1,4-DMAA
updated
1,4-DMAA is a small-molecule stimulant found in some sports and weight-loss supplements, an isomer of 1,3-DMAA with the same formula but a different arrangement of atoms. Those products are sold for performance and fat loss. Its only studies analyzed supplement contents and confirmed that some products contain it; none gave it to people, so its effects and safety are untested, and 1,3-DMAA results do not carry over. Graded D for confirmed detection in supplements with no human benefit, pharmacokinetic or safety study; its risk relative to 1,3-DMAA is unknown.
Small-molecule experimental stimulant
- It has the same molecular formula as 1,3-DMAA but a different structure.
- It was identified in selected US supplement products.
- Human half-life data for 1,3-DMAA do not establish the half-life of this isomer.
How does it differ from 1,3-DMAA?
1,4-DMAA is a positional isomer: it has the same C7H17N formula but a different arrangement of atoms. That can change its pharmacology.
source: PubChem: 1,4-DMAA chemical identity, National Library of Medicine. PubChem CID 34204.
source: Cohen et al., four experimental stimulants, 2018, Cohen PA, Travis JC, Keizers PHJ, Deuster P, Venhuis BJ. Four experimental stimulants found in sports and weight loss supplements: 2-amino-6-methylheptane (octodrine), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) and 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA). Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2018. DOI 10.1080/15563650.2017.1398328.
What do the newer studies actually test?
The studies analyzed supplement contents. The cited records include no administered-human benefit or safety trial of exact 1,4-DMAA.
Two laboratories differentiated the isomers in six selected supplement brands in the 2018 report. A 2021 analysis of 17 brands found 1,4-DMAA in one product. A 2025 investigation of 12 selected products found it in two.
The researchers selected the products rather than sampling the whole market randomly. Their analyses confirm undeclared or mislabeled exposure but do not measure cognition, strength, endurance, or body fat. PubMed records under exact 1,4-DMAA names cover analytical and identity work, with no administered-human outcome study in the cited set.
source: Cohen et al., four experimental stimulants, 2018
source: Nine prohibited stimulants in sports and weight-loss supplements, 2021, Cohen PA, Travis JC, Vanhee C, Ohana D, Venhuis BJ. Nine prohibited stimulants found in sports and weight loss supplements: deterenol, phenpromethamine (Vonedrine), oxilofrine, octodrine, beta-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA) and higenamine. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2021. DOI 10.1080/15563650.2021.1894333.
source: Eria jarensis supplement ingredient analysis, 2025, Cohen PA, Abarca R, Sovereign A, Gonzaga MJ, Gerona R. Presence and quantity of ingredients in sports supplements purportedly containing the orchid Eria jarensis. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2025. DOI 10.1080/15563650.2025.2515242.
source: PubMed · analytical records only, PubMed records under exact 1,4-DMAA names. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%221%2C4-DMAA%22+OR+%221%2C4-dimethylamylamine%22+OR+%225-methylhexan-2-amine%22
Is it safer than 1,3-DMAA?
No cited human study directly compares the isomers' pharmacokinetics or safety. Human risk relative to 1,3-DMAA remains unknown.
A 1,3-DMAA/caffeine trial, receptor experiment, or case report cannot define the half-life, effective exposure, or adverse-event rate of 1,4-DMAA. The available evidence also cannot show that 1,4-DMAA is inert.
source: Cohen et al., four experimental stimulants, 2018
source: Nine prohibited stimulants in sports and weight-loss supplements, 2021
source: Eria jarensis supplement ingredient analysis, 2025
source: PubMed · analytical records only
Was it approved for human use?
The 2018 authors reported that 1,4-DMAA had not been approved for human consumption when they conducted the investigation.
That is a dated finding. The 2021 Health Canada action does not establish current authorization in every jurisdiction.
Studies and sources
Cohen et al., four experimental stimulants, 2018
Analytical identity or detection study
Cohen PA, Travis JC, Keizers PHJ, Deuster P, Venhuis BJ. Four experimental stimulants found in sports and weight loss supplements: 2-amino-6-methylheptane (octodrine), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA) and 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA). Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2018. DOI 10.1080/15563650.2017.1398328.
Two laboratories examined six selected supplement brands. 1,4-DMAA concentrations ranged from approximately 21±11 to 94±48 mg per serving in detected products; mixtures included both DMAA isomers. This proves chemically distinct exposure opportunities. Selection of suspect products prevents estimating whole-market prevalence, and no participants ingested products as part of an efficacy trial.
- Participants / model
- Six selected supplement brands, not trial participants
- Follow-up
- Cross-sectional product testing
- Study design
- Independent laboratory chemical analysis with reference standards
FDA: DMAA in products marketed as supplements
Official regulatory and safety statement
US FDA. DMAA in Products Marketed as Dietary Supplements.
FDA advises against DMAA-containing products, citing cardiovascular and neurological risks, and considers DMAA added to supplements an unsafe food additive.
- Participants / model
- United States marketed products
- Study design
- Regulatory safety statement
The statement concerns 1,3-DMAA; it is not a human trial of 1,4-DMAA.
Read the original sourcePubChem: 1,4-DMAA chemical identity
Government chemical identity database
National Library of Medicine. PubChem CID 34204.
C7H17N; molecular weight 115.22 g/mol.
- Participants / model
- Chemical record
- Follow-up
- Living database
- Study design
- Curated structure record
Formula and molecular weight establish the recorded structure, not the contents of a retail product or an effective dose.
Read the original sourceNine prohibited stimulants in sports and weight-loss supplements, 2021
Analytical identity or detection study
Cohen PA, Travis JC, Vanhee C, Ohana D, Venhuis BJ. Nine prohibited stimulants found in sports and weight loss supplements: deterenol, phenpromethamine (Vonedrine), oxilofrine, octodrine, beta-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), 1,3-dimethylamylamine (1,3-DMAA), 1,4-dimethylamylamine (1,4-DMAA), 1,3-dimethylbutylamine (1,3-DMBA) and higenamine. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2021. DOI 10.1080/15563650.2021.1894333.
Analysis of 17 brands found multiple undeclared/prohibited stimulants, including 1,4-DMAA at 5.3 mg per serving in one product. This is a further independent analytical dataset. It does not establish what a pure 1,4-DMAA product does to humans.
Read the original sourceEria jarensis supplement ingredient analysis, 2025
Analytical identity or detection study
Cohen PA, Abarca R, Sovereign A, Gonzaga MJ, Gerona R. Presence and quantity of ingredients in sports supplements purportedly containing the orchid Eria jarensis. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.). 2025. DOI 10.1080/15563650.2025.2515242.
Twelve selected products were not accurately labeled; two contained 1,4-DMAA, and four contained an undeclared stimulant. The botanical marketing claim does not transform these results into evidence for an Eria or 1,4-DMAA clinical effect. The study reports no administered-subject endpoints.
Read the original sourcePubMed · analytical records only
Literature record set
PubMed records under exact 1,4-DMAA names. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%221%2C4-DMAA%22+OR+%221%2C4-dimethylamylamine%22+OR+%225-methylhexan-2-amine%22
PubMed contained seven records under the exact names: PMIDs 40679500, 33755516, 30801857, 29115866, 23890624, 23225994, and 22915838. They concern analytical or source-identification work, not an administered therapeutic cohort. This record set does not rule out unpublished or non-indexed evidence.
Read the original sourceWhy is 1,4-DMAA in D tier?
D reflects confirmed detection in supplements with no cited human benefit, pharmacokinetic, or safety studies. Its risk relative to 1,3-DMAA remains unknown.
how tiers are graded: methodology · every cited source · about reptides.
Research reference, not medical advice. Entries distinguish product labels, study doses and reported protocols. Check the linked source for the product, route and population.