PMMA

Summary sheet: PMMA

PMMA
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	PMA, 4-MMA
Substitutive name	para-Methoxymethamphetamine
Systematic name	1-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Entactogen
Chemical class	Amphetamine
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Common 100 - 120 mg Strong Higher dosages can result in serious hyperthermia and eventually death. Duration Total short DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
Interactions

para-Methoxymethamphetamine (also known as 4-methoxymethamphetamine, 4-MMA and commonly as PMMA) is a highly dangerous and toxic synthetic substance of the amphetamine class that is closely related to PMA. Like PMA, it is known for producing extremely dangerous, life-threatening side effects. At lower dosages, its effects are somewhat different from PMA, with reduced tendency to cause severe hyperthermia while producing more entactogenic effects that can be mistaken for MDMA (although at higher dosages it does have the same risk as PMA). Its history of use is unknown, but it has appeared more frequently in the 2000s and 2010s. It is generally less potent than PMA.

PMMA, along with other drugs like PMA and PMEA have very little recreational value and are considered as one of the most dangerous and toxic substances known. It is strongly recommended that these two substances should be completely avoided.

Chemistry

PMMA (para-Methoxymethamphetamine or 4-MMA) is a molecule of the substituted amphetamine class. Molecules of the amphetamine class contain a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH₂) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at R_α. It contains a methoxy (OCH₃) functional group bound to the R₄ carbon of the phenyl ring, as well as a methyl substitution at R_N. PMMA is the N-methylated version of PMA and the 4-Methoxy analog of Methamphetamine.

Pharmacology

PMMA, like PMA most likely acts as a selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) with weak effects on dopamine and norepinephrine transporters. However, relative to MDMA, it is considerably less effective as a releaser of serotonin with properties more akin to a reuptake inhibitor in comparison. It evokes robust hyperthermia while producing only modest hyperactivity and serotonergic neurotoxicity, substantially lower than that caused by MDMA. Anecdotal reports suggest it is not particularly euphoric at all, perhaps even dysphoric in contrast. PMMA has also been shown to act as a potent, reversible inhibitor of the enzyme MAO-A with no significant effects on MAO-B, and the combination of this property and serotonin release is likely responsible for its high lethality potential. It is likely metabolized to PMA, just like methamphetamine is metabolized to amphetamine in the body.

It appears that PMMA elevates body temperatures dramatically; the cause of this property is suspected to be related to its ability to inhibit MAO-A and at the same time releasing large amounts of serotonin, effectively causing serotonin syndrome. It appears that PMMA activates the hypothalamus much more strongly than MDMA and other drugs like ephedrine, thereby causing rapid increases in body temperature (which is the major cause of death in PMMA mortalities).^{[citation needed]}

Subjective effects

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), a research literature based on anecdotal reports and the personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be regarded with a healthy degree of skepticism. It is worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely with higher doses and may include addiction, serious injury, or death.

Experience reports

There are currently no anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index. Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: PMMA

Toxicity and harm potential

PMMA and its relative PMA can be considered extremely toxic when compared to other substances such as Methamphetamine or MDMA. Ingestion of PMMA has been associated with severe tachycardia (abnormally high heart rate), seizures, dehydration, hyperthermia, and death. PMMA has a relatively slow onset, causing many users to redose which causes excess toxicity.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices if choosing to use this substance.

Legal status

In February 2002, the European Council decided that PMMA shall be subjected by the Member States to control measures and criminal penalties within three months.^[1]

• Austria: PMMA is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the SMG (Suchtmittelgesetz Österreich).^{[citation needed]}
• Brazil: Possession, production and sale is illegal as it is listed on Portaria SVS/MS nº 344.^[2]
• Canada: PMMA is a Schedule I substance.^{[citation needed]}
• Germany: PMMA is controlled under Anlage I BtMG (Narcotics Act, Schedule I) as of October 10, 2000.^[3][4] It is illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure or dispense it without a license.^[5]
• Switzerland: PMMA is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis D.^[6]
• United Kingdom: PMMA is a Class A drug.^{[citation needed]}
• United States: PMMA is unscheduled, but can be considered an analog of PMA under the Federal Analog Act.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Responsible use
• Research chemical
• Substituted amphetamine
• Entactogen
• PMA

External links

• PMMA (Wikipedia)
• PMMA (Erowid Vault)
• PMMA (PiHKAL / Isomer Design)

References