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There are many supplements available on the market that aim to help reduce body fat. Every year, usually in the spring, thousands of people look for effective fat burners that will help them shed the extra pounds accumulated in the winter months. Over the years, hundreds of substances have been tested that have a thermogenic effect. In the case of some of them, after years it turned out that they may have side effects that are dangerous to health - one such substance is geranium, also known as DMAA.
DMAA - what is this supplement?
People who have long been interested in the topic of pre-workout supplementation and fat reduction, especially those that have a stronger effect, probably know the substance hidden under the name of geranium extract, geranium extract, DMAA, geranamine or 1,3 dimethylamylamine – we are talking about methylhexanamine. This is a substance with a strong thermogenic effect and stimulating the nervous system [1] . Initially, methylhexanamine was used in drugs that reduce nasal congestion. It was not until the middle of the first decade of the 21st century that a new use for DMAA was discovered and the production of pre-workout supplements and fat burners that contained it began. Soon, the American and European markets were flooded with geranium products. They enjoyed considerable popularity among people who were looking for more radical remedies.
How is DMAA obtained?
DMAA can be obtained in a variety of ways, but the most common method is chemical synthesis. Laboratory production is often chosen due to the possibility of process control and production scalability. In this process, various chemical reactions are used to combine smaller molecular units to obtain the DMAA structure.
DMAA extraction from geranium, although a natural method, is also a controversial topic. Methylhexanamine supplements sometimes list "geranium oil" or "geranium extract" as the source of DMAA. However, geranium oils do not contain methylhexanamine. It is added as a synthetic substance. Various studies have investigated the possibility of DMAA in some types of geranium, but high-quality evidence for the presence of DMAA in plants is currently lacking [4] .
Geranium pre-workout - how to identify DMAA in the product composition?
DMAA has become popular due to its stimulating properties due to its presence in pre-workouts. They are often advertised as American supplements. DMAA, which is banned in Poland, is not always easy to recognize among the ingredients listed on the packaging.
DMAA may be listed on product labels under a variety of names. Here are some examples:
- geranamine,
- geranium extract,
- DMAA,
- methylhexanamine,
- geranium oil,
- dimethylamylamine.
DMAA - action
Many people who decide to use geranium before training are encouraged by its strong effect, which does not take long to appear. So what is the effect of DMAA and what does using it before training give you?
Geranium affects neurotransmitters and blocks the reuptake of noradrenaline, which results in the stimulation of the nervous system. Its action (at lower intensity) is compared to amphetamine and strong pharmaceuticals used in the treatment of neurological diseases (ADHD, narcolepsy) and includes: improved concentration, reduction of fatigue, increased energy and acceleration of metabolism and increased heat production. The properties of DMAA made it a substance that worked perfectly as a stimulant and fat burner (most often in combination with caffeine). Unfortunately, as it quickly turned out, there was a lack of research on the possible side effects associated with taking geranium and the risk of overdose.
DMAA - side effects
DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) is a substance that has been used in dietary supplements, often as an ingredient supporting physical performance and concentration. However, due to potential side effects and health risks, DMAA has been banned in many countries including Poland.
Here are some of the side effects associated with using geranium:
- increased blood pressure - this is especially dangerous for people with existing heart problems,
- heart palpitations,
- dizziness and headaches,
- nausea and vomiting,
- anxiety, muscle tremors and other symptoms related to overstimulation of the nervous system,
- decreased libido,
- heart attack and stroke - especially at high doses,
- liver problems,
- death - especially when DMAA is mixed with other stimulants or used in high doses [3] .
It is worth noting that many of these side effects may be related to individual sensitivity to DMAA or interactions with other substances.
Controversy leading to ban
In 2010, the World Anti-Doping Agency officially recognized DMAA as a doping substance, and its use was banned in competitive sports. In 2012, after deaths among soldiers of the US army [2] who used supplements containing geranium, it was decided to withdraw preparations containing DMAA from the American and European markets. People using this type of supplements have observed, among others, irritability, increased heart rate, increased blood pressure, insomnia and decreased libido. The risk of adverse effects and even overdose increased significantly when combining DMAA with ephedrine or clenbuterol. Currently, supplements containing geranium can only be purchased on auction sites or niche brick-and-mortar stores, but the availability of such products is gradually decreasing. Using DMAA is a risky move and it is absolutely necessary to remember about the dangers associated with it.
Sources:
- [1] 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. Clin Toxicol (Phila). 2021 Mar 23:1-7. doi: 10.1080/15563650.2021.1894333. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33755516.
- [2] Eliason MJ, Eichner A, Cancio A, Bestervelt L, Adams BD, Deuster PA. Case reports: Death of active duty soldiers following ingestion of dietary supplements containing 1,3-dimethylamylamine (DMAA). Mil Med. 2012 Dec;177(12):1455-9. doi: 10.7205/milmed-d-12-00265. PMID: 23397688.
- [4] Fleming HL, Ranaivo PL, Simone PS (2012). "Analysis and Confirmation of 1,3-DMAA and 1,4-DMAA in Geranium Plants Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry at ng/g Concentrations". Analytical Chemistry Insights. 7(7): 59–78.
