DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin)
Detox · Flavonoid / α1-GABA-A modulator
Tier C+
What this is
Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is a flavonoid most concentrated in Hovenia dulcis (Japanese raisin tree) and Ampelopsis grossedentata (vine tea) — both used in traditional East Asian medicine for alcohol-related complaints. Modern interest dates to Shen 2012 (J Neurosci) which demonstrated DHM as a positive allosteric modulator at α1-containing GABA-A receptors that competes with ethanol — explaining the rodent reduction in voluntary intake, intoxication, and withdrawal severity. **Human translation gap is the central decision input**: a peer-reviewed double-blind placebo-controlled hangover RCT found NO significant effect on hangover severity, and a separate pharmacokinetic study found no effect on alcohol metabolism. Despite this, multiple supplement brands (Cheers, Flyby, NeverLate) market DHM-based products with strong claims. A 2021 PubMed review of 82 commercial hangover products found NONE had peer-reviewed human data supporting their claims. **Biohacker take**: legitimate preclinical pharmacology and a plausible mechanism (ALDH2 upregulation matters especially for the ~36% of East Asians with ALDH2 deficiency who experience "Asian flush"); low risk so trying it isn't unreasonable; expecting reliable hangover prevention based on the existing human evidence is not. Distinct from the broader Hovenia dulcis tradition — DHM is a single purified flavonoid, while traditional Hovenia preparations contain multiple constituents.
Mechanism
Flavonoid (ampelopsin) from Hovenia dulcis (Japanese raisin tree) and Ampelopsis grossedentata (Chinese vine tea); positive allosteric modulator at α1-containing GABA-A receptors — competes with ethanol at the benzodiazepine site (Shen 2012 J Neurosci); upregulates hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) expression to accelerate acetaldehyde clearance — particularly relevant for the ~36% of East Asians with ALDH2 deficiency ("Asian flush"); also reduces hepatic steatosis in preclinical models
Dose & route
300-500 mg PO with first drink and/or before bed; typical biohacker protocols 300-1000 mg total/day; lower-bound products use ~100 mg
Citations
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3292407/
- https://www.jneurosci.org/content/32/1/390
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK594407/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34225031/
- https://today.usc.edu/hangover-remedy-dhm-liver-protection-usc-study/
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This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.