Paramethoxymethamphetamine
Encyclopedia
para-Methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA), is a stimulant
drug
related to para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA).
PMMA reputedly produces similar effects to PMA, but is apparently slightly more similar to MDMA in effects and has slightly less tendency to produce severe hyperthermia
, at least at low doses. At higher doses however the side effects and danger of death are just as severe as those of PMA itself.
PMMA is a lesser-known psychedelic drug
. It is the 4-methoxy
analog
of methamphetamine. PMMA was probably first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin
. In his book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines i Have Known And Loved)
, the minimum dosage is listed as 100 mg, and the duration unknown. Shulgin reported that methyl-MA produces an increase in blood pressure
and in heart rate
, but causes no psychoactive effects, however user reports following the subsequent appearance of this drug on the illicit market as an analogue of "Ecstasy" (MDMA) suggest that PMMA does produce some empathogenic effects. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of PMMA, and given the known toxicity of the related compound PMA it is likely to have considerable potential to cause harmful side effects or overdose which can be fatal.
31 March 2011 Dutch media reported that the Netherlands (Limburg province) had seen 4 deaths related to this drug since November 2010.
30 April 2011 Icelandic media reported that Iceland had seen 1 death of a young woman that may have been related to this drug.
Stimulant
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others...
drug
Drug
A drug, broadly speaking, is any substance that, when absorbed into the body of a living organism, alters normal bodily function. There is no single, precise definition, as there are different meanings in drug control law, government regulations, medicine, and colloquial usage.In pharmacology, a...
related to para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA).
PMMA reputedly produces similar effects to PMA, but is apparently slightly more similar to MDMA in effects and has slightly less tendency to produce severe hyperthermia
Hyperthermia
Hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature due to failed thermoregulation. Hyperthermia occurs when the body produces or absorbs more heat than it can dissipate...
, at least at low doses. At higher doses however the side effects and danger of death are just as severe as those of PMA itself.
PMMA is a lesser-known psychedelic drug
Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants
This general group of pharmacological agents can be divided into three broad categories: psychedelics, dissociatives, and deliriants. These classes of psychoactive drugs have in common that they can cause subjective changes in perception, thought, emotion and consciousness...
. It is the 4-methoxy
Methoxy
In chemistry , methoxy refers to the functional group consisting of a methyl group bound to oxygen. This alkoxy group has the formula O–CH3.The word is used in organic nomenclature usually to describe an ether...
analog
Analog (chemistry)
In chemistry, a structural analog , also known as chemical analog or simply analog, is a compound having a structure similar to that of another one, but differing from it in respect of a certain component. It can differ in one or more atoms, functional groups, or substructures, which are replaced...
of methamphetamine. PMMA was probably first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin
Alexander Shulgin
Alexander "Sasha" Theodore Shulgin is an American pharmacologist, chemist, artist, and drug developer.Shulgin is credited with the popularization of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, especially for psychopharmaceutical use and the treatment of depression and...
. In his book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines i Have Known And Loved)
PiHKAL
PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story is a book by Dr. Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin which was published in 1991. The subject of the work is psychoactive phenethylamine chemical derivatives, notably those that act as psychedelics and/or empathogen-entactogens...
, the minimum dosage is listed as 100 mg, and the duration unknown. Shulgin reported that methyl-MA produces an increase in blood pressure
Blood pressure
Blood pressure is the pressure exerted by circulating blood upon the walls of blood vessels, and is one of the principal vital signs. When used without further specification, "blood pressure" usually refers to the arterial pressure of the systemic circulation. During each heartbeat, BP varies...
and in heart rate
Heart rate
Heart rate is the number of heartbeats per unit of time, typically expressed as beats per minute . Heart rate can vary as the body's need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide changes, such as during exercise or sleep....
, but causes no psychoactive effects, however user reports following the subsequent appearance of this drug on the illicit market as an analogue of "Ecstasy" (MDMA) suggest that PMMA does produce some empathogenic effects. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of PMMA, and given the known toxicity of the related compound PMA it is likely to have considerable potential to cause harmful side effects or overdose which can be fatal.
Reported deaths
31 January 2011 the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation reported that Norway had seen a staggering 12 deaths related to this drug in just 6 months.31 March 2011 Dutch media reported that the Netherlands (Limburg province) had seen 4 deaths related to this drug since November 2010.
30 April 2011 Icelandic media reported that Iceland had seen 1 death of a young woman that may have been related to this drug.
See also
- para-Methoxyamphetamine (PMA)
- 2-MethoxymethamphetamineMethoxyphenamineMethoxyphenamine , also known as 2-methoxy-N-methylamphetamine , is a β-adrenergic receptor agonist of the amphetamine class used as a bronchodilator....
(Methoxyphenamine) - 3-Methoxymethamphetamine3-Methoxymethamphetamine3-Methoxymethamphetamine , is an amphetamine-derived stimulant drug, which is most closely related to 3-methoxyamphetamine and PMMA and shares similar monoamine releasing effects, although its effects have not been studied so extensively as other related drugs.- See also :* PMA* Fenfluramine*...
(MMMA) - 4-Fluoromethamphetamine4-Fluoromethamphetamine4-Fluoromethamphetamine is a stimulant drug related to methamphetamine and 4-fluoroamphetamine. It has been reported to be sold on the illicit market as a controlled substance analogue, but little is known about its pharmacology or toxicology as yet. It became a controlled drug in Japan in 2006...
(4-FMA) - 4-Methylmethamphetamine4-Methylmethamphetamine4-Methylmethamphetamine is a putative stimulant and entactogen drug of the amphetamine class. It is the β-deketo analogue of mephedrone.- See also :* 4-Methylamphetamine * 4-Methylmethcathinone * 3-Methoxymethamphetamine...
(4-MMA) - 4-Methoxymethcathinone (bk-PMMA)