DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol)
Metabolic Health · Mitochondrial uncoupler
Tier C
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.
Do NOT use.
Typical use: Illicitly used at 200-600 mg/day — narrow therapeutic window — Illegal for human consumption.
What this is
Do NOT use. Regular deaths reported every year from DNP, often in young bodybuilders. Death can occur from heat stroke within hours. Listed here because it exists in biohacker discussions — included for completeness and warning only. Very high Benefit reflects fat-loss efficacy; near-zero Safety reflects the narrow, potentially fatal therapeutic window.
Mechanism
Dissipates the mitochondrial proton gradient — uncouples oxidative phosphorylation from ATP production; burned calories as heat; extremely potent thermogenic
Dose & route
Illicitly used at 200-600 mg/day — narrow therapeutic window
Citations
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22005472/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3550200/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK590059/
- https://www.fsai.ie/faq/dnp.html
Links go to the source. If a link is dead or you want something re-checked, let me know.
Common questions
- Does DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) work?
- 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). Do NOT use.
- Is DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) safe?
- DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol) has a very high risk profile in published human data. Legal status: Illegal for human consumption (banned by FDA 1938). This is not medical advice — see the disclaimer.
- What is the typical dose for DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol)?
- Illicitly used at 200-600 mg/day — narrow therapeutic window
- 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.