Phenylethylamine
Phenylethylamine (PEA) is a trace amine that the body makes from the amino acid phenylalanine. It occurs in small amounts in foods such as chocolate.
Also listed as PEA, β-phenylethylamine, phenethylamine, β-phenethylamine
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
Why is phenylethylamine studied for mood?
Beta-phenylethylamine, or PEA, is made from phenylalanine and occurs at low concentrations in mammalian tissues. It activates trace amine-associated signaling, including TAAR1 in laboratory models, and is rapidly broken down mainly by monoamine oxidase B. This provides a biological rationale, not proof of better mood from a capsule. 1
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Does the depression report prove PEA alone works?
No. It followed selected responders receiving PEA together with selegiline. 2
Does receptor activity prove better focus?
No. Laboratory signaling findings do not establish improved everyday attention from supplementation. 1
Does natural occurrence establish safety?
No. The Dutch assessment lacked sufficient data to set a health-based safe intake for PEA supplements. 3
L-Phenylalanine
Higenamine