DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin)
Detox · Flavonoid / α1-GABA-A modulator
Tier C+
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin) as C+ (5.3/10) based on preclinical evidence, unclear benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
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.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 300-500 mg PO with first drink and/or before bed; typical biohacker protocols 300-1000 mg total/day;… — OTC dietary supplement (US/EU/Asia); not FDA-approved for any indication; sold as the active ingredient in branded "anti-hangover" products including Cheers, Flyby, NeverLate; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
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. **Evidence summary**: preclinical pharmacology supports a plausible mechanism involving ALDH2; human trials did not show reliable hangover prevention and short-term safety data remain limited. 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
Studied, labeled, or reported 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
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin) as Preclinical and the benefit magnitude as unclear, producing an overall grade of C+ (5.3/10). 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.
- What safety findings are reported for DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin)?
- DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin) has a low risk profile in the database. Low (no serious AEs reported; benzodiazepine-site GABA-A modulation theoretical tolerance/dependence concerns at chronic high doses — not documented; very rare hepatotoxicity case reports for Hovenia dulcis-containing supplements per NIH LiverTox) Legal status: OTC dietary supplement (US/EU/Asia); not FDA-approved for any indication; sold as the active ingredient in branded "anti-hangover" products including Cheers, Flyby, NeverLate.
- What doses or routes are reported for DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin)?
- 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 This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does DHM (dihydromyricetin / ampelopsin) work?
- 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
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.