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5F-PB-22 Facts

Cannabinoid; Indolecarboxylate; Cannabinoid CB1 receptor full agonist

Description

5F-PB-22 — also known as 5F-QUPIC — is a synthetic cannabinoid of the indole-3-carboxylate class. It is a fluorinated structural analog of PB-22, distinguished by extreme potency at cannabinoid receptors in the brain.[1] It activates those receptors with no natural ceiling on stimulation, producing an intensified, unmoderated version of cannabis intoxication.

Subjective effects include euphoria, heavy sedation, perceptual softening, and cognitive slowing. The experience resembles cannabis at its most intense — compressed into a far narrower dose range, with no pharmacological ceiling.

Dependence is possible with regular use,[2] and the compound has been directly linked to multiple deaths.[3] Blood levels in people who died overlap with levels in people who survived — tolerance, co-use of other substances, and individual variation determine whether a given amount proves fatal.[4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 1 mgLight1 – 3 mgCommon3 – 5 mgStrong5 – 8 mgHeavy8+ mg

No duration recorded for this route.

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
cannabinoids

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 13 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual acuity suppression
Body
Body high; Body scan awareness; Dry mouth; Sedation; +23 possible, including Dizziness, Heart rate perception changes, Motor control impairment
Thinking
Cognitive impairment; Memory suppression; +28 possible, including Confusion, Decision impairment, Information processing suppression
Feeling
Euphoria; +7 possible, including Anxiety, Paranoia, Dysphoria
Self
none likely · 9 possible, including Communication suppression, Craving, Depersonalization
Time
Time alteration; +2 possible, including Temporal disorientation

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiovascular disease; Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy; Concurrent ethanol use
Relative
Seizure disorders; Hepatic impairment; Renal impairment

Combinations60 recorded

Dangerous (27)
Benzodiazepines, Barbiturates; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Opioids; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Atypical antipsychotics; Benzodiazepines; Caffeine; Cannabis; Cannabis, THC; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; Gabapentin, Pregabalin; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; Local anesthetics; MAOIs; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; THC; Buspirone; and 3 more, see full page
Caution (22)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/5f-pb-22
Not graded (11)
Not listed never means safe.

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

  1. Sit or lie them down somewhere calm, cool, and quiet
  2. Reassure them — cannabis panic and "greening out" pass with time
  3. Offer sips of water; a little sugar can help if they feel faint
  4. Recovery position if nauseated, drowsy, or vomiting
  5. Stay with them and monitor
  6. 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

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^De Luca MA, Castelli MP, Loi B, Porcu A, Martorelli M, Miliano C, Kellett K, Davidson C, Stair JL, Schifano F, Di Chiara G (2016) Native CB1 receptor affinity, intrinsic activity and accumbens shell dopamine stimulant properties of third generation SPICE/K2 cannabinoids: BB-22, 5F-PB-22, 5F-AKB-48 and STS-135. — Neuropharmacology doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.11.017
  2. [2]
    ^Gunderson EW, Haughey HM, Ait-Daoud N, Joshi AS, Hart CL (2012) "Spice" and "K2" herbal highs: a case series and systematic review of the clinical effects and biopsychosocial implications of synthetic cannabinoid use in humans — The American journal on addictions doi:10.1111/j.1521-0391.2012.00240.x
  3. [3]
    ^Behonick G, Shanks KG, Firchau DJ, Mathur G, Lynch CF, Nashelsky M, Jaskierny DJ, Meroueh C (2014) Four postmortem case reports with quantitative detection of the synthetic cannabinoid, 5F-PB-22. — Journal of Analytical Toxicology doi:10.1093/jat/bku048
  4. [4]
    ^Kakehashi H, Shima N, Ishikawa A, Nitta A, Asai R, Wada M, Nakano S, Matsuta S, Sasaki K, Kamata H, Kamata T, Nishioka H, Miki A, Katagi M (2020) Effects of lipophilicity and functional groups of synthetic cannabinoids on their blood concentrations and urinary excretion. — Forensic Science International doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2019.110106
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