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Pharmaceutical compound
MMDA-3b , also known as 4-methoxy-2,3-methylenedioxyamphetamine (4-MeO-2,3-MDA ), is a psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine , amphetamine , and MDxx families related to ORTHO-MDA (2,3-MDA).[ 2] [ 1] It is the 4-methoxy derivative of ORTHO-MDA and is a positional isomer of MMDA (5-MeO-3,4-MDA) and related compounds like MMDA-2 (6-MeO-3,4-MDA) and MMDA-3a (2-MeO-3,4-MDA).[ 1]
MMDA-3b was included as an entry in Alexander Shulgin 's book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved ).[ 1] He lists its dose as greater than 80 mg orally and its duration as unknown.[ 1] [ 3] Shulgin describes 60 mg as being definitely active, qualitatively like 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), but quantitatively perhaps less, whereas an 80 mg dose of MMDA-3b was said to be no more effective than the 60 mg dose.[ 1] He also says that it is similar at these doses to 20 mg MMDA-3a and may be about 3-fold less potent than MMDA-3a.[ 1] Elsewhere, MMDA-3b is described as 3-fold more potent than mescaline .[ 4] Little is known about the drug.[ 1] The chemical synthesis of MMDA-3b was also described in PiHKAL .[ 1]
MMDA-3b has been found to act as an efficacious serotonin releasing agent with little effect on dopamine similarly to MMDA.[ 5] For comparison, MDA and MDMA release both serotonin and dopamine, whereas MMDA-2 releases neither serotonin nor dopamine.[ 5]
MMDA-3b was first described in the scientific literature by Shulgin in 1964.[ 6] It was subsequently described in greater detail by Shulgin in his book PiHKAL in 1991.[ 1] Other 2,3-MDA positional isomers of MMDA-3b include MMDA-4 and MMDA-5 .[ 2] [ 1]
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Shulgin, Alexander ; Shulgin, Ann (September 1991). PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story . Berkeley, California: Transform Press. ISBN 0-9630096-0-5 . OCLC 25627628 . https://erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal135.shtml
^ a b Shulgin, Alexander T. (1978). "Psychotomimetic Drugs: Structure-Activity Relationships". Stimulants . Boston, MA: Springer US. p. 243–333. doi :10.1007/978-1-4757-0510-2_6 . ISBN 978-1-4757-0512-6 . Retrieved 11 November 2025 .
^ Jacob P, Shulgin AT (1994). "Structure-Activity Relationships of the Classic Hallucinogens and Their Analogs" . In Lin GC, Glennon RA (eds.). Hallucinogens: An Update (PDF) . National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph Series. Vol. 146. National Institute on Drug Abuse. pp. 74– 91. PMID 8742795 . Archived from the original on 13 July 2025.
^ Brimblecombe RW, Pinder RM (1975). Hallucinogenic Agents . Bristol: Wright-Scientechnica. ISBN 978-0-85608-011-1 . OCLC 2176880 . OL 4850660M . A more extensive study (Shulgin, 1964b) confirmed these findings and suggested that the activities of 2-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (3.19) and 2-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (3.20) were as high as 21 and 18 times that of mescaline although these figures have been revised to 12 and 10, respectively (Shulgin and others, 1969). Activity is somewhat reduced when the methylenedioxy group is in other positions, 2,3-methylenedioxy-4-methoxyamphetamine (3.21) being only three times as potent as mescaline, and the importance of the 2-methoxy group in the series is again emphasized by the low equipotency of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (3.17) and 3-methoxy-4,5-methylenedioxyamphetamine (3.18) compared to the high potency of compounds containing this substituent (3.19, 3.20) (Table 3.4). Most of these compounds produce a typical mescaline syndrome, particularly of closed-eye imagery (Shulgin, Sargent, and Naranjo, 1973), [...]
^ a b McKenna DJ, Guan XM, Shulgin AT (March 1991). "3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) analogues exhibit differential effects on synaptosomal release of 3H-dopamine and 3H-5-hydroxytryptamine". Pharmacol Biochem Behav . 38 (3): 505– 512. doi :10.1016/0091-3057(91)90005-m . PMID 1829838 .
^ Shulgin AT (July 1964). "Psychotomimetic amphetamines: methoxy 3,4-dialkoxyamphetamines". Experientia . 20 (7): 366– 367. doi :10.1007/BF02147960 . PMID 5855670 .
No ring subs. 4-Hydroxytryptamines 5-Hydroxytryptamines 5-Methoxytryptamines Other ring subs. α-Alkyltryptamines Others
Ergolines /lysergamides (e.g., LSD )
β-Carbolines and Harmala alkaloids (e.g., harmine , harmaline , 6-methoxyharmalan )
Iboga alkaloids (e.g., 18-MAC , 18-MC , coronaridine , ibogaine , ibogamine , ME-18-MC , noribogaine , tabernanthine , voacangine )
Ibogalogs (e.g., ibogainalog )
O -Methylnordehydrobufotenine
Partial ergolines (e.g., NDTDI , RU-28306 , CT-5252 )
Piperidinylethylindoles (e.g., pip-T )
Pyrrolidinylethylindoles (e.g., pyr-T , 5-MeO-pyr-T )
Pyrrolidinylmethylindoles (e.g., MPMI , 4-HO-MPMI (lucigenol) , 5-MeO-MPMI )
Tetrahydropyridinylindoles (e.g., RU-28253 (5-MeO-THPI) , NEtPhOH-THPI )
Benzofurans (e.g., 5-MeO-DiBF , dimemebfe (5-MeO-BFE) , mebfap )
Benzothiophenes (e.g., 3-APBT )
Indazolethylamines (e.g., AL-38022A , O -methyl-AL-34662 )
Indenylethylamines (e.g., C-DMT )
Isotryptamines (e.g., 6-MeO-isoDMT , Ro60-0175 )
MYCO-005
Quinolinylethylamines (e.g., mefloquine )
Others: 2C-B-AN
2C-DB
2C-G-x (e.g., 2C-G-3 , 2C-G-5 )
β-Keto-2C-B (βk-2C-B)
β-Keto-2C-I (βk-2C-I)
β-Methyl-2C-B (BMB)
(e.g., BOB , BOD , BOH-2C-B )
(e.g., HOT-2 , HOT-7 , HOT-17 )
N -Ethyl-2C-B
(e.g., 2CB-2-EtO , 2CD-2-EtO , 2CD-5-EtO , 2CE-5-EtO , 2CE-5iPrO , 2CT2-5-EtO , ASR-2001 (2CB-5-PrO) )
Others
2-TOET
2-TOM
25B-NAcPip
4-HA
5-TOET
5-TOM
Benzofurans (e.g., 5-APB , 5-APDB , 6-APB , 6-APDB , F , F-2 , F-22 )
Benzothiophenes (e.g., 5-APBT , 6-APBT )
CT-5172
DMAs (e.g., 2,4-DMA , 3,4-DMA )
Fenfluramine
MMA (3-MeO-4-MA)
Norfenfluramine
(e.g., 25D-NM-NDEAOP , DOB-NDEPA , DOI-NDEPA , DOM-NDEPA , DOTFM-NDEPA , M-NDEPA , TMA-2-NDEPA )
PMA (4-MA)
(e.g., TMA-3 , TMA-4 , TMA-5 )
TOMSO
ZDCM-04
1-Aminomethylindanes (e.g., 2CB-Ind , jimscaline )
2-Aminoindanes (e.g., DOM-AI )
3-Benzazepines (e.g., lorcaserin )
3-Phenylpiperidines (e.g., LPH-5 , LPH-48 )
Benzocyclobutenes (e.g., 2CBCB-NBOMe , TCB-2 , tomscaline )
Benzoxepins (e.g., BBOX , IBOX , TFMBOX )
DMBMPP (juncosamine)
Ergolines /lysergamides (e.g., LSD )
Glaucine
Partial ergolines (e.g., NDTDI , DEIMDHPCA , DEMPDHPCA , DEMTMPDHPCA , DEMNDHPCA )
Phenylcyclopropylamines (e.g., DMCPA , TMT )
Phenyloxazolamines (aminorexes ) (e.g., 2C-B-aminorex )
Pyridopyrroloquinoxalines (e.g., IHCH-7113 )
Z3517967757
ZC-B
Others
Arylpiperazines (e.g., 2C-B-PP , 2-NP , mCPP , MK-212 , ORG-12962 , pCPP , pFPP , quipazine , TFMPP )
Dihydrobenzoxazines (e.g., efavirenz )
Phenoxyethylamines (e.g., CT-4719 , ORG-37684 )
Pyridopyrroloquinoxalines (e.g., IHCH-7113 )
Quinazolinylethylamines (e.g., RH-34 )
Natural sources
Tryptamines: Acacia spp. (e.g., Acacia acuminata , Acacia confusa )
Ayahuasca and vinho de Jurema (e.g., Psychotria viridis (chacruna) , Dipolopterys cabrerana (chaliponga, chacruna) , Mimosa tenuiflora (Mimosa hostilis ; jurema) )
Brosimum (e.g., Brosimum acutifolium (takini) )
Hallucinogenic snuffs (e.g., Anadenanthera peregrina (yopo, jopo, cohoba, parica, ebene) , Anadenanthera colubrina (vilca, cebil) )
Incilius alvarius (Bufo alvarius ; Colorado River toad, Sonoran Desert toad; bufo)
Psilocybin-containing mushrooms (magic mushrooms, shrooms) (e.g., Psilocybe cubensis , Psilocybe mexicana (teonanacatl) )
Lysergamides: Achnatherum robustum (sleepy grass)
Epichloë spp.
Ergot (Claviceps ) (e.g., Claviceps purpurea , Claviceps paspali )
Morning glory (Convolvulaceae) seeds (e.g., Ipomoea tricolor (tlitliltzin, badoh negro; Ipomoea violacea ) , Ipomoea corymbosa (coaxihuitl, ololiúqui; Rivea Corymbosa , Turbina Corymbosa ) , Argyreia nervosa (Hawaiian baby woodrose; HBWR) )
Periglandula spp. (e.g., Periglandula ipomoeae , Periglandula clandestina )
DRAs Tooltip Dopamine releasing agents
NRAs Tooltip Norepinephrine releasing agents
SRAs Tooltip Serotonin releasing agents
Others
Phenethylamines Amphetamines Phentermines Cathinones Phenylisobutylamines (and further-extended) Catecholamines (and close relatives) Cyclized phenethylamines
Phenylalkylpyrrolidines 2-Benzylpiperidines (phenidates ) Phenylmorpholines (phenmetrazines) Phenyloxazolamines (aminorexes) Isoquinolines andtetrahydroisoquinolines 2-Aminoindanes 2-Aminotetralins Others / unsorted
1-Aminomethylindanes (e.g., 2CB-Ind , AMMI , bromojimscaline , jimscaline )
2-ADN
2-Benzhydrylpyrrolidine
2C-B-5-hemiFLY-α6 (BNAP)
2C-B-PYR
2CBecca
2CB7
2CJP
2CLisaB
2CLisaH
3-Benzazepines (e.g., fenoldopam , lorcaserin , 7-chlorolorcaserin , SCHEMBL5334361 )
3-Benzhydrylmorpholine
3-Phenylpiperidines (e.g., 3-phenylpiperidine , 3-PPP , OSU-6162 (PNU-96391) , LPH-5 , LPH-48 , Z3517967757 (Z7757) )
6-AB
AL-1095
Aminochromes (e.g., adrenochrome , adrenolutin )
Benzocyclobutenes (e.g., 2CBCB-NBOMe , bromotomscaline , S33005 , TCB-2 , tomscaline )
Benzoxepins (e.g., BBOX , IBOX , TFMBOX )
Butyltolylquinuclidine
Camfetamine
Cypenamine (trans -2-phenylcyclopentylamine)
Diphenidine
Diphenylprolinol
DMBMPP
Ergolines (e.g., LSD )
Fencamfamin
GYKI-52895
HDMP-29
Ivabradine
Methoxphenidine
Methylmorphenate
Milnacipran
MT-45
2-Naphthylamine
Org 6582
Partial ergolines (e.g., NDTDI , RU-27849 , DEIMDHPCA , DEMPDHPCA , DEMPDHPCA-2C-D , RU-27251 )
PF-592,379
Phenylcyclopropylamines (e.g., DMCPA , TMT , tranylcypromine )
Phenylpiracetams (e.g., phenylpiracetam , MRZ-9547 , RGPU-95 )
Pyridopyrroloquinoxalines (e.g., lumateperone , deulumateperone , IHCH-7079 , IHCH-7086 , IHCH-7113 , ITI-1549 )
Tetrahydrobenzopyranylamines (e.g., CT-5126 )
Tolazoline
Tricyclics (e.g., AMDA , AMDH , benzoctamine , dizocilpine , SpAMDA )
ZC-B
Related compounds
2-Furylethylamine
2-Pyrrolylethylamine
3-Pyrrolylethylamine
3-Pyrrolylpropylamine
2-Tetrahydrofurylethylamine
4-Benzylpiperidine
7-AB
Alkylamines (e.g., 1,3-DMBA Tooltip 1,3-dimethylbutylamine , 1,4-DMAA Tooltip 1,4-dimethylamylamine , heptaminol , iproheptine , isometheptene , methylhexanamine/1,3-DMAA , octodrine , oenethyl , tuaminoheptane )
Benzylamines (e.g., benzylamine , α-methylbenzylamine , MDM1EA , ALPHA , M-ALPHA , pargyline )
Benzylpiperazines (e.g., benzylpiperazine , MDBZP , fipexide )
Cyclohexylaminopropanes (e.g., propylhexedrine , norpropylhexedrine )
Cyclopentylaminopropanes (e.g., isocyclamine , cyclopentamine )
Phenoxyethylamines (e.g., 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenoxyethylamine , CT-4719 , ORG-37684 )
Phenylalkenylamines (e.g., phenylbutenamine )
Phenylalkynylamines (e.g., phenylbutynamine )
Phenylpiperazines (e.g., 1-phenylpiperazine , mCPP Tooltip meta-chlorophenylpiperazine , TFMPP Tooltip trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine , oMPP Tooltip ortho-methylphenylpiperazine , pFPP Tooltip para-fluorophenylpiperazine , pMeOPP Tooltip para-methoxyphenylpiperazine )
Phenylpropylamines (e.g., phenylpropylamine , homo-MDA , homo-MDMA )
Thienylaminopropanes (thiopropamines) (e.g., thiopropamine , methiopropamine , thiothinone )