1,3-dimethylamylamine, methylhexanamine · Evidence-based safety and harm-reduction overview.
| Also known as | 1,3-dimethylamylamine, methylhexanamine |
| Category | Nootropic |
| fda_ban_date | 2013; based on direct cardiovascular harm evidence |
| reported_deaths | Multiple cases of myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic stroke, and sudden cardiac death documented in the literature |
| potency | More potent sympathomimetic than ephedrine; extreme cardiovascular effects |
| legal_status | Completely illegal in US dietary supplements; illegal manufacture and importation prosecuted |
| US legal status | BANNED by the FDA in dietary supplements (2013) due to serious cardiovascular risks and deaths. Illegal to sell in the US as a supplement; sometimes illegally imported |
A sympathomimetic amine structurally similar to ephedrine. Previously marketed as a 'natural' stimulant for energy and fat loss despite severe harm.
DMAA is a sympathomimetic amine that acts as an agonist at alpha and beta adrenergic receptors, similar to ephedrine but with potentially greater potency in some tissues. It stimulates norepinephrine and dopamine release and shows MAOI-like properties at higher doses. This potent sympathomimetic action produces intense cardiovascular stimulation, explaining both its desired and dangerous effects.
DMAA was synthesized in the 1970s as a pharmaceutical decongestant in France and some European countries. In the 1990s-2000s, it entered the US supplement market under brand names like 'Geranamine,' often marketed as a 'natural' stimulant (misleadingly linked to geranium plants). Bodybuilders and athletes sought it for intense stimulation. The FDA ban in 2013 followed accumulating case reports of cardiovascular deaths and strokes.
Multiple case reports link DMAA to heart attacks, strokes, hemorrhagic strokes, and deaths. FDA ban was based on these harms. No legitimate modern research supports safe use.
Supplement products typically contained 25-100 mg per dose. No dose was ever proven safe; cardiac events occurred across this range. The compound has no legitimate modern medical dosing in the US.
This is general research/context information, not medical advice or a recommended protocol.
Do not stack DMAA with anything. DMAA itself is banned. Stacking with other sympathomimetics would amplify its extreme cardiovascular risk to potentially fatal levels.
Caffeine or approved pre-workout. Legal alternatives deliver energy and focus without the documented mortality risk of DMAA; use approved, third-party-tested pre-workouts if more intensity is desired.
See our recommended pickIf you are going to research a compound, verifying identity and purity is the single most protective step. Independent analytical testing and sterile-handling supplies reduce risk.
Compare testing optionsFDA gathered case reports of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths in otherwise healthy people taking supplement DMAA. The compound carried unacceptable mortality risk.
No. DMAA is DMAA regardless of source. The FDA ban applies to all forms. 'Natural' does not mean safe.
Not legally through legitimate suppliers. If you find it, it is illegal. Avoid. The risks are real and documented.
Users sought intense energy, euphoria, and appetite suppression for athletic performance and fat loss. The potency was appealing despite being dangerous.
Yes. Caffeine, approved pre-workout formulas, exercise, and other established methods deliver energy and performance benefits without documented mortality risk.
Medical & legal disclaimer. This site is for informational and harm-reduction purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for a licensed healthcare professional. The compounds discussed are largely not approved by the FDA for human use and many are sold strictly as research chemicals 'not for human consumption.' Nothing here is an endorsement to purchase, possess, or use any substance. Laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a qualified physician and follow the law where you live.
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