MDAI

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MDAI (5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is a drug developed in the 1990s by a team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University. It acts as a non-neurotoxic and highly selective serotonin releasing agent (SSRA) which produces entactogen effects in humans similar to that of MDMA.

Chemistry

The chemical structure of MDAI is indirectly derived from that of the illicit drug MDA, but the alpha-methyl group of the alkylamino amphetamine side chain has been bound back to the benzene nucleus to form an indane ring system, which changes its pharmacological properties substantially.

Pharmacology

MDAI has been shown to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. This demonstrates that MDAI has selective affinity for the serotonin receptor. Studies show that the brains of animals treated with MDAI have greater extracellular concentrations of monoamine neural transmitters resulted, most significantly serotonin. This result indicates that MDAI is a potent releaser of serotonin, while effectively inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin. For comparison, MDAI is similar in potency with releasing serotonin to MDA but significantly less potent than MDMA.

Subjective effects

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. The listed effects will rarely if ever occur all at once but heavier dosages will increase the chances and are more likely to induce a full range of effects.

Physical effects

The physical effects of MDAI can be broken down into six components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:

• Euphoria
• Sedation
• Enhancement of touch
• Spontaneous tactile sensations - The "body high" of MDAI can be described as a moderate to extreme euphoric tingling sensation that encompasses the entire body. It is capable of becoming overwhelmingly pleasurable at higher dosages. This sensation maintains a consistent presence that steadily rises with the onset and hits its limit once the peak has been reached.
• Dehydration - Feelings of dry mouth and dehydration are a universal experience with MDAI; this effect is a product of an increased heart rate and an extreme motivation to engage in strenuous physical activities. While it is important to avoid becoming dehydrated, especially when out dancing in a hot environment, there have been a number of users suffering from water intoxication through over-drinking so it is advised that users simply sip at water and never over-drink.
• Difficulty urinating - Higher doses of MDAI result in an overall difficulty when it comes to urination. This is an effect that is completely temporary and harmless, due to MDAI promotion of the release of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). ADH is responsible for regulating urination. This effect can be lessened by simply relaxing, but can be significantly relieved by placing a hot flannel over the genitals to warm them up and encourage blood flow.
• Vibrating vision - At high dosages, a person's eyeballs may even begin to spontaneously wiggle back and forth in a rapid motion, causing the vision to become blurry and temporarily out of focus-- a condition known as nystagmus.

Cognitive effects

The cognitive effects of MDAI can be broken down into six components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. The general head space of MDAI is described by many as one of extreme mental stimulation, feelings of love or empathy and powerful euphoria. It contains a large number of typical psychedelic, entactogenic and stimulant cognitive effects.

The most prominent of these cognitive effects generally include:

• Euphoria - Strong emotional euphoria and feelings of happiness are present within MDAI and are likely a direct result of serotonin and dopamine release.
• Increased empathy, love and sociability - This particular effect is more pronounced, powerful and therapeutic with MDAI than any other known substance. It is the most obvious and noticeable effect within any MDAI experience and dominates the head space. With time and repeated use however, this effect becomes severely diminished as the perspective it instils becomes fully grounded and already in place, making people feel merely stimulated and euphoric with no new found urges to communicate with others. Some users report that MDAI 'loses its magic' with as few as 10 experiences, while others have reported hundreds of uses before the empathic qualities disappear. This does not appear to be true for all users, however, with many users reporting that they have not experienced any decrease in quality of the experience despite dozens or even hundreds of uses.
• Time distortion - Strong feelings of time compression are common within MDMA and speed up the experience of time quite noticeably.
• States of unity and interconnectedness - Experiences of unity, oneness and interconnectedness between level 2 - 3 are common within MDAI. This component most consistently manifests itself at high dosages within large crowds at raves and musical events in the form of "becoming one with the crowd."
• Acceleration of thought
• Mindfulness

Toxicity and Harm Potential

MDAI and other similar drugs have been widely used in scientific research, as they are able to replicate many of the effects of MDMA, but without causing the neurotoxicity which may be associated with MDMA and some related drugs. No tests have been performed on cardiovascular toxicity.