Vitamin B1 Derivative
Sulbutiamine
A fat-soluble derivative of vitamin B1 used to support energy, motivation, and cognitive performance.
KÖGN Health grades Sulbutiamine as B+ (Moderate evidence) and rates it 4.0 out of 5.
Last reviewed · June 2026
Primary effects
- Increased energy
- Improved motivation
- Reduced fatigue
How it works
Increases thiamine levels in the brain, supporting energy metabolism and mental drive.
Overview
Sulbutiamine is a modified form of thiamine designed to cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently. It is often used to reduce fatigue and enhance motivation, particularly in states of low energy or burnout. Its effects are typically noticeable but can diminish with continuous use, making cycling beneficial.
The evidence
Sulbutiamine is a synthetic, fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 (thiamine) that crosses into the brain more readily than thiamine itself. It is used in some countries for asthenia (a fatigue/'no energy' state), and the supporting evidence is mostly older or observational rather than rigorous randomised trials. It is better thought of as an anti-fatigue agent than a memory enhancer.
How to dose it
Asthenia studies have used roughly 400–600 mg/day, usually short-term.
When to take it
Acute-to-subacute — used for energy over days rather than as a slow build.
Safety & side effects
Generally well tolerated; occasional agitation or mild mood activation. Tolerance and a mild reinforcing effect have been reported with frequent use.
Who should avoid it
Use intermittently rather than continuously, and discuss with a clinician if you have bipolar disorder (reports of activation). Persistent fatigue deserves a medical work-up rather than self-treatment.
References
Related ingredients
Graded entries that target the same cognitive goals.
Categories
Draft — the dose, safety and evidence notes on this entry were prepared from the published literature and are pending editorial and clinical review.
Educational information, not medical advice. The evidence grade is KÖGN’s editorial assessment of published research, not a health claim. Speak to a qualified clinician before changing what you take.