PMA / PMMA
What is PMA/PMMA?
Para-MethoxyMethAmphetamine is a substance that is occasionally found on the illegal drug market. It has been found in ecstasy pills in the past, but also in ketamine samples. It belongs to the group of amphetamines. PMMA has little or no recreational value and actually only poses a risk. It is therefore recommended to always avoid taking PMMA. This also applies to PMA.
For convenience, we only write PMMA below, but the info also applies to PMA. PMMA is more common than PMA.
Effects
The effects are similar to those of MDMA (active ingredient in ecstasy), but there are important differences that make PMMA so extremely dangerous:
The effects are felt later than with MDMA. If you think you’re taking MDMA but are actually taking PMMA, you may well think you’ve taken a low-dose pill. There is then a chance that you will take extra, which means that you will receive a risky dose within PMMA.
With PMMA, an overdose occurs much more quickly. The difference in dose at which mild effects occur and where an overdose occurs is only small. Taking too much can lead to nausea, overheating, irregular heartbeat, breathing difficulties, convulsions, heart attacks and unconsciousness.
Even a low dose of PMMA puts you in the danger zone: you can suffer from extreme palpitations and a rapidly rising body temperature. That rise in your body temperature can lead to serious overheating. If your body temperature rises, you can cool yourself by regularly chilling in the chill-out (just like with MDMA) and not moving. The risk of overheating increases with PMMA use and you cannot easily cool a body that is too hot. You must then immediately call the first aid or 112. If you suspect that you have taken PMMA, go to the emergency room, call the general practitioner or 112 if you think it is life-threatening.
Dose
Doses above 50 mg are seen as very risky. Above 100 mg considered very dangerous. Especially if other drugs have been taken besides PMMA. All use of PMMA is advised against.
Duration
There is little information on PMMA. It will probably work several hours, similar to MDMA. 4-8 hours?
Risks
At a low dose it gives an energetic and slightly cheerful feeling. If you take a slightly higher dose, the heart rate, blood pressure and body temperature can suddenly rise sharply. This can lead to nausea, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, convulsions, heart attacks, unconsciousness and death. Its use in combination with other drugs increases this risk.
You can die if your body temperature gets too high. Your organs can then no longer function normally. These serious physical effects can occur hours after the pill is taken.
If anyone is in trouble, call the ambulance and tell them what was used. Then the ambulance can help you best.
Interactions
PMMA is not used consciously. It is only taken accidentally when it is in another drug. In the past it has been found in ecstasy, MDMA and ketamine. Any use of PMMA is not recommended. Combining PMMA with other drugs creates even more risks and the chance of serious incidents.
Unity tips
Have your drugs tested! You cannot see what is inside of an XTC pill or MDMA or ketamine powder. A logo never gives certainty. The logos used for ecstasy pills can also be used for PMMA pills. That is why it is important to always have your pill or powder tested.
Find addresses here where you can have drugs tested. The so-called self-test (EZ-test) is not reliable enough to detect PMA or PMMA. If the pill only contains PMA or PMMA, the EZ-test will be transparent, but many other substance give a similar result. If the pill also contains MDMA in addition to PMMA/PMA, it will discolour, so that users can mistakenly think that the pill is a safe ecstasy pill.
If you know that your pill or powder contains PMA and/or PMMA: DO NOT USE IT!