DMAA or 1,3-Dimethylamylamine is a
very potent stimulant that has gained much popularity in sports performance
drinks in recent years. Initially created and trademarked by pharmaceutical
giant Eli Lilly for use as a nasal decongestant in the 1940’s, it was sold and
marketed as Floradrene aka methylhexanamine. The compound disappeared from the
market in the 1970’s. When the trademark expired in 2006 it reappeared once
again when a chemist by the name of Patrick Arnold reintroduced it as a dietary
supplement for weight loss and increased energy under the trademarked name
"Geranamine”.
Many companies marketing DMAA
containing products claim that it is a "natural stimulant” derived from the
seed, stem, or oil of the geranium plant. However, this so called
"natural" claim is based on a single study from a now-defunct
journal. It is now believed that all DMAA on the market is synthetic. Furthermore,
The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has banned its members from
labeling DMAA as geranium oil, extract, stem, leaf, or any other part of the
plant.
How does DMAA work?
DMAA works
by stimulating the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (noradrenaline). This
increases heart rate, breathing rate, causes vasoconstriction, and can give the
user feelings of intense focus, increased energy, alertness, and strength.
Dr. Pieter Cohen, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School
and general internist at Cambridge Health Alliance is quoted saying "In
people's bodies, DMAA acts like adrenaline, which is normally produced in times
of stress”. This unnatural stimulation of adrenaline can place increased stress
on the heart and body.
What are the side
effects?
Tightening of the chest;
shortness of breath
Rapid heart rate that could
lead to a heart attack
Trembling; seizures
Anxiety, nervousness,
depression, irritability
Heart failure and sudden
cardiac death
Dehydration, cold sweats,
light-headedness, loss of consciousness
Stroke, lethal exhaustion
What does the law say
about its use?
The US military has recently recalled
and banned the sale of all products containing DMAA/methylhexanamine from all
military exchange stores worldwide. This came shortly after two young American soldiers
suffered fatal heart attacks during training in 2010. During the autopsy it was
reported that Methylhexanamine was found in their blood.
So far, the FDA has received 42 reports
of adverse reactions involving products containing DMAA. As of April 27th2012 the FDA had issued warning letters to 10 leading manufactures of products
containing DMAA which had sold these products without submitting studies
proving their safety in people.
"Before marketing products
containing DMAA, manufacturers and distributors have a responsibility under the
law to provide evidence of the safety of their products. They haven’t done that
and that makes the products adulterated," said Daniel Fabricant, Ph.D.,
Director of FDA’s Dietary Supplement Program.
Canada
has already banned DMAA from all supplements and New Zealand has taken measures to
ban the sale of bulk DMAA but is still allowing the sale of small quantities.
Where can I find DMAA?
DMAA can be found in products such
as USP Labs Jack3d, Scivation Quake 10.0, Code Red, Hemo Rage Black,
Hydroxystim, Napalm, and Nitric Blast.
