5-MAPB
5-MAPB is a synthetic entactogen of the substituted benzofuran and amphetamine classes.1 It is the N-methylated form of 5-APB, structurally analogous to how MDMA relates to MDA.2 First encountered as a designer drug around 2010, it produces euphoric, entactogenic, stimulating, and mildly hallucinogenic effects. It has been described as one of the closest known analogues to MDMA in terms of subjective quality and has been patented for potential therapeutic use.3
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Dosage figures are tentative. 5-MAPB is commonly found as the succinate and hydrochloride salts; the hydrochloride salt is approximately 36% more potent by mass, so doses should be adjusted accordingly.
Duration
Subjective Effects
5-MAPB produces a classically entactogenic experience frequently compared to MDMA, and has been described as the closest known analogue to MDMA in both its effects and its characteristic 'magic.' The experience centers on pronounced euphoria, emotional openness, and a strong desire to communicate and connect, accompanied by heightened appreciation of music and touch. Notably, it is less physically stimulating than MDMA and most other euphoric stimulants at equivalent levels of empathogenesis, with some users pairing it with mild stimulants to compensate for its comparatively subdued energy. Common doses are reported as roughly comparable to a standard ecstasy pill at 30 mg and a strong one at 50 mg.
Physical
The body load is comparatively gentle, with pleasant waves of tactile sensation and only mild stimulation. Less pleasant physical effects include sweating, jaw tension and bruxism, cold extremities, tremors, nausea when taken orally, and insomnia when redosing.
Cardiovascular
Stimulation
5-MAPB is only mildly stimulating, providing wakefulness and alertness without the pronounced physical energy of MDMA or amphetamine-type stimulants.
Uncomfortable
Cognitive
The headspace is warm, open, and sociable, marked by empathy, a party-ready positive attitude, and increased associative and creative thinking. Negative cognitive effects can include anxiety, confusion, moodiness, and a notable urge to redose more times than intended.
Visual
Visual effects are subtle and enhancement-oriented; users describe colors as slightly brighter or sharper alongside minor visual shifts, with true hallucinations being uncommon.
Enhancements
Auditory
Auditory enhancement is prominent, with a markedly increased appreciation of music that users describe as enrapturing.
Tactile
Touch is strongly enhanced, with pleasant waves of sensation flowing through the body and heightened sensual and erotic appreciation.
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
5-MAPB acts primarily as a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agent, with EC50 values of 24 nM for norepinephrine, 41 nM for dopamine, and 64 nM for serotonin in rat brain synaptosomes.4 It has also been characterized as a triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor.1 Beyond its transporter-mediated activity, 5-MAPB is a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors, and a potent agonist at the 5-HT1B receptor.
Pharmacokinetics
Limited formal pharmacokinetic data is available for 5-MAPB. In rats, the major metabolites have been identified as 5-APB and 3-carboxymethyl-4-hydroxymethamphetamine.5 Unlike MDMA, 5-MAPB does not form the α-methyldopamine metabolite.
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
ModerateChronic use may be moderately habit-forming, with high abuse potential and a risk of psychological dependence. Cravings and repeated redosing can occur, although 5-MAPB's less stimulating profile compared with MDMA appears to make compulsive redosing somewhat less pronounced than with related drugs.
Physical
LowWithdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops usage after addiction has developed, though specific physical dependence symptoms are not well characterized due to limited research history.
Toxicity
Long-term use may be cardiotoxic due to 5-HT2B receptor agonism, which has been associated with valvular heart disease;6 this risk is theoretical based on the mechanism shared with other 5-HT2B agonists rather than documented cases specific to 5-MAPB.
Rodent studies indicate dose-dependent serotonergic neurotoxicity similar to MDMA, and the compound may also be a dopaminergic neurotoxin; relevance to occasional human use at typical doses remains unclear.
Psychosis Risk
As with other amphetamine-class compounds, abuse at high dosages for prolonged periods can potentially result in stimulant psychosis presenting with paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions. Approximately 5-15% of those experiencing amphetamine-induced psychosis may not fully recover, though psychosis very rarely arises from typical use patterns.
History & Culture
5-MAPB emerged on the designer drug market around 2010 as part of the wave of novel benzofuran entactogens developed as alternatives to controlled substances like MDMA.7 The compound was first formally identified and documented by researchers in 2013, with the…
Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (May 2021). Beyond ecstasy: Alternative entactogens to 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine with potential applications in psychotherapy. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 35(5), 512–536. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881120920420123
- Hofer KE, Faber K, Müller DM, Hauffe T, Wenger U, Kupferschmidt H, & Rauber-Lüthy C. (2017). Acute Toxicity Associated With the Recreational Use of the Novel Psychoactive Benzofuran N-methyl-5-(2 aminopropyl)benzofuran. 69(1). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2016.03.0421
- (n.d.). Advantageous benzofuran compositions for mental disorders or enhancement. https://patents.google.com/patent/US20230150963A1/en12
- (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-z1
- (February 2015). Benzofuran analogues of amphetamine and methamphetamine: studies on the metabolism and toxicological analysis of 5-APB and 5-MAPB in urine and plasma using GC-MS and LC-(HR)-MS(n) techniques. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 407(5), 1371–1388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-014-8360-01
- Rothman RB, & Baumann MH. (May 2009). Serotonergic Drugs and Valvular Heart Disease. Expert Opin Drug Saf, 8(3), 317–329. https://doi.org/10.1517/1474033090293152412
- (April 2017). Combined in vitro and in silico approaches to the assessment of stimulant properties of novel psychoactive substances - The case of the benzofuran 5-MAPB. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 75, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2016.11.0041
- Baggott M. (2021). Advantageous benzofuran compositions for mental disorders or enhancement (WO2021252538A2). https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2021252538A2/en1
- (n.d.). Controlled Drugs and Substances Act — Schedule I. Government of Canada. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/page-9.html1
- (2018-05-08). Arrêté du 3 mai 2018 modifiant l'arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants. Légifrance / République française. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/id/JORFTEXT0000368854451
- (2016-11-26). Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG). Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/BJNR261510016.html1
- (2013-06-04). 'NBOMe' and 'Benzofury' banned. UK Home Office. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nbome-and-benzofury-to-be-banned1
- (4 June 2013). Temporary class drug order report on 5-6APB and NBOMe compounds. UK Home Office. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/temporary-class-drug-order-report-on-benzofury-and-nbome-compounds1
- UK Home Office. (2014-03-05). The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Ketamine etc.) (Amendment) Order 2014. UK Government. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukdsi/2014/97801111109041
- (n.d.). 21 U.S.C. § 813 — Treatment of controlled substance analogues. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/8131
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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