You want the strong stuff, don’t you?
While the FDA may not want you to have DMAA, there’s another stimulant that is shaking the industry with lots of hype and promises.
As soon as a popular stimulant like DMAA gets banned by the FDA, there is a rush to fill the void and, inevitably, some new variant comes onto the market that fits into the legal framework.
Often, as time passes, that stimulant also gets banned, and the whole process starts over again.
Herolean is Dark Labs strongest thermogenic pre workout with not only DMAA but also DMHA and eria jarenesis.
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Flame contains a high amount of exotic stimulants but without overdoing it.
From 500mg Eria Jarensis, to 300mg theobroma, 400mg caffeine, and 300mg DMHA.
This is an excellent choice for smooth energy and mood elevation.
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As expected, the supplement industry has been scrambling for a replacement to DMAA.
Enter DMHA.
DMHA is claimed to be about 80% of the strength of DMAA.
Our favorites are:
Check them out below…
INGREDIENTS:
400mg caffeine, 100mg DMHA, 100mg Synephrine, 100mg Eleuthero Root Extract, 5.5g Prop Blend
Update: I've used and tried 4 bottles so far (out of six), only one seemed to not be as good, which was the Sour Candy flavor. I'll have to try my other unopened sour candy bottle to see if it's also not as good. I've had Blue Raspberry, Fruit Punch (2), and Strawberry Lemonade which all provided my original experience.
Phenta Plex has taken stim junkies by surprise.
When you look at the label, you'd agree that there's nothing special about this.
But we said the same about Excelsior.
Phenta Plex and Excelsior have one thing in common...
They both contain something that probably isn't disclosed on the label.
But unlike Excelsior, Phenta Plex is in stock and is much cheaper.
At around $45 per bottle, Excelsior better watch out for the new number 1 pre workout for special focus and energy.
Check out our review here.
At one scoop, there's more than 12g of ingredients, which is suppose to be 800mg of caffeine as it's twice the serving.
But most people that have taken a full scoop (double serving), have reported that they haven't felt like they've taken in this much caffeine.
So this makes us question if any of the ingredients on the label are actually in this pre workout.
One thing is for certain..
Phenta Plex has ridiculous amounts of energy and focus.
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INGREDIENTS:
citrulline, beta alanine, agmatine, caffeine, DMHA, eria jarensis, hordenine, alpha yohimbine, l tyrosine, l-dopa, l-phenylalanine, theobromine, N-acetyl-l-carnitine HCL, Alpha GPC, Phosphatidyl serine, Bacopa monniera leaf extract
The Power pre workout is one of the hardest hitting pre workouts we have listed here.
It kicks in with warmth and it drives with absolute urgency.
The formula is all in a proprietary blend so we can only guess how much of each ingredient is dosed.
It can be hard to find because the brand is keeping only a few stores stocked with this pre workout.
Power mainly gives an absolutely strong urgency feeling like a conquer everything you see kind of mindset.
It has more focus and energy than your typical exotic pre workout, like Crack, but less euphoria than Flame.
The focus is just very strong on this, and it has excellent energy.
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INGREDIENTS:
5g Citrulline Malate, 2g Beta Alanine, 1g Agmatine, 500mg Alpha GPC, 500mg N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine, 10mg Black Pepper Extract, 300mg Caffeine Anhydrous, 200mg Caffeine Citrate, 300mg Eria Jarensis, 200mg DMHA, 100mg DMAA, 50mg Hordenine, 25mg Naringin, 1mg Alpha Yohimbine
Crack Gold Edition is the special pre workout from Dark Labs.
It not only uses DMHA but it also has DMAA.
The original version of this pre workout only has DMAA, but it also has very strong nitric oxide to counter the possible side effects from DMAA.
If you prefer pumps over energy, then check out the original version, but otherwise Crack Gold Edition is one of the strongest pre workouts we've tried.
Use discount code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
500mg Eria Jarensis, 300mg Theobroma Cacao Extract, 300mg Caffeine, 300mg DMHA, 100mg Caffeine Citrate, 1g Agmatine, 1g Creatinol-O-Phosphate, 10mg Black Pepper Extract
Dark Labs pushes the limits to what a pre workout should be like.
This is Flame, and it has massive dosages of exotic stimulants that people seem to enjoy.
With 500mg eria jarensis, 300mg DMHA and much more, this is one of the stronger pre workouts for euphoria and energy.
It also has 400mg caffeine in total, from two sources.
Use discount code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
Dark Labs pushes the limits to what a pre workout should be like.
This is Flame, and it has massive dosages of exotic stimulants that people seem to enjoy.
With 500mg eria jarensis, 300mg DMHA and much more, this is one of the stronger pre workouts for euphoria and energy.
It also has 400mg caffeine in total, from two sources.
Use discount code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
Vices and Vibes is a fairly new company.
Surprisingly, they entered the market with a bang.
Their pre workout, Smack, is one of the best with DMHA so far.
It not only has the exotic stimulants, DMHA and eria jarensis, but it also has isopropylnorsynephrine (super synephrine) along with 350mg caffeine from two sources, and much more.
And of course it didn't forget it's nitric oxide ingredients.
This is going to give some strong long lasting pumps, along with strong focus and energy that's going to feel very urgent and aggressive.
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INGREDIENTS:
Caffeine, Caffeine Citrate, Theobromine, Eria Jarensis Extract, DMHA, Caffeine Malate, Higenamine HCl, Alpha Yohimbine, Hordenine, 7g Citrulline Malate, 4g Beta Alanine, 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous, 2g Taurine, 1.5g Nitrosigine, (150mg ElevATP)* (Choline Bitartrate)*, DMAE Bitartrate, Yohimbine HCL, Halostachine, 10mg Black Pepper Extract (*= Only In The Regular Version, And Not In The LTD Version)
El Jefe LTD is the recently released pre workout by ASC Supplements.
It's very similar to the original but with more premium ingredients.
It uses a wide mix of ingredients to help with performance, pumps and energy.
The stimulants are mixed, but it isn't overwhelming and likely won't cause jitters.
The energy is very productive and the pumps lasts for hours.
But the downside is that it has a proprietary blend.
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INGREDIENTS:
3.2g Beta Alanine, 3g Citrulline Malate, 1.5g Agmatine Sulfate, Phenom Stim Blend 902mg, 350mg Caffeine Anhydrous, Guarana Seed Extract, 1,3-dimethylbutylamine DMBA, 2-amino-6-methylheptane, Rauwolscine HCl
Phenom is one of the newer DMHA-based pre workouts.
It has a full blend of ergogenic aids for pumps and mood support but most importantly, it has DMHA.
Along with DMHA it has DMBA, which is amp citrate.
We've rarely seen DMHA combined with amp citrate, so this is definitely not one to take lightly.
If you've taken a pre workout with this strong of a stimulant combination then this might be one to consider.
Phenom has strong euphoria, with super strong focus as well.
Use discount code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
7g Citrulline, 3.5g Beta Alanine, 2.5g Betaine Anhydrous, 2g Tyrosine, 1.5g Agmatine Sulfate, 1g Lion's Mane Extract, 600mg Alpha GPC, 300mg Himalayan Pink Salt, 300mg Rhodiola Rosea Extract, 150mg ElevATP, 50mg AstraGin, 30mg Noopept
500mg Beta Phenylethylamine HCl, 450mg Caffeine Anhydrous, 300mg Eria Jarensis, 300mg Juglans Regia Extract (DMHA), 300mg Theobromine, 200mg Di-Caffeine Malate, 75mg Hordenine HCl
Apollon Nutrition is a problem for stim junkies...
They create hardcore pre workouts, then they somehow improve it and make it even stronger.
This is the latest version of Double Impact, and it not only has the same ingredients but it also includes DMHA.
As if the pre workout wasn't strong enough!
But strangely enough, this doesn't cause jitters and anxiety like the original did.
This is a very strong pre workout but it's very smooth with energy and focus.
Double Impact is one of the most stacked DMHA pre workouts you'll find.
Even if you take half servings, you'll be getting twice as much as most pre workouts these days.
And you can use discount code FITFREK to save.
INGREDIENTS:
11g citrulline, 3.75g beta alanine, 3g taurine, 1.7g agmatine,500mg n acetyl l tyrosine, 250mg l dopa, 225mg arginine AKG, 225mg choline bitartrate, 225mg DMHA, 30mg Octopamine, 30mg Noopept, 12mg Alpha Yohimbine, 7mg black pepper, 400mg caffeine, Prop blend: PEA HCL, DiCaffeine Malate, Synephrine, Bitter Orange, Higenamine
If there's any pre workout that shouldn't be judged by it's label, it's this one.
Apocalypse is another pre workout with DMHA, and also a boatload of ergogenic aids.
We haven't seen this much citrulline malate, especially not in a pre workout of this caliber.
While this is another "labs" pre workout, the label is not what you would expect from such a name.
Every scoop is packed with over 22g of ingredients.
Some ingredients are strangely dosed, like 225mg of arginine but everything else seems good.
This company is fairly new, but if you want to try Apocalypse then you can use discount code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
4g citrulline, 3.2g beta alanine, 2g hydromax, 1g agmatine, 600mg alpha GPC, 250mg caffeine, 250mg eria jarensis, 200mg DMHA, 150mg PEA, 30mg dendrobium, 10mg huperzine
Looking for a happy DMHA pre workout?
Look no further.
Light Year is a relatively new pre workout that seems to work really well for mood.
It has a formula that is packed with performance enhancers, from big doses of nitric oxide boosters and nootropics.
You're sure to get a nice long lasting buzz with the exotic blend, and the effects lasts for hours.
The pumps, the mood, and the energy is what Light Year seems to be good with.
Use discount code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
3.2g beta alanine, 2g citrulline, 300mg dmha,200mg eria jarensis, 150mg vitashure (caffeine SR), 100mg caffeine, 50mg halostachine, 25mg synephrine, 10mg piperine 95%
Enjoy The Insanity is similar to Light Year in that it can provide a good mood uplift for hours at a time.
Although it has less than 200mg caffeine, it's still a powerful pre workout.
Powered by DMHA, a few stimulants and only 200mg caffeine, it is a very mood supportive pre workout.
It isn't one that will make you anxious, instead you'll feel like your riding through with an absolutely uplifted mood.
This can also be used as a productive pre workout, if you want something better than coffee but without putting your heart in a racing state.
You might also consider combining this either with nitric oxide boosters or with a pre workout that has less than 200mg caffeine.
Enjoy the Insanity plays it safe with energy, but does it super well with mood without producing an overwhelming feeling of jitters and anxiety.
Use discount code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
Condemned Labs have been around for a while now and they are best known for their pre workout Convict, a pre workout powered by 225mg DMHA, 300mg caffeine and more.
You'd assume right that their fat burner is also just as strong.
Arysn contains 300mg caffeine along with 200mg DMHA.
This formula contains the 3 ingredients needed to mimic ECA (ephedra caffeine and aspirin), which is white willow.
White willow is nature's answer to Aspirin as it has salicin, something that reduces pain and increases mobility.
It also uses a green tea extract, in the form of matcha, along with 50mg synephrine, 50mg higenamine, 25mg cayenne, 25mg grapefruit, 5mg vinpocentine along with yohimbine.
Luckily the yohimbine is dosed at a small 3mg.
But what do those ingredients all do together?
They help increase blood flow, pumps along with increasing breathing capacity as higenamine works as a brochodilator.
It's even banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency because it's considered to be a performance enhancer and a brochodilator.
It's also powered by 12.5% Paradoxine, a strong thermogenic that'll make you sweat buckets.
Arysem is a potent DMHA fat burner that'll help with weight loss, energy and appetite suppression.
Use our 15% coupon code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
Beta Alanine, Agmatine Sulfate, 350mg Caffeine, Juglans Regia (DMHA), L-Norvaline, 100mg DMAA, Synephrine HCl, Choline Bi Tartrate, Hordenine, Ephedra, Yohimbine HCl
Venom is what you want when you just want the exotic stimulants.
This potent pre workout has DMHA, DMAA, ephedra and more.
There's way too much to list here.
But we can agree on one thing, this is a stim junkie pre workout.
DMHA isn't disclosed but it might be around 150mg as that what it was in it's previous formulation.
We do know there's 100mg DMAA in here, and 350mg of caffeine.
That means you should try half a serving before jumped to a full one.
Because venom is strong.
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INGREDIENTS:
These are two similar products made by Dark Labs.
Ripper contains DMAA and 15mg yohimbine, while Adrenaline has DMHA, eria jarensis and only 7mg yohimbine.
This means, if you want 100mg DMAA and a high dose of yohimbine (15mg), then go with Ripper.
But if you prefer a mood uplift with eria jarensis, and energy with 200mg DMHA, then go with Adrenaline.
I personally can handle the 15mg yohimbine, but the 100mg DMAA on top of that will surely result in increased nervousness and maybe anxiety.
Adrenaline is much easier to handle and it lasts a little longer anyway since DMHA is more smooth.
This is where you can get both of them:
Use discount code FITFREK.
You can read our review here on both of these supplements.
INGREDIENTS:
What if you could turn any pre workout into an exotic one?
You can with this bulk DMHA.
There is only one source that offers bulk powder of this exotic stimulant and that's BulkStimulants.com.
You're probably thinking this must be expensive.
But you couldn't be more wrong.
It costs 40$ for 10 grams.
That's about 50 servings of 200mg, or $0.80 per serving (or 100 servings of 100mg).
If you buy 3 packs, you'll get a discount at around $0.72 per serving of 200mg.
This is a great way to make any pre workout into one with DMHA. It'll run you longer if you can take 100mg (around $0.40 per serving).
Or you can make your own pre workout with bulk powders, including caffeine, from this source.
INGREDIENTS:
Update 2022: The only way to get Excelsior these days is from the EU because the FDA is giving Imperial Nutrition a hard time in the U.S.
I know what you're thinking.
That is the strangest nutrition label you've seen so far.
We agree but you're looking at one of the most potent pre workouts available today.
This is one that is easily the OG Craze of today.
Yes it does have DMHA but there has to be something else to this label that isn't on the label.
It will inevitably be banned one day but until that day comes, enjoy it while it's avialable.
But it comes with a cost and that's the withdrawals.
The energy and focus is amazing and unmatched by most pre workouts, but once you're off it, it'll spoil you because nothing else will come close.
The only 2 other supplements that are nearly the same is one made by the same company, Thermal Spark and the other by Hydrapharm, Hydrazine.
Excelsior and Thermal Spark are cheaper options compared to Hydrazine.
If you're susceptible depression, then be wary of taking Excelsior.
It is comparable to amphetamines, in fact some say Excelsior feels the same as the medicine they take for ADHD.
So whether you want something that will make you feel like you can squat the world or a super potent pre workout, Excelsior is something to try.
Keep some in storage for those rare days where you want to break PR's, or use it a few times and take a break from it.
INGREDIENTS:
If there was a DMHA only version of Dark Energy, then Zeus would be it.
This pre workout is made by God Status Labz, a fresh company that makes open formulas with only DMHA.
There are a few variations of pre workouts that God Status Labz makes, the other one being Leviathan and Kark'n.
Leviathan has a similar formula, but uses 150mg Phenylpiracetam, which is going to provide some aggressive-energy and focus.
And Leviathan differs by using mostly nitric oxide and volumizing ingredients like arachidonic acid, agmatine and betaine.
And Krak'n has a similar profile to Dark Energy but doesn't use DMHA.
Use coupon code FITFREK for 15% off.
Alternatively, you can get Zeus from this store.
INGREDIENTS:
If you need a pre workout with not only lots of stimulants and nootropics, but also performance aids that will help with muscle gains and strength, then you're looking at a solid choice.
Defiant Unleashed is packed with nootropics, stimulants and ergogenic aids.
With 8g citrulline, 3.2g beta alanine and 1g choline, you're going to be pumped and focused for improved performance.
And the stimulants are huge, with 450mg caffeine, 250mg eria jarensis, 200mg DMHA, 100mg theobromine and 100mg octopamine.
It goes without saying, this is a pre workout that should be used with caution.
Use half a scoop, and be responsible.
This is easily one of the most potent DMHA pre workouts, Defiant Unleashed is powerful with energy and focus.
It combines 250mg eria jarensis and DMHA for some synergy for energy and euphoria.
Use coupon code FITFREK for 15% off.
INGREDIENTS:
While we touched a bit on this pre workout while talking about Zeus, we'll cover what you're getting in Leviathan.
As we mentioned, this is a pre workout made by God Status Labz, and although they are new, they are already blasting out potent pre workouts with open formula's and high quality ingredients.
Leviathan is a leading example of this.
The nitric oxide blend is packed with 2g betaine, 1g arachidonic, 1g agmatine and 200mg pomegranate.
The pumps will be strong and will last long.
Aside from one of the best nitric oxide blends we've seen in any of these DMHA pre workouts, it has a unique blend of stimulants.
One of the extracts is a trademarked extract, Dopaphin3, which is a blend of 3 mood boosters, phenylethylamine, l-tyrosine and pyridoxine.
Aside from this, there's 400mg caffeine, 300mg eria jarensis, 200mg DMHA and 150mg phenylpiracetam.
Phenylpiracetam is an aggressive-inducing stimulant, it's banned in WADA but that doesn't matter to you if you're already looking at DMHA containing pre workouts.
It'll make you get up and get to the gym as if your life depended on it.
This is the first time we've seen it used in a DMHA pre workout, so try out Leviathan if you want an unique stimulant experience with strong pumps.
Use coupon code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
2g L-Carnitine L-Tartrate, 300mg Raspberry Ketones, 25mg Gamma-Butyrobetaine Ethyl Ester Chloride, 10mg Black Pepper Extract, 300mg Olive Leaf Extract, 300mg Caffeine, 150mg Green Coffee Bean Extract, 250mg Eria Jarensis, 200mg DMHA, 100mg DMAA, 50mg Synephrine HCL, 50mg Hordenine, 10mg Yohimbine HCl, 3mg Alpha Yohimbine
From the company that has brought you Crack, one of the top ranking pre workouts on our strongest pre workouts list, this is their thermogenic focused pre workout.
Herolean is packed and if you see the stimulant list, you'll notice it's monstrous.
There are at least 9 stimulants, but the downside to this blend is the 10mg yohimbine, which may be too much for some people, but this can be solved by taking half a scoop.
At half a scoop, you'd still be getting a boatload of stimulants including 125mg eria jarensis, 100mg DMHA, 50mg DMAA and more.
At full servings though, you'll get the full punch as it contains 200mg DMHA, 100mg DMAA, 250mg eria jarensis, 300mg caffeine and more.
The energy is insane and you'll definitely feel the appetite suppression here.
Use coupon code FITFREK.
INGREDIENTS:
Hydrazine is nearly the exact same as Excelsior and Thermal Spark, but it's more expensive.
In fact, we'd guess it is exactly the same, with the same level of focus and energy.
Hydrazine is definitely worthy of being a OG Craze replacement.
If you're looking for appetite suppression with DMHA in the formula, then Hydrazine is for you. But if you don't live in the UK or want to spend more than 60$ on a pre workout, then go for Excelsior.
Other than that, this is something that will likely discontinue later on, if not soon.
INGREDIENTS:
Shockwave is another powerful pre workout that's powered with 200mg DMHA, 200mg eria jarensis, 200mg octopamine, 200mg hordenine and 75mg higenamine.
That stimulant blend should speak volumes on how much energy you'll get from Shockwave.
It's made by Static Labz, the same company that brought you Volt, a DMAA focused pre workout.
The pumps here will be good too as it has 6.5g citrulline malate, along with 1g agmatine.
Aside from that, it's more focused on stimulants, you'll be getting some long lasting energy and focus.
Use 15% off discount code FITFREK.
The guide below will answer all your questions DMHA.
We'll start with the related stimulant, DMAA, which was suppose to be replaced with DMHA.
Read on below…
Methylhexanamine, commonly known as DMAA, is a stimulant that was first produced by Eli Lilly and Company in 1944 as a nasal decongestant.
In 1983, that company withdrew it from the market.
However, since 2006, it has been produced by supplement companies as a workout stimulant.
Within a year many fat burning and pre-workout products were using DMAA as a key ingredient.
It was often paired with caffeine, just as ephedrine had been.
The FDA didn’t take long to get interested in DMAA.
In 2011, they came out and said that it is known to narrow the blood vessels and arteries which can elevate blood pressure and can lead to cardiovascular events ranging from shortness of breath to heart attack.
In 2013, the FDA determined that DMAA was potentially dangerous and did not qualify as a legal dietary supplement.
However, they did not ban the ingredient.
Instead, they sent ‘warning letters’ out to the vast majority of supplement companies, but not all of them.
Virtually every company got the message and removed DMAA from their products.
One that didn’t was Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals (more on them later).
One of the only DMAA based pre workouts left and it's priced fairly low for a hard to find ingredient…
So now we have DMHA to “replace” DMAA’s role in hard hitting pre workouts.
With DMAA being pulled from the shelves, it was inevitable that that a schematically similar analog would emerge to take its place.
That product is named DMHA (1,5 dimethylhexylamine) for marketing purposes.
This name cleverly keeps it associated with, and easily confused with, DMAA.
This new analog, DMHA, has an ambiguous claim to being consumed as a natural product that is consumed as a food source, which is required for it to pass the dietary Supplement Health And Education Act (DSHEA) guidelines of 1994.
It is highly unlikely that any brand of DMHA currently on the market is selling an extract of the claimed source Aconitum kusnezoffii or related plants, because the root of those plants contains highly toxic alkaloids that have been attributed to severe, sometimes fatal poisoning (1).
One research paper describes DMHA as being a component of the fruit of the plant Kigelia Africana, which is touted as being the definitive evidence that DMHA has been present in the food supply prior to DSHEA.
The use of a chemically synthesized molecule weakens the argument against the likely stance to be taken by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that this is not a DSHEA-eligible natural product.
The use of a synthesized chemical as opposed to an extract was one of the FDA’s points in declaring the related ingredient AMP Citrate also called DMBA, as an adulterant (3).
Interestingly the marketers chose not to refer to DMHA by its former name, and the one commonly used in the few clinical papers that are available on this material – octodrine.
Similar to DMAA, octodrine was approved for and sold as a decongestant, and is noted for having vasoconstrictor properties.
Though it currently can’t be found in any pharmaceutical products, its current development appears to be directed toward its properties as an antifungal.
We don’t know why it isn’t on the market as a decongestant, but presumably it was either less effective to ephedrine or had similar side effects as DMAA when used as a nasal spray.
The symptoms would be related to the effects of DMHA on the beta-1 adrenergic receptor, as well as being an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist (similar to yohimbine).
These may include elevated blood pressure, faster heart rate, shortness of breath, anxiety and other signs of distress (5).
DMHA would be too risky for those with heart rhythm abnormalities and hypertension, and may have higher risks when combined with common stimulant ingredients such as caffeine, theobromine and theophylline.
As a vasoconstrictor, DMHA would antagonize (or work against) vasodilators, ingredients which purport to enhance a pump by making the arteries feeding the exercised muscle open sider and make the muscle engorged like biceps on Viagra.
Anecdotal reports are very enthusiastic about DMHA being everything DMAA should have been and more, with no comments about a performance decrement or loss of pump.
Of course, these statements are primarily associated with websites that are selling DMAA-containing products, or affiliates.
It is important to note that no human or animal studies have been published on the use or effectiveness of DMHA as a performance enhancer, stimulant of fat loss promoter.
Those marketing DMHA are depending upon the structural similarities to proven compounds such as DMAA, DMBA and even the PEA-based products (6).
Another potential side effect would be very disadvantageous to bodybuilders, especially those using anabolic steroids that are prone to gynecomastia, is its affinity with the estrogen receptor alpha and actions as an antagonist.
This means that DMHA can stimulate estrogen-sensitive tissue just like estradiol, the female sex steroid but the concentration that this occurs is in the micromolar range, so the safe range of DMHA would be limited to the nanomolar range, which is a very small amount.
This should not raise undue concern, as DMHA is not very potent as an estrogen receptor alpha agonist, but the effect does exist and has to be acknowledged.
The chemical industry develops literature called ‘material safety data sheets’ of MSDS.
The MSDS for octodrine (the same drug as DMHA) lists an acute oral toxicity, meaning that it is harmful if swallowed.
The hazard classification suggests that it would take an unintentional act to induce self-harm acutely (i.e. all at once).
As a category 4 hazard for oral exposure, this means that it would take over 300 milligrams per kilogram of bodyweight to approach the LD50 (’average’ lethal dose).
However, this is when octodrine is taken as an isolated ingredient in a healthy person.
Toss a few espresso, train in a dehydrated state with an undiagnosed cardiac dysrhythmia, and it may be good night permanently.
The absence of any clinical trials on performance, body composition, food intake or resting energy expenditure makes it difficult to assess the potential benefits or effects of DMHA as a pre-workout, stimulant or fat-loss aid.
Based upon the experiences seen with DMAA, which is structurally similar (with differences that may serve to DMHAs benefit, though again this is unproven – and only speculative from sources with interests in DMHA's market success promote this concept), those choosing to use DMHA products while they are available may see an enhancement in mood, energy or focus in regard to having more drive during a workout.
Again, without and pharmacokinetic data, or data on its transport through the blood-brain barrier, this is based upon the speculation and reports of parties with a vested interest.
One site does address that the degrading enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) would reduce the bioavailability of DMHA, and MAO is present in the gut.
DMHA is unlikely to ever be sold as a solo ingredient, so it is impossible to tell how effective it may be compared to existing products or a couple hundred milligrams of caffeine.
Whether any performance benefit can be claimed, or fat loss enhancement, is unproven.
Until evidence arises that DMHA is safe, can remain on the market as a dietary ingredient and has documented proof of being an effective pre-workout stimulant or fat loss agent, it appears the prudent decision is to wait for further data.
DMHA is the equivalent to being DMAA's chemical cousin.
However, this is like a blind date.
No matter how attractive your well-intentioned friend may be, his / her cousin may not get your blood pumping.
These include:
Despite these different names, there are actually only two versions of DMHA:
Of the two versions, 2 amino-5-methylheptane is the most potent.
Octodrine, 2-Amino Isobutane and 1 5 Dimethylhexylamine are all based on the 2 amino-6-methylheptane version.
The letters DMHA come from Dimethylhexylamine.
The ideal dosage for best results in the gym appears to be between 100-150 mg of DMHA (the 2 amino-6-methylheptane version).
This compares with a recommended dosage of 35-50 mg for DMAA. For the more powerful 2 amino-5-methylheptane, the recommended dosage is 75 mg.
There are a number of psychostimulants that share a very similar structure.
They are all designed to make you more awake.
These stimulants are:
Because there have to date been no human or animal studies that quantify the specific actions of DMHA, the best we can, when trying to figure out how it works, is to take a look at the common features of these other products.
From the get-go, you need to be aware that DMHA is an advanced stimulant that is designed for hardcore trainers who are looking to push the envelope.
As mentioned, it does NOT have a ton of studies to back up what it can do.
These psycho stimulants work by increasing the levels of key monoamines.
Monoamines are neurotransmitters that contain a single amino group.
The two monoamines that produce the most stimulant like effects to boost your performance are dopamine and norepinephrine.
A compound will only work as a monoamine activator if it is structurally similar to monoamine itself.
DMAA, and the other products that are structurally similar to it such as DMHA, have this structural similarity to dopamine and norepinephrine.
This gives them the ability to release these two powerful neurotransmitters through the activation of trace amine associated receptor 1.
At the same time, they are temporarily prevented from binding to target receptors.
This allows dopamine and norepinephrine to remain active for longer, giving you a prolonged training effect.
Not everyone who takes stimulants like DMHA are doing so for enhanced training effects in the gym.
There are a lot of students and others who are more interested in their nootropic effects.
They want to be able to study longer, be more focused and more productive in their studies.
So how does DMHA stack up in this regard?
User experience confirms that DMHA will ‘wake you up’ and allow you to focus more clearly on the task ahead.
But there are benefits beyond that. It appears that the compounds that make up DMHA have the ability to improve memory.
Specifically, they have the ability to increase episodic memory, which is your memory of past episodes.
These are the types of memories that allow us to work out how we will respond to similar events in the future.
As a result, DMHA will help you to work and study with more focus and to be better plan ahead.
Dopamine, which DMHA works to enhance, is known to increase both the desire and the volition to do things.
Volition is what gives you the ability to keep pushing on through obstacles and stumbling blocks.
People who have more dopamine in their system are better able to persevere, work harder and stay on task.
Dopamine also has the ability to affect the pleasure / reward center of the brain.
It enhances our desire to repeat actions that lead to food feelings and our ability to remember the things that led up to the good feeling (7, 8).
DMHA is also being used as in ingredient in fat burners.
Its stimulatory nature gives it a thermogenic effect which speeds up the metabolism, leading to increased calorie burn.
Finding a stimulant that is able to activate monoamine release at a level that is not too strong nor too weak is difficult.
DMAA was so popular – it did it at the ideal level of mildness, and so, apparently does DMHA.
If the stimulant was too strong, it wouldn’t be able to be detached by the body’s enzymes.
The next common features between DMAA and DMHA is the addition of a methyl group on the alpha carbon.
This provides the following three effects:
It limits the effects of monoamine oxidase (MAO). MAO is an enzyme which breaks down monoamines, so inhibiting it affects prolongs the half-life of the key monoamines dopamine and norepinephrine.
It increases the ability of the monoamines to pass through the blood-brain barrier, increasing and enhancing their ability to improve your focus and energy levels.
It increases the compound’s affinity for the catecholamine transporters; this decreases the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine. The more catecholamines that are available, the better the stimulant effect that is produced.
DMHA is listed as a decongestant, which is precisely what DMAA was categorized by drug suppliers.
2-amino-6-methylheptane was used as the key ingredient in a popular decongestant named Eskays Oralator back in the 1950’s.
It appears to have fallen out of favour with the rise of ephedrine, which can still be used in medications, just not in supplements.
So, why has 2-amino-6-methylheptane been classified as a decongestant.
Let’s dig into the research to find the answer.
During the 1940’s and ‘50’s there were a number of animal studies that are relevant.
In 1952, a study was published in the British Journal of Pharmacology which found the following . . .
The respirations of dogs under chloralose were stimulated by 2-amino-6-methylheptane and the stimulation lasted for sixty minutes.
Chloralose is a sedative and anaesthetic used on animals.
The focus of the above study was a group of compounds known as octylamines, one of which, 2-aminoheptane, is closely related to DMHA.
The authors of this study concluded that 2-aminoheptane had an action that was similar to amphetamine, thought being less stimulatory and cardiovascular, less toxic and having a greater half-life.
In 1947, a study was published in the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics specifically focused on 2-amino-6-methylheptane, or DMHA.
The following results were indicated:
DMHA increased the pain threshold in cats, as a result of its anaesthetic and analgesic properties.
DMHA is far less likely to increase blood pressure than epinephrine. However, it does still have a cardiac effect, increasing the heart-beat.
When used intravenously in dogs, there was no effect on the small intestine, urinary bladder, urine secretion or respiration.
Non-lethal 30-day large doses showed no damage to the heart, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, intestines, stomach, brain or spinal cords of the rabbits, rats and guinea pigs that were tested.
The doses given were as follows:
Rats – 20 mg/kg injected
Rats – 75-100 mg/kg oral administration
Guinea Pigs – 20-25 mg/kg injected
Rabbits – 20 mg/kg injected
It should be noted that the rats who took the high doses of 2-amino-6-methylheptane (both oral and injected) became depressed (9).
The most important revelation to come out of the 1947 study was summed up in the following statement by study co-author Edwin Fellowes . . .
While there is an indication of more activity after S-51 (DMHA) than absorbed in normal rats, a typical ‘amphetamine-like’ effect was never noted.
In other words, rats that were given amphetamines were ‘literally’ banging their heads against the walls of their cages, whereas those who were given DMHA were hyped up, but not excessively so.
The conclusion that we come to from an analysis of these animal studies from the middle of the 20th Century is that DMHA seems to possess the qualities that most people who are after a workout stimulant are after – it enhances your focus and output without making you hype (10, 11).
The general consensus among people who have used DMHA is that it works – really well!
A lot of people felt that DMAA was just a little too over the top, producing a weird, unnatural buzz.
But, DMHA provides you with about 80% of the effect of DMAA, which seems to be about perfect for gym applications.
It is far more potent than other products that purport to be DMAA replacements, such as AMP Citrate.
Users also report that DMHA provides you with a smoother ‘come-down’ than DMAA or even caffeine.
You will not experience a crash, allowing you get on with the rest of your day without any after effects.
For most people the effect of increased focus and energy lasted for several hours, providing you with greater productivity ability even after your workout is finished.
DMHA is a more potent stimulant milligram for milligram than caffeine.
It will provide you with a greater energy level and that level of energy will be sustained for longer.
DMHA’s other big benefit over caffeine is that it will not lead to a post workout energy crash.
It also provides enhanced benefits as far as memory enhancement, due to the increased levels of dopamine that it contains.
DMHA containing stimulants should NOT be mixed with prescription drugs.
You should be especially careful not to mix DMHA with stimulatory prescription drugs, as well as antidepressants and MAO inhibitors.
The FDA has a very acute radar when it comes to stimulants.
It doesn’t like them and has put in place stringent compliance requirements.
The bottom line is that if it can be proven that the simulant occurs naturally in the environment, it is likely to meet compliance.
It has been shown that 2-amino-5-methylheptane is found in nature – in walnut bark extract.
The evidence for this is contained in a study entitled Evaluation of Antimicrobial Properties of Two Different Extracts of Juglans regia Tree Bark and Search for Their Compounds Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrum (12).
However, 2-amino-5-methylheptane is not DMHA (2-amino-6-methylheptane).
It is, however, very similar.
2-amino-5-methylheptane is reputedly more potent than DMHA. In order to meet FDA compliance, it needs to be shown that DMHA is derived from either:
A vitamin
A Mineral
An herb or other botanical
An amino acid
A dietary substance used by humans to supplement the diet by increasing total dietary intake
A concentrate, metabolite. constituent, extract or a combination of any of the above
In a 2014 study, the third of these compliance options was met.
The study was entitled Metabolomic Profiling of Kigelia Africana Extracts with Anti-Cancer Activity by High Resolution Tandem Mass Spectroscopy.
It identified that DMHA was present in the fruit Kigelia Africana.
The study was published in a well-respected, peer reviewed academic publication that had absolutely no connections with the supplement industry (13).
The discovery that DMHA occurs in a fruit boosts the possibility that DMHA will meet FDA compliance.
There is another naturally occurring herb that may contain DMHA.
It is the plant species aconitum, which is a flowering plant with over 250 species, found mainly in the Northern Hemisphere.
Unfortunately, the aconite family are poisonous.
This is clearly a massive red flag for the FDA.
They are hardly likely to give compliance to DMHA if the natural herb or other botanical in which it is found is toxic.
The question of compliance of DMHA by the FDA is an resolved one at this time.
We expect that the pending court case Hi-Tech Pharma vs FDA will provide some further guidance on the issue (14).
As of October 1st, 2017, DMHA was banned in Australia.
At the same time DMBA will also come under ban.
DMAA has been banned in Australia since 2013.
It is interesting (and alarming) to note that the Australian Government’s Department of Health has not provided a single reason supporting their decision to ban DMHA.
The Australian ban makes it illegal in that country to sell the following:
Tim Muriello Spazmatic
Sparta Nutrition Kraken
OCD Nutrition OCD Extreme V2
Body War Pre War V2
All BPM products that contain Pouchong tea
Should drug tested athletes take a stimulant that contains DMHA?
The answer is NO, even though DMHA, under any of its names, does not currently appear on the WADA banned substances list.
So why shouldn’t drug tested athletes take it?
Because there is a very real possibility that DMHA in your system may cause a false positive result.
This is all the more likely because of the structural similarity between DMHA and some other stimulants that ARE on the WADA banned substances list.
Beyond this, WADA have a clause to include similar substances under their banned umbrella.
Given that DMAA is on their list, DMHA would be included here as a similar product to DMAA.
In addition, it is pretty likely that DMHA will actually be added to the banned list sometime soon.
The bottom line here is that if you're a drug tested athlete, you should stay away from stimulants that contain DMHA.
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the status of DMAA.
Let's take a moment to clarify things.
Between 2009 and 2012, DMAA was the key stimulant found in a number of powerful workout stimulants, including USP Jack3d and OxyELITE Pro.
Then, in 2012, the FDA sent warning letters to the majority of supplement manufacturers, alerting them to the fact that DMAA was not a dietary supplement ingredient.
Beyond this warning, however, the FDA did not state that DMAA was banned.
The letter was sent to many companies but it was not received by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, despite their having some of the best-selling DMAA containing products on the market.
The majority of supplement manufacturers responded to the FDA warning letter by removing DMAA from their products.
One company that did not do this was USP Labs, the manufacturers of Jack3d and OxyELITE Pro.
The company actually sent a response letter to the FDA, claiming that DMAA was actually a naturally occurring compound, and therefore, passed compliance requirement under DSHEA 1994.
In that letter, the USP Labs guy's cited three studies showing that DMAA was naturally occurring in the geranium plant and was, therefore, compliant with DSHEA 1994.
The FDA responded to USP’s letter with several refutations.
However, because their response is not publicly available, we do not know what these reasonings were.
Around this time, USP Labs announced that it was no longer going to produce DMAA containing products.
However, they cited business rather than legal reasons as the motivator for this decision.
In November, 2013, US Marshals, at the behest the FDA raided the factories of Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals.
The Marshals seized more than two million dollars’ worth of DMAA based products. No warning letter was issued of this intention of seizure.
In the wake of this action, Hi-Tech pharmaceuticals have taken the FDA to court.
Their lawsuit is founded on the following grounds:
They were not given any warning or opportunity to comply with any supposed regulations, leading to the loss of more than two million dollars’ worth of product.
The FDA has never actually banned DMAA. A warning letter does not constitute a law. Therefore, there was no legal basis for the seizure of their products.
DMAA is a legal, safe and natural product. For those reasons, it meets the compliance requirements of DSHEA 1994. Hi-Tech specifically claimed that DMAA is found in the geranium plant.
While waiting for the lawsuit to come up in court, Hi-Tech set about developing new DMAA based stimulants, including HydroxyElite and Jack’d Up.
In December, 2014, the FDA attempted to get Hi-Tech’s lawsuit thrown out of court.
Three months later, the court denied the FDA request.
At this point, we are still awaiting for the phase to come to court.
In the meantime, the actual legal status of DMAA sits in the balance.
It seems that, right now, Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals is the only company selling DMAA containing products.
All of the other companies have seen the writing on the wall and gone down the DMHA route.
DMHA has been found to occur in nature.
It is, according to a 2014 study, found in the plant Kigelia Africana.
This is a tropical plant that grows in Northern and Southern Africa.
It grows a fruit that can get up to two feet in length and looks somewhat like a sausage.
The Kigelia Africana plant has well established anti-bacterial, anti-cancer and pain relieving properties.
It also has a long history as a euphoria inducer.
It therefore produces a natural stimulatory effect.
There are sources that also state that DMHA is a component of the aconitum species of plant.
This plant species, commonly known as aconite, comprises more than 250 different plants.
However, aconite is one of the most poisonous plants that are out there.
2-amino-5-methylheptane is one of the two versions of DMHA.
It differs from 2-amino-6-methylheptane in that it has one less methylheptane.
It is believed that 2-amino-5-methylheptane is the naturally occurring version of DMHA, whereas 2-amino-6-methylheptane is the synthetic version.
2-amino-5-methylheptane is claimed to be more potent that 2-amino-6-methylheptane.
As 2-amino-5-methylheptane is from a natural source, it is far more expensive to source than its synthetic version.
Therefore, products that contain 2-amino-5-methylheptane will be very expensive.
DMHA is a powerful stimulant, even though it is only about 80% as potent as DMAA.
You need to ensure, however, that you are not taking too much (or too little) of it.
For that reason, you should never purchase a product that contains DMHA as part of a proprietary blend.
Proprietary blends tell you what is in the product, but do not disclose the amount of each of those ingredients.
In fact, we believe that all proprietary blends should be made illegal.
Apart from the fact that proprietary blends force the consumer to guess at how much of each ingredient is in the product, they also attract the attention of the FDA.
They are bad news all round and should be done away with.
When you first start to use a stimulant that contains DMHA, we suggest that you take a half dose.
Then assess how your body responds.
Take your blood pressure and wear a heart rate monitor.
If you don’t have hyper reactions, then slowly build up to a full dose.
As mentioned at the outset, one of the many names that is given to DMHA is Octodrine.
It is very interesting to note that Octodrine has been found (in two studies in 2015) to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
One of the studies stated that . . .
Was shown to be one of the most effective drugs in killing serum-grown Candida-albicans without significantly affecting the survival of host macrophages and skin cells.
In another study, Octodrine was seen to kill e. Coli bacteria after five days of exposure.
As we can see, then, Octodrine (or DMHA) has real potential to be used as a prescription antibacterial, anti-fungal yeast infection drug.
This is a huge market potential that completely overshadows the fitness stimulant industry.
If DMHA gets made into a prescription drug, it will automatically be banned as a supplement ingredient (15).
There's a way to make any pre workout have DMHA and that's with bulk DMHA.
For who knows how long, DMHA is available in bulk form and you can add it to any pre workout, turning into a boring pre workout into an amazing one.
References:
(1) Chan TY, Aconite Poisoning, Clin. Toxicol 2009:47; 279-285
(2) Department of Health and Human Services (FDA). Warning Letter, March 31, 2016. http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/EnforcementActions/WarningLetters/2016/ucm493994.htm
(3) Lin, C., Chan, T., & Deng, J. “Clinical features and management of herb-induced aconitum poisoning”; Annals of emergency Medicine, 43(5): 574-579; 2004; Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196064403011314
(4) Millan, M; “The role of monoamines in the actions of established and novel antidepressant agents: a critical review”; European Journal of Pharmacology; 500(1): 371-384; 2004. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0014299904007472
(5) Hutcheon, D, McCullough, L; “The Respiratory Stimulant Action of Octylamines”; British Journal of Pharmacology; 7, 42; 1952; Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1476-5381.1952.tb00688.x/pdf
(6) Charlier, R; “Pharmacology of 2-amino-6-methyl-heptane”; Archives internationales de pharmacodynamie et de thérapie; 85(1-2):144-51; January 1951; Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14820395
(7) Chowdhury, R et al; “Dopamine modulates episodic memory persistence in old age”; Journal of Neuroscience; 32(41): 14193-14204; 2012. Retrieved from http://www.jneurosci.org/content/32/41/14193.short
(8) Wise, R; “Dopamine, learning and motivation”; Nature Reviews Neuroscience; 5: 483-494; 2004. Retrieved from http://www.nature.com/nrn/journal/v5/n6/abs/nrn1406.html
(9) Fellows, E; “The pharmacology of 2-amino-6-methylheptane”; The Journal of pharmacology and experimental therapeutics; 90(4):351-8; August 1947; Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20265812
(10) Schilling, Brian K et al; “Physiological and Pharmacokinetic Effects of Oral 1,3-Dimethylamylamine Administration in Men.” BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology; 14: 52; 2013. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3852303/
(11) Miya, T, Edwards, L; “A pharmacological study of certain alkoxyalkylamines”; Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association. American Pharmaceutical Association; 42(2):107-10; February 1953. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13034643/
(12) Kim, Kevin, Zilbermintz, Leeor, Martchenko, Mikhail; “Repurposing FDA approved drugs against the human fungal pathogen, Candida albicans”; Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials; 14:32; June 9, 2015. Retrieved from http://ann-clinmicrob.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12941-015-0090-4
(13) Niu, Hongxia, et al; “Identification of Anti-Persister Activity against Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from a Clinical Drug Library”; Antibiotics; 4(2), 179-187; 2015. Retrieved from http://www.mdpi.com/2079-6382/4/2/179/pdf
(14) Kim, Kevin, Martchenko, Mikhail; “Method of treating microbial infections”; US Patent and Trademark Office; US Patent US20150196499 A1; July 16, 2015; Retrieved from https://www.google.com/patents/US20150196499
(15) Arkhipov, A, et al; “Metabolomic Profiling of Kigelia Africana Extracts with Anti-Cancer Activity by High Resolution Tandem Mass Spectroscopy”; Pharmacognosy Communications; Volume 4, Issue 4; Oct–Dec 2014; Retrieved from http://www98.griffith.edu.au/dspace/bitstream/handle/10072/64248/98347_1.pdf
