5F-AKB48 Facts
Cannabinoid;
Description
5F-AKB48 (5F-APINACA) is a synthetic cannabinoid of the indazole-3-carboxamide class. It activates cannabinoid receptors in the brain with full force, overriding the body's natural endocannabinoid system.[1]
Subjective effects include euphoria, relaxation, appetite enhancement, altered time perception, and sedation. The experience resembles an intensified, compressed version of cannabis — stronger and markedly shorter — with a steep shift from pleasant effects to agitation and paranoia at higher doses.[2]
5F-AKB48 produces moderate physical and psychological dependence,[1] and no lethal dose has been established in any species. Full cannabinoid receptor agonism creates a narrow gap between desired and dangerous effects; documented cardiac channel inhibition adds heart rhythm risks that compound with certain medications.[3]
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Starts in 0 – 20 minLasts 30 – 60 minAfter-effects 15 – 30 min
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- High
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Physical dependence
- Moderate
- Psychological dependence
- Moderate
- Withdrawal
- Moderate
- Compulsive redosing
- Moderate
Tolerance
- Builds
- Moderate
- Fully resets after
- 10.5 days
- Carries over to
- cannabis;
synthetic cannabinoids
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 4 possible, including Vestibular distortion, Spatial disorientation
- Body
- Body high;
+17 possible, including Motor control impairment, Dizziness, Heart rate perception changes - Thinking
- none likely · 18 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Analysis suppression, Decision impairment
- Feeling
- none likely · 7 possible, including Anxiety, Paranoia, Dysphoria
- Self
- none likely · 7 possible, including Communication suppression, Craving, Derealization
- Time
- none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations60 recorded
Seek help immediately if
Natural cannabis rarely causes a medical emergency — "greening out" is: pale/sweaty skin, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, anxiety or panic, rapid heartbeat, feeling faint — and usually passes with rest.
Seek emergency help for these — far more likely with synthetic cannabinoids ("spice" / K2):
- Seizures
- Severe chest pain; very fast or irregular heartbeat
- Unresponsiveness or extreme drowsiness
- Severe agitation, aggression, or psychosis
- Repeated vomiting; difficulty breathing
What to do
- Sit or lie them down somewhere calm, cool, and quiet
- Reassure them — cannabis panic and "greening out" pass with time
- Offer sips of water; a little sugar can help if they feel faint
- Recovery position if nauseated, drowsy, or vomiting
- Stay with them and monitor
- For seizures, chest pain, unresponsiveness, or severe agitation, call emergency services
Natural cannabis "greening out" resolves with rest, calm, and time, with no lasting harm. Synthetic cannabinoids are unpredictable and can cause seizures, cardiac events, kidney injury, and severe agitation that needs emergency care.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
References
- [1]
- [2]^Vučinić S, Kilibarda V, Đorđević S, Đorđević D, Perković-Vukčević N, Vuković-Ercegović G, Antonijević B, Ćurčić M, Antonijević E, Brajković G (2018) Clinical and analytical experience of the National Poison Control Centre with synthetic cannabinoids. — Arhiv za higijenu rada i toksikologiju doi:10.2478/aiht-2018-69-3096
- [3]^Cheng H, Upex C, Du C, Copeland C, Henderson G, Harmer SC, Corey RA, Hancox JC (2025) Noncanonical pharmacological inhibition of the hERG K+ channel by a synthetic cannabinoid. — Biochemical pharmacology doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2025.117257