5-APB
5-APB is a synthetic entactogen of the benzofuran and substituted amphetamine classes that produces MDA-like empathogenic and stimulating effects.12 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."31 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.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
5-APB is encountered as succinate and hydrochloride salt forms. The hydrochloride variant demonstrates approximately 10% greater potency by mass and requires proportional dose reduction.
Duration
Subjective Effects
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
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
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.4 It is also a potent agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2B receptor and a partial agonist at the 5-HT2A receptor,15 with additional agonist activity at 5-HT2C receptors and affinity for 5-HT1A receptors.1 5-APB also shows high affinity for the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) in rodent models.1
Pharmacokinetics
Very little data exists regarding the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of 5-APB in humans.
Dangerous
Highest riskThese 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.
Tolerance
Dopaminergic stimulants
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateModerate 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
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.7 Acute symptoms typically respond to antipsychotic treatment.7
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
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (July 2015). Pharmacological profile of novel psychoactive benzofurans. British Journal of Pharmacology, 172(13), 3412–3425. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.131281234567891011
- Brandt SD, Walters HM, Partilla JS, Blough BE, Kavanagh PV, & Baumann MH. (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. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-020-05675-21
- (January 2014). The effects of benzofury (5-APB) on the dopamine transporter and 5-HT2-dependent vasoconstriction in the rat. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 48, 57–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2013.08.0131
- (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-z123456
- (January 2013). Neurochemical profiles of some novel psychoactive substances. European Journal of Pharmacology, 700(1–3), 147–151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.12.0061
- Rothman RB, & Baumann MH. (2009). Serotonergic Drugs and Valvular Heart Disease. 8(3), 317–329. https://doi.org/10.1517/147403309029315241
- McKetin R, Leung J, Stockings E, Huo Y, Foulds J, Lappin JM, Cumming C, Arunogiri S, Young JT, Sara G, Farrell M, & Degenhardt L. (2019). Treatment for amphetamine psychosis. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd01320012
- (April 2020). Designer drugs: mechanism of action and adverse effects. Arch Toxicol, 94(4), 1085–1133. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-020-02693-71
- (n.d.). Aminoalkylbenzofurans as serotonin (5-HT(2c)) agonists. https://patents.google.com/patent/US7045545B1/12
- Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs. (2013-11-28). Benzofurans: A review of the evidence of use and harm. UK Home Office / ACMD. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/261783/Benzofuran_compounds_report.pdf123
- 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
- (2019). Anlage II BtMG. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/anlage_ii.html1
- UK Parliament. (2013-06-03). The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Temporary Class Drug) Order 2013, SI 2013 No. 1294. legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/1294/made1
- (1971). The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Ketamine etc.) (Amendment) Order 2014. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1106/made1
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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