What Does Hordenine Do in Pre-Workout?

January 1, 2026 •

4 min read

Hordenine, a compound found in plants like barley, is often used in pre-workout supplements to improve athletic performance. Research suggests that this ingredient affects energy levels, focus, and fat metabolism during exercise.

Quick Summary

Hordenine boosts energy and focus in pre-workout formulas by increasing norepinephrine levels. It works with ingredients like caffeine and PEA, enhancing athletic performance and endurance, while also contributing to fat burning and improved metabolic rates.

Key Points

Enhances Energy and Focus: Hordenine increases norepinephrine, a key neurotransmitter, improving energy, alertness, and attention during workouts.
Prolongs Stimulant Effects: By acting as a Monoamine Oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, hordenine slows the breakdown of neurotransmitters, sustaining stimulant effects.
Improves Mental Clarity: Modulated neurotransmitter activity results in enhanced mental clarity and focus, benefiting training intensity.
Supports Fat Metabolism: Hordenine promotes lipolysis, which helps the body use stored fat for energy during exercise.
Enhances Ingredient Synergies: It works well with other pre-workout ingredients, like caffeine and PEA, to create a more potent and prolonged effect.
Potential Side Effects: Possible side effects include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety, particularly in sensitive individuals.
Limited Human Research: Most research on hordenine's effects comes from animal studies, with limited human data available.

What is Hordenine?

Hordenine, also known as N,N-dimethyltyramine, is a naturally occurring alkaloid found in various plants, most notably barley (Hordeum vulgare). It is chemically related to other compounds known as phenethylamines, which are a class of central nervous system stimulants. Hordenine's role in supplements, particularly pre-workouts, revolves around its effect on the body's neurotransmitter systems. Specifically, it can influence the levels of norepinephrine, a powerful hormone and neurotransmitter involved in the body's 'fight or flight' response. This makes it a key component in formulas designed to boost performance, energy, and fat burning.

The Mechanisms Behind Hordenine's Effects

The actions of hordenine can be traced to several key mechanisms within the body. These work together to create the desired effects sought by athletes and fitness enthusiasts. Understanding these pathways provides insight into why it's a popular, though sometimes controversial, ingredient in the sports nutrition world.

Norepinephrine Release: Hordenine has been shown to increase the release of norepinephrine. This neurotransmitter boosts alertness, attention, and energy, which can be highly beneficial during intense training sessions. The increased norepinephrine levels prime the body for physical exertion, enhancing mental readiness and motivation.
MAO Inhibition: Hordenine is believed to act as a monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor, which is an enzyme that breaks down important neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. By inhibiting this enzyme, hordenine can prolong the effects of these brain chemicals, leading to a sustained and longer-lasting boost of energy and focus. This is often the reason for the 'smooth' energy boost reported by users, as opposed to the sharp peak and crash associated with other stimulants.
Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibition: Hordenine may also act as a noradrenaline reuptake inhibitor, further contributing to higher levels of available norepinephrine. By preventing the reabsorption of this neurotransmitter, more remains active in the nervous system, extending the stimulant effect. This prolongs the state of heightened arousal and focus during a workout.
Lipolysis Stimulation: The increase in norepinephrine also triggers lipolysis, which is the breakdown of stored fat for energy. This mobilization of fatty acids can contribute to improved endurance and potentially assist with fat loss efforts when combined with exercise.

Hordenine's Synergistic Role with Other Ingredients

One of the most notable aspects of hordenine is its ability to work synergistically with other stimulant ingredients commonly found in pre-workout formulas. It is often combined with other compounds to create a more potent and balanced effect.

With Caffeine: When paired with caffeine, hordenine's MAO inhibiting properties help extend the life of caffeine's stimulating effects, leading to a longer-lasting and smoother energy curve. This can reduce the likelihood of a sudden energy crash post-workout.
With Phenylethylamine (PEA): PEA is another short-acting stimulant found in some supplements. Hordenine is frequently combined with it to prevent the rapid degradation of PEA, thereby amplifying and extending its mood-enhancing and energy-boosting properties.
With Tyrosine: L-Tyrosine is an amino acid precursor to norepinephrine. By increasing norepinephrine levels, hordenine works in conjunction with tyrosine to enhance the body's natural production and utilization of this performance-enhancing neurotransmitter.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Considerations

While hordenine is a popular supplement ingredient, it is not without potential risks. A number of side effects have been anecdotally reported and it's important to be aware of safety concerns, especially given the limited human research available. Some individuals may be more sensitive to its stimulant effects. Possible side effects include:

Rapid heart rate and palpitations
Increased blood pressure
Restlessness, nervousness, and anxiety
Insomnia or sleep disturbances if taken too close to bedtime
Nausea and stomach upset

It is crucial for individuals with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or those taking other stimulant medications to exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional. The FDA has also noted that hordenine is a "new dietary ingredient" for which insufficient safety information has been submitted, and products containing it are considered adulterated.

Hordenine vs. Other Pre-Workout Stimulants


Feature	Hordenine	Caffeine	Synephrine
Primary Mechanism	Modulates norepinephrine by acting as a MAO inhibitor and reuptake inhibitor.	Blocks adenosine receptors to reduce fatigue and increase alertness.	Acts as a beta-adrenergic receptor agonist to increase heart rate and metabolic rate.
Energy Profile	Often described as a smoother, sustained energy boost, especially when paired with other stimulants.	Provides a more immediate, powerful surge of energy, which can lead to a crash.	Provides stimulant effects similar to hordenine, but hordenine offers additional mood-boosting effects via MAO inhibition.
Effect on Focus	Enhances mental clarity and focus by prolonging neurotransmitter activity.	Boosts focus and alertness by blocking inhibitory neurotransmitters in the brain.	Contributes to increased mental alertness through sympathetic nervous system activation.
Fat Burning	Promotes lipolysis by increasing norepinephrine release.	Increases energy expenditure and can promote fat utilization as a fuel source.	Triggers lipolysis and increases metabolic rate.
Potential Side Effects	Risk of increased heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety, particularly with higher doses or sensitive individuals.	Can cause jitters, anxiety, and sleep problems, especially in high doses or sensitive individuals.	May cause increased blood pressure and heart rate, similar to other adrenergic stimulants.

Conclusion

Hordenine in pre-workout formulas serves as a central nervous system stimulant, boosting energy, focus, and fat metabolism. It works primarily by increasing and prolonging the effects of norepinephrine in the body, contributing to an energized and focused state during exercise. Hordenine also works synergistically with other common ingredients like caffeine to amplify and sustain their effects. However, it's essential to recognize the potential side effects, such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, and to use caution, especially given the limited human clinical data and regulatory status. As with any new supplement, consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended to determine its suitability for your specific health profile and fitness goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Hordenine is a central nervous system stimulant, often described as offering a smoother, sustained energy boost compared to stronger stimulants like high-dose caffeine. Its potency can be amplified when combined with other stimulants in pre-workout.

Hordenine is not a controlled substance, however, the FDA considers it a 'new dietary ingredient' for which a safety notification has not been submitted, and products containing it are deemed 'adulterated'. It may also be banned by some athletic organizations. Users should be aware of its regulatory status and potential side effects.

Hordenine is designed to prevent a sharp energy crash due to its mechanism of prolonging neurotransmitter effects by inhibiting MAO. In combination with other stimulants, its effects are often experienced as smoother and more sustained, although individual experiences vary.

The duration of hordenine's effects varies depending on the individual and dosage. As an MAO inhibitor and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, it prolongs neurotransmitter activity, providing sustained energy and focus that can last through a workout.

Due to limited human research, there is no official standard dosage for hordenine. Based on anecdotal reports and common pre-workout formulations, a typical dose ranges from 20-50mg per serving.

By promoting lipolysis and increasing metabolic rate through norepinephrine stimulation, hordenine may aid fat loss, particularly when combined with exercise. However, it is not a standalone solution for weight management and should be part of a balanced diet and exercise plan.

Individuals with cardiovascular issues such as high blood pressure or rapid heart rate should avoid hordenine due to its stimulant properties. It should also be avoided by pregnant or breastfeeding women and those taking certain antidepressant medications (MAOIs) or other stimulants.