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Pipradrol

Pipradrol molecule structurePipradrol molecule structure
Diphenyl(piperidin-2-yl)methanol
Meratran, Alertonic
Psychoactive Class
Chemical Class

Pipradrol is a central nervous system stimulant of the diphenylmethane class. Originally developed in the 1940s, it saw clinical use in the treatment of depression, fatigue, dementia, and ADHD, among other conditions. Despite demonstrating therapeutic efficacy across a range of psychiatric applications, its significant abuse potential and associated adverse effects led to its withdrawal from medical use and subsequent international scheduling beginning in the 1970s.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Strong60 mg
Heavy60+ mg

Empirical data for insufflated pipradrol remain limited. A single documented case reports 60 mg as the highest insufflated dose experienced. Threshold, light, and moderate dose ranges have not been established for this route of administration.

Duration

Onset20 minutes
Come Up40 minutes
Peak1+ hour
Offset2 hours
Total3 hours

Subjective Effects

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

Pipradrol produces a mild, primarily cerebral stimulation rather than an intense recreational high. The experience is often described as a subtle sense of head stimulation with a faint pleasant glow and warmness, lacking any real excitement or euphoric rush even at doses well above the therapeutic range. Its stimulating action is reported to be concentrated at higher brain centers, and unlike many classical stimulants it is not followed by a post-stimulation crash. Effects are long-lasting, with wakefulness persisting for up to 12 hours when taken at higher doses or late in the day.

Physical

The body load is minimal, limited to light stimulation without significant cardiovascular or respiratory effects. Unlike amphetamine, pipradrol does not suppress appetite. Overdoses can produce nausea, abdominal pain, and, in severe cases, convulsions.

Stimulation

Stimulation is light and predominantly cerebral, with no reported effects on blood pressure or respiration and no post-stimulation crash.

Uncomfortable

Adverse physical effects are largely confined to overdose.

Cognitive

The headspace is one of mild, clear cerebral stimulation and wakefulness with a subtly pleasant, warm emotional tone. At excessive doses it can produce anxiety and insomnia, and it may worsen pre-existing anxiety or psychotic conditions.

Emotional

Enhancements

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Pipradrol acts primarily as a norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitor, blocking the reuptake of these neurotransmitters at their respective transporters. Its rewarding effects appear to be mediated in part through activation of dopamine D1 receptors. Pipradrol exhibits a preferential action on higher brain centers with relatively minimal effects on blood pressure or respiration.

Pharmacokinetics

Pipradrol is rapidly absorbed following administration, with distribution to the liver, kidneys, and brain tissue. The drug is quickly metabolized and is no longer detectable in plasma approximately 4 hours after administration. Elimination occurs through both urinary (approximately 3.5%) and fecal (approximately 5%) excretion.

Metabolitesnone documented yet

Interactions

Interactions not written up yet

An unlisted combination is an unknown one, not a safe one. Check a dedicated combination chart before mixing.

Check TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance not written up yet

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Moderate

Recognized abuse potential led to international regulation in the late 1970s, though it is generally considered to have lower abuse potential and milder stimulant effects compared to other stimulants in its class.

Psychosis Risk

Psychosis and hallucinations are reported very rarely. The drug is contraindicated in individuals with pre-existing psychotic states or schizophrenia as it may worsen these symptoms.

Seizure Risk

Convulsions are described as very rare and primarily associated with severe overdose cases.

History & Culture

Pipradrol was developed in the United States during the 1940s and received its patent in 1953. By the mid-1950s, it had entered the pharmaceutical market under the brand name Meratran, primarily positioned as an antidepressant. Its clinical utility expanded to include adjunct treatment for a range

Legality

By Country

Illegal2
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal

References

Source Pages

  1. Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
  2. Drug Users Bible: Index
  3. Drug Users Bible: Pipradrol
  4. DrugBank
  5. IsomerDesign: ACMD Desoxypipradrol Report
  6. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2: Controlled Drugs (latest available revised version). legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/21
  2. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 (original enacted version). legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/2/enacted1
  3. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Commencement No. 2) Order 1973 (S.I. 1973/795), official instrument image. legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1973/795/images/uksi_19730795_en.jpg1
  4. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2012 (S.I. 2012/1390). legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1390/made1
  5. Explanatory Memorandum to the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2012. legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/1390/pdfs/uksiem_20121390_en.pdf1
  6. Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, Schedule 3 (latest available revised version). legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/3998/schedule/31
  7. Misuse of Drugs Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2002, Schedule 3. legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/nisr/2002/1/schedule/31
  8. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, section 5: Restriction of possession of controlled drugs. legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/section/51
  9. Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 4: Prosecution and Punishment of Offences. legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/41
  10. 21 C.F.R. § 1308.14, Schedule IV (April 1, 2025 edition). govinfo.gov (n.d.). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2025-title21-vol9/pdf/CFR-2025-title21-vol9-sec1308-14.pdf1

Further Reading

  1. Coppola & Mondola (2012): Pipradrol derivatives as legal highs
  2. Simmler et al. (2014): Pharmacological profiles of pipradrol derivatives

Article Status

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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

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

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

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

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