Also known as
sassafras, sass, mandy, medusa, methylenedioxyamphetamine, love drug
Classification
Psychedelic, stimulanta drug that acts on the Central Nervous System, increasing some rates of function such as heart-rate
Overview
MDA is a man-made (synthetic) recreational drug noted for its stimulanta drug that acts on the Central Nervous System, increasing some rates of function such as heart-rate and psychedelic properties that has been used since the 1960’s as a clubbing and sex-enhancing substance, with some similarities to LSD and MDMASee Ecstasy More (ecstasy). MDA can give people a sense of wellbeing, empathy, intimacy with others and a state of euphoriafeelings of joy and happiness. However the negatives include jaw clenching, hyponatremiaa condition characterised by low sodium levels in the blood More, nausea and a rather unpleasant comedown where one can feel depression and fatiguea feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy. More 1.
What does it look like?
White powder or pills of various colours 1.
Why take it?
Sought after effects
- visual hallucinationswhere someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that don't exist outside of their mind,
- euphoriafeelings of joy and happiness,
- heightened feelings of intimacy 1.
Undesired effects
- anxiety,
- panic attacks,
- sweating 1.
Dosage
Abuse – Oral
- threshold – 20 – 40 mg,
- light – 40 – 60 mg,
- common – 60 – 100 mg,
- strong – 100 – 145 mg,
- heavy – 145 mg + 2.
How long do its effects last?
Onset of effects
Come up
- oral – 15 – 45 minutes 2.
Offset
- oral – 2 – 3 hours 2.
Duration of effects
Pharmacology
Two optical isomers of MDA exist. These are mirror image versions of the molecule. One version (the S-MDA) is more potent than the other (R-MDA), and possesses more psychoactive stimulanta drug that acts on the Central Nervous System, increasing some rates of function such as heart-rate properties, similar to MDMASee Ecstasy More. Shulgin describes the effects of this version as ‘more peaceful and MDMA-like’ at lower doses. Generally, MDA seems to be longer lasting than MDMASee Ecstasy More. MDA acts on three transporter molecules in the brain, SERT, NET and DAT that cause an increase in the serotonin, norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and dopamine neurotransmitters, respectively 1.
MDA acts as a releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor of the neurotransmitters known as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine 5, 6. It also functions as a 5-HT2A 7, 5-HT2B 8, and 5-HT2C 9 receptor agonist and shows affinity for the TAAR1, α2A-, α2B-, α2C-adrenergic receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More and 5-HT1A and 5-HT7 receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More 10.
The effect on serotonin may explain the similar euphoric and empathogenic effects of the two compounds MDMASee Ecstasy More and MDA. However, MDA has a higher efficacy in stimulating the 5-HT2A receptor than MDMASee Ecstasy More; thus MDA tends to cause more psychedelic-like effects, such as visual geometrybest described as the experience of a person's field of vision being partially or completely encompassed by fast-moving, colourful and indescribably complex geometric patterns, form constants, phosphenes, shapes, fractals, structures and colour. These geometric forms can also become structured and organised in a way that presents genuine information to the person experiencing it far beyond the perception of meaningless, although complex, shapes and colours. This happens through the experience of innately understood geometric representations that feel as though they depict specific concepts and neurological components that exist within the brain in a manner that is extremely detailed. More and hallucinationswhere someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that don't exist outside of their mind. Whilst MDMASee Ecstasy More can also produce psychedelic-like visual effects, these are generally less pronounced than those of MDA, or require a heavier dose to become apparent. It’s worth noting that the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain elusive 2.
Tolerance
Tolerancethis is the process by which the receptors in your brain become habituated to the action of a drug. When tolerance is reached, more of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. With benzodiazepines, and probably with many other classes of drugs as well, tolerance is virtually always associated with some degree of physical dependence. If you find that you are experiencing tolerance, this is a clear warning sign that you may have formed a dependence. More to the psychedelic effects of MDA are built almost immediately after ingestion. However, tolerancethis is the process by which the receptors in your brain become habituated to the action of a drug. When tolerance is reached, more of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. With benzodiazepines, and probably with many other classes of drugs as well, tolerance is virtually always associated with some degree of physical dependence. If you find that you are experiencing tolerance, this is a clear warning sign that you may have formed a dependence. More to the stimulanta drug that acts on the Central Nervous System, increasing some rates of function such as heart-rate and entactogenic effects are built up after repeated and heavy usage in a manner that varies between individuals. After that, it takes about 3 days for the tolerancethis is the process by which the receptors in your brain become habituated to the action of a drug. When tolerance is reached, more of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. With benzodiazepines, and probably with many other classes of drugs as well, tolerance is virtually always associated with some degree of physical dependence. If you find that you are experiencing tolerance, this is a clear warning sign that you may have formed a dependence. More to be reduced to half and 7 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). MDA presents cross-tolerance with all psychedelics and most stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of MDA all psychedelics and some stimulants will have a reduced effect 2.
Mode of use
Swallowed, or sometimes sniffed 1.
Effects
Physical effects
- excessive yawning,
- physical euphoriaan intense feeling of pleasure and well-being More,
- pupil dilation,
- spontaneous physical sensations,
- bodily control enhancement,
- perception of bodily heaviness,
- stamina enhancement,
- stimulationcan be defined as any changes in a person's energy levels which are interpreted as stimulating and encouraging when it comes to movement and physical activities such as running, walking, cleaning, socializing, dancing, and climbing More,
- tactile enhancement,
- appetite suppression,
- perception of bodily lightness,
- sedationthe state of being relaxed or sleepy because of a drug More,
- brain zaps,
- dehydration,
- difficulty urinating,
- increased blood pressure,
- increased heart rate,
- increased perspiration,
- seizure,
- teeth grinding,
- temporary erectile dysfunction 2.
Cognitive effects
- anxiety,
- cognitive euphoriastate of intense well-being, happiness, and excitement More,
- compulsive redosing,
- depression,
- derealisationan alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems unreal. More,
- irritability,
- laughter fits,
- mindfulness,
- suicidal ideation,
- time distortion,
- creativity enhancement,
- dream potentiationcan be described as a cognitive component which increases the intensity, vividness and frequency of sleeping dream states. This effect also creates higher detail and definition within dreams alongside of an increase in the likelihood of one's dreams becoming lucid. More,
- emotionality enhancement,
- focus enhancement,
- immersion enhancementThis is an effect which can be described as a pronounced increase in one's ability to become fully engulfed within external visual or auditory stimuli such as music, movies, video games and various other forms of media. More,
- increased libido,
- increased music appreciation,
- increased sense of humour,
- motivation enhancement,
- novelty enhancement,
- stamina enhancement,
- thought acceleration,
- wakefulness,
- anxiety suppression,
- cognitive fatiguethe decline in the ability to think effectively and maintain focus. More,
- disinhibition,
- motivation suppression,
- thought deceleration,
- thought disorganisation,
- existential self-realisation,
- unity and interconnectedness 2.
Visual effects
- acuity enhancement,
- colour enhancement,
- pattern recognition enhancement,
- after images,
- symmetrical texture repetition,
- tracers,
- vibrating vision,
- geometrybest described as the experience of a person's field of vision being partially or completely encompassed by fast-moving, colourful and indescribably complex geometric patterns, form constants, phosphenes, shapes, fractals, structures and colour. These geometric forms can also become structured and organised in a way that presents genuine information to the person experiencing it far beyond the perception of meaningless, although complex, shapes and colours. This happens through the experience of innately understood geometric representations that feel as though they depict specific concepts and neurological components that exist within the brain in a manner that is extremely detailed. More,
- autonomous entities,
- external hallucinationsbest described as the experience of perceiving imagined visual concepts and occurrences which display themselves seamlessly into the external environment as if they were actually happening. More,
- internal hallucinationsbest described as the perception of imagery and scenes which are experienced exclusively within a layer in front of one's open or closed eye vision and not seamlessly within the external environment around oneself. At lower levels, internal hallucinations begin with imagery which does not take up the entirety of one's visual field and is distinctively separate from its background. These can be described as spontaneous moving or still images of scenes, concepts, places, and anything one could imagine. They are manifested in varying levels of detail, ranging from ill-defined and cartoon-like in nature to completely realistic and beyond realism through seemingly impossible, non-euclidean geometric forms. They rarely hold their form for more than a few seconds before fading or shifting into another image. More,
- peripheral information misinterpretation,
- perspective alterations,
- scenarios and plots,
- settings, sceneries, and landscapes,
- transformations 2.
Auditory effects
- auditory distortion,
- auditory enhancement,
- auditory hallucinationswhere someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that don't exist outside of their mind 2.
Positive
- extreme mood lift,
- increased willingness to communicate,
- increase in energy (stimulationcan be defined as any changes in a person's energy levels which are interpreted as stimulating and encouraging when it comes to movement and physical activities such as running, walking, cleaning, socializing, dancing, and climbing More),
- ego softening,
- feelings of comfort, belonging, and closeness to others,
- feelings of love and empathy,
- forgiveness,
- increased awareness & appreciation of music,
- increased awareness of senses (taste, smell, touch, hearing, vision),
- profound life-changing spiritual experiences,
- neurotically based fear dissolution,
- sensations bright and intense,
- urge to hug and kiss people 4.
Neutral
- decreased appetite,
- visual distortion,
- nystagmusrapid involuntary rhythmic movement of the eyes More,
- mild visual hallucinationswhere someone sees, hears, smells, tastes or feels things that don't exist outside of their mind,
- moderately increased heart rate and blood pressure (increases with dose),
- restlessness, nervousness, shivering,
- change in body temperature regulation,
- strong desire to do or want more when coming down 4.
Negative
- inappropriate and/or unintended emotional bonding,
- tendency to say things you might feel uncomfortable about later,
- trismajaw clenching, bruxiateeth grinding More,
- difficulty concentrating & problems with activities requiring linear focus,
- short-term memory scramble or loss & confusiontrouble focusing, slow or disorganised thinking, poor short-term memory, unsure of time or place, or having difficulty following a conversation,
- muscle tension,
- erectile disfunction and difficulty reaching orgasm,
- increase in body temperature, hyperthermiaThis is a condition in which the body's temperature is higher than normal More, dehydration (drink water),
- hyponatraemiaThis is a low sodium level in the blood More (don’t drink too much water),
- nausea and vomiting,
- headaches, dizziness, loss of balance, and vertigoa medical condition where a person feels as if they or the objects around them are moving when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement More,
- post-trip crash – unpleasantly harsh comedown from the peak effect,
- hangover the next day, lasting days to weeks,
- mild depression and fatiguea feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy. More for up to a week,
- severe depression and/or fatiguea feeling of weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy. More (uncommon),
- possible strong urge to repeat the experience, though not physically addictive,
- possible psychological crisis requiring hospitalisation (psychoticthis is a mental state when you see or hear things which aren't there and have delusions More episodes, severe panic attacks, etc) (rare),
- possible liver toxicityThis is when too much of something is taken over a short period of time More (rare),
- neurotoxicity,
- small risk of death. assuming similar risk to MDMASee Ecstasy More, approximately 2 per 100,000 users have extreme negative reactions resulting in death (rare) 4.
Hangover
Many users report feeling extremely drained the day after MD(M)A use. This ‘day after’ effect means for many MD(M)A users that they need to plan 2 days for the experience: one for the peak experience and one recovery day, with very little planned. Many users also experience some level of post-MD(M)A depression, often starting on the second day after the experience and lasting for up to 5 days. A small percentage of users report depressive symptoms for weeks afterwards. Alternately, some users report feeling better than normal for a week or so after taking MD(M)A . The negative after-effects of taking MDMASee Ecstasy More appear to be worse with higher frequencies of use, higher dosages, and perhaps total lifetime usage 4.
Addiction
Can you get addicted?
As with other stimulants, the chronic use of MDA 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 2.
Interactions
Dangerous
- 25x-NBOMe – Both the NBOMe series and this compound induce powerful stimulationcan be defined as any changes in a person's energy levels which are interpreted as stimulating and encouraging when it comes to movement and physical activities such as running, walking, cleaning, socializing, dancing, and climbing More and their interaction may cause severe side-effects. These can include thought loops, seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More, increased blood pressure, vasoconstrictionnarrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels (in particular the large arteries and small arterioles), increased heart rate, and heart failure (in extreme cases).
- Alcohol – It is dangerous to combine alcohol, a depressant, with stimulants due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the sedativeOne of a diverse group of drugs manufactured for medical purposes to relax the central nervous system. More effect of alcohol which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulanta drug that acts on the Central Nervous System, increasing some rates of function such as heart-rate wears off, the effects of alcohol will be significantly increased, leading to intensified disinhibition as well as respiratory depressionslowing the drive and effectiveness of breathing More. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.
- DXM – This combination may cause increased heart rate and panic attacks.
- MXE – Increased heart rate and blood pressure may occur.
- Tramadol – This combination can increase the risk of seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More.
- Cocaine – This combination may increase strain on the heart 2.
- αMT,
- MAOIsMAOIs may be used to treat the symptoms of depression. More – MAO-B inhibitors can increase the potency and duration of phenethylamines unpredictably. MAO-A inhibitors with amphetamine can lead to hypertensive crises 3.
Unsafe
- DOx – The combined stimulating effects of the two can lead to an uncomfortable body-load, while the focusing effects of amphetamine can easily lead to thought loops. Coming down from amphetamines while the DOx is still active can be quite anxiogenicsomething that causes anxiety More.
- NBOMes – Amphetamines and NBOMes both provide considerable stimulationcan be defined as any changes in a person's energy levels which are interpreted as stimulating and encouraging when it comes to movement and physical activities such as running, walking, cleaning, socializing, dancing, and climbing More. When combined they can result in tachycardiarapid pulse rate, hypertensionhigh blood pressure, vasoconstrictionnarrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels (in particular the large arteries and small arterioles) and in extreme cases heart failure. The anxiogenicsomething that causes anxiety More and focusing effects of stimulants are also not good in combination with psychedelics as they can lead to unpleasant thought loops. NBOMes are known to cause seizuresthe outward effect can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement (tonic-clonic seizure) to as subtle as a momentary loss of awareness More and stimulants can increase this risk.
- 2C-T-x – Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences. In extreme cases, they can result in severe vasoconstrictionnarrowing of the blood vessels resulting from contraction of the muscular wall of the vessels (in particular the large arteries and small arterioles), tachycardiarapid pulse rate, hypertensionhigh blood pressure, and in extreme cases heart failure.
- 5-MeO-xxT – The anxiogenicsomething that causes anxiety More and focusing effects of stimulants increase the chance of unpleasant thought loops. The combination is generally unnecessary because of the stimulating effects of psychedelics.
- DXM – Both substances raise heart rate, in extreme cases, panic attacks caused by these drugs have led to more serious heart issues.
- PCP – This combination can easily lead to hypermanic states 3.
Mixing with other drugs
No drug combination is really safe. The risks could be divided into three categories: ones with the fewest reported physical problems, ones with a higher chance of problems and ones that are dangerous 11.
Drugs with a small chance of problems in combination with MDA –
Drugs with a higher chance of problems in combination with MDA –
- speed (amp/meth) – may increase toxicityThis is when too much of something is taken over a short period of time More (can be dangerous to combine stimulants),
- alcohol (can increase dehydration),
- MDMASee Ecstasy More (no cross tolerancethis is the process by which the receptors in your brain become habituated to the action of a drug. When tolerance is reached, more of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. With benzodiazepines, and probably with many other classes of drugs as well, tolerance is virtually always associated with some degree of physical dependence. If you find that you are experiencing tolerance, this is a clear warning sign that you may have formed a dependence. More between the two, same dangers as speed, plus increased risk of serotonin syndrome),
- LSD/Mushrooms/Mescaline (no physical dangers noted, may be overwhelming mentally) 11.
Drugs that are dangerous in combination with MDA –
- MAOI’s (monoamine oxide is the chemical that breaks down 5ht, increased risk of serotonin syndrome, very dangerous),
- DXM (may interfere with the enzyme that breaks down MDA, plus affects body’s ability to regulate temperature),
- Ritonavir (prescription protease inhibitor, can be life threatening to take with MDA) 11.
If you choose to use a combination, realise that the effects of the two drugs will not just be added together, they can be many times more powerful than a single drug. Be sure you fully understand your body’s reaction to both drugs you wish to combine, and take smaller doses of both than you normally would 11.
Harm reduction
MDA seems to be toxiccapable of causing injury or death at higher levels, and more so than MDMASee Ecstasy More. Acute toxicityThis is when too much of something is taken over a short period of time More causes agitation, sweating, increased blood pressure and heart rate, convulsionswhen your body shakes violently without you meaning it to and sharp increase in body temperature.
If one were to take MDA, it is extremely important to stay properly hydrated, making sure that you are not over-heating or that you are not over-hydrated.
It is also important that you do not take too much of the drug in one session, and only taking a little at first as you may not know the source of the drug; one batch may be more potent than others. The more you take, the greater probability of experiencing acute toxicityThis is when too much of something is taken over a short period of time More 1.
History
MDA was first synthesised in 1910 by G. Mannish and W. Jacobson. First human trials for MDA was in 1941 in order to investigate any medicinal qualities for Parkinson’s syndrome, and later if it could be used as an anti-depressant.
On the 8th of January, 1953, the first MDA overdose was recorded during an experiment funded by the U.S army, who were working on finding a truth serum.
In 1963 and 1964, MDA began to be used by various countercultures, and slowly grew in popularity.
The drug is now scheduled under the Misuse of Drugs act of 1971, as a Class A drug 1.
MDA was first synthesised by G. Mannish and W. Jacobson in 1910.
It was first ingested in July 1930 by Gordon Alles who then licensed the drug to Smith Kline and French. MDA was first used in animal tests in 1939, and human trials began in 1941 in the exploration of possible therapies for Parkinson’s disease. From 1949 to 1957, more than 500 human subjects were given MDA in an investigation of its potential use as an antidepressant and/or anorectic by Smith, Kline & French.
The United States Army also experimented with the drug, code named EA-1298, while working to develop a truth drug or incapacitating agent. One human subject died in January 1953 after being intravenously injected with 450 mg of the drug.
MDA was patented as a cough suppressant by H. D. Brown in 1958, as an ataractic by Smith, Kline & French in 1960, and as an anorectic under the trade name “Amphedoxamine” in 1961. Several researchers, including Claudio Naranjo and Richard Yensen, have explored MDA in the field of psychotherapy.
MDA began to appear on the recreational drug scene around 1963 to 1964. It was then inexpensive and readily available as a research chemical from several scientific supply houses. Although now illegal, MDA continues to be bought, sold, and used as a recreational ‘love drug’, due to its enhancement of empathy 4.
Footnotes:
MDA, 2017, http://www.release.org.uk/drugs/mda-mdai
MDA, 2017, https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/MDA
MDA, 2017, http://drugs.tripsit.me/mda
MDA, 2017, https://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/MDA
Lewin, A. H. and Miller, G. M. and Gilmour, B., Trace amine-associated receptor 1 is a stereoselective binding site for compounds in the amphetamine class, Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry, 2011, 19, 23, 7044-7048, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmc.2011.10.007, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22037049
Wallach, J. V., Endogenousproduced within or caused by factors within the body. More hallucinogens as ligands of the trace amine receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More: a possible role in sensory perception, Medical Hypotheses, 2009, 72, 1, 91-94, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2008.07.052, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18805646
Giovanni, G. D. and Matteo, V. D. and Esposito, E., Serotonin-Dopamine Interaction: Experimental Evidence and Therapeutic Relevance, 2008, Elsevier, ISBN 0080932681, https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=qTkYysh1FWgC
Rothman, R. B. and Baumann, M. H., Serotonergic drugs and valvular heart disease, Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 2009, 8, 3, 317-329, https://doi.org/10.1517/14740330902931524, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19505264
Nash, J. F. and Roth, B. L. and Brodkin, J. D. and Nichols, D. E. and Gudelsky, G. A., Effect of the R(-) and S(+) isomers of MDA and MDMASee Ecstasy More on phosphatidyl inositol turnover in cultured cells expressing 5-HT2A or 5-HT2C receptorsnerve endings that sense changes in the body More, Neuroscience letters, 1994, 15, 177, 111-115, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7824160
Ray, T. S., Psychedelics and the human receptorome, PLoS One, 2010, 5, 2, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0009019, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20126400
MDA, 2012, http://wiki.bluelight.org/index.php/MDA