Psychedelic Research Chemicals or RC Chems are new synthetic substances which are structurally similar to the original drug, while being functional analogs. Data on their effects limited due as they’re fairly new and do not have a lot of human consumption history.

Psychedelics are substances (natural or laboratory made) which cause profound changes in a one’s perceptions of reality. While under the influence of hallucinogens, users might hallcuniate visually and auditorily.

Disclaimer: Psychedelic drugs offer some of the most powerful and intense psychological experiences. Additionally these substances are illegal in many places. We understand that even though these substances are illegal, their use occurs frequently. We do not condone breaking of the law. By providing accurate information about these substances, we encourage the user to make responsible decisions and practice harm reduction.

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Description

6-APB Also known as:

  • 1-(1-Benzofuran-6-yl)-2-propanamin[German][ACD/IUPAC Name]
  • 1-(1-Benzofuran-6-yl)-2-propanamine[ACD/IUPAC Name]
  • 1-(1-Benzofuran-6-yl)-2-propanamine[French][ACD/IUPAC Name]
  • 285VE60914
  • 6-(2-aminopropyl)benzofuran
  • 6-Benzofuranethanamine, α-methyl-[ACD/Index Name]
  • UNII:285VE60914
  • [286834-85-3]
  • 1-(1-benzofuran-6-yl)propan-2-amine
  • 1-(Benzofuran-6-yl)propan-2-amin
  • 1-(benzofuran-6-yl)propan-2-amine
  • 1-benzofuran-6-ylpropan-2-amine
  • '286834-85-3
  • a-?ethyl-6-benzofuran Ethanamine ?ydrochloride
  • MFCD17019361

A stimulant, empathogen and analog of MDA. Typically more visual than MDMA or MDA, as well as having a much longer onset and duration. Users often report a slightly more psychedelic headspace as well. Commonly sold as an alternative to MDMA and MDA.

Summary

It is structurally related to entactogens like MDA, MDMA, 5-APB, and 5-MAPB. 6-APB was first synthesized in 1993 by David E. Nichols as a potential non-neurotoxic alternative to MDMA.

However, it did not come into popular recreational use until over a decade later, where it briefly entered the rave scene and global research chemicals market. It was sold along with other novel benzofuran entactogens under the name “Benzofury” before its sale and import were subsequently banned. Subjective effects include anxiety suppression, disinhibition, muscle relaxation, and euphoria.

6-APB’s effects are commonly compared to those of MDA and other entactogens. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 6-APB, and it has only a brief history of human usage. It has been marketed alongside research chemical entactogens like 5-MAPB and 5-APB as a legal, grey-market alternative to MDMA, and is typically commercially distributed by online research chemical vendors.

It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

History

The synthesis of 6-APB was first reported by a team led by the medicinal chemist and psychedelic researcher David E. Nichols at Purdue University. They were examining the role of the MDA dioxle ring structure in interacting with serotonergic neurons.

It was also partly an effort to find an alternative to MDMA, which was gaining recognition as a potentially useful adjunct in psychotherapy, but was also being linked to neurotoxic effects. Human usage was not documented until 2010, when it emerged for sale on the research chemical market. It was particularly prominent in the UK “legal highs” market, where it was sold under the name “Benzofury”. On June 10, 2013 6-APB and a number of analogues were classified as Temporary Class Drugs in the UK following an ACMD recommendation. On November 28, 2013 the ACMD recommended that 6-APB and related benzofurans should become Class B, Schedule 1 substances.

On March 5, 2014 the UK Home Office announced that 6-APB would be made a class B drug on 10 June 2014 alongside every other benzofuran entactogen and many structurally related drugs.

Chemistry

The benzofuran class of substances are members of the amphetamine and phenylethylamine classes.

Molecules of this class contain a phenethylamine core bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at Rα.

6-APB does not contain a methyl substitution on RN.

It is composed of an an oxygen-substituted benzofuran ring fused at R3 and R4 of the phenyl ring. Notably, 6-APB shares this benzofuran ring with related compounds such as 5-APB, 5-MAPB, and 6-MAPB. Three distinct batches have been in circulation since its initial release to markets.

Originally, only hydrochloride was available, and its dosage range shared characteristics most similar to that of MDA in terms of dose-response.

However, succinate and fumarate batches both entered the market, and have very different effects by weight, and vastly different loose bulk densities.

Common Name6-APB
Systematic name6-APB
FormulaC_{11}H_{13}NO
SMILESo2c1cc(ccc1cc2)CC(N)C
Std. InChiInChI=1S/C11H13NO/c1-8(12)6-9-2-3-10-4-5-13-11(10)7-9/h2-5,7-8H,6,12H2,1H3
Std. InChiKeyFQDAMYLMQQKPRX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Avg. Mass175.227 Da
Molecular Weight175.227
Monoisotopic Mass175.099716 Da
Nominal Mass175
ChemSpider ID7970110

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Dose Chart

Light:
Light50-75mg
Common75-125mg
Heavy125mg+

Duration Chart

6-APB Duration Data
Onset45-90 minutes
Duration8-14 hours
After-effects6-apb

Interactions

Caution

  1. Mushrooms
    • Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences
  2. LSD
    • Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences
  3. DMT
    • Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences
  4. Mescaline
    • The focus and anxiety caused by stimulants is magnified by psychedelics and results in an increased risk of thought loops
  5. 2C-x
    • The anxiogenic and focusing effects of stimulants increase the chance of unpleasant thought loops. The combination is generally uneccessary because of the stimulating effects of psychedelics. Combination of the stimulating effects may be uncomfortable.
  6. Cannabis
    • Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences
  7. Ketamine
    • No unexpected interactions, though likely to increase blood pressure but not an issue with sensible doses. Moving around on high doses of this combination may be ill advised due to risk of physical injury.
  8. MXE
    • Risk of tachycardia, hypertension, and manic states
  9. Cocaine
    • This combination of stimulants will increase strain on the heart. It is not generally worth it as cocaine has a mild blocking effect on dopamine releasers like amphetamine
  10. Caffeine
    • This combination of stimulants is not generally necessary and may increase strain on the heart, as well as potentially causing anxiety and greater physical discomfort.
  11. Alcohol
    • Drinking on stimulants is risky because the sedative effects of the alcohol are reduced, and these are what the body uses to gauge drunkenness. This typically leads to excessive drinking with greatly reduced inhibitions, high risk of liver damage and increased dehydration. They will also allow you to drink past a point where you might normally pass out, increasing the risk. If you do decide to do this then you should set a limit of how much you will drink each hour and stick to it, bearing in mind that you will feel the alcohol and the stimulant less. Extended release formulations may severely impede sleep, further worsening the hangover.
  12. GHB/GBL
    • Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of sedatives. If the stimulant wears off first then the opiate may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest.
  13. Opioids
    • Stimulants increase respiration rate allowing a higher dose of opiates. If the stimulant wears off first then the opiate may overcome the patient and cause respiratory arrest.

Dangerous

  1. DOx
    • The combined stimulating effects of the two can lead to an uncomfortable body-load, while the focusing effects of amphetamine can easily lead to thought loops. Coming down from amphetamines while the DOx is still active can be quite anxiogenic.
  2. NBOMes
    • Amphetamines and NBOMes both provide considerable stimulation. When combined they can result in tachycardia, hypertension, vasoconstriction and in extreme cases heart failure. The anxiogenic and focusing effects of stimulants are also not good in combination with psychedelics as they can lead to unpleasant thought loops. NBOMes are known to cause seizures and stimulants can increase this risk.
  3. 2C-T-x
    • Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences. In extreme cases, they can result in severe vasoconstriction, tachycardia, hypertension, and in extreme cases heart failure.
  4. 5-MeO-xxT
    • The anxiogenic and focusing effects of stimulants increase the chance of unpleasant thought loops. The combination is generally unnecessary because of the stimulating effects of psychedelics.
  5. DXM
    • Both substances raise heart rate, in extreme cases, panic attacks caused by these drugs have led to more serious heart issues.
  6. PCP
    • This combination can easily lead to hypermanic states

Low Synergy

  1. Benzodiazepines
    • Both can dull each other's effects, so if one wears off before the other it's possible to overdose due to the lack of counteraction

No Synergy

  1. SSRIs

High Synergy

  1. N2O
  2. MDMA
    • Amphetamines increase the neurotoxic effects of MDMA

Legal Status

  • Australia and New Zealand: Certain countries contain a "substantially similar" catch-all clause in their drug law, such as New Zealand and Australia. This includes 6-APB as it is similar in chemical structure to the class A drug MDA, meaning 6-APB may be viewed as a controlled substance analogue in these jurisdictions.
  • Canada: 6-APB is Schedule III in Canada as it is an analogue of MDA. The CDSA was updated as a result of the Safe Streets Act changing amphetamines from Schedule 3 to Schedule 1.
  • Germany: 6-APB is controlled under Anlage II BtMG (Narcotics Act, Schedule II) as of July 17, 2013. It is illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure or dispense it without a license.
  • Italy: 6-APB is illegal in Italy.
  • Sweden: 6-APB is prohibited in Sweden as a "health hazard" as of 2009.
  • United Kingdom: On June 10, 2013, 6-APB and some analogues were classified as Temporary Class Drugs in the U.K. following an ACMD recommendation. On March 5, 2014, the U.K. Home Office announced that 6-APB would be made a class B drug on 10 June 2014 alongside every other benzofuran entactogen and many structurally related drugs.
  • United States: 6-APB is unscheduled in the United States, but not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration for human consumption.

    • Sources

    References

    1. Monte, A. P., Marona-Lewicka, D., Cozzi, N. V., & Nichols, D. E. (1993). Synthesis and pharmacological examination of benzofuran, indan, and tetralin analogs of 3, 4-(methylenedioxy) amphetamine. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 36(23), 3700-3706. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm00075a027
    2. Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, Jeremy Browne (4 June 2013). "Temporary class drug order on benzofury and NBOMe compounds - letter from ACMD". GOV.UK.
    3. UK Home Office (28 April 2014). "The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Ketamine etc.) (Amendment) Order 2014". The National Archives.
    4. Iversen L, Gibbons S, Treble R, Setola V, Huang XP, Roth BL (2013). "Neurochemical profiles of some novel psychoactive substances". Eur. J. Pharmacol. 700 (1-3): 147–51. PMID 23261499. https://doi.org10.1016/j.ejphar.2012.12.006
    5. Rickli A, Kopf S, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2015). "Pharmacological profile of novel psychoactive benzofurans". Br. J. Pharmacol. 172 (13): 3412–25. PMID 25765500. https://doi.org/10.1111/bph.13128
    6. Canal CE, Murnane KS (2017). "The serotonin 5-HT2C receptor and the non-addictive nature of classic hallucinogens". J. Psychopharmacol. (Oxford). 31 (1): 127–143. PMID 27903793. https://doi.org/10.1177/0269881116677104
    7. US patent 7045545, Karin Briner, Joseph Paul Burkhart, Timothy Paul Burkholder, Matthew Joseph Fisher, William Harlan Gritton, Daniel Timothy Kohlman, Sidney Xi Liang, Shawn Christopher Miller, Jeffrey Thomas Mullaney, Yao-Chang Xu, Yanping Xu, "Aminoalkylbenzofurans as serotonin (5-HT(2c)) agonists", published 19 January 2000, issued 16 May 2006
    8. Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, Jeremy Browne (4 June 2013). "Temporary class drug order on benzofury and NBOMe compounds - letter from ACMD". GOV.UK.
    9. New Insights into the Mechanism of Action of Amphetamines | http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.pharmtox.47.120505.105140
    10. Drug-induced Valvulopathy: An Update | tpx.sagepub.com/content/38/6/837.full
    11. Possible association between 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine abuse and valvular heart disease. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17950805
    12. Drug-induced hyperthermia | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2044.1993.tb07423.x/abstract;jsessionid=FC30A9B157A2BAFC81048D8595714565.f02t03
    13. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9634574
    14. Vasopressin and oxytocin secretion in response to the consumption of ecstasy in a clubbing population | http://jop.sagepub.com/content/20/3/400
    15. Drug-induced Valvulopathy: An Update | tpx.sagepub.com/content/38/6/837.full
    16. Possible association between 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine abuse and valvular heart disease. (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17950805
    17. Talaie, H., Panahandeh, R., Fayaznouri, M. R., Asadi, Z., & Abdollahi, M. (2009). Dose-independent occurrence of seizure with tramadol. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 5(2), 63-67. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03161089
    18. Gillman, P. K. (2005). Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioid analgesics and serotonin toxicity. British Journal of Anaesthesia, 95(4), 434-441. https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aei210
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    20. "Anlage II BtMG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
    21. "Siebenundzwanzigste Verordnung zur Änderung betäubungsmittelrechtlicher Vorschriften" (in German). Bundesanzeiger Verlag. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
    22. "§ 29 BtMG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
    23. http://www.salute.gov.it/imgs/C_17_pagineAree_3729_listaFile_itemName_0_file.pdf
    24. http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2014/1106/contents/made

    Information made possible with:

    1. PsychonautWiki is a community-driven online encyclopedia that aims to document the field of psychonautics in a comprehensive, scientifically-grounded manner.
    2. Erowid is a non-profit educational & harm-reduction resource with 60 thousand pages of online information about psychoactive drugs
    3. PubChem National Center for Bio Informatics
    4. Chemspider is a free chemical structure database providing fast access to over 34 million structures, properties and associated information.
    5. Wikipedia

    Additional APIs were used to construct this information. Thanks to ChemSpider, NCBI, PubChem etc.

    Data is constantly updated so please check back later to see if there is any more available information on this substance.