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5-APB

5-APB molecule structure5-APB molecule structure
5-(2-Aminopropyl)benzofuran
Benzofury

5-APB is a synthetic entactogen of the benzofuran and substituted amphetamine classes that produces MDA-like empathogenic and stimulating effects.citation needed First synthesized by David Nichols in 1993 as a potential non-neurotoxic alternative to MDMA, it emerged as a designer drug around 2010, marketed alongside related benzofurans under the name "Benzofury." Compared to relatives like 6-APB and 5-MAPB, 5-APB is noted for being particularly stimulating and euphoric. It is commonly found as succinate or hydrochloride salts, which differ in potency by mass.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~20 mg
Light20-60 mg
Moderate60-80 mg
Strong80-100 mg
Heavy100+ mg

This substance is commonly available in two salt forms: succinate and hydrochloride. The hydrochloride salt is roughly 10% more potent by weight, so doses should be adjusted downward accordingly when using this form.

Duration

Onset20-60 minutes
Come Up45-90 minutes
Peak2-4 hours
Offset1.5-3 hours
After Effects6-48 hours
Total5-8 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

The experience is broadly entactogenic, most often compared to MDA and MDMA, though generally not as strong as the latter. Euphoria and enhanced empathy form the core of the effect profile, accompanied by mild psychedelic qualities and visual disturbances. Reports vary considerably between individuals, ranging from pleasant euphoria to sedation, paranoia, and even total incapacitation.

Physical

The physical character of the experience is inconsistent, presenting as stimulating in some users and sedating in others; at its most severe it has been described as totally incapacitating.

Stimulation

Effects on energy levels are variable, with some users reporting stimulation and others sedation.

Cognitive

The headspace is typically euphoric and empathogenic in an MDMA-like fashion, though some users instead experience paranoia.

Emotional

See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
white → black3
Mecke(ME)
white → black3
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → purple2 → black3
Liebermann(LB)
white → black3
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Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

5-APB acts primarily as a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor with roughly balanced potency across all three monoamine transporters.1 It is also a potent agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor and a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor,2 with additional agonist activity at 5-HT2C receptors and affinity for 5-HT1A receptors.citation needed 5-APB also shows high affinity for the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) in rodent models.2

Pharmacokinetics

There have been no studies on the pharmacokinetic profile of 5-APB and the metabolism of 5-APB is unknown.

Metabolitesnone documented yet

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.

5-HTPAlcoholDXMDissociativesMAOIsMDMAMXENBOMe compoundsSNRIsSSRIsSerotonin releasersStimulantsTramadol
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Many 5-APB effects become less responsive with prolonged, repeated use, often requiring larger doses to obtain similar effects.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance

Dopaminergic stimulants

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Moderate

Moderate abuse potential with high potential for compulsive use and capacity for psychological dependence. When addiction develops, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur upon cessation. Compulsive redosing has been reported as a notable effect.

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

Long-term use may carry risk of cardiotoxicity based on the substance's potent 5-HT2B receptor agonism; this risk is inferred from similar compounds like fenfluramine and MDMA rather than direct studies on 5-APB itself.

Psychosis Risk

Abuse of amphetamine-class compounds at high doses for prolonged periods can result in stimulant psychosis presenting with paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions. Approximately 5-15% of users who develop stimulant psychosis may fail to recover completely.citation needed Acute symptoms typically respond to antipsychotic treatment.

History & Culture

Scientific Development

The development of 5-APB emerged from research into benzofuran-based entactogens during the 1990s. Medicinal chemist David E. Nichols and colleagues at Purdue University conducted foundational work on benzofuran analogues, examining the role of the MDA dioxole ring structure in interacting with…

Legality

By Country

Illegal4
Brazil flagBrazilIllegal
France flagFranceNarcotic
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Netherlands flagNetherlandsIllegal
Controlled / restricted4
United States flagUnited StatesRestricted
Germany flagGermanyAnlage II BtMG
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandRestricted
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomClass B

References

Source Pages

  1. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  2. IsomerDesign PIHKAL: 5-APB
  3. PsychonautWiki
  4. TripSit Factsheets
  5. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Simon D. Brandt, Hailey M. Walters, John S. Partilla, Bruce E. Blough, Pierce V. Kavanagh, & Michael H. Baumann. (December 2020). The psychoactive aminoalkylbenzofuran derivatives, 5-APB and 6-APB, mimic the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) on monoamine transmission in male rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl), 237(12), 3703–3714. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-020-05648-z1234
  2. Anna Rickli, Simone Kopf, Marius C Hoener, & Matthias E Liechti. (July 2015). Pharmacological profile of novel psychoactive benzofurans. British Journal of Pharmacology, 172(13), 3412–3425. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.131281234567
  3. Anvisa: Lista de substâncias sujeitas a controle especial no Brasil. gov.br (n.d.). https://www.gov.br/anvisa/pt-br/assuntos/medicamentos/controlados/lista-substancias1
  4. Ministère des solidarités et de la santé. (2018-05-03). Arrêté du 3 mai 2018 modifiant l'arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants. Journal officiel de la République française. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT0000368854451
  5. Anlage II BtMG. (2019). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/anlage_ii.html1
  6. MHLW Designated Drug List (18 August 2026). mhlw.go.jp (n.d.). https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/11120000/001739360.pdf1
  7. Verboden NPS per 1 juli 2025. open.overheid.nl (n.d.). https://open.overheid.nl/documenten/bcc20c7a-cdab-4547-90d3-4329d620de2f/file1
  8. Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung (BetmVV-EDI; SR 812.121.11), consolidated text standing 13 March 2026. fedlex.admin.ch (n.d.). https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/20260313/de/pdf-a/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-cc-2011-363-20260313-de-pdf-a-3.pdf1
  9. BetmVV-EDI (SR 812.121.11), official Fedlex authoritative consolidated XML applicable 13 March 2026. fedlex.data.admin.ch (n.d.). https://fedlex.data.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/20260313/de/xml/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-cc-2011-363-20260313-de-xml.xml1
  10. Betäubungsmittelkontrollverordnung (BetmKV; SR 812.121.1), consolidated text standing 23 January 2023. fedlex.admin.ch (n.d.). https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/362/20230123/de/pdf-a/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-cc-2011-362-20230123-de-pdf-a.pdf1

Further Reading

  1. Baumann et al. 2018 - Pharmacology of 5-APB and 6-APB (PMC)
  2. Briner et al. 2006 - Aminoalkylbenzofurans as 5-HT2C Agonists Patent
  3. DrugWise: Benzo Fury
  4. DrugWise: Benzofury Factsheet

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