Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) VS Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA).
In this blog post, we are going to examine distinctively the remarkable difference between MDA Vs MDMA. Let start by answering the question
What is MDA?
MDA is a recreational drug basically use because of its stimulating and psychedelic properties and has
been used as a sex-enhancing substance, with some similarities to MDMA (ecstasy/molly).
Drug appearance: White powder or pills of various colours
Ways of administration: Swallowed, sniffed, sublingual, intravenous.
Popular names: ‘’sally’’ “sassafras”; “sass”; “mandy”; “medusa”
Psychological Effects
In this section, we are going to examine the psychological effect of MDA VS MDMA.
The psychological effects induced by MDA are dependent on the characteristic of the abuser, dosage and frequency of exposure to the drug. The intake of MDA leads to mostly a false sense of euphoria, mood elevation
and a sense of wellbeing.
It can also benefit the user/ abuser with a sense of an increased energy level, a reduction in fatigue and increased concentration and alertness. Generally MDA can improve physical performance.
Constant abuse may lead to the user(s) opting for a higher dose which results in the euphoria of becoming more intense, but adverse effects also increase.
The adverse effect of MDA includes: restlessness, tremor, change in libido, anxiety, dizziness, tension, irritability, insomnia, confusion, aggression, psychosis, delirium, auditory, visual and tactile illusions, paranoid llucinations, panic stages and loss of behavioural control. Teeth grinding are common and may produce distinctive wearing of teeth.
Physiological Effect of MDA VS MDMA
The followings are the physiological effect of MDA
(1) MDA are drugs that stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and are associated with a range of cardiovascular effects. After MDA administration, there is a noticeable increase in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. MDA may
have little effect on heart rate at low doses. Although higher dosage may lead to increased heart rate. Physiological effects of MDA may vary with the social context of use.
(2)Experienced MDA users may describe the combination of signs such as sweating, palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, headache, tremors and hot-cold flushes. In addition to their cardiovascular effects, MDA and it likes are able to increase body temperature and stimulate the respiratory system thereby increasing the rate and depth of respiration. Reduction in appetite and an increase metabolic rates may also be noticed.
Description of MDMA (molly, ecstacy)
MDMA- Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is a synthetic substance that does not exist in nature.
Route of administration: Orally, snorting, inhalation (vaporization), injection and rectal.
Drug appearance: Powder/ crystal. The powder crystal may be white, yellow, grey, purple or light brown in colour.
Effect of MDMA
In considering MDA VS MDMA, we are going to examine the effect of MDMA.
The effects of MDMA when administered can take up to 20-70 minutes to appear but may take up to as long as 2 hours. Effects will be felt most quickly from snorting. The effects can last from 3-6 hours. After effects can be felt for maximum of 3 days.
Psychological Effects of MDMA
Like in the MDA, MDMA can also produce psychological effects include a sense of euphoria and wellbeing, wakefulness, increased energy and alleviation of fatigue. Other effect of MDMA Include negative observable effects such as hyperactivity, racing thoughts, insomnia, mild hallucinations, depersonalisation, anxiety, agitation and bizarre or reckless behaviour.
Subsequently, psychological effects of MDMA may lead to panic attacks, delirium, or brief psychotic episodes. Research also shown that exposure to MDMA may reduced appetite, depression, anxiety, fatigue, depression, anxiety and cognitive impairments.
In a cses study of MDA Vs MDMA, the users of MDMA have been reported to particularly have a sense of closeness to others as well as greater sociability, sharpening of sensory perception, extraversion and greater tolerance with good perception of views and feelings.
The study of MDA Vs MDMA also shows that the users of MDMA have high increase in sexual arousement. A false sense of positivity has been associated with desired outcome of MDMA usage.
The issues of tolerance or reduction in the effect of the drug may arise from extended frequency of drug exposure over a short period of time leading to increase in dosage and may lead to further complications.
The study of MDA Vs MDMA, we also consider the physiological effect of MDMA.
Physiological effects of MDMA
The physiological effect of MDMA include: Dry mouth, ataxia, stiffness and pain in the back and limbs, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, blurred vision, insomnia and increased muscle tension experienced as jaw clenching, tooth grinding and restless leg movement. The common adverse effects reported during the drug (MDMA) exposure include increase in body temperature arising from the drug’s effects on the thermoregulatory system in the brain.
In conclusion, not enough conclusive resources and data has been gathered about the MDMA and MDA’s long range effects other than the information from random anecdotal evidence supplied by a few clinicians plus self-reports by unselected and unsupervised users.
It’s not uncommon for users to report different feelings or side effects MDMA and MDA because each person’s neurochemical makeup is different and unique due to differences in body and genetic make up. However, from the information presented in this article, it can be concluded that the MDA and the MDMA has remarkable consistence and predictable physiological and psychological effects.
The users/abusers believe that the drugs are both safe and beneficial, but there is insufficient evidence and data to accurately judge the credibility and menace of both drugs and its exposures.
The addictive nature of these drugs are up for debate. Also both the physiological and psychological dangers are real.
Even though these drugs causes feelings of euphoria and wellbeing, increased energy levels and so on, they should not be used as a way to cope with depression.
In this post MDA Vs MDMA, we have been able to examine both the physiological and psychological effect of MDA and MDMA respectively.
We therefore strongly advised that these drugs should be administered with proper prescription by a qualified health practitioner.