Core Labs Nuke 60 caps

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

DMHA, also labelled 2-aminoisoheptane or octodrine (2-amino-6-methylheptane), is a synthetic aliphatic amine stimulant found in pre-workout and weight-loss supplements, sometimes alongside the related compound DMBA¹.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

Yohimbine is an alkaloid from the bark of the African tree Pausinystalia yohimbe. It blocks α2-adrenergic receptors, which increases noradrenaline release. Rauwolscine (alpha-yohimbine) is a closely related alkaloid.

Hordenine

Hordenine (N,N-dimethyltyramine) is a phenethylamine alkaloid found in barley and beer. It acts on the dopamine D2 receptor and is marketed in pre-workout and fat-burning products².

Higenamine

Higenamine is a plant alkaloid that stimulates β2-adrenergic receptors, the same receptor family targeted by asthma bronchodilators. It is found in plants such as Nandina domestica³.

Octopamine and halostachine

Octopamine and halostachine (N-methylphenylethanolamine) are phenethylamine-type amines related to synephrine and adrenaline. They appear in weight-loss and pre-workout products⁴.

3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) and other thyroid compounds

3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) is a thyroid hormone metabolite. Thyroid hormones raise metabolic rate and are prescription medicines.

Choline (choline bitartrate, alpha-GPC)

Choline is an essential nutrient used to make cell membranes and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. EFSA set an adequate intake of 400 mg a day for adults⁵. Supplements supply it as choline bitartrate, alpha-GPC or citicoline.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

p-Synephrine is the main protoalkaloid of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). It is structurally related to adrenaline and is used in weight-loss and pre-workout products⁶.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

Capsaicin is the pungent compound in chilli and cayenne pepper; capsinoids are milder relatives.

Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean, L-DOPA)

Mucuna pruriens seeds naturally contain L-DOPA (levodopa), the precursor of dopamine and the main medicine for Parkinson's disease.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

There are no controlled human trials showing that DMHA improves exercise performance or weight loss.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

A small trial in professional soccer players found reduced body fat with yohimbine but no change in body mass, muscle mass or performance⁷. Larger, independent trials are lacking.

Hordenine

There are no controlled human trials of hordenine for exercise performance or weight loss. Human research concerns its absorption from beer, where plasma levels were too low for a direct effect on dopamine receptors².

Higenamine

There are no controlled human trials showing that higenamine improves exercise performance or weight loss. Analyses of US supplements found up to about 62 mg per serving, with labels that often did not state the amount³.

Octopamine and halostachine

There are no controlled human trials showing benefits for weight loss or performance. Research concerns their detection and quantification in sports supplements⁴⁸.

3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) and other thyroid compounds

Analyses of US supplements found thyroid hormone compounds, including T2, in products labelled as plant extracts or vitamins, at up to 740 µg a day of 3,5-T2⁹. No controlled trials support their safety for weight loss.

Choline (choline bitartrate, alpha-GPC)

The EU authorises claims that choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism, homocysteine metabolism and liver function for foods that are a source of choline¹⁰. Claims that choline improves focus or exercise performance are not authorised.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

A review of human clinical studies reported small increases in energy expenditure and modest weight loss with bitter orange extract or p-synephrine products over 6–12 weeks, many in combination with other ingredients⁶.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

A meta-analysis in healthy adults found moderate increases in resting metabolic rate and fat oxidation with capsaicinoids or capsinoids, and called for higher-quality studies¹¹.

Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean, L-DOPA)

A 12-month randomised trial in untreated Parkinson's disease in sub-Saharan Africa found Mucuna pruriens could be a cost-effective alternative where commercial levodopa is not available¹². There is no good evidence that it raises testosterone or improves mood or performance in healthy people.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

The research concerns detection of these stimulants in supplements, not their effects. Analyses of sports and weight-loss supplements have repeatedly found stimulants that were not declared, or quantities different from the label¹¹³.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

Evidence for fat loss or performance is limited to small studies. Supplement labels are often inaccurate: of 49 US yohimbine supplements tested, only 2 gave accurate information on both the quantity and the known adverse effects¹⁴.

Hordenine

Supplement amounts are much higher than the amounts studied from beer, and their effects have not been studied².

Higenamine

Published research concerns supplement analysis rather than effects in humans³.

Octopamine and halostachine

Without human trials, effects and safe amounts are unknown. Analyses of sports and weight-loss supplements have repeatedly found stimulants that were not declared, or quantities different from the label¹¹³.

3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) and other thyroid compounds

Human data are limited⁹.

Choline (choline bitartrate, alpha-GPC)

Evidence on cognitive or performance effects in healthy adults is limited.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

Most studies are small, short and use multi-ingredient products, and longer studies are needed to establish efficacy and safety⁶.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

Effects are small and the studies are heterogeneous¹¹.

Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean, L-DOPA)

The trial used standardised preparations under medical supervision; larger double-blind trials are needed¹². Supplements rarely state their L-DOPA content.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

Human safety data are lacking. As a sympathomimetic amine, DMHA may raise heart rate and blood pressure; avoid combining it with other stimulants. Contaminated supplements have caused positive doping tests¹³.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

A review of poison-centre cases found that adverse events with yohimbine products had more serious outcomes than average exposures, including rapid heart rate, anxiety, high blood pressure and agitation¹⁵. People with heart conditions, high blood pressure, anxiety disorders or taking antidepressants should not use yohimbine.

Hordenine

Human safety data at supplement doses are lacking. It may interact with MAO inhibitors and other stimulants. Analyses of sports and weight-loss supplements have repeatedly found stimulants that were not declared, or quantities different from the label¹¹³.

Higenamine

As a β2-agonist, higenamine may raise heart rate and cause palpitations, and its safety at supplement doses has not been established³.

Octopamine and halostachine

These amines may raise heart rate and blood pressure, especially with caffeine and other stimulants.

3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) and other thyroid compounds

Thyroid hormone activity can cause a fast heart rate, palpitations, anxiety and loss of bone and muscle, and can suppress the thyroid. People with heart disease must avoid it.

Choline (choline bitartrate, alpha-GPC)

High intakes can cause a fishy body odour, sweating and digestive upset.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

The reviewed studies did not report serious adverse effects at the doses tested⁶, but combining synephrine with caffeine and other stimulants increases cardiovascular stress. People with high blood pressure, heart-rhythm disorders or taking stimulant or antidepressant medication should avoid it.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

Can cause stomach irritation and heartburn.

Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean, L-DOPA)

L-DOPA can cause nausea, low blood pressure, involuntary movements and psychiatric effects, and it interacts with MAO inhibitors, antipsychotics and Parkinson's medicines. People with heart disease, psychiatric conditions or melanoma history should not use it without medical advice.

Contains DMHA/DMBA, a synthetic stimulant that is not authorised as a novel food in the EU. Contains 3,5-diiodo-L-thyronine (T2), a thyroid hormone metabolite that is not authorised as food (novel food) in the EU. Contains higenamine and/or octopamine, which are on the WADA Prohibited List. Contains yohimbine. Isolated yohimbine is classified as a medicinal substance in several EU member states; its legal status depends on the country of sale.

DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane, octodrine) and DMBA

DMHA and DMBA are not authorised as novel foods in the EU¹⁶. Octodrine and related stimulants are prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency¹³¹⁷.

Yohimbine (yohimbe bark, rauwolscine)

Yohimbine is a pharmacologically active substance. Its use in food is regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1925/2006 and national rules¹⁸, and several EU Member States treat it as a medicinal substance¹⁹.

Hordenine

Hordenine is not an authorised food supplement ingredient in the EU; its status depends on novel food rules¹⁶.

Higenamine

Higenamine is not an authorised food supplement ingredient in the EU¹⁶ and is prohibited at all times by the World Anti-Doping Agency as a β2-agonist¹³¹⁷.

Octopamine and halostachine

They are not authorised food supplement ingredients in the EU¹⁶. Octopamine is prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency¹⁷.

3,5-Diiodo-L-thyronine (T2) and other thyroid compounds

Thyroid hormones and their analogues are medicinal substances and are not permitted in food supplements in the EU¹⁹.

Choline (choline bitartrate, alpha-GPC)

Choline is a permitted nutrient source in EU food supplements²⁰¹⁰.

Synephrine (bitter orange, Citrus aurantium)

Bitter orange extracts are used in EU food supplements under national rules, which differ between Member States²⁰.

Capsaicin (cayenne pepper, capsinoids)

No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁰; it is sold under national food-supplement rules²⁰.

Mucuna pruriens (velvet bean, L-DOPA)

Because it contains levodopa, a medicinal substance, the classification of Mucuna pruriens products differs between EU Member States¹⁹. No health claim for this ingredient is authorised in the EU¹⁰; botanical ingredients are sold under national food-supplement rules²⁰.