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MDAI
5,6-Methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane
Sparkle, MindyOpen in Piru
MDAI is a psychoactive substance in the aminoindane class1 that produces effects similar to MDMA2, described as largely non-stimulating. David E. Nichols and colleagues at Purdue University first described it in the scientific literature in 1989. In animals, MDAI shows substantially less serotonin-related neurotoxicity than MDMA3, but retains a weak capacity to cause neurotoxicity with chronic use or when combined with amphetamine.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold20-40 mg
Light40-100 mg
Moderate100-150 mg
Strong175-300 mg
Heavy150-300 mg
Duration
Onset20-40 minutes
Come Up30-60 minutes
Peak2-2.5 hours
Offset1-2 hours
Total4-6 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
Cognitive
The general head space of MDAI is described by many as one of euphoria and feelings of love or empathy. It contains a number of typical entactogenic cognitive effects.
Visual
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
MDAI promotes serotonin and norepinephrine release with a well-balanced action on these two neurotransmitters, while its effect on dopamine release is approximately tenfold weaker.4 It also inhibits the reuptake of all three neurotransmitters.5 MDAI has significant binding affinity for α2-adrenergic receptors, while its affinity for serotonin receptors, including 5-HT2A and 5-HT2B, is very low.4
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption & half-lifenot documented yetMetabolitesnone documented yet
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
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Tolerance to many of MDAI's effects develops with prolonged, repeated use, with a pattern described as similar to MDMA. Increasingly larger doses may then be needed to produce the same effects.
Tolerance returns to baseline in approximately 1–2 weeks, provided no further MDAI is consumed.
Tolerance takes approximately 3–7 days to fall to half its previous level, provided no further MDAI is consumed.
All entactogens, All serotonergic stimulants
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
LowMDAI is somewhat habit-forming but has low abuse potential, with psychological dependence considered unlikely in most users. Cravings may occur after abrupt cessation if addiction has developed.
Physical
Withdrawal effects may occur after abrupt cessation if addiction has developed.
Toxicity
The human lethal dose and exact toxic threshold are unknown; overdose is considered likely to cause serotonin syndrome. One death in the United Kingdom during 2011–2012 appeared to involve MDAI alone and included symptoms consistent with serotonin syndrome.
LD50 Data
| Species | Route | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | Subcutaneous | 28 mg/kg |
In animals, MDAI produces substantially less serotonergic neurotoxicity than MDMA, but weak serotonergic neurotoxicity has been reported with MDAI alone, including during chronic use.
Very high doses of MDAI caused fatal disruption of thermoregulation in rats, with 50% mortality after subcutaneous administration of 28 mg/kg.
MDAI increased blood pressure without increasing heart rate.7
MDAI increased cortisol and prolactin levels.7
Water intoxication has been reported in MDAI users who drank excessive amounts of water.
History & Culture
David E. Nichols and colleagues at Purdue University first described MDAI in the scientific literature in 1989. MDAI and related compounds were subsequently used widely in scientific research. Interest also developed in its potential medical applications, including drug-assisted psychotherapy and…
Legality
International
MDAI is not listed in the official current schedules under the 1961 or 1971 drug conventions or in the precursor tables to the 1988 Convention.
By Country
Illegal17
BrazilIllegalPortaria SVS/MS nº 344/1998, Anexo I (as updated by ANVISA)20
CanadaIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Controlled Drugs and Substances Act21
The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act places amphetamines, including 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and their analogues in Schedule I. MDAI is an amphetamine analogue for this purpose; unless authorized under the regulations, possession is prohibited, and trafficking and production are offences.
ChileIllegalDecreto Supremo N.º 405 de 1983 del Ministerio de Salud, Reglamento de Productos Psicotrópicos, modificado por Decreto N.º 43 de 202291011
MDAI (5,6-metilendioxi-2-aminoindano) is a Lista I drug under Chile’s Reglamento de Productos Psicotrópicos. Decreto N.º 43 added it to that list on 6 January 2022; importation, exportation, production, manufacture, distribution, sale, possession, and holding of Lista I drugs are prohibited nationally, except where the Instituto de Salud Pública authorizes a qualified scientific-research use.
ChinaIllegalCatalogue of Non-medical Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances12
Czech RepublicIllegalGovernment Regulation No. 463/2013 Coll., on lists of addictive substances, read with Act No. 167/1998 Coll., on addictive substances646566
MDAI is listed by name, with the chemical name 5,6-(methylendioxy)indan-2-amin, in Seznam I of the Czech Government Regulation on lists of addictive substances. Under the Act on Addictive Substances, substances in Annex 4 and preparations containing them may be used only for limited research, scientific, and very limited therapeutic purposes specified in a handling permit; handling otherwise requires a Ministry of Health permit, and transfer or sale is limited to persons authorised to handle them.
DenmarkIllegalBekendtgørelse om euforiserende stoffer38
GermanyIllegalMDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is prohibited as a new psychoactive substance under the NpSG's structural group for compounds derived from 2-phenethylamine. The Act prohibits trading, placing on the market, manufacturing, importing, exporting, acquiring, possessing, and administering substances in that group, subject to the statutory exceptions for recognised commercial, industrial, scientific, and official uses. Specified commercial supply and import/manufacture-for-supply contraventions are punishable by imprisonment or a fine.
IrelandIllegalMDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is a Schedule 1 controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017 because it is a 2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-amine derivative bearing an alkylenedioxy substitution in the phenyl ring. Since 4 May 2017, its production, supply, importation and exportation are prohibited except as authorised, and possession is unlawful unless an exemption or authority under the Misuse of Drugs legislation applies.
IsraelIllegal (analog/blanket ban)MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is a structural derivative of 2-aminoindane and is controlled as a dangerous drug under the First Schedule to Israel's Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. Israel added the 2-aminoindane family in 2011; unauthorised possession, use, manufacture and trafficking of a listed dangerous drug are subject to the Ordinance's criminal controls.
ItalyIllegalMinistero della salute, Decreto 24 ottobre 2012, Aggiornamento delle tabelle contenenti l'indicazione delle sostanze stupefacenti e psicotrope. Inserimento nella Tabella I delle sostanze: Metossietamina, 4-Metilamfetamina, CP 47,497, CP 47.497-omologo C8, 4-Fluoroamfetamina e 5,6-Metilendiossi-2-aminoindano.131415
MDAI (5,6-metilendiossi-2-aminoindano) is prohibited in Italy as a Tabella I substance under the DPR 309/1990 controlled-substances framework. The Ministerial Decree of 24 October 2012 inserted it in Tabella I and took effect on 27 November 2012; unauthorised production, manufacture, sale, distribution, transport, sending, or delivery of a Tabella I substance is criminal under Article 73(1) of DPR 309/1990.
NetherlandsIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Opiumwet59
MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is a substance derived from 2-phenethylamine within Lijst IA of the Opiumwet: the list includes indanyl ring systems and permits substitution that produces a ring closure with structural element A. Since 1 July 2025, Article 2a prohibits importing or exporting, preparing, processing, selling, supplying, transporting, possessing, and manufacturing a substance in a Lijst IA substance group or a preparation containing it, subject to the statutory exemptions.
PolandIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Rozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia z dnia 17 sierpnia 2018 r. w sprawie wykazu substancji psychotropowych, środków odurzających oraz nowych substancji psychoaktywnych (tekst jednolity: Dz.U. 2022 poz. 1665)282930
MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is covered in Poland as a Group I-NPS derivative of 2-phenylethylamine: the statutory generic structure includes methylenedioxyphenyl and indanyl ring systems and permits formation of the relevant cyclic structure. Unauthorised possession of a new psychoactive substance is punishable by a fine, while manufacture, import, export, intra-EU supply or acquisition, and placing it on the market require the statutory authorisation framework.
RussiaIllegalGovernment Decree of the Russian Federation No. 681 of 30 June 1998, On Approval of the List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Their Precursors Subject to Control in the Russian Federation3132
MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is prohibited in Russia as a derivative of 2-aminoindane under List I of Government Decree No. 681. List I substances are prohibited from circulation; the control therefore covers their unauthorized possession, manufacture, distribution, import, and export.
SingaporeIllegalMDAI is a Class A controlled drug under the First Schedule to Singapore's Misuse of Drugs Act 1973. Except as authorised by the Act, its possession and consumption are offences, and trafficking or conduct preparatory to trafficking is an offence. The Schedule identifies the substance as 6,7-dihydro-5H-indeno[5,6-d][1,3]dioxol-6-amine, also known as 5,6-(methylenedioxy)-2-aminoindane or MDAI.
SwedenIllegalMDAI is classified as a narcotic in Sweden in Bilaga 1 to Förordning (1992:1554) om kontroll av narkotika, where it is listed among central stimulants as 6,7-dihydro-5H-cyklopenta[f][1,3]bensodioxol-6-amin. Unauthorised transfer, manufacture for misuse, acquisition, possession and use of narcotics are criminal offences under Narkotikastrafflag (1968:64); the ordinary maximum penalty is three years' imprisonment, with separate rules for minor and aggravated offences.
SwitzerlandIllegalVerordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (BetmVV-EDI)60
UkraineIllegalCabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 770 of 6 May 2000, as amended by Resolution No. 600 of 10 July 2019474849
MDAI (6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[f][1,3]benzodioxol-6-amine) is listed in Table I, List No. 2 of Ukraine's List of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Precursors, the list of especially dangerous psychotropic substances whose circulation is prohibited. Resolution No. 600 of 10 July 2019 inserted MDAI into that list, so its unauthorised possession, production, and supply are prohibited.
Controlled / restricted5
AustriaRestrictedMDAI (5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is covered by the NPSV's Anlage II chemical class for 2-aminoindan and 2-aminotetralin compounds. The NPSG makes it an offence, punishable by up to two years' imprisonment, to manufacture, import, export, supply, or procure a covered new psychoactive substance for gain with intent that it be used to produce a psychoactive effect. The NPSV has applied since 1 January 2012; its current consolidated Anlage II has been in force since 19 April 2024.
FinlandRestrictedValtioneuvoston asetus kuluttajamarkkinoilta kielletyistä psykoaktiivisista aineista 1130/201439
JapanRestricted医薬品、医療機器等の品質、有効性及び安全性の確保等に関する法律第二条第十五項に規定する指定薬物及び同法第七十六条の四に規定する医療等の用途を定める省令 (Ordinance Specifying Designated Substances and Medical Uses)16171819
MDAI (5,6-methylenedioxyindan-2-amine) and its salts are designated substances under the Ordinance Specifying Designated Substances and Medical Uses, as amended. Under the Act on Securing Quality, Efficacy and Safety of Products Including Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, manufacture, import, sale, provision, possession, purchase, receipt, and use are prohibited except for medical or other authorized uses. The designation took effect on 30 May 2013.
PortugalRestrictedDecreto-Lei n.º 54/2013, de 17 de abril, and Portaria n.º 154/2013, de 17 de abril (as amended by Portaria n.º 232/2022)505152535455
MDAI is listed as a new psychoactive substance in Portugal's Lista de novas substâncias psicoativas. Under Decreto-Lei n.º 54/2013, its production, manufacture, import, export, advertising, distribution, sale, possession, and making available are prohibited, subject to the instrument's exceptions. The listing took effect on 18 April 2013; violations of the prohibition are administrative offences under the decree-law rather than this listing being a schedule under the narcotics decree-law.
United KingdomRestrictedPsychoactive Substances Act 201667
Not scheduled2
United StatesNot scheduledMDAI is not named in the current federal schedules of controlled substances. Under the Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act, a substance meeting the statutory definition of a controlled substance analogue is treated as a Schedule I controlled substance when intended for human consumption.
By state
Across the 50 states, D.C., and the permanent territories, most jurisdictions treat MDAI consistently with federal control; listed entries record independently verified differences in state classification or coverage.
IowaIllegalIowa Code § 124.20468
Iowa lists MDAI by its chemical name in Schedule I. The substance is therefore a state-controlled Schedule I substance rather than an unscheduled substance subject only to a possible analogue determination.
AlabamaIllegalAla. Admin. Code r. 420-7-2, Appendix (Controlled Substances List), Schedule I69
Alabama lists 5,6-(methylenedioxy)-2-aminoindane, also called 5,6-MDAI, in its Schedule I controlled-substances list. This is an express state scheduling outcome rather than federal analogue-only coverage.
New YorkNot scheduledN.Y. Pub. Health Law § 330670
MDAI is not scheduled by name in New York's controlled-substance schedules. The Schedule I hallucinogen list separately names 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine and MDMA, but does not include 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane. New York's schedule text therefore does not impose a named state scheduling outcome on MDAI.
VirginiaIllegalVa. Code Ann. §54.1-3446(3)71
Virginia places MDAI in Schedule I as a hallucinogenic substance. The schedule expressly identifies the chemical as 6,7-dihydro-5H-indeno-(5,6-d)-1,3-dioxol-6-amine, rather than leaving its treatment to analogue analysis. Schedule I listing makes MDAI a controlled substance under Virginia law.
LouisianaIllegalLa. R.S. 40:964, Schedule I(C)(52)72
Louisiana expressly places MDAI in Schedule I as a hallucinogenic substance. This is a direct state scheduling decision, not merely conditional analogue coverage.
MinnesotaIllegalMinn. Stat. § 152.02, subd. 2(d)(59)73
Minnesota expressly lists MDAI as a Schedule I hallucinogen. The direct schedule entry makes the state treatment more definite than federal analogue coverage.
West VirginiaNot scheduledWest Virginia defines a controlled substance as a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V. Its current Schedule I enumeration does not list MDAI or its chemical designation. The Code's separate definition of an analogue is not included in the definition of a controlled substance.
District of ColumbiaNot scheduledThe District defines a controlled substance as a drug, substance, or immediate precursor set out in Schedules I through V. Its current Schedule I enumeration does not name MDAI or its chemical designation. MDAI is therefore not scheduled by the District's enumerated controlled-substance schedules.
NorwayNot scheduledMDAI (5,6-metylendioksy-2-aminoindan; 5,6-methylenedioxy-2-aminoindane) is not named in the current Narkotikalisten annex to the Norwegian Narcotics Regulation. The regulation makes only the substances, drugs, plants, fungi, and mixtures entered in that annex narcotics; its annex contains no general analogue or blanket chemical-class entry that captures MDAI. MDAI is therefore not scheduled as a narcotic under this instrument, although Norwegian medicines law can regulate a product as a medicine when it is intended or presented for medicinal use.
References
Source Pages
Citations
Further Reading
Oeri (2021): Beyond ecstasy - Alternative entactogens to MDMA
Release UK: MDAI Information
Sainsbury et al. 2011 - Aminoindanes—the next wave of ‘legal highs’?- Johnson et al. 1991 - Serotonin neurotoxicity in rats after combined treatment with a dopaminergic agent followed by a nonneurotoxic 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) analogue
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