Higenamine: WADA Ban, Supplement Labels and Studies
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Higenamine: WADA ban, label accuracy and studies

Label accuracy · Approval status · Half-life ~8 minutes (IV infusion study)

Short answer: Higenamine has a half-life of about 8 minutes (IV infusion study). People vary, so treat these as estimates.

What is higenamine?

Higenamine (norcoclaurine) is a stimulant found naturally in several plants used in traditional remedies, including aconite root. It is listed as an ingredient in some US weight loss and sports supplements. WADA bans it in sport at all times as a beta-2 agonist.

Also known as: norcoclaurine, demethylcoclaurine.

What is in it

Higenamine has no intake value or approved product. In a test of 24 US supplements (Cohen 2019), the amount ranged from trace amounts to 62 mg per serving, up to 110 mg a day at the labels' serving sizes. Of the 5 products that listed an amount, none was accurate: content ranged from under 0.01% to 200% of the label.

Approval status and how it is used

WADA lists higenamine among beta-2 agonists (S3), prohibited in sport at all times. Cohen 2019 describes it as a stimulant with effects on the heart and blood vessels, sold mostly in weight loss and sports or energy supplements in the US.

Human data are limited. In a study of 10 healthy volunteers given higenamine by IV infusion (Feng 2012), heart rate rose as blood levels rose. In an 8-week trial in 48 young men (Bloomer 2015) comparing placebo, higenamine, caffeine, or higenamine with caffeine and yohimbe bark extract, there were no significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure or blood tests; the authors said larger studies are needed.

Higenamine half-life and time to peak

  • Half-lifeabout 8 minutes (IV infusion study)
  • Time to peak (Tmax)Not listed

In 10 healthy volunteers given higenamine by IV infusion (Feng 2012), its half-life was 0.133 hours (about 8 minutes), and about 9% was recovered in the urine within 8 hours. We found no comparable figure for higenamine taken by mouth.

Numbers shown are taken from the source above. Half-life varies from person to person.

How to track higenamine in Dose Track

  1. Add higenamine as a custom compound. Start typing its name and Dose Track fills in the details from its research library for you to check, and it sits next to everything else you take.
  2. Log each dose when you take it so your history shows exactly what you took and when.
  3. Set reminders on your own schedule, whether that is daily, weekly or every few days.
  4. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

How Dose Track handles peptides · Reconstitution calculator · Half-life calculator

DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine)1,3-dimethylamylamine, methylhexanamine Ephedrineephedrine sulfate, Bronkaid · half-life about 6 hours (by mouth) Caffeinecaffeine anhydrous Yohimbe (Yohimbine)yohimbine, yohimbine HCl

Frequently asked questions

What is the half-life of higenamine?+
In 10 healthy volunteers given higenamine by IV infusion (Feng 2012), its half-life was 0.133 hours (about 8 minutes), and about 9% was recovered in the urine within 8 hours. We found no comparable figure for higenamine taken by mouth.
Is higenamine banned in sport?+
Yes. The WADA 2026 list names higenamine among beta-2 agonists (S3), prohibited at all times, in and out of competition.
How much higenamine is in supplements?+
It varies widely. In 24 US products tested (Cohen 2019), amounts ranged from trace to 62 mg per serving, and none of the 5 products that listed an amount was accurately labeled.
Can I track higenamine in Dose Track?+
Yes. Higenamine is in Dose Track's research library, so when you add it as a custom compound its details are filled in for you to check. You can then log each dose next to your other compounds, set reminders on your own schedule, and see your history next to your lab results. Your log is stored on your phone and no account is needed. Data only leaves it for features you choose, like AI answers and lab reading.

Sources

  1. Feng S, et al. A phase I study on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of higenamine in healthy Chinese subjects. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2012;33(11):1353-1358.
  2. Cohen PA, et al. The stimulant higenamine in weight loss and sports supplements. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2019;57(2):125-130.
  3. Bloomer RJ, et al. Clinical safety assessment of oral higenamine supplementation in healthy, young men. Hum Exp Toxicol. 2015;34(10):935-945.
  4. World Anti-Doping Agency. 2026 Prohibited List (S1.1 anabolic androgenic steroids; S3 beta-2 agonists; S6 stimulants and the 2026 Monitoring Program).

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