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AB-FUBINACA Facts

Cannabinoid; Indazolecarboxamide; Cannabinoid CB1 receptor full agonist

Description

AB-FUBINACA is a synthetic cannabinoid of the indazole-3-carboxamide class. It is far more potent than cannabis — a full agonist at cannabinoid receptors where cannabis's active compound only partially activates them.[1] It drives those receptors to maximum intensity, producing the dense sedation and perceptual disruption characteristic of potent synthetic cannabinoids.

Subjective effects include sedation, heavy cognitive impairment, confusion, hallucinations, and agitation.[2] Smoked, it hits almost immediately — a dense, disorienting intoxication with no self-limiting ceiling.[3]

AB-FUBINACA produces physical dependence in animals, and no lethal dose has been established in any species.[3] Full agonism removes the ceiling on cannabinoid receptor activation, and unusually slow clearance prolongs exposure — animal studies show brain damage, kidney injury, and reproductive harm with repeated dosing.[4][5][6]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Smoked(mg)
Threshold< 1 mgLight1 – 2 mgCommon2 – 3 mgStrong3 – 5 mgHeavy5+ mg

Starts in 0 – 20 minLasts 1 – 2 hoursAfter-effects 15 – 30 min

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
High
Chronic toxicity
High
Physical dependence
Moderate
Psychological dependence
Moderate
Withdrawal
Moderate
Compulsive redosing
Moderate

Tolerance

Builds
Moderate
Fully resets after
1.5 weeks
Carries over to
cannabinoids

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 15 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual acuity suppression
Body
Dry mouth; Sedation; Body high; +21 possible, including Motor control impairment, Dizziness, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Cognitive impairment; Memory suppression; +23 possible, including Analysis suppression, Confusion, Decision impairment
Feeling
none likely · 7 possible, including Anxiety, Paranoia, Emotional lability
Self
none likely · 7 possible, including Social disconnection, Communication suppression, Depersonalization
Time
none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiac arrhythmias or structural heart disease; Psychotic disorders or high psychosis risk; Pregnancy and lactation; Concurrent opioid use
Relative
Respiratory disease; Seizure disorders; Severe hepatic impairment; Renal impairment; CYP3A4 inhibitor co-administration

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/ab-fubinaca
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]
    ^Pfizer Inc. (2009) Pfizer Patent WO2009/106982
  2. [2]
    ^Shopan N, Scolnik D, Hassoun E, Firsow A, Volkov I, Glatstein M (2023) Acute intoxication caused by three common synthetic cannabinoids: The experience of a large, urban, tertiary care hospital — American Journal of Emergency Medicine doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2023.08.007
  3. [3]
    ^abTrexler KR, Vanegas SO, Poklis JL, Kinsey SG (2020) The short-acting synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA induces physical dependence in mice — Drug and Alcohol Dependence doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108179
  4. [4]
    ^Alzu'bi A et al. (2024) Delineating the molecular mechanisms of hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by chronic administration of synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA in mice — Neurotoxicology doi:10.1016/j.neuro.2024.05.009
  5. [5]
    ^Alzu'bi A et al. (2025) In vivo assessment of the nephrotoxic effects of the synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA — Forensic Toxicology doi:10.1007/s11419-024-00699-9
  6. [6]
    ^Alzu'bi A et al. (2026) Synthetic Cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA Negatively Impacted the Male Fertility and Induced Testicular Toxicity — Forensic Toxicology doi:10.1007/s11419-025-00739-y
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