6-APB

What is 6-APB?

6-APB (also known as Benzo Fury) is a compound with mind altering and stimulating effects. It is usually sold as a powder and people generally consume it after putting it in a capsule or folding it into a piece of rolling paper. 6-APB generates an empathogenic effect that mimics the effects of MDMA.

6-APB is a so called new psychoactive substance (NPS) or research chemical (RC). Generally very little research is conducted on new psychoactive substances. Therefore, very little is known about how addictive these compounds are and what both the short and long term risks of using/abusing this drug may be. Also very little is known about what could be considered the optimum dose.

When trying a new drug, one should always be extra careful, especially when taking research chemicals. You are literally your own lab rat. Also in this case, the best form of harm reduction is abstinence.

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Effects

6-APB is an empathogenic and  stimulating compound. Its effects are often compared to MDMA, but a bit more trippy. Users often report mild to moderately strong visual perceptual changes. As with all other psychedelics, the sensory perception is enhanced and your limbs can feel lighter or heavier. Some users consider 6-APB the “sit & chill” version of MDMA, as the stimulating effects of 6-APB are less overwhelming than with MDMA. It could be that 6-APB has stronger and more side effects than MDMA and MDA would induce, however this is not confirmed by scientific research.

Effects induced by a compound induces are determined by properties of the drug, but also by the set and setting in which the drug is taken. Some general effects induced by 6-APB will be discussed here.

Positive effects	(negative) Side effects
Euphoria, feelings of love This substance can make you feel euphoric, like you are in love. You feel comfortable in your own skin and can experience things as pleasant more quickly.	Increase in blood pressure and heart rate Due to increased cardiac stimulation, heart rate and blood pressure rise.
Altered sensory perception How you perceive your environment changes, this can affect all of your senses. Sometimes, this could make it seem as if your surroundings differ from reality. More information about tripping and hallucinations can be found here.	Decreased appetite Stimulation of the fight-or-flight response in the body can suppress appetite.
Altered thought pattern Thoughts are described as more creative and daydreaming may take place. You are able to make connections in your head that you otherwise wouldn’t. This can be very interesting, but also a bit scary. The world can then seem to be a little less logical. This can work both positively and negatively for you.	Difficulty urinating Your body releases a lot of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) causing you to retain more fluids. There is also more tension in the muscles in your urinary tract, which makes relaxing (and therefore urinating) more difficult.
Accelerated thoughts Thinking seems to go faster. It’s also easier to think clearly. You can go through certain steps in your head faster and make choices faster.	Increased body temperature Stimulants cause increased activity in muscles, and increase the “base temperature” of the body. This causes the body temperature to increase.
Disinhibition This substance leads to an increase in impulsive behaviour and can make you less aware of the possible consequences that certain actions have. This can be nice because, for example, it is easier to approach someone and have a chat. However, it can also lead to negative situations as you can get into an argument or physical altercation more quickly.	Increased sweating In response to the increased stimulation and changes in body temperature, the skin will start to secrete sweat to cool the body temperature back to normal levels.
Entactogenic Strong sense of connectedness to others or your environment. You can connect more easily with others and notice less inhibitions than you might normally experience in social contact. For example, it may be easier to speak openly about the things that are bothering you.	Teeth grinding Grinding your teeth
Laughing fits Spontaneous and uncontrollable laughter, sometimes without anything humorous happening.	Jaw clenching Increased muscle tension can cause the jaws to clench together. As a result, the teeth are firmly pressed together and it is possible to bite your tongue and/or cheeks.
More intense music experiences Music can be experienced louder or more intense. For example, it can feel as if you are completely ‘absorbed’ in the music or that you feel the low tones from the music go through your body more intensely.	Difficulty reading It can be difficult to read texts. This is most noticeable with small text, such as on a phone.
Need for contact, conversation and intimacy Having a good conversation with someone, or cuddling, can be very pleasant and interesting.	Energetic feeling You have feelings of being energized. Sitting still is sometimes more difficult and this energetic feeling is often expressed through the urge to dance or move.
Increased libido Increased sexual desires. You feel more attracted to others and feel a stronger need for sexual intimacy.	Dry mouth Stimulation of sympathetic pathways decrease saliva production, this causes the mouth to feel dry.
More intense experience of touch Physical/physical contact with other people feels different or more intense than usual. Giving a hug to someone else can be very pleasant. It can also happen that you prefer not to touch others because this can be too intense. This effect can therefore be both positive and negative.	Sedation Decreased energy level
	Increased muscle tension Tense muscles and jaws (biting your tongue or cheek)

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Dose & route of administration

Generally, people swallow 6-APB (orally). People put the powder in a capsule or fold it in a piece of rolling paper. A small number of people snort it. Snorting 6-APB is considered rather painful by most.

Oral dose
Low	30 – 75 mg
Medium	75 – 125 mg
High	125 mg+

It is strongly discouraged to consume more than 200mg of 6-APB per occasion.

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Duration

It takes quite a long time for the effects of 6-APB to come up. After about 45-90 minutes you will likely start to feel its first effects. After that it will take some time to reach its peak. Effects will last about 8-14 hours. Thus the duration of a trip is a lot longer than with MDMA and it takes longer for the trip to reach its peak.

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Risks

6-APB is a new psychoactive substance (NPS) and therefore very little is known about the risks of using it. Several deathly incidents involving 6-APB have been reported. It is expected that the risks are comparable to those of MDMA and other stimulants.

6-APB increases the heart rate and blood pressure. It is not advised that people struggling with cardiovascular diseases use stimulant drugs.

When trying a new drug, always be extra careful. Especially when taking research chemicals. You are literally your own lab rat. If you don’t want to run any risks, don’t use drugs.

Short term risks

Long term risks

Some side effects of 6-APB can last longer than usual. It is possible that medical treatment is necesarry. The Brijder addiction care facility has a special consultancy for these type of complaints: national medical consultancy partydrugs. If you have complaints you can call them at 088- 358 29 40 (Netherlands only).

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Interactions

Combining different types of drugs can be risky and unpredictable. When you combine drugs you can have a higher risk of health problems. In the following paragraphs you can read about the effects and the risks of a number of combinations that occur frequently and also a about few that are extra hazardous. Also check our theme combining drugs.

Warning

6-APB influences the serotonin system. Combining 6-APB with other serotonergic drugs can induce the life threatening serotonin syndrome. Examples of serotonergic drugs are MDMA (and analogs), antidepressants, opiates (Tramadol, codeine, morphine), serotonin precursors (L-tryptophan and 5-HTP), asthma medications and psychedelics.

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Unity tips

There is no 100% safe use of 6-APB, but you can reduce the risks by following these tips:

• Test your 6-APB at a testservice.
• Use in a trusted setting with people you trust.
• Do not use 6-APB if you don’t feel well, both mentally and physically.
• Only use 6-APB to have a good time, not to fight symptoms such as tiredness.
• Do not take the drug if you have (had) psychological problems. Also don’t take it if mental disorders are common in your family (such as depression).
• Eat healthy before and after 6-APB consumption. Especially anti-oxidants and vitamins (such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, grapes, oranges, kiwis, broccoli). This is probably the most important tip of this list! Even though eating may be difficult when under the influence of 6-APB, you should really try to. Eating well definitely lessens the hangover! If eating solid food really is impossible, consider smoothies, fruit juices or liquid meals.
• Before and after your trip, vitamins and anti-oxidant supplements can be taken.
• Don’t take 6-APB if you are suffering from one of the following condition: diabetes, weak heart, high blood pressure, pregnancy, epilepsies or psychological conditions. Also do not combine 6-APB with medication (especially not with MAOIs or asthma medication).
• Don’t drink more than 2 glasses of water or soft drink per hour to lower the risk of water intoxication.
• Make sure not to overheat when under the influence, don’t wear warm clothes or hats, take breaks between dancing and drink some water every now and then.
• Don’t combine 6-APB with alcohol or other drugs.
• Do not participate in traffic after taking a drug!
• 6-APB causes feelings of intimacy. 6-APB lowers your inhibitions and will make you worry less. You may forget about safe sex. Make sure you carry condoms with you. Before taking 6-APB, set limits about sex with the person you take the drug with and respect them!