Muscle Diet

Q. I’m using a pre-workout powder and get unbelievable energy from the stuff. I read that it contains geranium in it, which is supposed to be responsible for the real kick you get. Have you used geranium, and, if so, what’s your take on it?

A. Recently, quite a few products have come out that contain the stimulant 1,3-dimethylamylamine, which is derived from the plant geranium. It goes by several other names, including 1,3-dimethylpentylamine, geranium oil, germanium, and tons of others. And yes, it gives you quite a kick. Many users report that it is stronger than ephedrine, but this totally depends on the person and the product taken.

I’ve taken this ingredient, but because I’ve got a fairly low tolerance for stimulants, it made me feel like I’d been pushed out of an airplane at 30 thousand feet, so I’ll just stick to caffeine, thanks! As with clenbuterol and ephedrine, this stimulant was first investigated by scientists as a decongestant. These three stimulants are also chemically related to amphetamines, although they’re several times less potent. They all work by stimulating the beta receptors in cells, which in turn causes the release of “fight or flight” hormones such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, which increase fat and sugar availability to muscles and organs. 

Geranium metabolites were first introduced to the supplement industry in 2006 by “The Chemist,” Patrick Arnold, under his Ergopharm label. The product was called “Ergolean AMP,” and it contained methylhexanamine. Patrick knew that its chemical structure dictated that it would probably have stimulant, thermogenic (metabolism-boosting), anorectic (appetite-suppressing), fat-burning, and performance-enhancing effects. Scientifically, the jury is still out on the fat burning, but it certainly helps fuel workouts!

Interestingly, this family of molecules dilates (widens) the airways—thus the use as a decongestant—but unfortunately constricts the blood vessels. So it is contraindicated in people with high blood pressure and should always be taken with a good NO-booster such as arginine, citrulline, dark chocolate, carnitine, or others. Obviously for performance, nutrient-delivery and hormone-support reasons, we don’t want constricted blood vessels ... especially during training!
For those athletes who are drug-tested, the powers that be are on to this one. It’s now considered a banned substance by WADA and the IOC, and they test for its metabolites in all samples.

Overall, this is a powerful stimulant that probably has very similar attributes to ephedrine but doesn’t have nearly as much research to indicate its benefits and drawbacks. Like ephedrine, it won’t be suitable for use by some people and could be dangerous if used in the heat, during intense activity, or by people who have various risk factors or sensitivities, but most people will probably find it useful as a pre-workout stimulant or appetite suppressant/fat burner, and, like ephedrine, caffeine should enhance its effects but may amplify its potential side effects.