Beta-Methylphenethylamine (BMPEA)
OTHER NAME(S): 1-Amino-2-Phenylpropane, 1-Phenyl-1-Methyl-2-Aminoethane, 2-Aminoisopropylbenzene, 2-Phenyl-1-Propanamin, 2-Phenyl-1-Propanamine, 2-Phenylpropylamine, Alpha-Benzylethylamine, ß-Me-PEA, ß-Methylphenethylamine, Beta-Me-PEA, Beta-Methylbenzeneethanamine, Beta-Methylphenylethylamine, Beta-Methylphenylethylamine HCl, Beta-Methylphenyl-Ethylamine, BMPEA, Beta-Phenylpropylamine, R-Beta-Methylphenethylamine, R-Beta-Methylphenethylamine HCl, 2-Phenylpropan-1-amine, BMEPEA, βMePEA, Beta-Methylphenethylamine, Beta-metilfenetilamina (BMFEA), Bêta-méthylphénéthylamine (BMPEA)
Overview
Beta-methylphenethylamine (BMPEA) is a stimulant chemical that is made in the lab. It's similar to amphetamine and may be illegally included in some supplements.
BMPEA might increase blood pressure, heart rate, and also stimulate the brain. Because of this, it's often added to products for weight loss and athletic performance.
People use BMPEA for obesity, athletic performance, memory, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
According to the US FDA, BMPEA does not meet the definition of a dietary supplement. But it is still found in some supplement products. Many of these supplements list Acacia rigidula on the product label. But many of these products do not contain Acacia rigidula, and if they do, BMPEA that was made in a lab has been added as well. BMPEA is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for use during competitive sports.
Uses
We currently have no information for Beta-Methylphenethylamine (BMPEA) overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: BMPEA is possibly unsafe. It has stimulant effects that might cause serious heart-related side effects, such as stroke and heart attack.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: BMPEA is possibly unsafe. It has stimulant effects that might cause serious heart-related side effects, such as stroke and heart attack.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: BMPEA is possibly unsafe to take by mouth. It has stimulant effects that might cause serious side effects, such as stroke and heart attack.
High blood pressure: BMPEA has stimulant effects. It can increase blood pressure. Taking BMPEA might make high blood pressure worse.
Surgery: BMPEA has stimulant effects. It can increase blood pressure and heart rate. Taking BMPEA might interfere with surgery by increasing blood pressure and heart rate. Stop taking BMPEA at least 2 weeks before surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) substrates) interacts with Beta-Methylphenethylamine (BMPEA)Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. BMPEA might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) substrates) interacts with Beta-Methylphenethylamine (BMPEA)Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. BMPEA might change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications. This could change the effects and side effects of these medications.
- Stimulant Drugs interacts with Beta-Methylphenethylamine (BMPEA)Stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, speed up the nervous system. By speeding up the nervous system, stimulant medications can increase blood pressure and speed up the heartbeat. BMPEA also has stimulant effects. Taking BMPEA along with stimulant drugs might cause serious problems including increased heart rate and high blood pressure.
Dosing
BMPEA has stimulant effects similar to amphetamine. Dietary supplements that contain BMPEA usually list Acacia rigidula on the product label. But many of these products do not contain Acacia rigidula, and if they do, BMPEA that was made in a lab has been added as well. Avoid products with BMPEA or Acacia rigidula on the label.
Dietary supplements that contain BMPEA are considered misbranded by the US FDA. BMPEA is also banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for use during competitive sports.
References
- Pawar RS, Grundel E, Fardin-Kia AR, Rader JI. Determination of selected biogenic amines in Acacia rigidula plant materials and dietary supplements using LC-MS/MS methods. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2014 Jan;88:457-66. doi: 10.1016/j.jpba.2013.09.012. Epub 2013 Oct 5.
- Venhuis B, Keizers P, van Riel A, de Kaste D. A cocktail of synthetic stimulants found in a dietary supplement associated with serious adverse events. Drug Test Anal. 2014 Jun;6(6):578-81. doi: 10.1002/dta.1664. Epub 2014 May 6.
- Cohen PA, Bloszies C, Yee C, Gerona R. An amphetamine isomer whose efficacy and safety in humans has never been studied, ß-methylphenylethylamine (BMPEA), is found in multiple dietary supplements. Drug Test Anal. 2015 Apr 7.
- Cohen PA, Zeijlon R, Nardin R, Keizers PH, Venhuis B. Hemorrhagic Stroke Probably Caused by Exercise Combined With a Sports Supplement Containing ß-Methylphenyl-ethylamine (BMPEA): A Case Report. Ann Intern Med. 2015 Jun 16;162(12):879-80. doi: 10.7326/L15-5101.
- BMPEA in Dietary Supplements. FDA Q & A on Dietary Supplements, April 23, 2015. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/Food/DietarySupplements/QADietarySupplements/ucm443790.htm.
- Liu Y, Santillo MF. Cytochrome P450 2D6 and 3A4 enzyme inhibition by amine stimulants in dietary supplements. Drug Test Anal. 2016;8(3-4):307-10.
- Mosnaim AD, Callaghan OH, Hudzik T, et al. Rat brain-uptake index for phenylethylamine and various monomethylated derivatives. Neurochem Res 2013;38:842-6.
- Brown DH, Hansson R, Oosthuizen F, et al. ß-Methylphenylethylamines: common fragmentation pathways with amphetamines in electrospray ionization collision-induced dissociation. Drug Test Anal 2016;8:344-50.
- Cholbinski P, Wicka M, Kowalczyk K, et al. Detection of ß-methylphenethylamine, a novel doping substance, by means of UPLC/MS/MS. Anal Bioanal Chem 2014;406:3681-8.
- Pawar RS, Grundel E. Overview of regulation of dietary supplements in the USA and issues of adulteration with phenethylamines (PEAs). Drug Test Anal 2017;9:500-517.
- Rickli A, Hoener MC, Liechti ME. Pharmacological profiles of compounds in preworkout supplements ("boosters"). Eur J Pharmacol 2019;859:172515.
- Schindler CW, Thorndike EB, Rice KC, Partilla JS, Baumann MH. The supplement adulterant ß-methylphenethylamine increases blood pressure by acting at peripheral norepinephrine transporters. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2019;369(3):328-36.
- Duiven E, van Loon LJC, Spruijt L, Koert W, de Hon OM. Undeclared doping substances are highly prevalent in commercial sports nutrition supplements. J Sports Sci Med. 2021 Mar 22;20(2):328-38.
- McGriff SA, Chojnacki MR, Thorndike EB, Rice KC, Baumann MH, Schindler CW. Reinforcing effects of phenethylamine analogs found in dietary supplements. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2022;239(11):3723-3730.