PMA
Category: Stimulant
Also know as:
Chicken Fever, Chicken Yellow, Double Stacked, Dr Death, Killer, Mitsubishi Turbo, Pink Ecstasy, Pink McDonalds, PMMA, Red Mitsubishi
Summary
PMA is similar to MDMA (the chemical in ecstasy) and is actually sometimes sold as ecstasy and, therefore, a lot of the street names associated with PMA are actually street names for ecstasy pills. However, PMA is more poisonous and can kill at lower doses than MDMA. Also like MDMA, it can cause a fatal rise in body temperature.
PMA is sold as a pill but the pills can be lots of different colours and can have different marks on them. It is relatively easy to grind down pills to recolour and rebrand them with a new logo or design, so a pink heart-shaped pill can be made into a green round pill or a yellow square pill. As with any pill you can never be sure what it contains or how this might affect you.
How it is taken
Like ecstasy, PMA is swallowed.
Effects
PMA is similar to MDMA but can kill at lower doses as it is more poisonous. PMA effects include: giving people an energy buzz that makes them feel alert and alive, feeling in tune with surroundings, sounds and colours are more intense, feelings of great love for friends and strangers. The effects of PMA can take a while to kick-in so there’s a risk of the user double-dosing to compensate, risking a fatal overdose.
Risks
Short term:
PMA is sometimes sold as ecstasy so people take it without knowing it. It can kill at lower doses than [ecstasy]/MDMA. It also takes longer to kick in so people may think it hasn’t worked and take more which is very dangerous.
As little as a quarter of a tablet (60mg) is enough to significantly increase blood pressure, body temperature and pulse rates. Anyone with a heart condition, blood pressure problems, epilepsy or asthma can have a very dangerous reaction to the drug. Anyone using too much can get paranoid and depressed. PMA can cause muscle spasms and lots of people feel very sick after taking it. PMA affects the body’s temperature control and the risk of overheating may be greater than ecstasy, as it is more poisonous. People can get so out of control that they don’t realise they’re in danger of overheating and dehydration. Mixing PMA with alcohol can have serious consequences – the effects of PMA are increased, making the user more likely to experience its negative effects.
Long term:
Long term risks have not yet been established, but it is thought that they are likely to be similar to the risks associated with ecstasy.
Legal Status
PMA and PMMA are Class A drugs – illegal to have, give away or sell. Possession can get you up to seven years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. Supplying someone else, including your friends, can get you up to life in prison and/or an unlimited fine.
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