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5-MAPB Facts

Stimulant; Entactogen; Benzofuran; Serotonin releasing agent

Description

5-MAPB (1-(benzofuran-5-yl)-N-methylpropan-2-amine) is a synthetic empathogen of the benzofuran class.[1] It is the N-methyl structural analog of 5-APB, related to that compound the way MDMA relates to MDA. It floods synapses with serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine,[2] producing emotional warmth and physical energy with a more stimulant-forward character than MDMA.

Subjective effects include euphoria, emotional closeness, mood elevation, stimulation, and mild perceptual enhancement.[3] The experience is more energized and less dreamy than MDMA — warm and empathogenic at its core, but with a stimulant drive that makes it feel cleaner and more alert.

Physical dependence is not documented, and no death has been attributed to 5-MAPB alone.[4] The main dangers are cardiovascular strain and serotonin overload — combining with monoamine oxidase inhibitors is potentially lethal,[5] and repeated use raises concern for heart valve damage.[6]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 20 mgLight40 – 60 mgCommon60 – 80 mgStrong80 – 100 mgHeavy100+ mg

Starts in 20 – 60 minLasts 5 – 8 hoursAfter-effects 6 – 48 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
Low
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
Mild
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
10 days
Carries over to
MDMA; MDA; 5-APB; 6-APB; 6-MAPB; amphetamine; methamphetamine

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Music enhancement; Touch enhancement; +16 possible, including Visual haze / noise
Body
Stimulation; Appetite suppression; Wakefulness; Body high; Body scan awareness; Pupil dilation; Spontaneous body sensations; Tactile euphoria; +27 possible, including Dehydration sensation, Excessive sweating, Nystagmus (eye wobbles)
Thinking
Cognitive euphoria; Introspection enhancement; Openness enhancement; +26 possible, including Compulsive redosing urge, Decision impairment, Suggestibility enhancement
Feeling
Euphoria; Anxiety suppression; Emotional enhancement; Empathy enhancement; +7 possible, including Emotional lability, Depression, Anhedonia
Self
Communication enhancement; Sociability enhancement; Social connection; Trust enhancement; +6 possible, including Compulsive repetitive behavior, Craving
Time
none likely · 3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 3 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; MAO inhibitor use; Concurrent serotonergic drug use
Relative
Cardiovascular disease; Bipolar disorder; Hepatic impairment

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (2)
MAOIs; Tramadol
Dangerous (32)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Anticholinergics; Atypical antipsychotics; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Opioids; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Antihistamines; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Clonidine, Guanfacine; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; and 8 more, see full page
Caution (24)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/5-mapb
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]
    ^Welter J, Kavanagh P, Meyer MR, Maurer HH (2015) Benzofuran analogues of amphetamine and methamphetamine: studies on the metabolism and toxicological analysis of 5-APB and 5-MAPB in urine and plasma using GC-MS and LC-(HR)-MSn techniques — Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry doi:10.1007/s00216-014-8360-0
  2. [2]
    ^Brandt SD, Walters HM, Partilla JS, Blough BE, Kavanagh PV, Baumann MH (2020) The psychoactive aminoalkylbenzofuran derivatives, 5-APB and 6-APB, mimic the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) on monoamine transmission in male rats — Psychopharmacology doi:10.1007/s00213-020-05648-z
  3. [3]
    ^Barcelo B, Gomila I, Rotolo MC, Marchei E, Kyriakou C, Pichini S, Roset C, Elorza MA, Busardo FP (2017) Intoxication caused by new psychostimulants: analytical methods to disclose acute and chronic use of benzofurans and ethylphenidate — International Journal of Legal Medicine doi:10.1007/s00414-017-1648-9
  4. [4]
    ^Epain M, Cartiser N, Bevalot F, Bottinelli C, Chatenay C, Fanton L (2024) Alpha-methyltryptamine and 5-(2-methylaminopropyl)-benzofuran (5-MAPB) fatal co-intoxication: case report and review of literature — International Journal of Legal Medicine doi:10.1007/s00414-024-03236-w
  5. [5]
    ^Pilgrim JL, Gerostamoulos D, Woodford N, Drummer OH (2012) Serotonin toxicity involving MDMA (ecstasy) and moclobemide — Forensic Science International doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.04.008
  6. [6]
    ^Rickli A, Kopf S, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2015) Pharmacological profile of novel psychoactive benzofurans — British Journal of Pharmacology doi:10.1111/bph.13128
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