1,3-Dimethylamylamine, commonly known as DMAA, is a powerful stimulant compound used in pre-workout and fat-burning dietary supplements. Developed in the 1940s as a nasal decongestant, its use in supplements surged decades later. Manufacturers often claimed DMAA was a natural extract from the geranium plant, Pelargonium graveolens, but this assertion has been widely disputed by scientific analysis. The confusion surrounding its origin, potent effects, and health concerns has made its legal status highly controversial and subject to intense regulatory scrutiny.
How Regulatory Bodies Classify DMAA
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies DMAA as an adulterated supplement ingredient and an unsafe food additive. The agency determined DMAA is not a legitimate “dietary ingredient” under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). It does not meet the criteria for a “New Dietary Ingredient” (NDI) because manufacturers failed to provide necessary safety data to establish reasonable assurance that it does not pose a significant risk of illness or injury.
To be legally sold, a new ingredient must have been marketed in the U.S. before October 15, 1994, or the manufacturer must submit an NDI notification demonstrating safety. Since DMAA was not widely marketed before that date, the required notification was never adequately provided. This lack of safety substantiation led the FDA to conclude that DMAA renders any supplement containing it “adulterated” and illegal to market.
The FDA has actively enforced its position by issuing numerous warning letters and pursuing legal action to seize and destroy products. The agency successfully won court cases affirming DMAA is neither a dietary ingredient nor generally recognized as safe. These enforcement actions effectively removed DMAA from the shelves of most mainstream supplement retailers across the United States.
Physiological Effects and Safety Concerns
DMAA is a potent sympathomimetic amine, similar in structure and function to amphetamines, that stimulates the central nervous system. Its primary mechanism involves increasing norepinephrine concentration, a hormone that triggers the “fight or flight” response. This powerful stimulation generates the intense energy and focus sought by users in pre-workout formulas.
However, increased norepinephrine also acts as a vasoconstrictor, causing blood vessels to narrow substantially. This effect directly leads to a significant elevation in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. Studies show a dose-dependent effect, with dosages around 75 mg resulting in a mean increase in systolic blood pressure of approximately 16 mmHg.
The severe cardiovascular stress caused by DMAA has driven regulatory action due to numerous adverse event reports. Documented health incidents linked to the compound include heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke, and brain hemorrhage. These risks are compounded when DMAA is consumed with other common stimulants like caffeine. The FDA has received reports involving serious health issues, including death, highlighting the compound’s potential for severe harm.
Navigating Current Market Availability
Due to persistent regulatory challenges and FDA enforcement actions, DMAA is virtually absent from major retail chains, established supplement stores, and reputable online platforms. Mainstream businesses removed the ingredient to avoid legal repercussions and consumer safety issues. This disappearance from legitimate commerce has pushed the sale of DMAA into a less regulated space.
The substance can still be found through niche online vendors and in the “gray market” of the supplement industry. Products sold through these channels may be imported, mislabeled, or marketed under various aliases, such as methylhexanamine or 1,3-dimethylpentylamine. Purchasing from these less-regulated sources carries an increased risk of receiving products that are contaminated, incorrectly dosed, or inaccurately labeled.
As a result of the DMAA crackdown, manufacturers sought alternative compounds to achieve a similar high-stimulant profile. Two common substitutes are DMHA (1,5-dimethylhexylamine) and Eria Jarensis extract, which also act as central nervous system stimulants. While these alternatives are currently available, consumers should be aware that they are subject to ongoing regulatory scrutiny and may present similar stimulant-related risks.