What Is DHM and Why Is It in Pregame?
August 29, 2026
DHM is the reason Pregame exists. In short: it's a plant-derived compound with real research behind it, and it directly supports the processes your body relies on when you drink.
What is DHM?
Dihydromyricetin, DHM for short, is a flavonoid extracted from the Japanese raisin tree (Hovenia dulcis). The tree has been part of traditional East Asian wellness practices for centuries. Researchers started studying it closely in the early 2000s, and what they found was compelling enough to build a formula around.
DHM works through two main pathways your body cares about when you drink.
Liver enzyme support. Your liver processes alcohol using two enzymes: alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH). ALDH converts acetaldehyde, alcohol's rough byproduct, into something harmless. DHM supports those enzyme pathways, giving your liver better tools to do the job it's already doing.
Antioxidant activity. Alcohol generates oxidative stress. DHM has antioxidant properties that pitch in alongside your body's natural defenses.
A 2012 UCLA study showed DHM reduced alcohol's effects in preclinical models. The mechanism is well-documented. One honest note: DHM is a dietary supplement, not a medication. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
How the full formula works together
DHM handles the most critical piece. But Pregame is built to cover every angle, because your body faces more than one challenge when you drink.
Here's what the stack does and why each piece is in there:
- NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine): A precursor to glutathione, your body's primary antioxidant. Alcohol depletes glutathione heavily. DHM and NAC together cover antioxidant defense more thoroughly than either alone.
- Milk thistle: Adds a complementary layer of liver support via silymarin, its active compound. It works through a different mechanism than DHM, not a redundant one.
- Taurine: Supports fluid balance in ways plain electrolytes don't fully cover.
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium): Alcohol suppresses the hormone that tells your kidneys to hold onto water. You excrete more than you take in. Electrolytes restore what water alone can't replace.
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B6, B12): Alcohol blocks B-vitamin absorption and speeds up depletion. These vitamins power hundreds of metabolic processes, including energy production. Alcohol hits the full complex, so the formula replaces the full complex.
- Vitamin C: Another antioxidant working alongside DHM and NAC.
- L-theanine: Supports calm, clear-headed mornings without drowsiness and without interacting with serotonin pathways.
- Ginger: Digestive comfort. Some people notice GI sensitivity the morning after drinking.
Nine ingredients. Each one is on the label with a plain-English explanation of why it's there.
Why 5-HTP isn't in the formula
Some recovery supplements include 5-HTP. We looked at it carefully and said no.
5-HTP is a precursor to serotonin, and it affects serotonin pathways. Alcohol affects serotonin pathways too. So do SSRIs, migraine medications (triptans), and several other commonly prescribed drugs. When multiple inputs push serotonin too high, the result is serotonin syndrome: a condition that ranges from uncomfortable to serious.
SSRIs are among the most commonly prescribed medications in the US. Pregame is designed for a broad audience going out for a night. That overlap is not a fringe scenario. We're not building something with that interaction profile.
5-HTP also has a sedating effect, which people use intentionally for sleep. That's the wrong profile for something you take before a night out.
L-theanine covers the calm-focus benefit without the risk. It doesn't cause drowsiness and doesn't carry serotonin interactions. The full reasoning on this choice is here.
Frequently asked questions
When should I take Pregame? Take one shot before drinking. The formula is designed to be in your system while your body is processing alcohol, not after the fact.
Is DHM safe? DHM has a strong safety profile and has been used in traditional wellness contexts for centuries. Consult a healthcare provider if you're on medication, particularly anything affecting serotonin pathways, the liver, or alcohol metabolism.
Does Pregame prevent a hangover? Pregame is a dietary supplement, not a medication. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. What it does: supports antioxidant function, liver health, and hydration during and after drinking.
What's the difference between DHM and NAC? DHM supports the liver enzymes that break down alcohol. NAC supports your body's antioxidant defenses by replenishing glutathione. Different mechanisms, both relevant to what happens when you drink.
Ready to try it? Grab a 6-Pack for $49 at drinkpregame.com/shop.
Keep reading
- Why we published our formula
Most supplement brands hide ingredient amounts behind 'proprietary blend' labels. Pregame puts every ingredient and dose on the label. Here's what's in the bottle and why we chose to share it.
- How to actually prevent a hangover: what the science says (and what doesn't work)
Water, greasy food, charcoal, ibuprofen before bed. You've heard them all. Here's an honest look at which ones hold up, which ones don't, and what the research actually points toward.
- Why Pregame doesn't include 5-HTP (and what we chose instead)
A lot of recovery supplements include 5-HTP. We looked at it carefully and said no. Here is the reasoning, and what we put in its place.