TMA-6
TMA-6 is a psychedelic amphetamine first documented by Alexander Shulgin in his 1991 book PiHKAL, where he described it as one of the most rewarding of the methoxylated amphetamines.1 It produces a distinctive combination of stimulant, hallucinogenic, and entactogenic effects that set it apart from related phenethylamine psychedelics such as the 2C-x and DOx series. It remains an exceptionally rare research chemical with very limited availability.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Duration
Subjective Effects
TMA-6 produces a long-lasting psychedelic amphetamine experience that builds in intensity over roughly the first four hours and can leave users intoxicated for most of a day, with sleep remaining difficult even after other effects have faded. The experience is marked by an unusually strong current of humor — mundane tasks can become hilarious — alongside a forceful introspective drive capable of surfacing deep personal insights. Emotional tone can be unstable, with plateaus, exuberance, and strong negative feelings replacing one another, and intensity may vary considerably between sessions at the same dose.
Physical
Body effects include whole-body tingling, an energetic stimulation with restlessness, and a pronounced inner chill accompanied by sweating that can persist for hours. Stomach queasiness on the come-up, muscle tension, unsteady gait, appetite suppression, and post-experience insomnia are also reported.
Cognitive
The headspace is heavily intoxicated at moderate doses, with a halting quality to thought and difficulty accomplishing simple tasks, though some reports describe clear and steady conversation. Laughter, emotional openness, and probing introspection are recurring themes.
Visual
Visuals are dose-dependent and somewhat inconsistent — nearly absent in some sessions, vivid and colorful in others at the same dose.
Tactile
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
TMA-6 acts as a potent full agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor, with an EC50 of 29.2 nM and maximal efficacy of 107%. It shows no meaningful affinity for the 5-HT1A or dopamine D2 receptors.2 TMA-6 is also a potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A), with an IC50 of 400 nM, while being inactive as a monoamine reuptake inhibitor or releasing agent in rat brain synaptosomes.3 In rodent drug discrimination assays, TMA-6 fully substitutes for the psychedelics DOM and 5-MeO-DMT4 and partially substitutes for dextroamphetamine.
Pharmacokinetics
Dangerous
Highest riskThese 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.
Tolerance
Psychedelics, Stimulants
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowTMA-6 is generally regarded as non-habit-forming, and users report that interest in taking it may decrease after use. Its use is typically self-regulating.
History & Culture
TMA-6 emerged from Alexander Shulgin's systematic exploration of trimethoxyamphetamines. After discovering that relocating a single methoxy group from the original TMA (3,4,5-trimethoxyamphetamine) to create TMA-2 resulted in a ten-fold increase in potency,5 Shulgin…
Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (n.d.). Erowid Online Books : “PIHKAL” - #162 TMA-6. https://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal162.shtml123
- Kolaczynska KE, Trachsel D, Hoener MC, Liechti ME, & Luethi D. (2025). Receptor interaction profiles of 4-alkoxy-2,6-dimethoxyphenethylamines (Psi derivatives) and related amphetamines. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.17034801
- Reyes-Parada M, Iturriaga-Vasquez P, & Cassels BK. (2019). Amphetamine Derivatives as Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors. 10, 1590. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.015901
- Glennon RA, & Young R. (1982). Comparison of behavioral properties of di- and tri-methoxyphenylisopropylamines. 17(4), 603-607. https://doi.org/10.1016/0091-3057(82)90330-61
- Shulgin, Alexander, & Shulgin, Ann. (1991). PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story — #158 TMA-2. Transform Press. https://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal158.shtml12
- (2016). Gesetz zur Bekämpfung der Verbreitung neuer psychoaktiver Stoffe (NpSG). Bundesanzeiger Verlag. https://www.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav?startbk=Bundesanzeiger_BGBl&jumpTo=bgbl116s2615.pdf1
- (2019). § 4 NpSG. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html12
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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