HISTORY OF 4-MTA

This amphetamine drugs are a largely used designer drug. The most commonly used designer drug is Ecstasy. The clinical name of this drug is 4-MT or methylothioamphetamine. It is best known on the streets as flatliners.

4-MTA a phenyl ethylamine derivative made news in UK where as per MEDLINE the first case of MTA related overdose death was reported. Soon it earned fame as a street drug. It has the power of stimulating your body and can work as a mild anti-depressant. But this drug is very toxic and can lead to serious consequences.

Case files searched by the department of forensic medicine, Ghent University, showed that between 1976 and 2004, 34 cases were reported caused by overdose of amphetamines. Criminal offences associated with amphetamines consumption were also present in large number.

The history of 4-MTA shows, that it was developed, mainly for pharmaceutical purposes. But due to its high toxic nature its usage was discontinued in pharmaceutical drugs. But that is when it became so popular with the clandestine chemists. It became a highly demanded due to the stimulant effect it could create in the body. Soon it became a rage with the club going party animals, who found an easy source of “engineered paradise” in it.