Tenamfetamine 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA, Sass, Pink, Yop)

New Jersey MDA & MDMA Possession, MDA Distribution Criminal Defense Attorneys

Illegal Drugs: Tenamfetamine/ 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine

Street names: MDA, Sass, Pink, Yop. Also names used for ecstasy (beans, pills, rolls, “Hug Drug”, “Love Drug”)

Drug Classification: MDA is a Schedule I drug in the US. It has no recognized medical application and is illegal to produce, distribute, or posses without a DEA license.

General Information

MDA is a psychedelic stimulant that is closely related to MDMA. It is often found in tablets purporting to be ecstasy with no indication or sign that the pills contain the different chemical MDA.

Its effects are very similar to MDMA, though they are described as more psychedelic, visual, or ‘trippy.’ It is an off-white powder but normally comes in pressed-pill form that is swallowed or crushed and snorted (insufflated), though the latter method can be quite painful. The differences between MDA and MDMA can be subtle and many people at parties, clubs, or raves will ingest MDA thinking it is ecstasy and be unable to tell a difference.

While both drugs cause a release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, MDA is more likely to have stimulant effects and visual or hallucinogenic effects, while MDMA is more likely to produce feelings of closeness with others, feelings of understanding, empathy, and love.

Effects

The typical effects of MDA include extreme mood lift, euphoria, bright and intense sensations and emotions, appreciation of ones environment and surroundings, greater enjoyment from music, and feelings of love and happiness for others (sometimes so strong that people feel urges to hug or kiss others). Physically users will experience visual distortions or hallucinations, decreased appetite, rapid involuntary eye movements, jaw clenching, teeth grinding, cheek chewing, restlessness, nervousness, increased heart rate, and increased body temperature. Many of these are typical side effects of MDMA as well as MDA. MDA has been described as a ‘heavier’ experience than MDMA, with more intense and physical euphoria and longer lasting effects, but more pronounced negative side effects and hangover symptoms the day after.

Dangers and Long-Term Side Effects

If symptoms like jaw clenching, teeth grinding, or changed body temperature are ignored, the user may injure themselves or somehow be put at risk. MDA can cause nausea and vomiting, muscle tension or tremors, headache, and vertigo. After-effects can include depression and fatigue for up to a week, in addition to insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, and memory problems.

Chronic use of MDA can cause permanent depression due to damage to the brains neurotransmitters and receptors. Users report that the drug becomes less powerful over time with heavy use, since the brain is not given adequate time to recover for the experience. Heavy use can therefore cause brain damage and diminish the effects of the drug.

MDA Addiction

MDA is not physically addictive, but it may be psychologically habit forming and has been a drug of abuse starting in the 1960’s.

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