Sleep Dietary supplement

Apigenin

Apigenin (Chamomile)

Evidence: Studied in humans. Example dose: finalize with a provider. Not a fact-check stamp.

50mg apigenin – 50-200 mg Oral 1x daily, evening

Apigenin is a flavone (a flavonoid subclass) found in chamomile, parsley, celery, and many other plants. It has been used for thousands of years as the active compound in chamomile tea, traditionally for sleep, anxiety, and digestive support. In recent years, apigenin has gained interest in the longevity and biohacking community for its CD38 inhibition (preserving NAD+ levels), GABAergic activity (sleep/anxiety), and selective effects on hormone metabolism.

Quick Start

Route

Oral

Start low

50mg Oral

Frequency

1x daily, evening

Timing

Anytime

Take in the evening (usually 30-60 min before bed) for sleep support and to align with NAD+ recycling cycles. Take with meal containing fat for better absorption. Phytosome forms have improved absorption with or without food.

❋

Start here. Every protocol below is ordered lowest-first. Begin at the smallest effective dose, hold about a week to assess tolerance, and step up only if needed.

Tiered Protocols · lowest first

Conservative start

50mg apigenin · Oral · 1x daily, evening

conservative starter

50mg apigenin

1x daily, evening

Standard

Sleep & CD38 Inhibition

50-200 mg · Oral · Daily

animal study · Escande et al. 2013 (Diabetes 62(4):1084-1093, PMID 23172919)

Acts on GABA receptors to promote deep sleep. An essential part of the 'Huberman Sleep Cocktail'. The human sleep evidence is for whole chamomile extract (NCT01286324), not isolated apigenin. No trial has tested purified apigenin for sleep, and the CD38 and NAD findings come from cell and mouse work. The study cited here is animal research. It shows the mechanism, not a human dose, and this amount is community practice rather than a trial result.

50-200 mg

Daily

◆

How it works

CD38 inhibition: Apigenin is a potent natural inhibitor of CD38, the enzyme that consumes NAD+ in tissues. CD38 expression increases significantly with aging, contributing to age-related NAD+ decline. By inhibiting CD38, apigenin preserves cellular NAD+ pools, supporting sirtuin function (SIRT1, SIRT3), mitochondrial health, and DNA repair. This is the basis for its inclusion in longevity protocols (Sinclair Lab popularized this).

GABA-A modulation: Apigenin binds the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors, providing mild anxiolytic and sedative effects. This is the primary mechanism behind chamomile tea's traditional calming reputation.

Aromatase inhibition: Apigenin is a mild aromatase inhibitor (the enzyme converting testosterone to estradiol). Effect is modest compared to pharmaceutical aromatase inhibitors but relevant for those tracking estrogen.

MAO-A inhibition: Mild reversible MAO-A inhibitor, contributing to mood support via increased serotonin and norepinephrine availability.

Anti-inflammatory: NF-kB inhibition reduces pro-inflammatory cytokine production. COX-2 inhibition reduces inflammatory prostaglandin synthesis.

Antioxidant: Direct ROS scavenging and Nrf2 pathway activation inducing endogenous antioxidant enzymes.

Anti-cancer: In vitro and animal studies show apigenin selectively induces apoptosis in cancer cells via modulation of PI3K/Akt, p53, and cell cycle pathways. Clinical evidence in humans is preliminary.

Neuroprotection: Reduces neuroinflammation, supports BDNF expression, and modulates glutamate receptor function in CNS.

What to expect

Early

Days 1–7

Days 1-7: Sleep quality, mild calming effect.

Evidence

HumanModerate

AnimalPresent

In-vitroPresent

Each reference below was re-fetched from its PubMed record, and the quoted sentence was confirmed to appear in that abstract and to support the claim it sits under. Follow any of them to read the source.

Mechanism boundary: apigenin is a dietary flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; this review does not validate the card’s sleep dose.

A large number of studies conducted over the past years have shown that this particular natural compound has potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.

Apigenin: A dietary flavonoid with diverse anticancer properties. Cancer letters · 2018 · PMID 29097249

Evidence scope. General compound-property review (anticancer-focused paper); no dose, route, or sleep-specific human data — claim correctly discloses this.

Claims we could not support

No abstract we checked supports these for this molecule at this route. That is not the same as saying they are false — it marks where the evidence is missing.

Dose/route: 50 mg isolated apigenin orally each evening. The human sleep/anxiety study found used chamomile extract, not isolated apigenin; no exact-molecule abstract verified 50 mg.

Primary safety concern at 50 mg oral isolated apigenin. No checked human abstract established tolerability or the card’s stated risks for this exact molecule and regimen.

Interactions & stacking

Two different questions: what is documented about running these together, and what is documented about drawing them into the same syringe. A good pharmacological partner can still have to be pinned separately.

Documented together

Most supplementsGenerally well-tolerated and compatible with longevity, sleep, and anti-inflammatory stacks.

NMN / NRApigenin preserves NAD+ pools by inhibiting CD38; NMN/NR provide NAD+ precursors. Combined approach: more substrate + slower destruction. Sinclair-style longevity stack.

Magnesium / GlycineSynergistic sleep stack - apigenin via GABA-A, magnesium via NMDA, glycine via inhibitory neurotransmission. Common pre-sleep combination.

QuercetinBoth flavonoids with overlapping anti-inflammatory and CD38-modulatory effects. Synergistic for inflammation.

Keep separate

BenzodiazepinesApigenin binds the benzodiazepine site of GABA-A receptors. Combined with prescription benzos may produce additive sedation. Use cautiously together.

TamoxifenTheoretical aromatase interaction (counter-productive in tamoxifen context) - discuss with oncologist.

MAOIsApigenin has mild MAO-A inhibition - additive with prescription MAOIs theoretically risks serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis. Avoid combination.

Anticoagulants (mild)Mild antiplatelet effect at high doses - monitor when combined with anticoagulants.

Check any specific pair in the Stack & Interaction Checker, which answers both questions separately. Absence of a documented conflict is not evidence of safety.

Pharmacokinetics

Illustrative plasma concentration · 58 h

Half-life

~12-16 hours

Plasma for apigenin and metabolites. Tissue effects on CD38/NAD+ longer-acting.

Peak · Tmax

~1-3 hours

Oral for standard apigenin; phytosome forms similar or faster.

Elimination

Plasma clearance 24-48 hours. Tissue effects on aging/CD38 build over weeks.

Bioavailability

Standard apigenin: poor (~3-5%). Phytosome/liposomal: 5-10x improved. Food (especially fat) improves standard form modestly.

Duration of action

Acute calming/sleep effects: 6-10 hours per dose. Chronic NAD+ preservation builds over 4-12 weeks of consistent dosing.

Clearance

Hepatic Phase II conjugation (glucuronidation, sulfation), biliary excretion of metabolites with enterohepatic recirculation.

Storage. Store at room temperature (20-25C) in a cool, dry place. Protect from light and moisture. Capsules shelf-stable 2+ years.

Regulatory status

Classified as a dietary supplement in the US - no prescription required. Chamomile (the apigenin-containing herb) has GRAS food status. No FDA-approved medical indication for isolated apigenin.

Put it to work

Calculate, log & track

Open Apigenin straight into OnePin with your vial and dose pre-filled, then let it handle the syringe math and remind you before the vial runs out.

Open Apigenin in the app →

Go deeper

The guide & community

The complete Apigenin walkthrough, real protocol discussion and coaching live inside the BlessUp community on Skool.

Join the community ↗

Open in app Community