para-Chloroamphetamine (PCA), also known as 4-chloroamphetamine (4-CA), is a substituted amphetamine and monoamine releaser similar to MDMA, but with substantially higher neurotoxicity, thought to be due to the unrestrained release of both serotonin and dopamine by a metabolite.
It is used as a neurotoxin by neurobiologists to selectively kill serotonergic neurons for research purposes, in the same way that 6-hydroxydopamine is used to kill dopaminergic neurons.
para-Chloroamphetamine has been detected as an apparent designer drug, along with the related 3-chloroamphetamine, which is even more potent as a releaser of dopamine and serotonin but slightly less neurotoxic.
The closely related N-methylated derivative, para-chloromethamphetamine (CMA), which is metabolized to para-chloroamphetamine in vivo, has neurotoxic properties as well.
NDEWS – Online Mentions (5/5/2023)
Report from the Web Monitoring Team: Early signal in online mentions of 4-CA, 4-CMA
What was found? Over the past 9 months, online discussions involving the drug 4-CA and its prodrug 4-CMA have consistently increased.
What are 4-CA and 4-CMA? 4-CA and 4-CMA are drugs that have similar effects to MDMA.
How are 4-CA and 4-CMA being discussed? Sentiment for the drugs is overwhelmingly negative. Most discussions concern the drugs’ inclusion as an adulterant in MDMA.
Drug Terms: 4-CA, PCA, para-chloroamphetamine, 4-chloroamphetamine, 4-CMA, para-chloromethamphetamine, 4-chloromethamphetamine