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PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)

Nootropicoral · inferred

Redox cofactor that promotes mitochondrial biogenesis via PGC-1α/CREB signaling. Acts as a potent antioxidant (cycles through 20,000+ catalytic oxidation-reduction reactions per molecule vs ~4 for vitamin C). Supports nerve growth factor (NGF) synthesis. Found in nanogram quantities in foods (natto, green tea, kiwi). Bioavailability studies show rapid absorption and slow tissue elimination. Often stacked with CoQ10 for synergistic mitochondrial support.

Projected serum levels — 20 mg, once daily

PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone)
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) modeled serum levels, 20 mg once daily over 15 days Population-based pharmacokinetic estimate. Steady state reached after approximately 1 days. 0 5 10 15 20 Day 0 Day 4 Day 8 Day 11 Day 15 Time on a regular schedule ≈ steady state · day 1
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) modeled serum levels with a loading dose of 25.5 mg, then 20 mg once daily The first dose is larger so levels approach steady state faster. 0 5 10 15 20 Day 0 Day 4 Day 8 Day 11 Day 15 Time on a regular schedule

Maintenance schedule: 20 mg once daily (oral).

Loading schedule: 25.5 mg on day 1, then 20 mg once daily — reaching therapeutic levels sooner.

Modeled steady state after ~1 days: peak ≈ 11.2 mg, trough ≈ 3.3 mg body load. Population-based estimate over 15 days for a 20 mg dose at a 70 kg reference body mass — the interactive app scales curves to your doses, timing, and body mass.

Key facts

Category
Nootropic
Route modeled
Oral
Model confidence
inferred
Half-life
10 h
Common dose
20 mg
Suggested maximum
40 mg/day
Reference dose range
10–40 mg (single dose)
Suggested cadence
once daily

Documented interactions

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    Glutathione (Injectable) + PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Stacked effects

    Glutathione (Injectable) and PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) both push the endogenous glutathione pool in the same direction.

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    Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) + PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Stacked effects

    Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus) and PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) both push the nerve growth factor pathway in the same direction.

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    Milk Thistle (Silymarin / Silybin) + PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Stacked effects

    Milk Thistle (Silymarin / Silybin) and PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) both push the endogenous glutathione pool in the same direction.

  • watch
    N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) + PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Stacked effects

    N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) and PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) both push the endogenous glutathione pool in the same direction.

  • watch
    Semax + PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Stacked effects

    PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) and Semax both push the nerve growth factor pathway in the same direction.

  • watch
    TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid) + PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) Stacked effects

    PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone) and TUDCA (Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid) both push the endogenous glutathione pool in the same direction.

Serum checks 6 modeled interaction pairings for pqq (pyrroloquinoline quinone) across your whole stack — absorption conflicts, enzyme inhibition, and nutrient depletion included.

Research behind this entry

  1. The effect of pyrroloquinoline quinone on cognitive function in healthy adults: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study Itoh Y et al. · Food Style 21, 2016 DOI

    RCT (41 healthy adults) demonstrating PQQ 20 mg/day for 12 weeks significantly improved attention, processing speed, and working memory (Stroop test) versus placebo, with additional benefit when combined with CoQ10.

  2. Pyrroloquinoline quinone stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis through cAMP response element-binding protein phosphorylation and increased PGC-1α expression Chowanadisai W et al. · Journal of Biological Chemistry, 2010 DOI

    Mechanistic study demonstrating PQQ activates CREB and increases PGC-1α expression, directly stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis, the primary proposed mechanism for its neuroprotective and metabolic effects.

  3. Effect of Dietary Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Disodium Salt on Cognitive Function in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study. Shiojima Y, Takahashi M, Takahashi R, Moriyama H, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Akanuma M · Journal of the American Nutrition Association, 2022 DOI

    This citation reports a human clinical study involving PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline Quinone). It does not by itself establish a qualified dose, safety profile, efficacy claim, or pharmacokinetic route for this record.

3 published studies referenced in the app, each with a plain-language summary.