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MDA (3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine) is an entactogenic and psychedelic amphetamine that is also the principal active metabolite of both MDMA and MDEA. It acts as a releaser of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, producing warmth and stimulation alongside more pronounced visual and psychedelic effects than MDMA, and it interacts with alpha-adrenoceptors to influence blood pressure, heart rate, and thermoregulation. MDA is a potent agonist at the 5-HT2B receptor, a property implicated in the valvular heart disease associated with chronic serotonergic drug exposure. Like related ring-substituted amphetamines, its oxidative metabolites can form redox-cycling quinol-thioether conjugates that have been proposed to contribute to long-term serotonergic neurotoxicity observed in animal studies.
- Entactogen with a psychedelic edge
- Warmth, energy, and mild visuals
- Triple-monoamine releaser and potent 5-HT2B agonist
- Overheating and dehydration in hot, active settings
- Jaw tension, raised heart rate and blood pressure
- Stimulating, drawn-out comedown; neurotoxicity concern with heavy use
Mechanism
MDA is a substituted amphetamine that triggers release of , , and and blocks their reuptake, which is the entactogen mechanism; compared with MDMA it leans more dopaminergic and has more direct serotonin-receptor () activity, giving it a more psychedelic, stimulating character. That heavier serotonin release also carries the same neurotoxicity and temperature concerns as MDMA.
receptor fingerprint
transporterreleaser and reuptake inhibitor
releaser
receptoragonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
Like MDMA, MDA strains the cardiovascular system and body temperature (overheating and dehydration are real risks in hot, active settings), and heavy or repeated use raises concern for serotonergic neurotoxicity. The critical hard rule is that it is dangerous with MAOIs and other strong serotonergics (serotonin toxicity), and it stacks cardiovascular risk with other stimulants. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Longer and more visual than MDMA, and correspondingly harder on the body: overheating and dehydration in hot settings, cardiovascular strain, a drawn-out comedown, and a real serotonergic neurotoxicity concern with heavy use. The MAOI rule here is absolute, not a caution.
Resources
No suppliers are provided for compounds like this. This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 1995first citedThe hyperthermic and neurotoxic effects of 'Ecstasy' (MDMA) and 3,4 methylenedioxyamphetamine (…
- 2019most recentEffects of the Psychedelic Amphetamine MDA (3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine) in Healthy Volunteers
- 1.Effects of the Psychedelic Amphetamine MDA (3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine) in Healthy Volunteers
- 2.The hyperthermic and neurotoxic effects of 'Ecstasy' (MDMA) and 3,4 methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) in the Dark Agouti (DA) rat, a model of the CYP2D6 poor metabolizer phenotype.
- 3.Effects of MDMA, MDA and MDEA on blood pressure, heart rate, locomotor activity and body temperature in the rat involve alpha-adrenoceptors.
- 4.Neural and cardiac toxicities associated with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).
- 5.Pharmacokinetic profile of single and repeated oral doses of MDMA in squirrel monkeys: relationship to lasting effects on brain serotonin neurons.
- 6.Ambient temperature effects on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced thermodysregulation and pharmacokinetics in male monkeys.
- 7.[Biomimetic electrochemical synthesis of quinol-thioether conjugates: their implication in the serotonergic neurotoxicity of amphetamine derivatives].
7 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
How is it different from MDMA?
It is more psychedelic and stimulating and less purely empathic, with a longer, more wired comedown.
What is the hard rule?
Never with MAOIs or other strong serotonergics (serotonin toxicity), and watch heat and hydration.
Is it neurotoxic?
Heavy or repeated use raises the same serotonergic neurotoxicity concern as MDMA.
Adverse effects
- Overheating and dehydration in hot, active settings
- Jaw tension, raised heart rate and blood pressure
- Stimulating, drawn-out comedown; neurotoxicity concern with heavy use