DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol)
Metabolic Health · Mitochondrial uncoupler
Tier C
High-risk evidence profile
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) as C (5.1/10) based on strong evidence, very high benefit magnitude, and a very high-risk safety profile.
Its high-risk evidence profile reflects a Safety score of 0/10; reported benefits and harms can differ by indication, dose, route, duration, and population.
DNP has been associated with recurrent deaths, including among young bodybuilders.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: Illicitly used at 200-600 mg/day — narrow therapeutic window — Illegal for human consumption; not individualized guidance.
Citation correction in progress
1 PubMed link was found to be unrelated to this entry and removed from public output. The remaining sources are shown below, but this row's claims and score still need a full source-by-source revalidation.
What the evidence says
DNP has been associated with recurrent deaths, including among young bodybuilders. Fatal hyperthermia can develop within hours. The entry is included because DNP appears in biohacker discussions. The Benefit and Safety axes separately reflect reported fat-loss efficacy and the narrow, potentially fatal exposure window.
Mechanism
Dissipates the mitochondrial proton gradient — uncouples oxidative phosphorylation from ATP production; burned calories as heat; extremely potent thermogenic
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
Illicitly used at 200-600 mg/day — narrow therapeutic window
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
A link means the source informed this entry; it does not mean every claim on the page comes from that source. If a citation looks wrong or you want a claim re-checked, send a correction.
Common questions
- What does the evidence show about DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol)'s effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) as Strong and the benefit magnitude as very high, producing an overall grade of C (5.1/10). DNP has been associated with recurrent deaths, including among young bodybuilders.
- What safety findings are reported for DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol)?
- DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) has a very high risk profile in the database. Very High (fatal hyperthermia — core temp can rise uncontrollably; cataracts, hepatotoxicity; MULTIPLE DEATHS every year) Legal status: Illegal for human consumption (banned by FDA 1938).
- What does the low Safety score for DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) represent?
- The Safety score is 0/10. It records the substantial harms described for one or more use contexts; the Benefit score, indication, dose, route, duration, population, and legal status remain separate parts of the evidence profile.
- What doses or routes are reported for DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol)?
- Illicitly used at 200-600 mg/day — narrow therapeutic window This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) work?
- Dissipates the mitochondrial proton gradient — uncouples oxidative phosphorylation from ATP production; burned calories as heat; extremely potent thermogenic
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.