is a covalent piperidinyl-carbamate inhibitor of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) developed by Cravatt and colleagues at Scripps. The compound carbamoylates the active-site serine of MAGL, producing irreversible enzyme inactivation. Selective for MAGL over FAAH (approximately 300-fold) and other serine hydrolases. Pharmacological consequence: elevation of endogenous 2-AG (the principal full-agonist endocannabinoid) without direct CB receptor agonism. Behavioral effects are more THC-like than FAAH inhibition (anxiolysis, analgesia, hypothermia, catalepsy at high dose), reflecting the higher tonic CB1 occupancy from elevated 2-AG. Used as the canonical MAGL inhibitor in academic neuroscience for studies of 2-AG signaling and CB1-mediated synaptic plasticity. No human clinical development.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • Cutamesine (SA-4503)

    Selective sigma-1 receptor agonist

    A selective sigma-1 receptor agonist developed for ischemic stroke recovery and major depressive disorder.

    Abstract

    Cutamesine (SA-4503; CAS 165377-44-6; molecular formula C19H30N2O2; molecular weight 318.45) is a selective sigma-1 receptor agonist developed at Santen Pharmaceutical and licensed to M’s Science. The compound has high sigma-1 affinity (Ki approximately 17 nM) with greater than 100-fold selectivity over sigma-2 and minimal off-target binding. Sigma-1 is a chaperone protein at the mitochondria-associated ER membrane that modulates ion channels, calcium signaling, and stress response. Phase 2 trials in ischemic stroke recovery (60 mg, 28 days starting within 72 hours of stroke) showed modest improvement; phase 2 in MDD showed mixed efficacy. Plasma half-life is approximately 5 hours. The compound is the cleanest available research probe for sigma-1 pharmacology. Used as the canonical selective sigma-1 agonist in academic research.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • KML29

    Plain-language summaryIntrigue 48 / 100

    KML29 is the second-generation cleanup of JZL184 from the same Cravatt laboratory, with about 4000-fold selectivity for MAGL over FAAH instead of the 300-fold of its predecessor. That extra cleanliness matters for research because it lets investigators raise endogenous 2-AG without simultaneously raising anandamide, isolating the contribution of each endocannabinoid. It is used purely as a research tool to study MAGL biology in pain, inflammation, and neurodegeneration, and has not been advanced to clinical trials. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

    Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

    Selective MAGL inhibitor (second-generation)

    A second-generation covalent MAGL inhibitor with improved selectivity over FAAH.

    Abstract

    KML29 (CAS 1366507-82-3; molecular formula C27H24F4N2O4; molecular weight 516.49) is a second-generation covalent MAGL inhibitor developed by Cravatt and colleagues. The compound has improved selectivity for MAGL over FAAH (greater than 4000-fold) compared to JZL184 (300-fold), reducing the off-target FAAH inhibition that complicated interpretation of some JZL184 studies. Mechanism is the same as JZL184: irreversible carbamoylation of MAGL’s active-site serine. Used in academic research where clean MAGL inhibition without FAAH crossover is required. No human clinical development.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • Anavex 2-73 (Blarcamesine)

    Sigma-1 agonist + muscarinic modulator

    A sigma-1 agonist with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor activity; investigated for Alzheimer disease, Parkinson dementia, and Rett syndrome.

    Abstract

    Anavex 2-73 (blarcamesine, AVN-101; CAS 195615-83-9; molecular formula C16H21NO; molecular weight 243.34) is a multi-target sigma-1 agonist with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor activity, developed by Anavex Life Sciences. Sigma-1 affinity is approximately 860 nM (lower than cutamesine but functionally meaningful); the compound additionally interacts with muscarinic M1 and M2 receptors. Phase 2 trials in Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease dementia demonstrated dose-dependent improvements in some cognitive endpoints. Phase 3 in Rett syndrome (EXCELLENCE trial) reported positive results in 2024 for select endpoints. Plasma half-life is approximately 14 hours. Used as a multi-target research compound for sigma-1 and muscarinic neuropharmacology.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.

  • Pinoline

    Plain-language summaryIntrigue 40 / 100

    Pinoline is a methoxylated tetrahydro-beta-carboline that the body makes endogenously, found in pineal gland and brain tissue. Biosynthetically it sits between the tryptamines (DMT, 5-MeO-DMT) and melatonin, which has fueled the long-disputed hypothesis that the pineal gland produces endogenous psychedelic compounds (the so-called DMT-pineal theory associated with Rick Strassman). Pharmacologically it is a weak reversible MAO-A inhibitor and a weak serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Concrete physiological function remains speculative, with most claims resting on tissue distribution and conjecture rather than controlled human studies. Not stocked by Kodiac. This monograph is provided for research and educational reference.

    Intrigue 0–100 blends mechanism novelty, evidence strength, and translational potential. Kodiac editorial, not peer-reviewed.

    Endogenous beta-carboline (6-methoxy-tetrahydro-beta-carboline)

    An endogenous methoxylated tetrahydro-beta-carboline; a methylated tryptamine derivative implicated in pineal gland function.

    Abstract

    Pinoline (6-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline, 6-MeO-THBC; CAS 20684-89-1; molecular formula C12H14N2O; molecular weight 202.25) is an endogenous beta-carboline alkaloid identified in pineal gland and brain tissue. The compound is biosynthetically related to melatonin and to the tryptamines (DMT, 5-MeO-DMT) and is hypothesized to participate in endogenous psychoactivity (the contested DMT-pineal hypothesis). Pharmacologically, pinoline is a weak reversible MAO-A inhibitor and a serotonin reuptake inhibitor; the in vivo concentrations are low and its physiological role is incompletely characterized. Plasma half-life and pharmacokinetics in humans are sparsely documented. Used as a research probe for endogenous beta-carboline chemistry and pineal-gland-derived signaling.

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    FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY. Not for medical, diagnostic, or therapeutic purposes. Not for human consumption. All information is provided for research and educational purposes only.