Leena Watts
Diet pills and supplements that act like meth typically contain a compound called Acacia rigidula, a shrub native to Texas and Mexico. While Acacia rigidula is marketed as a natural ingredient, it has never been used in herbal medicine or herbal remedies. In 2013, the FDA discovered that nine out of 21 dietary supplements tested contained a methamphetamine-like compound called beta-methylphenethylamine, which had never been tested on humans. Despite these findings, the FDA has faced criticism for not taking swift enforcement action to protect consumers from potentially dangerous products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of supplements containing amphetamine-like compounds | 9 out of 21 |
| Name of the compound | Beta-methylphenethylamine |
| Ingredient listed in supplements | Acacia rigidula |
| Products containing the ingredient | Fastin-XR, Stimerex, Lipodrene Hardcore, Craze |
| Ingredient safety | Never tested on humans, animal studies suggest it behaves like amphetamine |
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What You'll Learn
- Workout supplements like Craze contain meth-like compounds
- Acacia rigidula is listed as an ingredient in some weight loss supplements
- The FDA found an amphetamine-like compound in 9/21 dietary supplements
- Beta-methylphenethylamine has never been tested on humans
- Phenethylamine is found at very low levels in Acacia rigidula
Workout supplements like Craze contain meth-like compounds
Several athletes who reported taking Craze, a workout supplement, failed urine drug tests. An investigation by USA Today in July 2013 reported that amphetamine-like compounds were found in the product. Following this, a new study found that Craze contains a methamphetamine-like compound, N,a-DEPEA, which is not listed on the product's label. The researchers called the compound "a potentially dangerous designer drug", but also admitted that Craze's "effects in humans are entirely unknown" as it has not been studied in people.
The supplement, made by Driven Sports Inc., is marketed as a way to improve workout performance and "enhance muscle gains". It is widely sold in the United States and won Bodybuilding.com's "New Supplement of the Year" award in 2012. An attorney for Driven Sports defended the product, saying that their own testing found no methamphetamine-like chemical in their product. Marc Ullman, a lawyer for the company, said that they dispute the paper's conclusion.
In response to the findings, Wal-Mart pulled Craze from its online stores in the summer of 2013. However, the product continued to be sold elsewhere, including other online retailers and GNC stores. In October 2013, Driven Sports' website listed the product as out of stock.
Researchers informed the FDA about the new chemical compound in May 2013, and stated that it has a structure similar to methamphetamine. They believe it is likely less potent than methamphetamine but more potent than ephedrine. The researchers suspect that supplement manufacturers are purchasing N,a-DEPEA labelled as dendrobium as a cover.
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Acacia rigidula is listed as an ingredient in some weight loss supplements
Acacia rigidula, also known as Vachellia rigidula, Chaparro Prieto, or Blackbrush Acacia, is a shrub native to Texas, the southern United States, and Mexico. The plant contains alkaloids with stimulant effects, which can increase the basal metabolic rate, leading to potential weight loss benefits.
Acacia rigidula was a popular ingredient in pre-workouts and weight loss supplements between 2010 and 2017. It was often used as a substitute for the banned ingredient DMAA. However, its use as an ingredient in dietary supplements is controversial. While Acacia rigidula itself is a natural ingredient, many supplements listing it as an ingredient have been found to contain an amphetamine-like chemical called beta-methylphenethylamine (BMPEA). This compound is not found naturally in Acacia rigidula or any other known plants.
In a study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), 9 out of 21 dietary supplements labelled as containing Acacia rigidula were found to contain BMPEA. The relatively high levels of this compound indicate that its presence was not accidental. According to Dr. Cohen, "the label 'Acacia rigidula' is being used as a cover for introducing a brand new synthetic drug similar to amphetamine." Amphetamines can have serious risks, including addiction and an increased risk of stroke.
The presence of BMPEA in supplements containing Acacia rigidula is particularly concerning because this chemical is not naturally present in the plant. Any dietary supplement products containing BMPEA are considered misbranded by the US FDA. Additionally, the legal status of Acacia rigidula as a supplement ingredient varies by country. For example, in the United States and Australia, Acacia rigidula is illegal and banned from retail sale.
The stimulants in Acacia rigidula can affect the heart and may be unsafe. BMPEA and other stimulants can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and taking Acacia rigidula supplements might interfere with surgery. It is recommended to stop taking Acacia rigidula supplements at least 2 weeks before surgery. Additionally, Acacia rigidula might change how quickly the liver breaks down certain medications, altering their effects and side effects.
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The FDA found an amphetamine-like compound in 9/21 dietary supplements
In 2013, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) scientists tested 21 dietary supplements that were labelled as containing Acacia rigidula, a shrub native to Texas and Mexico. The FDA found that nine of these supplements contained a non-natural amphetamine-like compound called beta-methylphenethylamine. This compound has never been tested on humans, although animal studies suggest it may act similarly to amphetamine and could pose a public health risk.
The FDA's research paper, published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis, noted that Acacia rigidula was listed as an ingredient in several weight loss and energy supplements, including Fastin-XR, Stimerex, and Lipodrene Hardcore, made by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals of Norcross, Georgia. The compound was also found in supplements from other companies, such as Jet Fuel Superburn and Jet Fuel T-300.
The FDA's findings raised concerns about the safety of these dietary supplements, as amphetamines can have serious risks, including addiction and an increased risk of stroke. However, at the time of the study, the FDA had not yet taken any enforcement action or issued warnings to consumers about the presence of this compound in dietary supplements. This inaction led to criticism from some scientists and supplement industry groups, who called for more aggressive enforcement to eliminate the compound from dietary supplements.
It is important to note that the laws and regulations surrounding dietary supplements can be complex. For example, under the 1994 Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, supplements are not subject to FDA testing before being brought to market. This means that researchers and regulators often have to play a "cat-and-mouse" game, where problems are discovered and addressed after products have already been sold to consumers.
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Beta-methylphenethylamine has never been tested on humans
Beta-methylphenethylamine (BMPEA) is a stimulant chemically similar to amphetamine and is made in the lab. It has never been tested on humans, and its efficacy and safety in humans are unknown. The substance is often added to products for weight loss and athletic performance. It might increase blood pressure and heart rate and stimulate the brain. BMPEA has been associated with adverse health events, including a case of cerebral hemorrhage in a Swedish athlete who took a supplement containing the substance.
Beta-methylphenethylamine is a member of the phenethylamine family of chemicals, which also includes amphetamines and hallucinogens like mescaline. It is a positional isomer of amphetamine, and both are human TAAR1 agonists. While it has been reported to have good antihypotensive (pressor) activity in experimental animals, there is limited information and research available on this substance.
In dietary supplements, the safety and efficacy of beta-methylphenethylamine are uncertain due to a lack of testing. The University of California San Diego professor of chemistry Dionicio Siegel, who studies phenethylamines, stated that this class of substances can target brain receptors controlling energy but may also have LSD-like effects. The potential health risks associated with BMPEA have led to concerns and actions by organizations such as the Vitamin Shoppe and the FDA.
The use of beta-methylphenethylamine is prohibited in sports, and it is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Its presence in supplements may not always be accurately declared or labeled, as in the case of the Swedish athlete who unknowingly consumed a supplement containing BMPEA. This lack of transparency and understanding of the substance's effects underscores the importance of thorough testing and regulation of dietary supplements to ensure consumer safety.
While beta-methylphenethylamine has not been comprehensively tested on humans, limited studies and reports have indicated potential health risks associated with its use. Further research and regulation are necessary to fully understand the substance's effects and ensure it is used safely and appropriately.
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Phenethylamine is found at very low levels in Acacia rigidula
Acacia rigidula is a shrub native to Texas and northern Mexico. Extracts of its leaves are used in weight-loss products sold in vitamin shops and online. However, there is little to no published data about its potential biological effects.
Phenethylamine is one of the primary amines found in the leaves of Acacia rigidula. While it occurs naturally in the plant, the amounts found in dietary supplements that list Acacia rigidula as an ingredient are often greater than would be expected from the plant parts alone.
One study found that phenethylamine was present at levels of 710-171,620μg/g in 9 out of 21 dietary supplement products. In contrast, another study found relatively low levels of amines in authenticated A. rigidula plant materials, with tyramine, followed by tryptamine, being the primary amine constituents.
In addition to phenethylamine, many supplements listing Acacia rigidula as an ingredient have been found to contain another unlisted ingredient called beta-methylphenethylamine (BMPEA). This ingredient is a stimulant similar to amphetamine. However, unlike phenethylamine, it is not found naturally in Acacia rigidula or any other known plants.
The presence of BMPEA in supplements has raised concerns among regulatory bodies. In April 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated that BMPEA does not meet the definition of a dietary ingredient, and any products containing it are considered misbranded.
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Frequently asked questions
Some dietary supplements have been found to contain amphetamine-like compounds, such as beta-methylphenethylamine. These include the pre-workout supplement Craze, as well as Fastin-XR, Stimerex, and Lipodrene Hardcore, which are weight loss and energy supplements.
Acacia rigidula is a shrub native to Texas and Mexico. It has been found in dietary supplements that are marketed for weight loss and energy. However, the FDA has found that many of these supplements do not actually contain the plant as an ingredient. The compound beta-methylphenethylamine, found in these supplements, has never been tested on humans and could pose a health risk.
Beta-methylphenethylamine is structurally similar to amphetamine. Animal studies suggest that it may have similar effects to amphetamine, but it has not been tested on humans.
No, all of the supplements tested by the FDA listed Acacia rigidula as an ingredient, but the substance was not found in verified samples of the plant. Therefore, the presence of the amphetamine-like compound in these supplements is not due to the inclusion of the plant.
As of 2013, the FDA had not taken any public action or released any warnings about the supplements that were found to contain amphetamine-like compounds. This has led to criticism from some scientists and industry groups, who argue that the FDA should take swift enforcement action and name the companies responsible.
