MDEA
Pronunciation:em-dee-ee-a ̄
Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Number:82801-81-8
Formal Names:3,4-Methylenedioxyethylamphetamine, MDE
Informal Names:Eve, Intellect
Type:Hallucinogen.Seepage 25
Federal Schedule Listing:Schedule I (DEA no. 7404)
USA Availability:Illegal to possess
Pregnancy Category:None
Uses.This substance is related toMDA,MDMA, amphetamine, andmeth-
amphetamine. Drug laws call MDEA a hallucinogen, but it has stimulant ef-
fects also. Those dual properties put it in the entactogen pharmacological
group, a type of drug with both stimulant and hallucinogenic qualities. Effects
are similar to those from MDA and MDMA.
MDEA can create contentedness and feelings of intimacy with other per-
sons. It may promote self-insight, gesturing, and articulate talking. Halluci-
nations can occur, described as less intense than those brought on by
psilocybin. Volunteers had normal results in tests of numerical ability while
using MDEA, indicating that people can force themselves to overcome at least
some of the drug’s effects if necessary. Even though users feel more relaxed
after taking the substance, it has general stimulant effects—raising the pulse
rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. It also elevates the level of cor-
tisol, a hormone that increases blood sugar.
Drawbacks.Apparently MDEA inhibits secretion of human growth hor-
mone. The drug disrupts sleep and dreaming. Psychosis is possible. In exper-
iments with normal volunteers a minority had mental aftereffects including
nervousness and discontent.
Some researchers describe MDEA as less toxic than MDMA, but damage is
still possible to kidneys, liver, brain, and heart. Persons with heart disease
may be in particular danger from MDEA. Overdose symptoms include hal-
lucinations, excessive body temperature, massive perspiration, violent con-
duct, muscle spasms, difficulty moving arms and legs, convulsions, distress
in breathing, and passing out. Fatalities have shown blood clots throughout
the body and damage to skeletal muscle. Although deaths from “normal”