Dimethylamphetamine has weaker stimulant effects than amphetamine or methamphetamine and is considerably less addictive[1] and less neurotoxic compared to methamphetamine.[2][3] However it still retains some mild stimulant effects and abuse potential,[4] and is a Schedule I controlled drug.
Dimethylamphetamine has occasionally been found in illicit methamphetamine laboratories, but is usually an impurity rather than the desired product. It may be produced by accident when methamphetamine is synthesised by methylation of amphetamine if the reaction temperature is too high or an excess of methylating agent is used.[1][2]
^ Witkin JM, Ricaurte GA, Katz JL. Behavioral effects of N-methylamphetamine and N,N-dimethylamphetamine in rats and squirrel monkeys. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 1990 May;253(2):466-74.
^ Ricaurte GA, DeLanney LE, Irwin I, Witkin JM, Katz JL, Langston JW. Evaluation of the neurotoxic potential of N,N-dimethylamphetamine: an illicit analog of methamphetamine. Brain Research. 1989 Jun 26;490(2):301-6.
^ Katz JL, Ricaurte GA, Witkin JM. Reinforcing effects of enantiomers of N,N-dimethylamphetamine in squirrel monkeys. Psychopharmacology (Berlin). 1992;107(2-3):315-8.