Professional sport involves the use of various drugs - both permitted and prohibited in some countries. One of them is DMAA. Let's try to understand its positive and negative sides.
What is a DMAA?
DMAA, or 1,3-dimethylamylamine, is a monoamine, an organic compound that helps in weight gain and fat burning. It has different names: geranamine, methylhexanamine, dimethylpentlamine, geranium extract. This substance is 4-10 times stronger than caffeine, so it has been widely used in sports supplements.
In the course of studies, it was found that DMAA has a similar effect with ephedrine, but several times weaker, refers to mild stimulants. The drug is widely used by people leading an active lifestyle, it is not recommended for people who have problems with the cardiovascular system.
DMAA Functions
The drug is used to increase the threshold of the body's capabilities - the strength and endurance of athletes. After taking the drug, attention and concentration improve. DMAA as a dietary supplement has gained incredible popularity in bodybuilding as a pre-training complex, and it can also be used in preparation for exams.
DMAA, due to its effect on the body, increases energy intensity during the training process.
The substance is also used as a weight loss drug. Especially in combination with caffeine, it burns fat and reduces appetite. In the course of research, it was found that the drug accelerates fat burning compared with placebo by 170%, and metabolism - by 35%.
1,3-dimethylamylamine increases blood pressure without changing the heart rate. Limiting blood flow helps stimulate muscle hypertrophy with less training intensity.
History of occurrence
1,3-dimethylamylamine is a stimulant obtained from geranium oil, which is produced by steam distillation of the stem and leaves of a plant. The substance stimulates the central nervous system and is found in the geranium Pelargonium graveolens, native to China.
Methylhexanamine was first released in 1940 under the name Forthane by Eli Lilly & Co. Since 2006, it began to be produced under the name "geranamine" by Proviant Technologies.
It was unclear whether 1,3-dimethylamylamine was actually derived from geranium or whether synthetics were used. However, manufacturers of fat burners indicate that geranamine is obtained from a plant.
For the study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography methods with high-resolution mass spectrometry were used. During it, it turned out that geranium oil does not contain geranamine, respectively, sports supplements include synthetic DMAA.
DMAA Effects
DMAA (geranium - the plant from which it is obtained) is excellent as a pre-workout supplement, as it has the property of increasing energy influx to the muscles. It is also able to reduce sensitivity to pain and increase motivation and endurance, so you can train more intensively.
DMAA helps increase pressure, limit blood flow, without changing the heart rate, it helps to improve muscle growth.
Another reason for the use of geranium extract is fat-burning properties, it is a thermogenician and increases metabolism. In the course of studies, it was found that DMAA in combination with caffeine and similar substances increases metabolism by 35%.
DMAA with caffeine is present in many pre-workouts and energy, as you can see when you come to any sports nutrition store.
Side effects of DMAA
Until recently, geranium extract was surrounded by various disputes about safety and side effects, but studies show that if you use the drug in dosages recommended by the manufacturers, it is practically safe. If you abuse any product and in addition have contraindications for use, then any drug will be dangerous. Those who use DMAA in accordance with the instructions note its complete safety and the absence of negative effects on the body.
With an overdose of DMAA in its pure form, headache and nausea may occur, and when combined with alcohol, a brain hemorrhage can occur.
The structure of geraniums is similar to amphetamine, so you should consider this fact when passing a drug test, since it can turn out to be positive.
A frequent side effect may be a lethargic state after a couple of hours after taking a geranium extract.
Possible side effects may include insomnia, sweating, and dry mouth; to prevent this, L-theanine or sulbutiamine can be taken additionally.
DMAA dosage
In pre-workout complexes, geranium extract is present in a daily dosage of 25-75 mg. You can divide the dose into several doses, but basically take it 30 minutes before the workout. The action of the drug lasts up to several hours, and in the absence of energy costs - longer.
1,3-dimethylamylamine is not desirable to combine with other CNS stimulants.
Legality of Geranium Extract
There are always doubts about the legality of products to improve performance during exertion. Geranium is banned in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand, but is legal in Russia. The FDA of America has banned the inclusion of the drug in dietary supplements, so some manufacturers have stopped using it since 2012. There are several preparations left that contain the old version of geranium and the new analogue of AMP Citrate, which is not prohibited.
Geranium extract is similar in effect to doping drugs, so its use was prohibited in sports, and the drug was added to the list of prohibited drugs.
Arriving at a sports nutrition store, you can find on the shelves the approved drugs with similar compositions - Jack3d, Primaforce 1,3-dimethylamylamine, OxyElite, NeuroCore, HydroxyStim, Lipo-6 Black.
Positive comments about the extract of geranium athletes. Everyone notes an increase in energy, a surge of strength, an increase in concentration. Therefore, if you need to improve the quality of your workouts, then you can use geranium extract, observing the required dosage. All kinds of additives have always helped to achieve the best results in sports training.