Quick Summary
- ⚡ N-Methyltyramine (NMT) is a naturally occurring compound derived from the amino acid tyrosine.
- 🔥 It was previously included in fat burners and pre-workouts for its energy and thermogenic effects.
- 🧠 NMT increases norepinephrine levels, potentially supporting focus, fat metabolism, and alertness.
- 🚫 NMT is now banned in-competition by WADA and tightly regulated in Australia and the USA.
- 🇦🇺 In Australia, WADA-banned substances may be treated as “therapeutic goods” under TGA laws.
- ❌ No reputable Australian brands currently include NMT in their products.
- ✅ Legal alternatives include caffeine, synephrine, theacrine, hordenine, and more.
- 💪 High-stimulant products like Elemental Nutrition Shred and Disorder Ultimate offer strong, legal results.
What is N-Methyltyramine (NMT)?
N-Methyltyramine (NMT) is a trace amine found in small amounts in plants such as barley and bitter orange. Structurally similar to tyramine and derived from tyrosine, NMT was once used in sports supplements due to its stimulant-like effects. It is believed to increase norepinephrine levels, enhancing focus, energy, and thermogenesis.
When Was NMT Popular in Supplements?
NMT gained traction in the early 2010s following the removal of DMAA. Supplement brands turned to NMT for its energy and fat-burning properties. However, its popularity declined after it was added to the WADA Prohibited List in 2015 and faced increased scrutiny from regulators in Australia and the US.
N-Methyltyramine (NMT) Legal Status
🛑 The legality of NMT is now highly restricted in most markets:
- Australia 🇦🇺: While not automatically banned, WADA-listed substances like NMT are likely to be classified as therapeutic goods under the TGA when used in sports supplements. This imposes strict regulatory compliance, especially when sold in capsule or powder form with therapeutic claims.
- United States 🇺🇸: The FDA does not recognise NMT as a lawful dietary ingredient. No New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) submission has been approved, making it illegal to include in US dietary supplements.
- WADA 🌍: NMT is banned in-competition. Athletes face anti-doping violations if found using products containing this substance.
🚫 As a result, no reputable Australian manufacturers currently use NMT in their products.
Benefits of NMT (Before Being Phased Out)
Before being discontinued, NMT was promoted for:
- 💥 Increasing norepinephrine to support energy and alertness
- 🔥 Enhancing fat oxidation and thermogenesis
- 🧘 Reducing appetite
- 🏋️ Improving mental focus during training
These effects were based largely on user feedback and related compound studies, not direct clinical trials on NMT itself.
N-Methyltyramine Side Effects
Users of NMT, particularly in high doses or stacked with stimulants, reported side effects such as:
- 🚫 High blood pressure
- 🚫 Rapid heart rate
- 😰 Anxiety and jitteriness
- 🤕 Headaches
- 🌙 Insomnia
These risks contributed to regulators removing NMT from commercial use in supplements.
Dosage and Timing (Historical Use)
Historically, NMT was used at 25–100mg per serving, typically:
- ⏱️ 30–45 minutes before exercise
- 🌅 In the morning, when part of a fat burner
These guidelines are no longer relevant, as NMT is not legally available in Australian or US sports supplements.
Legal Alternatives to NMT
💡 Fortunately, there are many effective, legal alternatives to NMT, including:
- ☕ Caffeine Anhydrous – Clean, fast-acting energy and focus
- ⚡ Theacrine (Teacrine®) – Long-lasting stimulation with lower habituation
- 🍊 Synephrine – Supports thermogenesis and fat burning
- 🧠 Hordenine – Enhances mood and mental drive
- 🍵 Green Tea Extract – Promotes metabolism and antioxidant protection
- 🔥 Capsaicin – Boosts calorie burning via thermogenesis
- 🧬 L-Tyrosine – Supports cognitive function under stress
High-Stimulant Products Without NMT (Available in Australia)
Here are powerful, 100% legal high-stimulant alternatives now available:
- Elemental Nutrition Shred 🔥 – Thermogenic fat burner with high-stimulant energy, Teacrine®, and chromium for appetite and metabolism support.
- Elemental Nutrition Demented ⚡ – A pre-workout beast with 400mg caffeine, beta-alanine, pump boosters, and a nootropic matrix.
- Faction Labs Disorder Ultimate 💥 – High-energy, high-focus pre-workout with next-level stimulant blends.
- Rule 1 Pre-Lift 💪 – Clinical formula with balanced stimulation and mental clarity.
- GAT Nitroflex Black 🧨 – Hardcore performance and pump support for serious lifters.
- Oxyshred Hardcore 🧊 – One of the most popular fat burners in Australia, perfect for advanced fat loss goals.
- Honest Hyperburn 🚀 – Fat-burning support with a clean stimulant matrix for energy and appetite suppression.
Conclusion
N-Methyltyramine (NMT) was once a common inclusion in high-stimulant sports supplements. But today, its use is effectively banned or heavily restricted in many countries, including Australia and the U.S. While not every WADA-prohibited substance is illegal for use in supplements, NMT’s presence on the WADA list and lack of regulatory approval make it unsuitable for compliant supplement formulas.
Thankfully, new-generation products like Elemental Nutrition Shred, Demented, and Disorder Ultimate offer powerful legal performance without the risks. If you’re chasing intense energy, sharp focus, and fat-burning support—look no further than today’s elite pre-workouts and thermogenics.
References
- Berry MD. (2004). Mammalian central nervous system trace amines: Pharmacologic amphetamines, physiologic neuromodulators. Journal of Neurochemistry, 90(2), 257–271.
- Stohs SJ, Preuss HG, Shara M. (2011). A review of the human clinical studies involving Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract and its primary protoalkaloid p-synephrine. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 9(7), 527–538.
- VanDusseldorp TA, Escobar KA, Johnson KE, et al. (2020). Effect of a high-stimulant pre-workout supplement on anaerobic performance. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 17(1), 35.
- Barger G, Dale HH. (1910). Chemical structure and sympathomimetic action of amines. Journal of Physiology, 41(1–2), 19–59.
- Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). (2023). Regulation of sport supplement products in Australia. Accessed from: https://www.tga.gov.au