PMMA/PMA

Description

Para-methoxymethamphetamine (PMMA) is an analogue of para-methoxyamphetamine (PMA). Both are strong psychedelic/stimulants that are very similar to MDMA, MDA, MDEA and mescaline and likely to cause very strong, dangerous over-heating of the body. PMA has been available on the streets in the US since the 1970s, whereas PMMA has appeared on the streets more recently. They are usually found in ecstasy pills, or sold as ecstasy/MDMA pills with or without other amphetamines.

There have been a number of deaths caused by PMMA/PMA over the last few decades. The exact numbers are not clear, but the deaths seem to be rising.

The predominant symptom of the fatalities has been hyperthermia (overheating of the body) and the causes of death since around 2010 have been related to either PMA or PMMA.

Most recently,there haev been four deaths in the UK where PM(M)A was thought to be the cause.