PMA (Paramethoxyamphetamine, 4-methoxyamphetamine, 4-MA)
What is PMA?
Hallucinogen stimulant.
Once thought to be entirely synthetic, though it is now suspected that traces of PMA occur in plants including certain Acacia species
- PMA pills may be confused with Ecstasy (MDMA) pills which could be a variety of colours or logos, also sold as capsules (less common)
- Pure PMA is a white powder
- Also known as: mitsubishi turbo, red mitsubishi, double stacked, chicken yellow, chicken fever, chicken power and killer
- 'double stacked' pills are unusually thick compared to ecstasy, some PMA pills may not be any different in appearance to Ecstasy (MDMA) pills
The law
- Class A drugs
- Penalties for possession: maximum seven years' prison and/or fine. Penalties for possession with intent to supply, or supplying: maximum life imprisonment and/or fine.
History
- First synthesized in the 1970's, but never became popular in its own right as a recreational drug due to its disappointing effects and high toxicity
- PMA has been used illicitly in Australia since late 1994
Effects
- Effects similar to Ecstasy (MDMA) Increased body temperature, more so than Ecstasy
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Dilated pupils
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Users may also experience an unpleasant feeling of intoxication
Purity
- PMA tablets may contain Ecstasy (MDMA) sometimes in combination with other drugs
Risks
- Probably more dangerous than any street drug that can be taken in pill form?
- Possibility of death more so than with the use of Ecstasy (MDMA)
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There are many documented cases of PMA fatalities, Australia has suffered several recent deaths including that of 20 year old Annabel Catt who died hours after taking PMA at the Good Vibrations music festival at Centennial Park on February 17 2007 - A major risk is that PMA has a longer onset than Ecstasy (MDMA) and users have been known to overdose taking many tablets thinking there has been no effect
- Rapid increases in body temperature (a major cause of death in PMA users)
- As in the case of Ecstasy (MDMA) there is a risk of over heating and dehydration if users dance energetically without taking breaks or drinking enough fluids. Users should sip about a pint of non-alcoholic fluid every hour to avoid having too little or too much water. Drinking too much water may lead to hyponatraemia (abnormally low sodium levels in the blood; salt depletion) - dilution of the body fluids leading to coma and sometimes death
- Users may experience life threatening adverse reaction
- Hypothermia
- Convulsions
- Possibility of paranoia and depression
- PMA is suspected to be an immune system suppressor
Dependence and treatment
- PMA does not produce physical dependence but regular use may cause psychological dependence, users may also build up tolerance
see also:Ecstasy (MDMA)>>
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