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I was saddened to hear the news about Louisiana State University (LSU) Semoy Hackett testing positive for the banned stimulant, Methylhexaneamine again, at the 2012 NCAA Division I Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past June 2012.
Semoy Hackett, representing Trinidad and Tobago, had made the finals in the 200 meters in London 2012 finishing 8th.
But this wasn’t her first offence.
On August 13, 2011, Hackett tested positive for the same stimulant, Methylhexaneamine, at her National Track and Field Championships in Port of Spain, Trinidad. Thus she served a six-month ban for that offense.
I wrote about DMAA, Methylhexaneamine and Death last February. 2011 will be remembered as the Year of the Methylhexaneamine Positive Tests coming directly from products containing Methylhexaneamine or resulting from supplement contamination. I heeded a warning last year in my 4 part series on Sports Drinks.
But the problem goes back further than that… 2010 Commonwealth Games women’s 100m winner Damola Osayemi of Nigeria… India’s Women’s 4×400 meter team… Rugby’s Chiliboy Ralepelle and Bjorn Basson… Footballer Simon Mensing… the New Zealand swim team… I could go on forever.
What is Methylhexaneamine?
Methylhexaneamine (also known as DMAA or 1,3-Dimethylamylamine) is a powerful CNS stimulant similar to a mild amphetamine and is banned by the IAAF.
This in not to be confused with Methylxathines which is a technically a bronchodilator and considered to be a “mild” stimulant, and NOT banned by the IAAF.
Caffeine is part of a group of compounds called methylxanthines, and so is Theobromine (chocolate) and Theophylline (Tea and chocolate)
Some clearly mark 1.3 dimethylamylamine on the label, others are hidden in their proprietary blends so you have no idea of the ratios…. but it’s still there!
Also, if “Geranium” is listed as an ingredient on the label of a supplement, be advised that the product may contain synthetic methylhexaneamine. Dimethylpentylamine was discovered originally in geranium flowers, so that is the connection.
Everyone is in a race to build the next mind blowing energy drink, and one has to look into a bodybuilding magazine to prove my point.
Nutritional label for the old Jack3d
Above is the label for old Jack3d. But note how it is labeled 1,3-Dimethylamylamine and not Methylhexaneamine? In all fairness, their new Jack 3D Micro does hot have this ingredient.
SNAC’s PED (Performance Energy Drink)
If you want to take something legal, here is a short list of legal supplements you can take on race day to improve your performance (links to previous articles are underlined):
- Stimulants: coffee & caffeine
- Nootropics: Redbull, 5 Hour shots and Vitalyze
- Lactic Acid buffers: Beta Alanine and baking soda
- Nitric Oxide: L-Arginine, Viagra and vasodilators
Last February, I wrote about The Science Behind SNAC’s PED (Performance Energy Drink), and Why it Works
The first thing you’ll notice on the label is there is no mystery “proprietary blend” formulation behind the secret sauce. Every ingredient is labeled. Thus it is 100% safe and legal in the IAAF.
The Bottom Line
Any product that contains any of the following ingredients on the label may be reported as an Adverse Analytical Finding for Methylhexaneamine:
- Methylhexaneamine
- Methylhexanamine
- DMAA (dimethylamylamine)
- Geranamine
- Forthane
- Forthan
- Floradrene
- 2-hexanamine, 4-methyl-
- 2-hexanamine, 4-methyl- (9CI)
- 4-methyl-2-hexanamine
- 1,3-dimethylamylamine
- 4-Methylhexan-2-amine
- 1,3-dimethylpentylamine
- 2-amino-4-methylhexane
- Pentylamine
Jimson Lee
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useful… Thanks!
This article has been very useful to me I was looking for a sport drink that is legally accepted by IAAF and can improve my performance.
I have tried a wide variety of supplements. Including the old Jack3d (before it was banned), the new Jack3d micro and most pre-workouts. I would recommend C4. As far as I know, everything in C4 is legal and it works great. I would also recommend a cheap/simple caffeine pill.
@Jack, in high school, we all used No-Doz 100mg caffeine pills to stay awake. The problem was getting permission to use the restroom half way during class!