How do effects of MDA and MDMA differ?

interrupt · Thu Mar 10, 2005 8:21 pm

MDMA seems to be much more widely available than MDA in the underground - why is this?

They seem to me to be equally difficult/easy to manufacture clandestinely so why the big favouring of MDMA. I've read literature that suggests MDA is more psycadelic in its effects but not having tried both compounds myself Wink

I can't compare the two.

cheers

mind · Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:08 am

most people want "ecstacy", but a lot users don't even know what mdma is. but they will complain when they get someting else then mdma..
MDMA (aka ecstacy) is just the big thing around the globe, people just love it.. (why? i don't know, there are better drugs imo..)
MDA is also known for it's harder crash/comedown/hangover.. so i can see why people prefer mda over mdma.

Erowid has a page about the differences and on bluelight there are also a few topics about it, like this one

edit: what do you exactly mean with "underground" ?

Nicodem · Fri Mar 11, 2005 12:20 am

Well, it's just a matter of cultural preference. MDMA is more available simply because it is more appropriate for the rave subculture. It suits beter their ideology. It's a matter of demand. That's all.

I prefer MDA much more than MDMA, but then again, that's maybe because I don't like raves at all. But using the same logic you could ask yourself how come that psychedelic drugs are not widely available even though many people consider them above any other drug and even non comparable to worthless drugs like MDMA (not that I consider MDMA worthless, but in comparison with certain other drugs I might do). Just rememeber than trough the 60's and 70's LSD was widely avialable while today I would consider it a miracle to hear about it being sold in my town. (Sub)cultures change and with them the cultural drugs as well. Maybe in the next years the ravers will get bored of MDMA and will find MDA or some other drug to be better.

MDA is not psychedelic BTW, it is just as strong empathogen as MDMA, probably even more, but it doesn't have so much of the stimulant component of activity. Maybe that makes it feel more psychedelic. It also allows a deeper introspection and a harmless reviving of distant traumatic events. In short, it is a more joyous drug and less physically pushing.

nubee · Master Archiver

swim found mda rushier and faster, mroe amphetamine like, while mdma cooler and milkier

swim also recons that in australia mda is more common than mdma due to the massive populace of amphetamine and alchohol use which transitions better with mda than mdma which is for the softies and peeps often hardly think anything is happening coz they are'nt bouncing of the walls... Rolling Eyes

interrupt · Fri Mar 11, 2005 1:17 pm

Thanks people. DMA sounds pretty cool, especially for those of us getting a bit old for 8 hours of non-stop dancing.

mind: I used the word 'underground' to mean the places where these types of drugs are bought/consumed. Not the Tube! Wink

At least with a bit of chemistry knowledge it's possible to make what you want rather than taking pills without having a clue what's in them.

Xque · Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:03 pm

Every person who use ecstasy, or have the slightest interest in MDMA should own Julie Holland's Ecstasy: The complete guide.

The fourth chapter, written by David Nichols, is about the chemistry of MDMA, and explains the difference in the effects of MDA and MDMA. L-MDA is supposedly hallucinogenic, R-MDA is more of a stimulant and has a shorter duration (p. 48).