4-MA

From WikiMD's Food, Medicine & Wellness Encyclopedia

4-Methylamphetamine (4-MA; PAL-313; Aptrol; p-Tyramine) is a designer drug and stimulant drug of the amphetamine class. It was briefly marketed in the 1960s as a diet aid, but was quickly withdrawn from the market following problems with misuse and addiction, as well as an unacceptable incidence of cerebrovascular accidents.

History[edit | edit source]

4-Methylamphetamine was first synthesized in the early 20th century, but its effects on the human body were not studied until the 1960s. It was briefly marketed as a diet aid under the trade names PAL-313 and Aptrol, but was quickly withdrawn from the market due to problems with misuse and addiction. There were also reports of an unacceptable incidence of cerebrovascular accidents (strokes) in users of the drug.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

4-Methylamphetamine is a stimulant drug of the amphetamine class. It is a potent releaser of norepinephrine and dopamine, and a weaker releaser of serotonin. The drug is also a potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), an enzyme that breaks down monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain. This combination of effects leads to increased levels of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the brain, which can result in stimulant and euphoric effects.

Effects[edit | edit source]

The effects of 4-methylamphetamine can vary widely depending on the dose and the individual's tolerance to the drug. At lower doses, the drug can produce effects such as increased energy, euphoria, increased sociability, and decreased appetite. At higher doses, the drug can produce effects such as increased heart rate and blood pressure, anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and psychosis.

Legal status[edit | edit source]

4-Methylamphetamine is currently a controlled substance in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

See also[edit | edit source]

4-MA Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD