PMMA
PMA can cause life-threatening side effects (such as hyperthermia and serotonin syndrome) even at moderate doses. As a result, using this substance is strongly discouraged. It is also advised to always test your MDMA for the presence of PMA using a reagent testing kit as it is a common adulterant. Please see this section for more details. |
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PMMA (also known as para-Methoxymethamphetamine or 4-MMA) is a highly toxic drug of the Amphetamine class, which is closely related to PMA. Like PMA, it has extremely dangerous side effects, which can result in death. It has rarely appeared in ecstasy tablets, most famously in "red Mitsubishis".
| PMMA | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chemical Nomenclature | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Common names | PMA | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Substitutive name | para-Methoxyamphetamine, 4-Methoxyamphetamine | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Systematic name | 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)propan-2-amine | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Psychoactive class | Entactogen | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chemical class | Amphetamine | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Summary sheet: PMA |
Chemistry
PMA (para-Methoxyamphetamine or 4-MA) is a molecule of the amphetamine class. Molecules of the amphetamine class contain a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at Rα. It contains a methoxy (OCH3) functional group bound to the R4 carbon of the phenyl ring.
Pharmacology
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This pharmacology section is incomplete. You can help by adding to it. |
PMA acts as a selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) with weak effects on dopamine and norepinephrine transporters. However, relative to MDMA, it is considerably less effective as a releaser of serotonin with properties more akin to a reuptake inhibitor in comparison. It evokes robust hyperthermia while producing only modest hyperactivity and serotonergic neurotoxicity, substantially lower than that caused by MDMA. Anecdotal reports suggest it is not particularly euphoric at all, perhaps even dysphoric in contrast. PMA has also been shown to act as a potent, reversible inhibitor of the enzyme MAO-A with no significant effects on MAO-B, and the combination of this property and serotonin release is likely responsible for its high lethality potential.
It appears that PMA elevates body temperatures dramatically; the cause of this property is suspected to be related to its ability to inhibit MAO-A and at the same time releasing large amounts of serotonin, effectively causing serotonin syndrome. It appears that PMA activates the hypothalamus much more strongly than MDMA and other drugs like ephedrine, thereby causing rapid increases in body temperature (which is the major cause of death in PMA mortalities).[1]
Subjective effects
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This subjective effects section is a stub. As such, it is still in progress and may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding or correcting it. |
The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.
Physical effects
- Stimulation - In terms of its effects on the user's physical energy levels, PMA is commonly regarded as moderately stimulating and energetic exclusively at lower dosages.
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Appetite suppression
- Dehydration
- Dizziness - This effect is significantly more common with PMA than it is with methamphetamine or MDMA
- Increased bodily temperature - The most common cause of death from PMA is due to severe hyperthermia.
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Increased perspiration
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pupil dilation
- Rapid breathing
- Seizures - This is significantly more common with PMA than with almost any other substance.
- Teeth grinding
- Temporary erectile dysfunction
- Vasoconstriction
- Vibrating vision
Cognitive effects
- Anxiety or Anxiety suppression - This depends greatly on the dosage, as higher dosages are almost guaranteed to bring anxiety, due to all the adverse effects.
- Cognitive euphoria or Cognitive dysphoria - This depends greatly on the dosage, as higher dosages are almost guaranteed to bring dysphoria, due to all the adverse effects.
- Dream suppression
- Increased libido - This is only apparent at lower dosages, as anything higher will usually diminish these effects, due to all the adverse effects.
- Motivation enhancement - This is only apparent at lower dosages, as anything higher will usually diminish these effects, due to all the adverse effects.
- Time distortion
- Wakefulness
Visual effects
At moderate to high dosages, PMA is capable of producing typically mild or moderate visual distortions, which are usually more common and pronounced than with MDMA, but significantly less when compared with most psychedelics, such as 2C-B or LSD.
Suppressions
Distortions
Toxicity and harm potential
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This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub. As a result, it may contain incomplete or even dangerously wrong information! You can help by expanding upon or correcting it. |
PMA can be extremely toxic at moderate or high dosages.
Legal issues
- Canada: PMA is a Schedule I substance.
- United States: PMA is a Schedule I substance.
- United Kingdom: PMA is a Class A drug.