Phenethylamine (PEA) is the parent substance of catecholamines such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine. It is often held responsible for triggering feelings of happiness. It occurs both widely in the plant kingdom and as a hormone in the human body.
What is phenethylamine?
Phenethylamine is considered the parent substance for catecholamines, which are widely used in the body as neurotransmitters or hormones. The active ingredients epinephrine, norepinephrine, or dopamine are derived from the parent substance PEA. The correct chemical name of phenethylamine is 2-phenylethylamine. In plants, this compound acts as a precursor for the benzylisoquinoline alkaloids. Therefore, this compound is widely used in the plant kingdom. In addition to the important catecholamines that act in the human body, such as dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine, many hallucinogens with psychedelic effects are also derived from phenethylamine. Phenethylamine has been identified as an endogenous hormone responsible for the emergence of feelings of pleasure and happiness. As a chemical molecule, it consists of an aromatic phenyl ring with a side chain of ethylamine. Phenethylamine is a colorless liquid with a fishy odor and a boiling point at 200 degrees. The compound is poorly soluble in water. It is particularly abundant in bitter almond oil and cocoa beans. Furthermore, it has also been found in the brain and urine.
Function, effects, and roles
Phenethylamine is an endogenous hormone that produces feelings of pleasure and happiness. In the state of highest happiness, increased concentrations of PEA are found in the body. The starting point of phenethylamine biosynthesis is the amino acid phenylalanine. It has been found that the release of PEA can occur both physically and psychologically. For example, studies showed that athletic activity leads to an increase in the concentration of phenethylamine in the body. Runners, for example, enter a rush-like state after endurance training, which can be attributed to the high phenethylamine concentrations. Feelings of happiness are also triggered when falling in love. It has been found that people in love also have a higher PEA concentration in the body. The body is also put into a state of intoxication here, which causes the famous tingling in the stomach. At the same time, however, rational thinking is also restricted, leading to a certain carelessness or even “blindness“. However, the effect of phenethylamine does not last forever. After a period of four years, habituation to the increased levels takes place. After that, withdrawal symptoms can occur, leading to an underlying depressive mood. The effect of PEA is therefore similar to that of a drug, and the biochemical processes are also similar. According to some statements, the oral intake of PEA should not lead to any effect, because the active substance is broken down very quickly by monoaminooxidase (MAO). Other authors speak of short-term effects, which are expressed by an increase in blood pressure. In part, the occurrence of a sudden migraine when eating foods containing phenethylamine is also explained by the increase in blood pressure. PEA can bind carbon dioxide. Due to the increased concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood, in addition to the increase in blood pressure, there is also an increase in blood sugar levels and stimulation of respiration. At very high levels of phenethylamine, toxic effects on the circulatory system may also occur. However, the effect varies from individual to individual.
Formation, occurrence, properties, and optimal levels
As mentioned above, phenethylamine is very common in the plant kingdom, where it serves as a precursor substance for certain alkaloids. Mainly in bitter almond oil or cocoa, a lot of phenethylamine has been found. The happiness-inducing effect of chocolate is thought to be due to PEA. At least an increased concentration of dopamine, which can be formed from phenethylamine, was found. However, whether this effect can be attributed to the consumption of chocolate remains to be seen. PEA is degraded very rapidly upon oral ingestion. However, the basic chemical structure of catecholamines including PEA makes this group of substances appear as neurotransmitters, which characterizes them as psychotropic substances. However, the traces of PEA found in the brain or urine probably do not come from food. The body itself produces phenethylamine from phenylalanine.
Diseases and disorders
Elevated concentrations of phenethylamine can be toxic.Thus, increased stimulation of the circulatory system is possible, leading to cardiovascular problems. In addition, increased phenethylamine concentrations are responsible for the development of migraine. Furthermore, it has been observed that greatly increased phenethylamine concentrations in the blood can result in delayed histamine catabolism. In this process, histamine accumulates in the body. The increased histamine concentration has a toxic effect. Symptoms include shortness of breath, reddening of the skin, hives, nausea, vomiting, headache and diarrhea. The symptoms are reminiscent of fish poisoning. The high phenethylamine concentration responsible for delayed histamine breakdown usually cannot be produced by an increased intake of phenethylamine because it is rapidly broken down by monoamine oxidase (MAO) and would only be elevated for a short time. However, MAO inhibitors limit the action of the enzyme, which increases phenethylamine concentrations. Thus, therapies that involve administration of MAO inhibitors can also lead to severe side effects if not used properly. Phenethylamine has antidepressant activity. However, PEA is not suitable for depression treatment because of its rapid degradation by monoaminooxidase. However, administration of monoaminooxidase inhibitors causes the endogenous concentration of PEA to increase. MAO inhibitors can therefore be used to treat depression. During this treatment, however, an additional intake of PEA is contraindicated. Due to the lack of degradation of phenethylamine, its concentration would increase and possibly lead to significantly increased concentrations. As a result, there would be an increase in blood pressure, headaches, and possibly histamine poisoning.
