Talk:MMDA

Summary sheet: MMDA

MMDA
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	MMDA, 5-MeO-MDA
Substitutive name	3-Methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine, 5-Methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine
Systematic name	1-(7-Methoxy-2H-1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)propan-2-amine
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Entactogen / Psychedelic
Chemical class	Amphetamine
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 20 - 50 mg Light 50 - 100 mg Common 100 - 150 mg Strong 150 - 220 mg Heavy 220 mg + Duration Total 3 - 7 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.

MMDA (3-Methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine; also known as 5-Methoxy-MDA) is an obscure psychoactive substituted amphetamine with entactogenic and psychedelic properties. It is a closely related structural analog of mescaline and MDA.

MMDA is described by Alexander Shulgin to induce 'eyelid movies' – "completely realistic innervisions". In PiHKAL, one user has reported: "Upon closing eyes hallucinations appear to be quite real in 3D, like watching a movie. First these dreams appear in black and white, but later colors start appearing. Chartreuse and magenta first appear, then blue and finally red. First I had visions of large numbers on gaming tables, then people."

Shulgin noted that he had synthesized MMDA in 1962 while simultaneously Dr. Gordon A also synthesized MMDA in 1962 and named it accordingly.

It is strongly advised to use harm reduction practises when using this drug.

Chemistry

General formula of a phenethylamine molecule

MMDA, also known as 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine, is a synthetic molecule of the substituted amphetamine family. 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 R_α. Additionally, MMDA contains substitutions at R₃ and R₄ of the phenyl ring with oxygen groups that are incorporated into a methylenedioxy ring through a methylene bridge. In addition, it contains a methoxy group at R₅. MMDA shares this methylenedioxy ring with other drugs like MDA and MDMA but differs with its additional methoxy substitution.

Pharmacology

MMDA likely acts as a releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor of the key monoamine neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.

It is also theorized to act as a 5-HT₂A receptor agonist. However, how the psychedelic and hallucinogenic effects work is currently not entirely known.

Subjective effects

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.

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

Physical effects

• Spontaneous tactile sensations - The "body high" of MDEA can be characterized as a moderate to extreme euphoric relaxing sensation that encompasses the entire body. It is capable of becoming overwhelmingly pleasurable at higher doses to the point of "flooring" or immobilizing the user. This sensation maintains a consistent presence that steadily rises with the onset and hits its limit once the peak has been reached.
• Stimulation - In terms of its effects on the user's physical energy levels, MDEA is commonly regarded as significantly less stimulating and energizing than MDMA, while still retaining its core entactogenic effects. Unlike MDMA, which encourages activities such as running, climbing and dancing in a way that makes it a popular choice for musical events such as festivals and raves. The distinct style of stimulation which MDEA presents can be described as mildly to moderately forced, trending more towards sedation and relaxation. This means that at higher doses, it becomes difficult or impossible to keep still as jaw clenching, involuntarily body shakes and vibrations become present, resulting in an extreme unsteadiness of the hands and a general lack of motor control, though to a far lesser degree than with MDMA.
• Vibrating vision - At high doses, a person's eyeballs may begin to spontaneously wiggle back and forth in a rapid motion, causing the vision to become blurry and temporarily out of focus. This is a condition known as nystagmus.
• Dehydration - Like related entactogenic stimulants, feelings of dry mouth and dehydration are a universal experience with MDEA; this effect is a product of an increased heart rate and metabolism. While it is important to avoid becoming dehydrated (especially when out dancing in a hot environment) there have been a number of users who have suffered from water intoxication through over-drinking, so it is advised that users simply sip at the water and never over-drink.
• Difficulty urinating - Higher doses of MDEA result in an overall difficulty when it comes to urination. This is an effect that is completely temporary and harmless. It is caused by MDEA’s promotion of the release of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH); ADH is responsible for regulating urination. This effect can be lessened by simply relaxing, but can be significantly relieved by placing a hot flannel over the genitals to warm them up and encourage blood flow.
• Appetite suppression
• Bodily control enhancement
• Brain zaps
• Increased blood pressure
• Increased bodily temperature - As MDEA is a serotonin releasing agent, rise in core body temperature tends to be high and consistent throughout the experience. Caution must be taken as too high of a dose results in serotonin syndrome which can be fatal if left untreated.
• Increased heart rate
• Increased perspiration
• Perception of decreased weight
• Physical euphoria
• Pupil dilation
• Stamina enhancement
• Tactile enhancement
• Teeth grinding - This component is usually only present in the higher dose range, and to a lesser extent than the teeth grinding associated with MDMA.
• Temporary erectile dysfunction

Cognitive effects

The cognitive effects of MDEA can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The broad head space of MDEA is described by many as one of moderate mental stimulation, feelings of love, warmth or empathy and powerful relaxing euphoria. It contains a large number of typical psychedelic, entactogenic and stimulant cognitive effects.

The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:

• Cognitive euphoria - Strong emotional euphoria and feelings of happiness are present within MDEA and are likely a direct result of serotonin and dopamine release.
• Empathy, love, and sociability enhancement - This particular effect is present, but not nearly as consistent, pronounced, powerful and therapeutic than one would experience with MDMA With time and repeated use, however, this effect becomes severely diminished as the perspective it instills becomes fully grounded and already in place, making people feel merely stimulated and euphoric with no new found urges to communicate, with others. Some users report that MDEA "loses its magic" with as few as 10 experiences, while others have reported hundreds of uses before the empathic qualities disappear. This does not appear to be valid for all users, however, with many users reporting that they have not experienced any decrease in quality of the experience despite dozens or even hundreds of uses.
• Time distortion - Strong feelings of time compression are common within MDEA and speed up the experience of time quite noticeably.
• Unity and interconnectedness - Experiences of unity, oneness and interconnectedness between level 1 - 2 are common within MDEA.
• Anxiety suppression
• Compulsive redosing
• Creativity enhancement
• Dream suppression
• Existential self-realization - Although this effect is present, it is not quite as pronounced or as consistent when compared to other hallucinogens such as mescaline, Psilocin, LSD or MXE or even other entactogens like MDMA.
• Focus enhancement - This component is most effective at low to moderate doses as anything higher will usually impair concentration.
• Immersion enhancement
• Increased libido
• Increased music appreciation
• Mindfulness
• Motivation enhancement
• Thought acceleration

Visual effects

Enhancements

MDEA presents an array of visual enhancements which are mild in comparison to traditional psychedelics, but still distinctively present. These generally include:

• Colour enhancement
• Pattern recognition enhancement

Suppressions

• Double vision

Distortions

• Tracers
• Symmetrical texture repetition

Hallucinatory states

MDEA is capable of producing a unique range of low and high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is significantly less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics. These effects are far more common during the offset of the experience and commonly include:

• Peripheral information misinterpretation

Auditory effects

• Enhancements
• Hallucinations
• Distortions

After effects

The effects which occur during the offset of a stimulant experience generally feel negative and uncomfortable in comparison to the effects which occurred during its peak. This is often referred to as a "comedown" and occurs because of neurotransmitter depletion. Its effects commonly include:

• Anxiety
• Appetite suppression
• Cognitive fatigue
• Depression
• Dream potentiation - Some users note extremely strange, vivid and sometimes rather scary dreams for several nights after taking large doses of MDEA.
• Sleep paralysis - Some users note sleep paralysis after consuming MDEA, particularly in high doses or in conjunction with other factors such as lack of sleep or physical fatigue.
• Irritability
• Motivation suppression
• Thought deceleration
• Wakefulness

Experience reports

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: MDEA

Toxicity and harm potential

Short-term health concerns

Short-term physical health risks of MDEA consumption include dehydration, insomnia, hyperthermia, and hyponatremia. Continuous activity without sufficient rest or rehydration may cause body temperature to rise to dangerous levels, and loss of fluid via excessive perspiration puts the body at further risk as the stimulatory and euphoric qualities of the drug may render the user oblivious to their energy expenditure for quite some time. Diuretics such as alcohol may exacerbate these risks further.

The exact toxic dosage is unknown, but considered to be far greater than its active dose.

Long-term health concerns

As with MDMA, the neurotoxicity of MDEA use has long been the subject of debate. Scientific study has resulted in the general agreement that, although it is physically safe to try in a responsible context, the administration of repeated or high dosages of MDEA is most certainly neurotoxic in some form.

Like other powerful serotonin releasing agents, MDEA is thought to cause down-regulation of serotonin reuptake transporters in the brain. The rate at which the brain recovers from serotonergic changes is unclear. One study demonstrated lasting serotonergic changes in some animals exposed to MDMA, which likely applies to MDEA as well. Other studies have suggested that the brain may recover from serotonergic damage.

Like with MDMA, the long-term heavy use of MDEA is likely similarly cardiotoxic, leading to valvulopathy through its actions on the 5-HT2B receptor. In one study, 28% of long-term users (2-3 doses per week for a mean of 6 years, mean of age 24.3 years) had developed clinically evident valvular heart disease.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.

Tolerance and addiction potential

As with other stimulants, the chronic use of MDEA can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.

Tolerance to many of the effects of MDEA develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly larger doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 1 months for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 2-3 months to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). MDEA presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all dopaminergic and serotonergic stimulants and entactogens]], meaning that after the consumption of MDEA all of these will have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

• ]] & ]] - 25x compounds are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with MMDA should be strictly avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation and heart strain. This can result in increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, and heart failure in extreme cases.
• ]] - Combining alcohol with stimulants can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask alcohol's depressant effects, which is what most people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects will be left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and severe respiratory depression. If mixing, the user should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
• ]] - Combinations with DXM should be avoided due to its inhibiting effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. There is an increased risk of panic attacks and hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with serotonin releasers (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity.
• ]] - Any neurotoxic effects of MDMA are likely to be increased when other stimulants are present. There is also a risk of excessive blood pressure and heart strain (cardiotoxicity).
• ]] - Some reports suggest combinations with MXE may dangerously increase blood pressure and increase the risk of mania and psychosis.
• ]] - Both classes carry a risk of delusions, mania and psychosis, and these risk may be multiplied when combined.
• ]] - MMDA may be dangerous to combine with other stimulants like cocaine as they can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
• ]] - Tramadol is known to lower the seizure threshold and combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.
• ]] - This combination may increase the amount of neurotransmitters such as dopamine to dangerous or even fatal levels. Examples include syrian rue, banisteriopsis caapi, and some antidepressants.
• Stimulants - The neurotoxic effects of MDEA may be increased when combined with other stimulants.
• Cocaine - This combination may increase strain on the heart.

Serotonin syndrome risk

Combinations with the following substances can cause dangerously high serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.

• MAOIs - Such as banisteriopsis caapi, syrian rue, phenelzine, selegiline, and moclobemide.
• Serotonin releasers - Such as MDMA, 4-FA, methamphetamine, methylone and αMT.
• SSRIs - Such as citalopram and sertraline
• [[Wikipedia:SNRIs|DangerousInteraction::SNRIs]] - Such as tramadol and venlafaxine
• 5-HTP

There is an increased risk of serotonin syndrome when MDEA is taken with many antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Additionally, if MDEA is taken with SSRIs and SNRIs, the MDEA will be significantly less powerful or may have no distinguishable effects at all.

Legal issues

This legality section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.

• UK: MDEA is a Class A drug.
• USA: MDEA is a Schedule I drug.

See also

• Responsible use
• Entactogen
• Stimulant
• Phenethylamine
• MDMA
• MDA

External links

• MMDA (drug) (Wikipedia)
• MMDA (Isomer Design)
• RollSafe