MDAI

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Entactogenpromote emotional openness and connectedness More

This is a relatively new synthetic (man-made) drug. It is said to have similar effects to MDMASee Ecstasy More (ecstasy) but there is very little information on dose and adverse effects available. It was produced in the 1990’s with the aim of creating a drug that was less toxiccapable of causing injury or death than other types in the same group (e.g. MDMASee Ecstasy More) to be used as an anti-depressant or appetite suppressant ¹.

It is most commonly found as a powder ¹.

Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane (MDAI) is a drug originally synthesised by the American pharmacologist and medicinal chemist, David E. Nichols during the 1990’s at Purdue University. Ordinarily, it appears as a tan-coloured, crystalline powder.

MDAI is derived from the drug -3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) – a single structural alteration is the only difference between the two drugs. However, due to this structural change occurring in the region responsible for typical amphetamine-like responses, significant pharmacological differences are seen when comparing MDAI with MDA.

MDAI has been shown to strongly stimulate the release of the neurotransmitter serotonin in research models and can therefore be described as being a ‘selective serotonin releasing agent’ (SSRA). Serotonin (or 5-HT), is mainly found in the intestines and central nervous systembrain and spinal cord where it is involved in the regulation of processes such as: intestinal movement, sleep, mood, appetite, memory and learning.

The extent to which MDAI stimulates serotonin release is comparable to that seen with MDA but less than is seen with 3, 4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMASee Ecstasy More).

In humans, MDAI has been shown to produce heightened feelings of empathy, love and emotional closeness with others. Drugs producing these effects are known as entactogens (or empathogensa class of psychoactive drugs that produce experiences of emotional communion, oneness, relatedness, emotional openness - that is, empathy or sympathy More) and in addition to MDAI, include MDMASee Ecstasy More and related ‘MDxx’ drugs.

In contrast to many similar drugs, MDAI has been found to be largely non-stimulating and has so far proven to cause neurotoxicity when taken by without any other drugs. Reliable data concerning toxiccapable of causing injury or death effects on the heart (a known problem with many amphetamine and amphetamine-like drugs) has yet to be gathered for MDAI.

MDAI has also been found to inhibit the reuptake (movement back into cells) of serotonin as well as (to a lesser degree) the neurotransmitters dopamine (involved in regulating reward-seeking behaviour) and norepinephrine (or noradrenaline – a primary stress hormone).

Subjective user reports have indicated that mild pharmacological effects are seen at doses between 150mg – 250mg, with significant effects above this. However, factors such as a user’s weight, previous usage and metabolism are just some variables that would determine an individual’s response to MDAI.

Adulteration with other drugs (including the now illegal drug mephedrone), has been found in samples being sold as MDAI and this could also significantly alter the pharmacological and toxiccapable of causing injury or death effects produced ¹.

MDAI has been shown to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and has a selective affinity for the serotonin receptor. Studies show that the brains of animals treated with MDAI have greater extracellular concentrations of monoamine neural transmitters, most significantly serotonin. For comparison, MDAI is similar in potency with releasing serotonin to MDA, but significantly less potent than MDMASee Ecstasy More ⁴. This is done by inhibiting the reuptake and reabsorption of the neurotransmitters after they have performed their function of transmitting a neural impulse, essentially allowing them to accumulate, be reused and cause entactogenic effects ².

• Snorted – usually divided into lines and snorted (insufflatedInsufflating, commonly referred to as snorting, is a method of drug administration where powdered substances are inhaled through the nose. More) via rolled up paper or ‘bumped’/’keyed’ i.e. small amount sniffed.
• Swallowed – swallowed (ingested) by ‘bombing’. A ‘bomb’ is prepared by wrapping individual doses in cigarette paper ¹.

Although many drugs are safe on their own, they can become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below contains some common potentially dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. Certain combinations may be safe in low doses of each but still increase the potential risk of death. Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption ².

• 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.
• MDMA – The neurotoxic effects of MDMASee Ecstasy More may be increased when combined with other stimulants.
• Cocaine – This combination may increase strain on the heart ².

MDAI is covered by The Psychoactive Substances Act. It was introduced in the UK on the 26th May 2016 and it makes it an offence to manufacture, export/import (i.e. buying from a non-UK website), supply or offer to supply any psychoactive substance, if likely to be used for its psychoactive effects. Despite being psychoactive, alcohol, nicotine, tobacco and caffeine are exempt from the act.

Under the new regulations, possession with intent to supply is an offence. Possession is not an offence, except in a ‘custodial institution’ (e.g. prison, young offenders centre).

Penalties range from civil sanctions to a 7 year prison sentence but some offences will be considered to be aggravated, including selling to under 18s or around schools and children’s homes etc ⁵.

MDAI can be fast acting and powerful, so it’s important to know your own limits; if you’re new to it, start with small doses until you find your 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. If you don’t feel the effects immediately, don’t redose, wait at least an hour before taking any more ¹.

• it can interact with other substances (particularly alcohol) so try not to use anything else at the same time,
• if snorting, clean out your nose after use and do not share snorting equipment,
• try to use with friends (but remember that sharing can be considered supply) or at the very least make sure someone you trust knows where you are and can get help if necessary ¹.

MDAI was first investigated in the 1990’s at Purdue University by David E. Nicholas, as a selective serotonin releasing agent. Until 2009, when it first became available to the public in headshops and via online legal high sellers, there was very little history with the drug ¹.