PMA speeds up messages between your brain and body. It can make you feel alert, energetic or anxious. It has hallucinogenic effects.
PMA comes as:
- capsules
- pills in different shapes and sizes, with pictures, symbols or logos
- powder
It is usually swallowed.
PMA is not common. It is sometimes sold as MDMA but it is more toxic in lower doses. The effects are similar to MDMA but it is less euphoric and increases your body temperature quickly.
Drug category: empathogen
Empathogens can make you feel connected with other people (empathetic). But they can also cause overheating, dehydration and mood problems.
They are also called entactogens.
Other names for PMA
Other names include: PMMA, death, dr death, pink ecstasy, red mitsubishi, killer, chicken powder, chicken yellow, chicken fever, double stacked, pink mcdonalds, paramethoxyamphetamine, paramethoxymethamphetamine
Effects of PMA
The effects of PMA can vary depending on:
- your size, weight and sex
- if you have any health conditions or mental health difficulties
- how you take the drug
- the strength of the drug
- how much you take
- if you take alcohol, medicines or other drugs at the same time
- where you take the drug and how you feel before you take it
- if you have taken the drug before and how often
How you may feel or behave
You may feel:
- intense wellbeing
- alert and energetic
- panic and agitation
Effects on your brain and body
PMA can cause:
- increased body temperature - your skin may feel warm or hot to touch
- severe sweating
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- problems breathing
- nausea (feeling sick)
- vomiting (getting sick)
- loss of appetite - this can affect your health and energy levels over time
- dry mouth
- dehydration
- muscle spasms
- teeth grinding
- eye jitters
- seizures (fits)
- kidney failure
Water intoxication, hyponatremia and PMA
Water intoxication is when there is too much water in your system. The extra water causes swelling in brain cells.
Water intoxication can happen because PMA causes:
- increased sweating and body temperature - you may feel thirsty and want to drink
- problems peeing - you may not be able to pee until you come down
- lower levels of sodium (hyponatremia) - this pushes water into your cells
Signs of water intoxication include:
- nausea and vomiting
- headache
- confusion and irritability
- dizziness
- swelling in your hands, feet or tummy
- drowsiness
- muscle pain and cramps
If you are dancing or sweating when you use MDMA or PMA it is important to drink fluids to avoid dehydration. You can drink water or sports drinks in small sips. But do not drink more than 1 pint an hour.
Serotonin syndrome and PMA
Serotonin is a chemical that carries messages from your brain to your body. It helps with many body functions. For example, mood, sleep and digestion.
Serotonin syndrome is when your serotonin levels get too high. It is a medical emergency.
PMA affects the serotonin levels in your body. There is a risk of serotonin syndrome if you use PMA with other substances that affect serotonin levels. For example, mephedrone or antidepressants.
Signs of serotonin syndrome include:
- confusion
- agitation
- muscle twitches
- pain in your arms or legs
- sweating
- shivering or trembling
- a very high temperature (fever)
- seizures (fits)
- irregular heartbeat
- unconsciousness
How long does PMA stay in your system?
It can be hard to know how long PMA stays in your system.
There are tests to detect PMA. But different types of tests have different detection times.
Things that affect how long a drug stays in your system
The time it takes for a drug to leave your system depends on many things.
For example:
- how much you took
- how often you take the drug
- how strong the drug was
- your age, sex and metabolism
- your general health
Reducing risks from PMA
It’s always safest not to take drugs.
PMA has not been found in Ireland in a while.
But there are ways to reduce the risk of harm if you use PMA or MDMA. Select a piece of advice to find out more.
Consider if there is extra risk for you - such as health conditions or how you feel.
There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.
If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.
For example, you may have a higher risk of negative effects from PMA if you have:
- heart problems
- blood pressure problems
- epilepsy
- asthma
- mental health difficulties
It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.
If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.
Be with people you trust - use a buddy system if possible.
Pick a meeting point and look out for each other. Do not use alone.
Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.
This may be that you both agree to:
- learn the signs of an overdose
- call the emergency services
- stay with the other person until help arrives
Start with a small amount and wait 2 hours before you take more.
This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.
The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.
If you start with a small amount, you can:
- see how you react
- stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want
For example, a quarter of a pill.
It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.
Only use 1 substance at a time.
Using PMA with alcohol, medicines or other drugs can have unpredictable and negative effects. Mixing drugs is always more risky.
Keep track of what you use.
Only take with you what you intend to use. This can reduce the risk of taking too much in 1 session.
To keep track of what you use each session, you could:
- set an alarm
- note the time you use - for example, take a screenshot on your phone
Leave as long as possible between use. Wait at least a few months to reduce the risk of problems with your mental health and wellbeing.
Consider less risky ways of using if you put pills or powders in drinks.
Putting crushed pills or powders in drinks increases the risk of taking too much too soon. There is also a risk that someone else could drink them by mistake. Crush and dab a small amount of powder instead.
If you put powders in drinks, use a very small amount and check that the powder dissolves.
Take breaks to rest and cool down.
This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and overheating. PMA can increase your body temperature.
If you're dancing when you take PMA, take regular breaks. You can put a wet cloth or t-shirt on your forehead if you feel too hot.
Sip water or sports drinks - but not more than 1 pint an hour.
This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and water intoxication. PMA can increase your body temperature, make you thirsty and stop you peeing.
But if you drink too much water, your body pushes the extra water into your cells. The extra water causes a salt imbalance and swelling in your brain cells.
Think about your sexual health.
PMA can reduce your inhibitions and make you feel affectionate. There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.
Know what to do in case of a drug emergency.
If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:
- ways to cope with challenging experiences
- signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
- what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies
If you know what to do during a challenging experience, it could stop a situation getting worse and help you support someone.
But it is always safest to get medical advice if someone has overwhelming or unexpected effects.
Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999 if
you or someone else has taken MDMA or PMA and has:
- extremely high body temperature
- rapid heart rate
- seizures (fit)
- difficulty breathing
- severe distress or panic
Stay with the person until help arrives.
Tell the medics everything you know about the drug and give them the drug if possible. It will help them decide the right treatment.
If you are worried about your use of substances
If you are worried about your own or someone else’s use, you can get support. This can be when drug use affects your health, relationships, work or other areas of your life.
Non-urgent advice: Drugs and alcohol helpline
You can contact the helpline for support, information or advice on treatment and support options.
Freephone: 1800 459 459
Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Email: helpline@hse.ie