6-Methyl-MDA, also known as 6-methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine is an entactogen and psychedelic drug of the amphetamine and MDxx families. It was first synthesized in the late 1990s by a team including David E. Nichols at Purdue University while investigating derivatives of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA).
6-Methyl-MDA has IC<sub>50</sub> values of 783 nM, 28,300 nM, and 4,602 nM for inhibiting the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in rat synaptosomes. In animal studies it substitutes for MBDB, MMAI, LSD, and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), though not amphetamine, but only partially and at high doses. Thus, while several-fold less potent than its analogues 2-methyl-MDA and 5-methyl-MDA, and approximately half as potent as MDA, 6-methyl-MDA is still significantly active.
According to Daniel Trachsel and colleagues, 6-methyl-MDA is active at a dose of 160mg orally and has a duration of 8hours.
6-Methyl-MDA is a controlled substance in Canada under phenethylamine blanket-ban language.