Few things get over-caffeinated gym rats excited like the mention of a new DMAA or DMHA supplement. The mere inclusion of one of these ingredients on a pre workout label can instantly gain attention for a new product.
In this post we’ll be breaking down a few key questions:
- What’s the difference between DMAA and DMHA anyway?
- Is the hype around these stimulants deserved?
- Are DMAA and DMHA treated differently by the FDA?
If you’re simply interested in purchasing DMAA or DMHA for your own use, you can do so at Bulk Stimulants.
We also have roundups of our favorite DMAA pre-workouts and DMHA pre-workouts.
10 grams of pure DMHA powder from Bulk Stimulants.
An easy and cost effective way to add energy + euphoria to any pre workout. Your own DMHA stash!
Turn any pre-workout into a DMAA pre-workout with 10 grams of pure DMAA from Bulk Stimulants.
Get insane energy, drive, and focus.
Contains 200 servings (50 mg per serving).
Buy it once, have your own personal DMAA stash for years.
Table of Contents
What’s the difference between DMAA and DMHA?
The main difference between DMAA and DMHA is that DMAA is stronger per milligram. It usually takes about two to three times as much DMHA to achieve similar results to DMAA. Both DMAA and DMHA can create feelings of energy, alertness, and euphoria.
DMAA and DMHA are both banned by WADA and are not approved by the FDA for inclusion in dietary supplements.
Effects
The effects of DMAA and DMHA are similar. Both inhibit the reuptake of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that can cause feelings of euphoria and wakefulness.
By inhibiting their reuptake, DMAA and DMHA increases the concentration of these neurotransmitters, increasing the feelings of motivation, euphoria, and wakefulness.
If you’re trying to decide between a pre workout with DMAA or DMHA, the truth is that it really comes down to the pre workout. One is not automatically better just because they have DMAA or DMHA.
Similarly, if you’re considering ordering bulk DMAA or DMHA, you’ll honestly be fine with either because they’re so similar.
For instance, here’s a review from someone who bought both from Bulk Stimulants:
Dosage
There have been no rigorous human studies using DMAA and DMHA, so there are no recommended dosages.
Of course, in reality, that doesn’t keep people from experimenting.
Anecdotally, doses of DMAA around 50 mg have been reported to be effective. Likewise, doses of DMHA between 100 mg and 200 mg have been reported to be effective.
With that said, quality of these ingredients vary widely, as they’re usually imported from labs in China. And since these ingredients are not regulated as dietary supplements, the only real quality control is up to the labs that create the ingredients and the manufacturers that use them.
Having DMAA or DMHA “on label” does not guarantee it’s in there at all or is of sufficient quality for the user to feel significant effects. This leads to DMAA and DMHA pre-workouts often being described as “hit or miss.”
To find the legit supplements that actually hit hard, check out our list of the best DMAA pre-workouts and the best DMHA pre-workouts.
Inclusion in Supplements
DMAA and DMHA often go by different ingredient names when included on a label. It is possible this is done to help them “fly under the radar” of the FDA and similar regulatory bodies.
Generally speaking, DMHA is more commonly seen in dietary supplements than DMAA. Both are only found in the most “hardcore” supplements. Mainstream supplements do not include DMAA or DMHA.
Here are some of their most common aliases:
- DMAA
- Geranium Extract
- DMHA
- English Walnut Extract
- Juglans Regia Extract
- Octodrine
- Kigelia Africana Extract
While DMAA and DMHA can be great for marketing purposes, they really aren’t all that special. There are some great pre workout supplements like Hooligan or Assassin that don’t currently contain either ingredient and are still super effective. Not to mention others like DVST8 of the Union, Wrecked, or Superhuman Supreme – none of which contain DMAA or DMHA.
But yes, there are some excellent DMAA pre workouts and DMHA pre workouts. They’re incredible, but not simply because they contain these ingredients. They’re also not well suited for daily usage, lest you fry your adrenal glans until no pre workout “works” for you anymore.
I can also point to some products that were frankly a bit disappointing, despite claiming DMAA or DMHA on the label. As TJ at Fitness Deal News says, “labels are just labels.”
Don’t get hung up and obsess over DMAA and DMHA. You know what’s more important? Your diet, sleep, and programming. Focus on those things instead of stimulants. Stimulants can be fun, but they won’t do the work for you.
Use Cases for DMAA and DMHA
Most of the initial research conducted around DMAA and DMHA was exploring their potential use as a decongestant.
Today, DMAA and DMHA are more commonly known as “illegal” stimulants used in hardcore pre workout supplements.
Legality of DMAA and DMHA
In the United States, DMAA and DMHA are not controlled substances. It is not illegal to purchase or possess them. However, it is illegal to sell DMAA and DMHA in products marketed as dietary supplements.
One of the most famous cases regarding the sale of DMAA in a dietary supplement is Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals. They appealed their case all the way to the US Supreme Court, who denied their case in November 2020. Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals’ case dates all the way back to 2013, when the FDA seized products containing DMAA.
So, unless you’re selling products containing DMAA as dietary supplements, you don’t have anything to worry about (in the US, at least).
The FDA has taken a similar stance on DMHA, making it illegal to market products as a dietary supplement if they contain the ingredient.
Video Comparison of DMAA vs DMHA
10 grams of pure DMHA powder from Bulk Stimulants.
An easy and cost effective way to add energy + euphoria to any pre workout. Your own DMHA stash!
Turn any pre-workout into a DMAA pre-workout with 10 grams of pure DMAA from Bulk Stimulants.
Get insane energy, drive, and focus.
Contains 200 servings (50 mg per serving).
Buy it once, have your own personal DMAA stash for years.
Frequently Asked Questions about DMAA and DMHA
DMAA and DMHA can increase blood pressure, which can lead to cardiovascular health issues. There is also a lack of evidence that suggests they are safe, so they have not been approved as dietary supplement ingredients by the FDA.
It is impossible to say one way or the other, as there is a lack of human trial evidence on the impacts of DMAA and DMHA on strength and force production.
Anecdotally, some athletes enjoy the energy, focus, and alertness provided by stimulants and may perceive that they are afforded performance benefits by those stimulants.
No, DMAA and DMHA are stimulants. They are not androgenic anabolic steroids.
Yes, DMAA and DMHA are prohibited for athletes to use by WADA.
