MDA Facts
Psychedelic;
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Oral(mg)
Threshold< 20 mgLight40 – 60 mgCommon60 – 100 mgStrong100 – 145 mgHeavy145+ mg
Starts in 30 – 60 minLasts 5 – 8 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 6 hours
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Moderate
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Physical dependence
- Negligible
- Psychological dependence
- Low
- Withdrawal
- None recorded
- Compulsive redosing
- Low
Tolerance
- Builds
- Rapid
- Fully resets after
- 7 days
- Carries over to
- MDMA;
serotonergic psychedelics; amphetamines
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 21 possible, including Visual haze / noise, Spatial disorientation
- Body
- Stimulation;
Wakefulness; Appetite suppression; Pupil dilation; Insomnia; +23 possible, including Excessive sweating, Dehydration sensation, Temperature dysregulation - Thinking
- none likely · 20 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive impairment, Decision impairment
- Feeling
- Empathy enhancement;
Emotional enhancement; Euphoria; +7 possible, including Depression, Anhedonia, Emotional lability - Self
- none likely · 9 possible, including Derealization, Craving
- Transpersonal
- none likely · 1 possible
- Awareness
- none likely · 2 possible
Who shouldn't take it
Absolute
Hypertension; Structural heart disease; Psychotic disorders; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; Concurrent MAOI use; Concurrent tramadol use
Relative
Hepatic impairment
Combinations61 recorded
Lethal (2)
MAOIs; Tramadol
Dangerous (33)
Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; and 9 more, see full page
Caution (23)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/mda
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.
Seek help immediately if
- Overheating / very high body temperature — heavy sweating, then hot dry skin (the leading cause of MDMA deaths, worse when dancing in hot venues)
- Muscle rigidity, jaw clenching, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
- Fast, pounding heartbeat; chest pain
- Agitation, confusion; seizures
- Hyponatremia (water intoxication) — headache, confusion, drowsiness, vomiting, and seizures from drinking too much water
- Nausea/vomiting; collapse or unconsciousness
What to do
- Move them somewhere cool and help them cool down — overheating is the main danger
- Sip water to stay hydrated but DO NOT overdrink — roughly a cup (250 ml) per hour if active; too much water can be deadly (hyponatremia)
- Get them to rest and stop dancing
- For overheating, seizures, chest pain, muscle rigidity/tremor, confusion, or unresponsiveness, call emergency services
- Recovery position if drowsy or vomiting; stay with them
- Be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
Most resolve with cooling, rest, sensible hydration, and time. The life-threatening dangers are hyperthermia, serotonin syndrome, and hyponatremia (too much water) — each a medical emergency, not something to wait out.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
psychedex.org/substances/mda · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of