You might have heard of DHM (dihydromyricetin) as a hangover-prevention pill, or even as a daily supplement for antioxidant support, sleep or general liver protection. But does the science support daily use, or is that getting ahead of the evidence? Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering adding DHM to your wellness regimen.
What is DHM?
Dihydromyricetin has traditionally been used in Chinese herbal medicines as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory supplement.
“In the U.S., it is sold as a capsule supplement, most visibly as an anti-hangover product and as part of ‘after-drinking’ or ‘liver support’ blends,” says Dr. Steven Goldberg, Chief Medical Officer at HealthTrack and a board-certified physician practicing family and urgent care at UofLHealth
in Louisville, Kentucky. “Interest surged after a widely publicized 2012 rat study suggested DHM could counteract alcohol intoxication and reduce drinking behavior.”
Today, he says people often choose to take the supplement for “hoped-for benefits, like liver protection, blood-sugar and cholesterol support, anti-inflammatory and general ‘antioxidant’ effects.”
In 2023, a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition reported the results of testing DHM on mice, and it showed that DHM significantly improved aminotransferase levels and reduced lipids, cholesterol and triglycerides, suggesting its potential to fight inflammation and slow the progression of alcohol-related liver disease.
What the evidence says
The typical DHM dose is 300 to 1,000 mg daily, according to an overview on the National Institutes of Health National Library of Medicine. There have been very few studies performed on DHM use in humans, but the few completed showed no adverse or toxic impact. While studies have shown some of the positive effects of DHM, Goldberg says it’s important for people to understand that animal studies might not always mean it’s safe for humans.
“The long-term safety of daily DHM in people is completely unknown,” he explains. “Animal and cell studies consistently describe DHM as having low toxicity and a good safety margin, and it occurs naturally in teas that have been consumed for generations. ‘Natural’ and ‘low toxicity in animals’ is not the same as ‘proven safe for daily long-term human use.’”
While the side effects of daily use don’t seem notable, research is still needed to fully understand how it could interact with other supplements or medications.
“Reported side effects in the few human studies have been minimal, but that reflects how little DHM has been studied rather than proof of safety,” says Goldberg. “The more concrete concern is drug interactions: in laboratory testing, DHM inhibits several liver enzymes (specifically CYP3A4, CYP2E1, CYP2D6) that break down many prescription medications, meaning it could in theory raise or lower blood levels of other drugs.”
Who should be cautious about DHM?
Like any supplement, it’s important to understand how it might impact the effectiveness of medications. Goldberg says that because DHM acts on the same brain receptor system as sedatives and anti-anxiety medication, there are concerns about the added impacts it could have for patients with those prescriptions.
“As with any supplement, product contamination or inaccurate dosing is also a real-world risk,” he says. “Anyone on regular medications, but especially sedatives, or drugs with narrow safety margins, should check with a pharmacist or physician first.”
Additionally, he says patients should remember that the U.S. law does not require supplements to prove effectiveness, so quality can vary widely among brands.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about taking 'anti-hangover' DHM daily
