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MDA Facts

Psychedelic; Stimulant; Entactogen; MDxx; Serotonin releasing agent

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

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

  1. Move them somewhere cool and help them cool down — overheating is the main danger
  2. 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)
  3. Get them to rest and stop dancing
  4. For overheating, seizures, chest pain, muscle rigidity/tremor, confusion, or unresponsiveness, call emergency services
  5. Recovery position if drowsy or vomiting; stay with them
  6. 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
On the printout