DMAA
STIMULANTAlso known as: 1,3-Dimethylamylamine, Methylhexanamine, Geranamine, 4-Methylhexan-2-amine, 1,3-Dimethylpentylamine, Floradrene, Forthane
What is DMAA?
DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) is a synthetic sympathomimetic amine originally developed by Eli Lilly in 1944 as a nasal decongestant (Forthane). It gained widespread popularity in pre-workout supplements like Jack3d and OxyElite Pro between 2006-2013, often marketed falsely as 'geranium extract.' Despite manufacturer claims of natural origin, extensive laboratory analysis confirmed DMAA is entirely synthetic. The FDA banned DMAA in 2013 after receiving 86 adverse event reports including at least 5 deaths. Court challenges by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals were rejected through the Supreme Court in 2020, definitively establishing DMAA's illegal status.
Why is DMAA Banned?
FDA determined DMAA poses unacceptable cardiovascular risks even at recommended doses. Key factors: (1) 5+ documented deaths including young athletes; (2) 86 serious adverse event reports including strokes, heart attacks, and seizures; (3) Synthetic origin despite natural marketing claims; (4) 92.3% of military false positive amphetamine tests caused by DMAA; (5) Hi-Tech vs FDA litigation confirmed DMAA is not a dietary ingredient and lacks safety evidence.
Health Risks & Side Effects
Health Risk Level
This substance has a high risk of overdose and moderate addiction potential.
warningCommon Side Effects
- arrow_rightHemorrhagic stroke
- arrow_rightCardiac arrest
- arrow_rightMyocardial infarction (heart attack)
- arrow_rightHypertensive crisis
- arrow_rightPulmonary edema
- arrow_rightElevated blood pressure (8-16 mmHg increase)
blockContraindications
- arrow_rightAny heart condition or cardiovascular disease
- arrow_rightHigh blood pressure (hypertension)
- arrow_rightHistory of stroke or TIA
- arrow_rightUse of other stimulants (caffeine, ephedrine)
- arrow_rightPregnancy or breastfeeding
- arrow_rightHistory of seizures
How Does DMAA Work?
DMAA is a sympathomimetic amine that primarily functions as a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor/releasing agent (Ki ~649 nM at NET). It also competitively inhibits the dopamine transporter (DAT) with IC50 ~29.4 µM—approximately 60x less potent than amphetamine. DMAA causes vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure, and increased heart rate through sympathetic nervous system activation. Unlike amphetamine, DMAA lacks a phenyl ring, which reduces DAT potency but maintains sympathomimetic activity. Terminal half-life is 8.45 hours with minimal hepatic metabolism (>90% excreted unchanged in urine).
History
1944: Synthesized by Eli Lilly as nasal decongestant. 1948-1983: Marketed as Forthane/Forthan. 1983: Voluntarily withdrawn due to side effects. 2006: Re-emerged in supplements falsely claimed as 'geranium extract.' 2010: WADA prohibition. 2011: Fort Bliss soldier deaths prompt Army investigation. 2012: FDA warning letters to 10+ companies; UK/Australia bans. 2013: FDA declares illegal; USPlabs destroys $8M inventory. 2017-2020: Hi-Tech vs FDA lawsuit rejected through Supreme Court.
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articleWhat is DMAA?
DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine) is a synthetic sympathomimetic amine with the chemical formula C₇H₁₇N (molecular weight 115.22 g/mol). Originally developed by Eli Lilly in 1944 as a nasal decongestant under the brand name Forthane, DMAA was voluntarily withdrawn from the pharmaceutical market in 1983 due to side effects.
In 2006, DMAA re-emerged in dietary supplements marketed as a 'natural' extract from geranium plants. However, extensive scientific analysis by NSF International, the University of Milan, and the FDA definitively established that DMAA is entirely synthetic—not derived from any botanical source. The 'geranium extract' claim was fraudulent marketing used to circumvent dietary supplement regulations.
DMAA gained massive popularity in pre-workout supplements like Jack3d and OxyElite Pro between 2006-2013 due to its potent stimulant effects, including increased energy, focus, and euphoria. At peak popularity, DMAA-containing products generated hundreds of millions in sales.
articleWhy Was DMAA Banned?
The FDA banned DMAA in April 2013 after receiving 86 reports of serious adverse events, including at least 5 confirmed deaths. Key reasons for the ban include:
- Deaths: Claire Squires (30) died during the 2012 London Marathon; PFC Michael Sparling (22) and Sgt Demekia Cola (32) died during training at Fort Bliss in 2011
- Cardiovascular Events: Multiple heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrests in young, healthy individuals
- Hemorrhagic Strokes: 5+ documented cases of brain hemorrhages in users aged 21-41
- Synthetic Origin: Laboratory analysis proved DMAA is not a natural botanical ingredient, making it illegal under DSHEA
- Court Confirmation: Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals challenged the ban through the Supreme Court (2020)—all appeals were denied, confirming DMAA's illegal status
In 2013, USPlabs voluntarily destroyed approximately $8 million in Jack3d and OxyElite Pro inventory containing DMAA.
articleDMAA Side Effects: Short-Term & Long-Term Risks
Acute (Short-Term) Side Effects:
- Blood pressure elevation: 8-16 mmHg increase (up to 240/120 mmHg in overdose)
- Rapid heartbeat and heart palpitations
- Severe headaches (often prodromal to stroke)
- Tremors and involuntary muscle twitching
- Anxiety, agitation, and restlessness
- Nausea and stomach discomfort
- Excessive sweating
Severe/Life-Threatening Effects:
- Hemorrhagic stroke: 5+ documented cases in young users
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Cardiac arrest
- Seizures
- Acute liver failure (documented in OxyElite Pro outbreak)
Long-Term Risks:
Due to DMAA's ban, long-term studies are limited. However, repeated cardiovascular stress from stimulant abuse can contribute to:
- Chronic hypertension
- Heart muscle damage
- Increased stroke risk
- Potential CYP2D6 enzyme inhibition affecting other medications
articleHow Long Does DMAA Stay in Your System?
DMAA has a terminal half-life of 8.45 ± 1.9 hours—meaning it takes about 8.5 hours for half the dose to be eliminated. Key pharmacokinetic data:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Half-Life | 8.45 hours (range: 6.57-11.79 hours) |
| Peak Concentration | 3-5 hours after ingestion |
| Volume of Distribution | 236 L (extensive tissue distribution) |
| Metabolism | Minimal—90%+ excreted unchanged in urine |
Detection Windows by Test Type:
- Urine: 4-7 days (up to 105 hours documented)
- Blood: 24-48 hours
- Hair: Up to 90 days
- Saliva: 1-3 days (limited data)
DMAA's large volume of distribution (236 L) means it accumulates extensively in tissues, contributing to the extended detection window despite moderate clearance rates.
articleDMAA Drug Testing: False Positives & Detection
Critical Warning: DMAA causes false positive results for amphetamines on standard immunoassay drug tests.
Military research revealed that 92.3% of false-positive amphetamine samples in Department of Defense testing contained DMAA. Of 134 false-positive samples analyzed, 124 were caused by DMAA at ~6.0 mg/L concentration.
Why False Positives Occur:
Immunoassay screening tests (EMIT) lack specificity and cross-react with DMAA's sympathomimetic structure, flagging it as amphetamine. However, confirmatory GC-MS testing correctly identifies DMAA and distinguishes it from actual amphetamines.
How to Handle a False Positive:
- Request GC-MS confirmatory testing immediately
- Disclose any supplements containing DMAA (or contaminated products)
- Provide supplement labels/receipts as documentation
- Request Medical Review Officer (MRO) evaluation
The Air Force Drug Testing Laboratory confirms: under GC-MS testing, DMAA will never produce a positive result for amphetamines.
articleDMAA Legal Status by Country (2025)
| Country | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|
| United States | ILLEGAL | FDA banned (2013); all court challenges rejected through Supreme Court (2020) |
| United Kingdom | BANNED | MHRA ruling (August 2012) - unlicensed medicinal product |
| Australia | BANNED | TGA Appendix C Poisons Standard (June 2012) |
| Canada | BANNED | Health Canada classified as drug (2011) |
| New Zealand | BANNED | Psychoactive Substances Act 2013 |
| European Union | NOT AUTHORIZED | Banned in Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland; not approved EU-wide |
| WADA | PROHIBITED | Banned in all sports since 2010 |
| U.S. Military | PROHIBITED | DoD ban (2012); on Prohibited Dietary Supplement list |
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Research articles and educational resources
Overview
Methylhexanamine
Methylhexanamine is an indirect sympathomimetic drug invented and developed by Eli Lilly and Company and marketed as an inhaled nasal decongestant from 1948 until it was voluntarily withdrawn from the market in the 1980s.
Scientific Research
From PubMed • 3 peer-reviewed studies
Memantine for dementia.
Alzheimer's disease, vascular and mixed dementia are the three commonest forms of dementia affecting older people. There is evidence that the excitatory activity of L-glutamate plays a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and in the damage from an ischaemic stroke. A low affinity antagonist to N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type receptors, such as memantine, may prevent excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity without interfering with the physiological actions of glutamate required for memory and learning.
Have prohibition policies made the wrong decision? A critical review of studies investigating the effects of DMAA.
In June 2012 DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine), an ephedrine-like vasoconstricting substance which had been included in many popular sports supplements, became a scheduled substance in Australia, following bans in several other countries. The underlying rationale for this ban was that DMAA use is unsafe. This paper aimed to critically review the available evidence on the acute and/or long-term harms of DMAA. Using five research databases (PubMed, Embase, ProQuest Health and Medical Complete, and Web of Science) and the key terms 'methylhexaneamine', 'DMAA', 'dimethylamylamine', '1,3-dimethylpentylamine' and '2-amino-4-methylhexane', 842 articles were identified once duplicates removed. Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. Of the included studies, eight were case studies, which reported on eight patients who presented to emergence departments. All were retrospective in their reporting. The patients displayed various outcomes; while the patients were presenting with serious problems, in most patients conditions subsided on cessation of supplement use. The remaining eight experimental studies were low powered, with a number of studies conducted by a single research group with industry ties, and broadly investigated the effects of DMAA on physiological outcomes. Mixed findings were apparent, although escalations of blood pressure were present on acute dosing, as well as decreases in measures of body weight and body fat. There is a shallow evidence base describing the adverse effects of DMAA and the dose above which such effects may occur. The scheduling of DMAA in many countries may now impede research efforts to determine whether there are safe doses at which DMAA can be consumed.
Memantine for dementia.
Alzheimer's disease, vascular and mixed dementia are the three commonest forms of dementia affecting older people. There is evidence that the excitatory activity of L-glutamate plays a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and in the damage from an ischaemic stroke. A low affinity antagonist to N-Methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) type receptors, such as memantine, may prevent excitatory amino acid neurotoxicity without interfering with the physiological actions of glutamate required for memory and learning.