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Metizolam

Metizolam molecule structureMetizolam molecule structure
4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-ethyl-6H-thieno[3,2-f][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a][1,4]diazepine
Desmethyletizolam

Metizolam is a synthetic depressant of the thienotriazolodiazepine class and the demethylated analogue of etizolam.citation needed A Japanese company patented it in 1995 as a possible anxiolytic, but it saw little to no human use before appearing as a grey-area research chemical in September 2015. Compared to etizolam, it is reportedly half as potent with a 60% longer half-life, producing similar anxiolytic, sedative, and muscle relaxant effects.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold1 mg
Light1-2 mg
Moderate2-4 mg
Strong4-6 mg
Heavy6+ mg

Duration

Onset30-90 minutes
After Effects10-30 hours
Total5-8 hours
Half-life
~3.4 hours

Subjective Effects

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

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

SedationMotor control lossRespiratory depressionMuscle relaxationDizziness

Cognitive

Anxiety suppressionThought decelerationAnalysis suppressionDisinhibitionInformation processing suppressionEuphoriaCompulsive redosingAmnesia
Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation work byJosie Kins August 2016.

Reagent Testing

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

Marquis(MQ)
white → yellow1
Mecke(ME)
white → brown1
Liebermann(LB)
white → yellow1
Froe(FR)
white → yellow1
Powered by PROtestkit.eu

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Metizolam acts as a full agonist at the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABA-A receptor, enhancing the efficiency and effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).citation needed It is the demethylated analogue of etizolam, reported to be approximately half as potent.

Pharmacokinetics

Metizolam is absorbed fairly rapidly, with peak plasma levels reached between 30 minutes and 2 hours, and has a mean elimination half-life of approximately 3.4 hours. As a thienotriazolodiazepine, it is easily oxidized and rapidly metabolized,citation needed which contributes to a lower risk of accumulation even after prolonged use.

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.

AlcoholGHB/GBLOpioidsTramadol

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

DiphenhydraminePCP

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

DXMKetamineMXE
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Tolerance

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

Full Tolerance
Repeated dosing for only a few days can reduce sensitivity to metizolam's sedative-hypnotic effects.
Baseline Reset
1-2 weeks
Half Tolerance
3-7 days
Cross Tolerance

Thienodiazepines, Benzodiazepines

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

High

Thienodiazepines are described as extremely addictive with significant abuse potential.citation needed Compulsive redosing is a commonly reported effect, and tolerance to sedative-hypnotic effects develops within a couple days of repeated administration.

Physical

Extremely High

Physical dependence develops with regular use. Abrupt discontinuation can be potentially dangerous or life-threatening, sometimes resulting in seizures or death.1 Withdrawal symptoms include rebound anxiety and insomnia.citation needed Gradual tapering over weeks is strongly recommended for regular users.

Psychosis Risk

Paradoxical reactions including violent behavior, loss of impulse control, and irritability occur rarely, with an incidence rate below 1% in the general population.citation needed These occur with greater frequency in recreational abusers, individuals with mental disorders, children, and patients on high-dose regimes. Delusions may occur during overdose.

Seizure Risk

Seizure risk is primarily associated with abrupt discontinuation following regular use, which can be life-threatening.citation needed Paradoxical seizures during use are rare, occurring with greater frequency in epileptics. Drugs that lower the seizure threshold should be avoided during withdrawal.

History & Culture

Metizolam was first patented in 1995 by a Japanese pharmaceutical company as a potential medication for treating anxiety disorders. Despite this early patent, the compound was never developed for clinical use and has no documented history of medical application.…

Legality

By Country

Illegal2
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal
Controlled / restricted3
Canada flagCanadaSchedule IV
Germany flagGermanyNpSG (Controlled)
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandControlled (Verzeichnis E)
Not scheduled1
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomPsychoactive Substances Act

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: Novel Thienodiazepine, Metizolam
  2. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  3. PsychonautWiki
  4. TripSit Factsheets
  5. TripSit: Risks of Combining Depressants
  6. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Challenges of the pharmacological management of benzodiazepine withdrawal, dependence, and discontinuation. (n.d.). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5896864/1
  2. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule IV — Benzodiazepines. Government of Canada, Department of Justice (n.d.). https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/page-12.html12
  3. Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG) Anlage 1 — Stoffgruppe 3: Benzodiazepine (as amended by NpSGuBtmGAnlÄndV, in force 18 July 2019). Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/BJNR261510016.html1
  4. § 4 NpSG. (2019). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html1
  5. Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG) § 3 Verbotene Handlungen. Bundesministerium der Justiz / gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__3.html1
  6. 14 nya ämnen narkotikaklassas (14 new substances classified as narcotics) — LäkemedelsVärlden. LäkemedelsVärlden (n.d.). https://www.lakemedelsvarlden.se/14-nya-amnen-narkotikaklassas/1
  7. Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (BetmVV-EDI, SR 812.121.11), Anhang 6 — Verzeichnis e, Nr. 246 Metizolam. Swissmedic / Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern (EDI) (n.d.). https://www.swissmedic.ch/dam/swissmedic/de/dokumente/bewilligungen/btm/verzeichnis_der_rohmaterialienunderzeugnissemitvermuteterbetaeub.pdf.download.pdf/verzeichnis_der_rohmaterialienunderzeugnissemitvermuteterbetaeub.pdf12
  8. Bakanlar Kurulu Kararı Sayısı: 2016/9019 — Bazı Maddelerin 2313 Sayılı Uyuşturucu Maddelerin Murakabesi Hakkında Kanun Hükümlerine Tabi Tutulmasına İlişkin Karar (Resmi Gazete 29790, 3 August 2016). Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Cumhurbaşkanlığı / Resmi Gazete (n.d.). https://www.resmigazete.gov.tr/eskiler/2016/08/20160803-15.pdf12
  9. Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (c. 2) and The Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (Commencement) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/553). UK Parliament / legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/553/made123

Further Reading

  1. EMCDDA/EUDA: New benzodiazepines in Europe - a review
  2. PMC: New/Designer Benzodiazepines - An Analysis of the Literature and Psychonauts' Trip Reports
  3. Tripsitter: Metizolam Fact Sheet & Harm Reduction Tips

Article Status

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    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

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    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes7 human edits · latest

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24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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