MDPEA

MDPEA is the abbreviation for 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine, a substituted phenethylamine in which a methylenedioxy group is fused to the 3 and 4 positions of the benzene ring. It is a close structural relative of the psychoactive compounds MDA and MDMA but lacks the alpha-methyl group found in those substances. MDPEA is primarily discussed in chemical, forensic, and research contexts rather than as an approved medicine.

The compound is mainly encountered as a synthetic chemical in scientific literature and in discussions of designer drugs. There is little reliable evidence of substantial natural occurrence, and it is not an established pharmaceutical agent. Information about its pharmacology is limited; while it is presumed to interact with monoaminergic systems, there is no well-supported assessment of its potency or efficacy in humans. As with many compounds in this class, the potential for psychoactive effects, adverse reactions, and toxicity remains uncertain.

Safety data for MDPEA are limited. It should be treated as a chemical that requires appropriate laboratory handling and risk assessment. There is no approved medical use, and non-medical use carries legal and health risks. Regulatory status varies by country, with some jurisdictions potentially applying analogue or controlled-substance provisions to MDPEA or related substances, while others may not regulate it specifically.

Synonyms include 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine. See also MDMA, MDA, and related methylenedioxyphenethylamines.