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NM-2-AI

NM-2-AI molecule structureNM-2-AI molecule structure
N-methyl-2-aminoindane
NM2AI, N-methyl-2-AI
Psychoactive Class
StimulantNootropic
Chemical Class
Aminoindane

NM-2-AI is a relatively obscure synthetic stimulant in the aminoindane class.1 Chemically, it is 2-aminoindane with N-methyl substitution and is structurally related to 2-AI and MDAI.1 Compared with 2-AI, reports describe it as less potent, longer lasting, and broadly similar in stimulant character. It has been sold online by research-chemical vendors as a designer drug.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~10 mg
Light10-100 mg
Moderate100-150 mg
Strong150-200 mg
Heavy200+ mg

Duration

Onset15-45 minutes
After Effects1-8 hours
Total2-4 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of NM2AI can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

Increased heart rateDehydrationAppetite suppressionNauseaTemporary erectile dysfunctionIncreased perspirationIncreased blood pressure

Cognitive

The general head space of NM2AI is described by many as one of mental stimulation, increased focus, and euphoria. It contains a large number of typical stimulant cognitive effects. Although negative side effects are usually mild at low to moderate doses, they become increasingly likely to manifest themselves with higher amounts or extended usage. This particularly holds true during the offset of the experience.

Thought accelerationWakefulnessAnalysis enhancementMemory enhancementCompulsive redosingCognitive fatigueAnxietyDepression
Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins September 2015.

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
white → orange2
Mecke(ME)
white → brown2 → brown3
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → brown3
Liebermann(LB)
white → red3 → brown3
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Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

NM-2-AI acts as a highly selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent.citation needed In vitro data indicate that it does not release serotonin or dopamine even at very high concentrations (100 μM).2 It also displays affinity for the alpha-2A adrenergic receptor as an agonist and acts as a TAAR1 receptor agonist, with additional binding at the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors.

Pharmacokinetics

In vivo metabolism studies using LC-HRMS have identified seven main urinary metabolites. NM-2-AI undergoes N-demethylation to form 2-aminoindane (2-AI) and hydroxylation to produce multiple hydroxy-NM-2-AI and hydroxy-2-AI species, some of which undergo further conjugation. Both NM-2-AI and 2-AI have been detected in hair and blood samples.3

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

AlcoholCocaineDXMDissociativesMAOIsMDMAMXENBOMe compoundsStimulantsTramadol
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Many effects can become less responsive after sustained repeated use, leading users to need higher amounts for similar results.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance

Dopaminergic stimulants

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Moderate

Chronic use is considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence. Compulsive redosing has been reported. When addiction develops, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur upon cessation.

Physical

Withdrawal effects are mentioned in the context of addiction, but specific physical dependence characteristics have not been documented for this substance.

Psychosis Risk

As with other stimulants, abuse at high dosages for prolonged periods can potentially result in stimulant psychosis presenting with paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions. Based on data from related amphetamine-type stimulants, approximately 5-15% of individuals who develop stimulant psychosis may fail to recover completely,citation needed though antipsychotic medications effectively resolve symptoms of acute episodes.4

Seizure Risk

Seizure risk from NM-2-AI alone has not been documented, though combination with certain substances may increase seizure risk.

History & Culture

NM-2-AI is a novel stimulant belonging to the aminoindane chemical class.1 Structurally, it represents a rigid analogue of methamphetamine and shares close chemical relationships with other aminoindane compounds such as 2-AI and MDAI. The substance emerged on the online research…

Legality

By Country

Controlled / restricted2
Germany flagGermanyNpSG (Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz)
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandVerzeichnis E
Not scheduled1
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomPsychoactive Substances Act 2016

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight thread: NM-2-AI (2013)
  2. Drug Users Bible - NM2AI entry
  3. Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
  4. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  5. PsychonautWiki
  6. TripSit Factsheets
  7. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Micaela Tirri, Giorgia Corli, Raffaella Arfè, Beatrice Marchetti, Sabrine Bilel, Tatiana Bernardi, Federica Boccuto, Sara Odoardi, Serena Mestria, Sabina Strano-Rossi, & Matteo Marti. (2023). Behavioral and Pharmacokinetics Studies of N-Methyl-2-Aminoindane (NM2AI) in Mice: An Aminoindane Briefly Used in the Illicit Drug Market. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(3), Article 1882. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24031882123
  2. Dino Luethi, Karolina E. Kolaczynska, Luca Docci, Stephan Krähenbühl, Marius C. Hoener, & Matthias E. Liechti. (2018-05). Pharmacological profile of mephedrone analogs and related new psychoactive substances. Neuropharmacology, 134(Pt A), 4-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2017.07.026123456
  3. Serena Mestria, Sara Odoardi, Simona Federici, Sabrine Bilel, Micaela Tirri, Matteo Marti, & Sabina Strano-Rossi. (2021-05-14). Metabolism Study of N-Methyl 2-Aminoindane (NM2AI) and Determination of Metabolites in Biological Samples by LC-HRMS. Journal of Analytical Toxicology, 45(5), 475-483. https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaa11112
  4. Steven J Shoptaw, Uyen Kao, & Walter Ling. (2009). Treatment for amphetamine psychosis. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd003026.pub31
  5. Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG). (2016-11-26). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/BJNR261510016.html1
  6. Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG) §4 Strafvorschriften. (2016-11-26). https://www.buzer.de/4_NpSG.htm12
  7. Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (BetmVV-EDI), SR 812.121.11, Anhang 6 Verzeichnis e, Eintrag Nr. 132. (n.d.). https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/de1
  8. Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (c. 2), Sections 4, 5, 8. (2016-05-26). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents1
  9. The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (Commencement) Regulations 2016 (SI 2016/553). (2016-05-03). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/553/made1

Further Reading

  1. Behavioral and Pharmacokinetics Studies of N-Methyl-2-Aminoindane (2023)
  2. Behavioral and Pharmacokinetics Studies of N-Methyl-2-Aminoindane (NM2AI) in Mice (2023)
  3. Reddit discussion: “what is NM-2AI like?” (2021)
  4. The metabolic fate of 2-aminoindane and N-methyl-2-aminoindane (2020)

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

  • Lyrea avatar
    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

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5 August 2026

  1. Lyrea · Updated the article

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  7. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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