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2-Aminoindane Facts

Stimulant; Entactogen; Aminoindane; Monoamine releasing agent

Description

2-AI (2-aminoindane) is a synthetic stimulant of the aminoindane class. It triggers the release of norepinephrine into synaptic connections, producing functional alertness without the euphoria or emotional warmth of stronger stimulants.

Subjective effects include physical stimulation, wakefulness, appetite suppression, and heightened mental alertness.[1] The experience is clean functional stimulation — alert and activated, without emotional warmth or pronounced pleasure.

Physical dependence is unlikely — 2-AI has weak dopamine activity and low reinforcing potential[2] — but norepinephrine-driven cardiovascular strain is a real danger. The short duration creates a strong impulse to redose, compounding that risk — and genetic variation in how some people process the compound means the same dose can produce much higher blood levels in certain individuals.[3][4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 3 mgLight5 – 10 mgCommon10 – 20 mgStrong20 – 40 mgHeavy40+ mg

Starts in 10 – 30 minLasts 1 – 2 hoursAfter-effects 2 – 4 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Moderate
Chronic toxicity
Low
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
Low
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10.5 days
Carries over to
amphetamine; methylphenidate; cathinones; other NET-releasing agents

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 6 possible
Body
Wakefulness; Stimulation; +17 possible, including Dehydration sensation, Excessive sweating, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
none likely · 12 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge
Feeling
none likely · 7 possible, including Anxiety, Depression, Emotional lability
Self
none likely · 7 possible
Time
none likely · 2 possible
Awareness
none likely · 2 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiovascular disease; Seizure disorders; Pregnancy and lactation; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Anxiety disorders; Hepatic impairment; NAT2 slow acetylator status; Hyperthyroidism; Concurrent serotonergic medications

Combinations63 recorded

Lethal (4)
Cocaine; MAOIs; MDMA; Tramadol
Dangerous (31)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Caffeine; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; NSAIDs; Opioids; Poppers (Alkyl nitrites); and 7 more, see full page
Caution (25)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/2-aminoindane
Not graded (3)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

  • Overheating / very high body temperature — heavy sweating, then hot dry skin (the leading cause of MDMA deaths, worse when dancing in hot venues)
  • Muscle rigidity, jaw clenching, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
  • Fast, pounding heartbeat; chest pain
  • Agitation, confusion; seizures
  • Hyponatremia (water intoxication) — headache, confusion, drowsiness, vomiting, and seizures from drinking too much water
  • Nausea/vomiting; collapse or unconsciousness

What to do

  1. Move them somewhere cool and help them cool down — overheating is the main danger
  2. Sip water to stay hydrated but DO NOT overdrink — roughly a cup (250 ml) per hour if active; too much water can be deadly (hyponatremia)
  3. Get them to rest and stop dancing
  4. For overheating, seizures, chest pain, muscle rigidity/tremor, confusion, or unresponsiveness, call emergency services
  5. Recovery position if drowsy or vomiting; stay with them
  6. Be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

Most resolve with cooling, rest, sensible hydration, and time. The life-threatening dangers are hyperthermia, serotonin syndrome, and hyponatremia (too much water) — each a medical emergency, not something to wait out.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^PsychonautWiki contributors (2024) 2-Aminoindane - PsychonautWiki Link
  2. [2]
    ^Simmler LD, Rickli A, Schramm Y, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2014) Pharmacological profiles of aminoindanes, piperazines, and pipradrol derivatives. — Biochemical Pharmacology doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2014.01.024
  3. [3]
    ^Manier SK, Felske C, Eckstein N, Meyer MR (2020) The metabolic fate of two new psychoactive substances - 2-aminoindane and N-methyl-2-aminoindane - studied in vitro and in vivo to support drug testing. — Drug Testing and Analysis doi:10.1002/dta.2699
  4. [4]
    ^Jurowski K, Frydrych A (2026) First toxicity profile of 2-aminoindane and N-Methyl-2-aminoindane using in silico multi-approach. — Toxicology in Vitro doi:10.1016/j.tiv.2025.106149
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