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5-APB
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)
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
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
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
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
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
Controlled / restricted4
United StatesRestrictedUS Controlled Substances Act analogue framework12
The federal analogue-law framework does not definitively determine whether 5-APB is an analogue of MDA.
GermanyAnlage II BtMGControlled under Anlage II of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act, Schedule II) since July 17, 2013.6 Manufacturing, possession, import, export, purchase, sale, procurement, or dispensing without a license is illegal.
References
Source Pages
Citations
Further Reading
Article Status
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