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PMA Facts

Stimulant; Entactogen; Substituted amphetamine; Serotonin releasing agent

Description

PMA (para-methoxyamphetamine) is a synthetic empathogen of the phenethylamine class. It is related to MDMA but distinguished by an additional ability to block the enzyme that breaks serotonin down. These simultaneous actions — releasing serotonin, blocking reuptake, and preventing breakdown — produce serotonin accumulation far beyond what MDMA generates.[1][2][3]

Subjective effects include moderate stimulation, emotional warmth, anxiety, and mild visual disturbances.[4] The experience is less rewarding and more physically punishing than MDMA — the emotional openness is muted and cardiovascular strain is pronounced.[5]

PMA shows low abuse liability[6] but extreme acute toxicity — the margin between an active and a fatal dose is among the narrowest of any recreational substance.[7] A slow onset — 60–90 minutes or longer — leads users to redose before the first takes hold, producing lethal serotonin overload and overheating.[8][5]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 10 mgLight20 – 40 mgCommon40 – 60 mgStrong60 – 80 mgHeavy80+ mg

Starts in 60 – 120 minLasts 6 – 8 hoursAfter-effects 4 – 12 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Critical
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
None
Psychological dependence
Low
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
Not recorded
Carries over to
MDMA; PMMA; MDA; 4-MTA

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 5 possible
Body
Stimulation; Appetite suppression; Temperature dysregulation; Excessive sweating; Pupil dilation; Wakefulness; +25 possible, including Abnormal heartbeat, Dehydration sensation, Vasoconstriction
Thinking
none likely · 15 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Cognitive impairment, Confusion
Feeling
none likely · 10 possible, including Anxiety, Dysphoria, Paranoia
Self
none likely · 7 possible, including Craving
Time
none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Hypertension; Cardiac arrhythmias; Epilepsy; Pregnancy; MAO inhibitor therapy
Relative
Asthma; Hepatic impairment; Renal impairment

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (6)
MAOIs; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; Psychedelics; SNRIs; Stimulants
Dangerous (32)
5-HTP, Tryptophan; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; Buspirone; Cannabis; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; L-Tyrosine; Lithium; and 8 more, see full page
Caution (19)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/pma
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

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Green AL, El Hait MA (1980) p-Methoxyamphetamine, a potent reversible inhibitor of type-A monoamine oxidase in vitro and in vivo. — The Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology PMID:6103055
  2. [2]
    ^Freezer A, Salem A, Irvine RJ (2005) Effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, 'Ecstasy') and para-methoxyamphetamine on striatal 5-HT when co-administered with moclobemide. — Brain Research PMID:15804499
  3. [3]
    ^Callaghan PD, Irvine RJ, Daws LC (2005) Differences in the in vivo dynamics of neurotransmitter release and serotonin uptake after acute para-methoxyamphetamine and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine revealed by chronoamperometry. — Neurochemistry International PMID:15979209
  4. [4]
    ^Hegadoren KM, Martin-Iverson MT, Baker GB (1995) Comparative behavioural and neurochemical studies with a psychomotor stimulant, an hallucinogen and 3,4-methylenedioxy analogues of amphetamine. — Psychopharmacology PMID:7617822
  5. [5]
    ^abJaehne EJ, Salem A, Irvine RJ (2007) Pharmacological and behavioral determinants of cocaine, methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, and para-methoxyamphetamine-induced hyperthermia. — Psychopharmacology PMID:17530474
  6. [6]
    ^Corrigall WA, Robertson JM, Coen KM, Lodge BA (1992) The reinforcing and discriminative stimulus properties of para-ethoxy- and para-methoxyamphetamine. — Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior PMID:1539067
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