Agmatine Sulfate
Commonly used for
Athletic Performance
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Wellness uses
Workout pump and mood
This is anecdotal, and there isn't strong clinical evidence that it works for everyone.
What is it? / Overview
Agmatine is an endogenous arginine metabolite that acts on alpha-2-adrenergic and imidazoline receptors and modulates NMDA receptors and nitric-oxide synthase -- mechanisms invoked for its marketed 'pump,' pain, and mood claims, but none of these are validated for exercise performance specifically in human trials.
How is it used? / Administration
Form: Agmatine sulfate (a decarboxylated arginine metabolite)
Typical dose studied: No validated ergogenic dose -- commonly marketed at ~250-1,000 mg/day
Timing: Pre-workout in marketed use; not established by trial data
No human evidence of ergogenic benefit, and safety data are limited overall -- avoid in pregnancy given the lack of data.
How well does it work? / Evidence
? Emerging / limited evidence
Who should avoid it?
Avoid with: Primary hypertension / High blood pressure
Interacts with: Antihypertensives -- theoretical additive blood-pressure effect; Opioids -- theoretical modulation of opioid analgesia in preclinical work
Already taking it? The 'pump'/performance claims aren't supported by human ergogenic trials -- best human data are actually in small neuropathic-pain studies, an unrelated use-case, so don't expect a training benefit from the marketed pitch.
Research & references
Akasaka N, Fujiwara S (2020). The Therapeutic and Nutraceutical Potential of Agmatine, and Its Enhanced Production Using Aspergillus Oryzae. Amino Acids.
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