Pre-workout supplements are formulations consumed before exercise to boost physical performance, energy levels, and mental focus. These products often contain a mixture of ingredients, including amino acids, vitamins, and high-dose stimulants. 1,3-Dimethylamylamine (DMAA) is a powerful, synthetic stimulant historically included in these supplements for an intense, performance-enhancing effect. Its inclusion made certain pre-workout products popular, but also highly controversial within the sports nutrition industry.
How DMAA Impacts Performance
DMAA, an amphetamine derivative, functions as a sympathomimetic amine, mimicking the effects of the body’s natural “fight-or-flight” hormones, such as adrenaline and norepinephrine. Once ingested, the compound rapidly acts on the central nervous system (CNS) to stimulate alertness and physiological arousal. This stimulation results in a perceived surge of energy and an increased capacity for intense physical exertion.
The primary mechanism involves inhibiting the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and regulating the dopamine transporter. By increasing the concentration of these neurotransmitters in the brain, DMAA enhances focus, sharpens mental clarity, and provides a feeling of intense drive or euphoria. Users often reported a significant reduction in the perception of effort, allowing them to push past their normal physical limits during training sessions. DMAA also promotes vasoconstriction (the narrowing of blood vessels), which contributes to increased blood pressure.
Supplements That Have Contained DMAA
DMAA gained notoriety through its inclusion in several high-profile pre-workout and weight loss products in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Famous examples include the pre-workout powder Jack3d and the fat burner OxyElite Pro, both manufactured by USPLabs. These products were sought after for the intense energy and focus delivered by the original DMAA formulations.
The original formulations of these and many other DMAA-containing supplements are no longer legally sold through mainstream retail channels due to regulatory action. However, the substance continues to appear in gray-market or unregulated supplements, often marketed toward users seeking extreme stimulant effects. These products are frequently sold online under aggressive names, sometimes combined with other potent stimulants like DMHA (2-aminoisoheptane).
Manufacturers attempting to circumvent regulations often labeled DMAA under deceptive names. It was listed on ingredient panels as “geranium extract” or “methylhexanamine,” based on the unproven claim that it could be naturally sourced from the Pelargonium graveolens plant. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated it is unaware of any reliable scientific evidence that DMAA exists naturally in plants, confirming it is a synthetic compound. Consumers must exercise caution when purchasing products from this unregulated market, as the actual dosage and purity of ingredients are often unverified.
The Regulatory Status and Health Risks
The regulatory status of DMAA has been definitively established by the FDA, which considers it an unsafe food additive and not a legal dietary ingredient. The agency holds that DMAA-containing products are adulterated and illegal to sell as dietary supplements because the substance was not approved as a new dietary ingredient (NDI) and lacks a documented history of safe use. The FDA has issued multiple warnings and taken action against manufacturers to remove DMAA products from the market, including the administrative detention of products like Jack3d and OxyElite Pro.
The primary concern is the significant cardiovascular danger posed by DMAA, especially when combined with other stimulants such as caffeine. As a strong vasoconstrictor, it causes blood vessels and arteries to narrow, rapidly elevating blood pressure. This increase can lead to serious cardiovascular complications, including arrhythmias, shortness of breath, chest tightening, and the potential for heart attack or stroke.
Beyond the physical risks, DMAA use has been linked to neurological and psychological adverse events, such as anxiety, paranoia, and other nervous system disorders. The lack of reliable safety data and documented severe adverse events, including death, led to the substance being banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 2010. It was also removed from military stores due to the health risks posed to service members.