Geranium Extract: Harm and Safety of DMAA Use

Professional sports involve the use of different drugs - both permitted and prohibited in some countries. One of them is DMAA. Let's try to understand its positive and negative aspects.

What is DMAA?

DMAA, or 1,3-dimethylamylamine, is a monoamine, an organic compound that helps in mass storage and fat burning. It has different names: geranamine, methylhexanamine, dimethylpentylamine, geranium extract. This substance is stronger than caffeine in 4-10 times, therefore has received wide application in sports additives.

In the course of the studies it was found that DMAA has a similar effect with ephedrine, but weaker by several times, refers to mild stimulants. The drug is widely used by people who lead an active lifestyle, it is not recommended for people who have problems with the cardiovascular system.

DMAA functions

• Stimulant.

The drug is used to increase the threshold of the body's capabilities - strength and endurance athletes. After taking the remedy, attention and concentration are improved. DMAA as a dietary supplement has gained incredible popularity in bodybuilding as a pre-training complex, and it can also be used in preparation for exams.

• Energetik.

DMAA, due to its action on the body, increases energy intensity during the training process.

• The fat burner.

The substance is also used as a weight-reducing drug. Especially in combination with caffeine, it burns fat and reduces appetite. In the course of the study, it was found that the drug accelerates fat burning compared with placebo by 170%, and metabolism by 35%.

• Addition in bodybuilding.

1,3-dimethylamylamine increases blood pressure without changing the heart rate. Limiting the blood flow helps stimulate muscle hypertrophy with less training intensity.

History of occurrence

1,3-Dimethylamylamine is a stimulant derived from geranium oil, which is produced by steam distillation of the stem and leaves of the plant. The substance stimulates the central nervous system and is contained in the geranium Pelargonium Graveolens, which grows in China.

Methylhexanamine was first released in the 1940s under the name Forthane by Eli Lilly & Co. Since 2006 it has been issued under the name "geranamin" by the company Proviant Technologies.

It was unclear whether 1,3-dimethylamylamine was actually obtained from geranium or used synthetics. However, manufacturers of fat burners indicate that geranamine is derived from the plant.

For the study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods and liquid chromatography with high-resolution mass spectrometry were used. In the course of it it was found out that the geranium oil does not contain geranamine, respectively, sports supplements include synthetic DMAA.

Effects of DMAA

DMAA (geranium - the plant from which it is produced) is excellent as a pre-training supplement, since it has the property of increasing the energy influx to the muscles. Also able to reduce sensitivity to pain and increase motivation and endurance, thanks to this you can train harder.

DMAA helps to increase blood pressure, limit blood flow, without changing the heart rate, it helps to improve muscle growth.

Another reason for using the extract of geranium are fat burning properties, it is a thermogenetic and increases metabolism. During the study, it was found that DMAA in combination with caffeine and similar substances increases the metabolism by 35%.

DMAA with caffeine is present in many pre-schools and energetics, as can be seen by coming to any sports nutrition store.

Side effects of DMAA

Geranium extract has recently been surrounded by various controversies about safety and side effects, but studies show that if you take the drug at dosages recommended by manufacturers, it is almost safe. If you abuse any product and in addition have contraindications to taking, then any drug will be dangerous. Those who apply DMAA in accordance with the guidelines, note its complete safety and the absence of negative effects on the body.

With an overdose of DMAA in its pure form, there may be a headache and nausea, and when combined with alcohol - a hemorrhage to the brain.

The structure of geranium is similar to amphetamine, so it is worth considering this fact when passing a drug test, because it can be positive.

A frequent side effect can be a flaccid state a couple of hours after taking the geranium extract.

Possible side effects may be insomnia, sweating and dry mouth, to avoid this, you can additionally take L-theanine or sulbutiamine.

DMAA Dosage

In pre-training complexes, the extract of geranium is present in a daily dosage of 25-75 mg. You can divide the dose into several doses, but basically take it 30 minutes before the start of the workout. The drug lasts up to several hours, and in the absence of energy costs - longer.

1,3-dimethylamylamine is not desirable to be combined with other CNS stimulants.

Legality of geranium extract

There are always doubts in the legality of products for increasing productivity during the loads. Geranium is banned in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, but it is legal in Russia. The FDA of America has banned the inclusion of the drug in dietary supplements, so some manufacturers have stopped using it since 2012. There are several drugs containing the old version of geranium and a new analog of AMP Citrate, which is not prohibited.

The extract of geranium is similar in effect to dope preparations, so its use was banned in sports, and the drug is added to the list of banned drugs.

When you come to the sports nutrition store, you can find on the shelves authorized products with similar compositions - Jack3d, Primaforce 1,3-dimethylamylamine, OxyElite, NeuroCore, HydroxyStim, Lipo-6 Black.

About the geranium extract, athletes' reviews are positive. Everyone notices an increase in energy, a surge of energy, an increase in concentration. Therefore, if you need to improve the quality of your training, then you can use geranium extract, observing the necessary dosage. All kinds of supplements have always helped to achieve the best results in sports training.