MDA
MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) is the amphetamine homolog of MDMA and one of the oldest known entactogens. It is longer-acting and more overtly psychedelic and stimulating than MDMA, with visual effects at higher doses. It shares MDMA's serotonergic mechanism and carries the same neurotoxicity, hyperthermia, and serotonin-syndrome concerns, arguably to a greater degree.
01 Overview
First synthesised in 1910 and studied intermittently in mid-20th-century human research before being scheduled, MDA occupies a middle ground between classical psychedelics and stimulant entactogens. Users report empathogenic warmth alongside stronger visual distortion and a more amphetamine-like body load than MDMA. Its duration is typically longer, 6-8 hours.
MDA is a metabolite of MDMA and is itself neurotoxic to serotonergic axons in animal models, generally at lower thresholds than MDMA. It is a controlled substance across most jurisdictions.
02 Mechanism
Acts as a substrate-type releasing agent at serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine transporters, driving monoamine efflux; the greater dopaminergic and psychedelic-receptor (5-HT2A) activity relative to MDMA accounts for its stronger stimulation and visuals.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 40–80 mg | Oral | Threshold-to-light range |
| Common | 100–160 mg | Oral | Typical recreational dose |
| Strong | 160–200 mg | Oral | Marked stimulation and visuals; higher risk |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emotional openness and euphoriaWarmth, sociability, and empathic feeling comparable to MDMA but with more stimulation. | Marked | Anecdotal | |
| Visual distortionColour enhancement and mild geometric visuals not typically seen with MDMA. | Mild-moderate at higher doses | Anecdotal | |
| StimulationIncreased energy and wakefulness, more pronounced than MDMA. | Moderate-strong | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serotonergic neurotoxicityLong-lasting reductions in serotonergic axonal markers in animals, generally at lower thresholds than MDMA. | Severe | Dose-dependent, uncertain in humans | Preclinical | |
| HyperthermiaDangerous rise in core temperature, especially with exertion in warm settings. | Life-threatening | Uncommon but potentially fatal | Observational | |
| Serotonin syndromeAgitation, hyperthermia, clonus, and autonomic instability, particularly when combined with SSRIs or MAOIs. | Life-threatening | Rare, higher with serotonergic drugs | Observational |