3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine
Fig. 1 — Visual Archive: 3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine
3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) is an entactogen, stimulant, and psychedelic drug of the amphetamine and MDxx families that is encountered mainly as a recreational drug. It is usually taken orally. In terms of its pharmacology, MDA is a serotonin–norepinephrine–dopamine releasing agent (SNDRA) and a serotonin 5-HT2 receptor agonist, including of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. It has a duration of 5 to 8 hours or around 6 hours typically. MDA has a long history of psychotherapeutic and recreational use that predates that of MDMA, dating back to at least the mid-1960s. It has been described as the first entactogen. MDA has also been described as probably being the most popular analogue of MDMA. In most countries, the drug is a controlled substance and its possession and sale are illegal.