DMHA, also commonly known as Octodrine, is a strong stimulant that is becoming more popular with athletes and bodybuilders. But why are DMHA pre-workout supplements becoming so popular?
Well, it’s all about how potentially powerful this central nervous system (CNS) stimulant is. But that power and performance come at a cost. This stuff is very sketchily researched and has some potentially serious side effects.
But used safely, it can really push you onto the next level, delivering a boost of aggression and determination that punches through brick walls in the gym, while keeping your mood positive.
So let’s take a look in detail at how to use DMHA supplements, how it stacks up against its predecessor, the now-banned stimulant DMAA, how to dose it, side effects to watch out for, and importantly, where to buy DMHA pre-workout supplements that are good quality.
Where DMHA Came From Might Surprise You
DMHA was actually originally used in the 1950s in nasal sprays. Now that may sound crazy considering how powerful it is, but in those days things were just so different with regulation.
Even more amazingly, even though it was used from the 1950s onwards, it’s never been fully researched. It fell out of use as it became obvious it had some significant potential side effects, and it’s only recently been rediscovered in the form of a pre-workout supplement.
Part of that rediscovery came with the demise of DMAA. This was a very powerful CNS stimulant that was used by bodybuilders. However, because of the side effects, it could cause, it was eventually fully banned.
It was banned in 2012, and so it’s little wonder that Google insights show a spike of searches for DMHA growing since that year, peaking in 2015, when a lot of new supplements based around DMHA appeared.
DMHA Effects That Build A Better Body
DMHA is known by a few common names, including Octodrine, Vaporpac, and Amirdrine.
It’s found naturally in the form of 2-amino-5-methylheptane, and artificially it’s manufactured in the form of very similarly structured 2-amino-6-methylheptane. It’s this artificial form which is found in almost every DMHA supplement, because it’s cheaper to produce, and safer.
In its natural form, 2-amino-5-methylheptane is only present in a few edible forms. In Africa it was used as a stimulant for hunting, but the natural form is more expensive to get your hands on and has more side effects, which is why an artificial alternative was developed in the 1950s.
DMHA is also known by several other names:
- 1,5-Dimethylhexylamine
- 1,5-DMHA
- 2-amino-6-methylheptane
- 2-aminoisoheptane
- 2-Heptylamine, 6-methyl-
- 2-Isooctyl amine
- 2-Metil-6-amino-eptano
- 6-Amino-2-methylheptane
So as you can see, this single pre-workout supplement is known by an incredible amount of different names. Some are brand names, while others are technical.
But whatever you call it, it’s the effects which are important. Let me tell you, they are powerful. But then that’s why DMHA pre-workout supplements have to be treated with such huge respect. It has the potential for life-threatening side effects if you are not sensible.
Generally, it’s overall effects are quite similar to the banned supplement DMAA. However, it’s not quite as potent, which is why it is still surviving without being banned itself.
A moderate dose of any pure DMHA supplement will increase your threshold to pain, up your heart rate, suppress appetite and burn fat, increase overall energy levels, increase your determination and drive, and increase your aggression.
It works by increasing the number of neurotransmitters in the brain that deal with our fight or flight response. Basically this stuff makes you fight.
That’s down to how it increases the uptake, and limits reuptake, of a key neurotransmitter called noradrenaline, which also has the dual purpose of acting as a hormone. A clue in the name shows that it is linked to adrenaline, but noradrenaline is only produced in significant quantity when you are under stress when your flight response has kicked in, which is why DMHA is so potent.
But more than that, it also increases uptake and minimizes reuptake of dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter linked to determination, risk and reward, and confidence. So it can make you feel better and increase your drive as well.
DMHA Dosage
Now here’s the kicker about using DMHA. Nobody has a clue what the correct dosage level should be.
The reason for that is it’s never been through proper human trials. There’s never been a full double-blind study conducted. There have been preliminary investigations in humans, but even those were mostly done several decades ago.
That’s part of the reason why using DMHA supplements are so risky. Nobody has a clue what the long-term effects, or damage, could be using it. And likewise, nobody has a clue what the correct human dosage range should be for DMHA as a pre-workout supplement.
All we can go on is anecdotal evidence, and all of you starting out with this stuff are advised to use the lowest possible dose. 50 mg is usually talked about as a sensible starting minimum.
If you don’t have success with that, meaning you don’t feel significantly more pumped up and ready to rock within an hour or so, then the next time you use it, use 75 mg.
But you will not see many people talking about doses above 150 mg online. Even the hardcore users, the people who don’t give a damn about their health as long as they have packed on as much muscle as possible, seem to balk at doses higher than that.
Side Effects Of DMHA Supplements
Now look, this is a really important point. I know everyone wants to talk about the brilliant positive effects of using DMHA pre-workout, its ability to lessen your appetite and allow you to work out harder, increasing your gains and stripping fat, but it can come at a cost if you ignore dosage and side effect warnings.
The bottom line here is that the higher the dose, the more frequently you take it, and the harder you work out, the more you are putting yourself at risk.
The main risk is pressure on the heart. It raises your blood pressure, increases your heart rate, and can put stress on your whole circulatory system. Put that in combination with increasing the pressure through abnormally intense workouts, and you can see why your heart could really struggle.
So take it slow, and watch your dosage, and it’s preferable to make sure you have a clean bill of health on your heart before considering using DMHA supplements. But you could also get low level side effects such as nausea, depression, energy crashes after use, and increased blood pressure, which could be permanent.
And I will just mention tolerance and dependency. You can crash on this stuff, you can build up a tolerance to it, and you can become dependent on the rush it produces. Just be sensible if you want to use DMHA pre-workout supplements.
So Is DMHA Banned Or Legal?
The confusion around whether DMHA is banned is because of its similarity to the pre-workout supplement DMAA.
The bottom line is that DMAA was banned in 2012. It’s illegal, just like anabolic steroids are. It’s very strong and should be treated with great respect.
However, DMAA is now in circulation again, because the laws that were passed were not comprehensive and are sketchily upheld. In fact, in June 2019, shipments had to be returned to suppliers after they were confiscated and then legally challenged, so although it’s officially illegal, you can again buy it from United States-based retailers.
DMHA Vs DMAA
DMAA stronger than DMHA as a pre-workout supplement, that’s the bottom line. It’s the only reason you really need to consider a choice between them. So it’s pretty much all about safety, how far you’re willing to go to get the benefits of a strong CNS stimulant inside you to up your performance levels.
However, there’s also the legal angle to consider. DMAA is officially illegal to own, even though that status is a gray area and being challenged. So if you want to make sure you are within the law, then DMHA is the safer option.
I should also point out that both of these supplements are banned by pretty much every professional sports body, so if you are involved in a sport that could be drug tested, steer clear of both of these.
Where To Buy DMHA Pre Workout Supplements
Because of the power of this central nervous system stimulant, and the potential side effects, not many places sell DMHA or DMAA. That’s before you even consider the legal status as well.
If you’re going to try DMHA supplements then you need to buy pure powder or liquid. Don’t go for one of those branded supplements that contain other ingredients, because you can never be sure what your actual DMHA dosage will be.
There’s only one place I found in the USA that sells guaranteed pure DMHA and DMAA supplements. Science.bio sell them both, and they are guaranteed pure, with independent lab test results published on the product pages.
You can buy DMHA in powder or liquid form, and it’s cheap, just $30 for the liquid form, and slightly more expensive for the powder at $50 (but you get more for your money).
In terms of buying DMAA supplements, Science.bio also sell liquid and powder form of that pre-workout supplement as well. Prices are exactly the same as for DMHA.
