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DMAA

Also known as: 

  • Dimethylamylamine
  • Rose geranium oil*
  • Geranium oil*
  • Geranium stems*
  • 1,3-DMAA
  • 1,3-Dimethylamylamine
  • 1,3-Dimethylpentylamine
  • 2-Amino-4-methylhexane
  • 2-Hexanamine, 4-methyl- (9CI)
  • 4-Methyl-2-hexanamine
  • 4-Methyl-2-hexylamine
  • Dimethylamylamine
  • Geranamine
  • Methylhexanamine
  • Methylhexanenamine

*=There is no evidence that DMAA comes from the geranium plant, but some products that contain DMAA will list geranium as an ingredient. Listing geranium products as an ingredient may be a method of some companies to avoid legal consequences if their product is found to contain DMAA. Because of this, be cautious of supplements that list geranium as an ingredient.

 

Safety Rating: 

 

 

BANNED SUBSTANCE!

 

LIKELY HARMFUL

  • Pregnancy
  • Breastfeeding
  • Children
  • Elderly (65+)
  • General population

NOT ENOUGH INFO

  • None

POSSIBLY UNSAFE

  • None

POSSIBLY SAFE

  • None

LIKELY SAFE

  • None


For explanations of what these safety ratings mean, click here.

 

 

Potential Side effects: 

 

Agitation/Aggression

Angina (chest pain)

Anxiety

Chest Pressure

Chest Tightness

Chills

Confusion

Death

Diarrhea

Headache

Heart attack

High blood pressure

Increased eye pressure

Insomnia 

Liver damage

Muscle Spasms

Nausea/Vomiting

Paranoia

Rapid Breathing

Stomach Pain

Stroke

Tachycardia (rapid heart beat)

Tremors

 

 

Overview:

What is it? DMAA is a synthetic (lab-made) stimulant originally used as a nasal decongestant and eventually became a recreational drug as well as an ingredient in athletic performance enhancing products. Supplement companies claimed that DMAA came from the geranium plant, which allowed them to treat it as a supplement ingredient rather than a drug. After a series of toxic reactions (including some deaths), DMAA was banned in multiple countries.

Why is it used? Stimulants are popular ingredients in supplements that claim to promote weight loss, increase energy, or increase focus. DMAA is labeled "Amphetamine-like" because of the similarity of some of the side effects.

What’s the harm? 

  • DMAA has been linked to many serious side effects including stroke, heart attack, lactic acidosis, and death. It is even more dangerous when it is combined with other stimulants.
  • DMAA can cause a false positive on a drug test for Amphetamine and Methamphetamine because all 3 are shaped similarly.

 

 

DMAA Ban Timeline:

2005:

  • As study by the Emergency Department of Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand shows that the amphetamine-like molecule Benzylpiperazine--BZP, a popular party drug--causes toxic seizures as well as other serious side effects in otherwise healthy patients. 

2008:

  • Based on the above study and other reports of severely dangerous side effects, New Zealand makes BZP illegal with a phase-out period from April to October.
  • During this time, DMAA replaces BZP as a party drug because of its similar Amphetamine-like structure.

2009:

  • New Zealand prohibits sales of products containing DMAA to people under 18 years old due to safety concerns. 
  • The World Anti-Doping Agency adds DMAA (methylhexanamine) to their list of prohibited substances for 2010

2010:

  • After multiple reports of severe reactions, the US military globally recalled all products containing DMAA from military exchange stores.
  • A 21 year old New Zealand man suffers a cerebral hemorrhage (brian bleed) from taking DMAA, caffeine, and alcohol together.

2011:

  • After finding no valid evidence that DMAA comes from the geranium plant, Health Canada declared that DMAA was no longer a dietary supplement, but a drug.

2012:

  • March: New Zealand government announces a ban on DMAA, effective April 09 2012. (Click here for the full announcement)
  • May: Health Canada bans all sales of DMAA
  • August:
    • Australia bans DMAA
    • The UK rules Jack3D--a DMAA containing sports supplement--is an unlicensed medicinal product. All DMAA containing products to be removed from the market. 

2013:

  • April: USDA decides that DMAA is not a dietary supplement and makes DMAA illegal.
  • June: Department of Defense report (click here for full report) reported on 39 confirmed cases of harmful side effects caused by DMAA, including 3 deaths. DoD report supports the ban on DMAA.
  • November: FDA sends warning letters to multiple companies continuing to make/distribute DMAA products. 

 

 

Present day:

Since the ban, other ingredients have replaced DMAA, causing similar concerns about safety:

  • DMHA, usually found on labels as:
    • Octodrine
    • Juglans Regia Bark Extract 
    • English Walnut Bark
  • Bitter Orange, which contains:
    • Synephrine
    • Octopamine

 

Despite the DMAA ban, many companies kept DMAA in their products and had to be warned by the FDA: 

 

See the FDA summary on DMAA bans here.

 

 

Interactions with health conditions:

 

ADHD: May cause or increase side effects from ADHD medications.

Anxiety: May cause or worsen anxiety.

Glaucoma: If the blood vessels in the eyes get tighter, it may make increase the pressure inside the eyes.

Heart Rate: May make the heart beat faster.

High Blood Pressure: May raise blood pressure.

Insomnia: Could cause insomnia or make it worse.

 

 

Drug Interactions:

 

ADHD medications: Combining DMAA with ADHD medications may:

  • increase blood pressure
  • worsen other medication side effects such as insomnia and loss of appetite

Anxiety medications: DMAA may increase anxiety, requiring higher or more frequent doses of anti-anxiety medications

Blood Pressure medications: DMAA may raise blood pressure, working against the effects of blood pressure medications.

CYP2D6 substrates: These are drugs that get metabolized into their inactive form by the CYP2D6 enzyme. DMAA inhibits (weakens/blocks) CYP2D6, making the substrate drugs stay in the body longer, which can raise the levels in the body. Examples of CYP2D6 substrates include:

  • Opioids: Methadone, Fentanyl, Tramadol, Codeine
  • Mental Health meds: Amitriptyline, Clozapine, Fluoxetine, Donepezil
  • Heart Meds: Metoprolol, Flecainide
  • For a list of CYP2D6 substrates, click here.

Heart Rate Control medications: DMAA may increase heart rate, working against medications meant to lower heart rate. These medications include Beta Blockers, some CCBs like Diltiazem and Verapamil, and Digoxin.

Sleep medications: DMAA could worsen insomnia, requiring higher doses of sleep medications

Stimulants: Combining DMAA with other stimulants can increase side effects and risk of heart attack, stroke, or seizure. Stimulant drugs are often used for ADHD and weight loss. For a list of stimulant medications, click here.

 

 

Interactions with herbs/supplements:

 

Stimulants: Combining a stimulant like DMAA with other herbal stimulants could worsen the side effects from both ingredients. Examples include:

 For a list of stimulant herbal ingredients, click here.

 

 

Interactions with foods: None Known

 

 

References:

  1. *Natural Medicines. (2019, March 11). Dimethylamylamine [Monograph]. Natural Standard Professional Monograph. Retrieved from: https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/databases/food,-herbs-supplements/professional.aspx?productid=1258
  2. Lammie, C. J., & LEAD, S. P. (2013). Report of the Department of Defense 1, 3 Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) Safety Review Panel. 2013. Retrieved 3/2019: https://www.opss.org/sites/default/files/Report-of-the-DoD-DMAA-Safety-Review-Panel-2013.pdf
  3. New Zealand Government (03/09/2012). "Dunne announces temporary Class Drug Notice."  Retrieved 03/2019: https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/dunne-announces-temporary-class-drug-notice

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**=Requires FREE registration to access

Tags: Ingredients