DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine): Banned Stimulant: FDA-Illegal in Dietary Supplements — Serious Cardiovascular Risk
⚡ 60-Second Summary
DMAA (also called 1,3-DMAP, methylhexanamine, or geranamine) is a synthetic sympathomimetic amine originally developed as a nasal decongestant by Eli Lilly in the 1940s. It was reintroduced to sports nutrition around 2006 as Jack3d by USPlabs, initially mislabeled as 'geranium oil' (it is not found in geranium plants in significant amounts). DMAA stimulates norepinephrine release through a mechanism similar to amphetamine.
DMAA is ILLEGAL in dietary supplements in the United States — the FDA issued multiple warning letters since 2012 and has seizure authority over DMAA-containing products. Multiple deaths, heart attacks, hemorrhagic stroke, and pulmonary hypertension have been causally linked to DMAA consumption. The US military banned it after soldier deaths. Several countries have banned it outright.
DMAA is included here as a reference page because consumers may encounter it in underground or imported supplements. The only appropriate clinical information is: do not use. No legitimate supplement use case exists.
What is DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine)?
DMAA's history in sports nutrition is a cautionary tale in regulatory oversight failure — it was sold openly for years while the FDA pursued enforcement actions. The post-DMAA supplement market shifted to DMHA, DMBA, and other amphetamine analogs as manufacturers sought legal workarounds.
Two US soldiers died after taking DMAA-containing supplements during military training in 2011, triggering military-wide bans and accelerating FDA enforcement action.
Evidence-based benefits
Weight Loss and Pre-workout Claims (Historical)
DMAA was marketed for fat loss and pre-workout performance. Any perceived benefits were likely due to amphetamine-like sympathomimetic stimulation — the same mechanism as ephedrine. These are not safe or legal methods for enhancement.
FDA Enforcement History
FDA issued warning letters to USPlabs (Jack3d) and Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals in 2012–2013. Multiple seizures of DMAA products. USPlabs criminal indictment. Criminal convictions followed in 2023.
Military Deaths
Multiple US soldier deaths associated with DMAA supplements during training. The US Army prohibit list and DoD banned DMAA products military-wide in 2012.
Supplement forms compared
| Form | Typical dose / Bioavailability | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form | Dose | IMPORTANT | Notes |
| DMAA (any form) | DO NOT USE | ILLEGAL — FDA illegal in supplements | Associated with deaths, cardiac events, hemorrhagic stroke |
| 'Geranium Oil' or 'Geranium Extract' in pre-workout | DO NOT USE | DMAA mislabeled as geranium | FDA considers this adulteration; illegal |
How much should you take?
- DO NOT USE — DMAA is illegal in US dietary supplements and carries serious cardiovascular risks
- If you have a product you suspect contains DMAA, do not consume it and consider reporting to the FDA MedWatch
- Any pre-workout supplement containing 'geranium oil,' '1,3-DMAP,' 'methylhexanamine,' or 'geranamine' should be considered suspect
- For pre-workout energy: use caffeine, beta-alanine, citrulline — legal and evidence-backed alternatives
DMAA-containing products are illegal as dietary supplements in the US. Enforcement remains challenging, particularly with online importation. If a pre-workout supplement produces unusually intense cardiovascular effects, it may contain DMAA or a similar illegal stimulant.
Safety and side effects
Common side effects
- Severe cardiovascular effects: tachycardia, hypertension, vasoconstriction
- Hemorrhagic stroke reported in multiple cases
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Cardiac arrest — deaths documented
- Hyperthermia during exercise
- Seizures
Serious risks
DMAA causes dangerous vasoconstriction and cardiovascular stimulation — the mechanism of action is indistinguishable from synthetic amphetamines. Combined with physical exercise and dehydration, it can cause fatal cardiovascular events.
Drug and nutrient interactions
- Amphetamine-like interaction with MAO inhibitors — potentially fatal
- Additive cardiovascular stimulation with any stimulant
- Caffeine combination significantly increases cardiovascular risk
Check our free interaction checker for additional combinations.
Who might benefit — and who should use caution
| Most likely to benefit | Use with caution or seek guidance |
|---|---|
| Historical research on DMAA's pharmacology (academic context only) | ANYONE — DMAA is illegal and dangerous; no consumer use is appropriate |
Frequently asked questions
Why was DMAA sold legally for years?
DMAA occupied a legal gray zone because it was marketed as a 'natural' extract from geranium oil. The manufacturer claimed it was a natural ingredient, which would qualify it for dietary supplement status. The FDA ultimately determined that DMAA is not a lawful dietary ingredient and cannot be derived from geranium plants in any meaningful concentration — it is effectively a synthetic amphetamine analog. The enforcement process took years, during which deaths occurred.
Is DMAA still available?
Some manufacturers continue to produce DMAA-containing products and market them online or abroad. These are illegal to sell as dietary supplements in the US. FDA has taken enforcement action against multiple companies. The compound occasionally reappears under different names in underground or imported supplements — this is why knowing its various names (methylhexanamine, 1,3-DMAP, geranamine, DMAA) matters.
What happened to Jack3d (the original DMAA pre-workout)?
USPlabs, maker of Jack3d, faced FDA warning letters in 2012, product seizures, and ultimately criminal prosecution. The principals of USPlabs were indicted in 2015 on federal charges related to mislabeling and false claims, with conviction in 2023. Jack3d reformulated without DMAA; the original DMAA version remains illegal.
What should I use instead of DMAA for pre-workout?
Legal, evidence-backed pre-workout ingredients include caffeine (most evidence for performance), beta-alanine (buffering, endurance), citrulline malate (blood flow, performance), creatine (strength, power), and theacrine or Dynamine (stimulant variety without DMAA risks). These are all legal, have clinical evidence, and don't carry the life-threatening cardiovascular risk of DMAA.
Related ingredients
Caffeine Anhydrous
Legal, evidence-backed stimulant for pre-workout performance.
Synephrine (Bitter Orange)
Legal adrenergic supplement with cautionary notes; different risk profile from DMAA.
Beta-Alanine
Legal pre-workout endurance aid with established mechanism.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and should not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or take prescription medications. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.