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NM-2-AI Facts

Stimulant; Entactogen; Aminoindane; Monoamine releasing agent

Description

NM-2-AI (N-methyl-2-aminoindane) is a synthetic stimulant of the aminoindane class. It works by flooding synapses with norepinephrine, producing driven alertness and physical activation.[1][2]

Subjective effects include physical stimulation, wakefulness, sharpened focus, and mild euphoria. The experience is stimulant-forward — a driven, alert push without the emotional warmth or social connection characteristic of serotonin-releasing aminoindanes like MDAI.[3]

Dependence potential is moderate, and computational modeling predicts an 82% probability of cardiovascular toxicity.[4] One death has been documented in a polydrug context,[5] and combining NM-2-AI with MAOIs or other serotonergic drugs risks fatal blood pressure crisis and dangerous overheating.

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 5 mgLight50 – 100 mgCommon100 – 150 mgStrong150 – 200 mgHeavy200+ mg

Starts in 30 – 60 minLasts 2 – 4 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 6 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Moderate
Chronic toxicity
Low
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
Mild
Compulsive redosing
High

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
dopaminergic stimulants; other monoamine releasing agents

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 8 possible
Body
Stimulation; Wakefulness; Body scan awareness; Pupil dilation; +26 possible, including Muscle tension, Excessive sweating, Dehydration sensation
Thinking
none likely · 27 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive dysphoria, Suggestibility enhancement
Feeling
Euphoria; +12 possible, including Depression, Anxiety, Emotional lability
Self
none likely · 9 possible, including Craving, Ego inflation
Time
none likely · 3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Awareness
none likely · 3 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Uncontrolled hypertension; Severe cardiovascular disease; Pregnancy; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Seizure disorders; Bipolar disorder; Psychosis spectrum disorders; Hepatic impairment

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (2)
MAOIs; Tramadol
Dangerous (32)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; and 8 more, see full page
Caution (23)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/nm-2-ai
Not graded (4)
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

Version r1.a1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Simmler LD, Rickli A, Schramm Y, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2014) Pharmacological profiles of aminoindanes, piperazines, and pipradrol derivatives. — Biochemical Pharmacology doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.01.024
  2. [2]
    ^Halberstadt A, Brandt S, Walther D, Baumann M (2019) 2-Aminoindan and its ring-substituted derivatives interact with plasma membrane monoamine transporters and alpha2-adrenergic receptors — Psychopharmacology doi:10.1007/s00213-019-05207-1
  3. [3]
    ^Tirri M, Corli G, Arfe R, Marchetti B, Bilel S, Bernardi T, Boccuto F, Odoardi S, Mestria S, Strano-Rossi S, Marti M (2023) Behavioral and Pharmacokinetics Studies of N-Methyl-2-Aminoindane (NM2AI) in Mice: An Aminoindane Briefly Used in the Illicit Drug Market. — International Journal of Molecular Sciences doi:10.3390/ijms24031882
  4. [4]
    ^Jurowski K, Frydrych A (2026) First toxicity profile of 2-aminoindane and N-Methyl-2-aminoindane using in silico multi-approach. — Toxicology in Vitro doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106149
  5. [5]
    ^US Drug Enforcement Administration (2021) DEA Alert Regarding N-Methyl-2-Aminoindane (NM-2-AI) Link
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