2-FA crystal rocks

2-FA crystal rocks – More information

2-Fluoroamphetamine (2-FA) is a synthetic ring-substituted fluorinated amphetamine compound that is commonly reported to be capable of producing classical stimulant effects that are often compared to those produced by dextroamphetamine in duration, potency and potential effectiveness as a study aid or productivity enhancer.

2-FA is one part of a series of modern designer fluorinated amphetamine analogs that includes synthetic compounds like 2-FMA, 3-FA, 3-FEA and 4-FA which are known for their range of stimulating and euphoric effects, many of which have been gaining popularity as research chemical substitutes for classical street stimulants. Of these, 2-FA is considered to be most amphetamine-like in its core properties and effects.

It is commonly taken orally in line with the prescribed usage instruction of stimulants used to treat ADHD. While capable of being taken via insufflation or vaporization, this has been reported to be highly unpleasant and toxic feeling compared to its parent compound. Despite its popularity as a research chemical study aid, little is known about the potential toxicological effects that accompany its long-term use as a substitute for prescribed stimulants.

2-FA is rarely found on the streets, but sometimes sold as a grey market research chemical through online vendors.

clinical data

2-FA dosage table

2-FA effect progress

Chemistry

2-FA, or 2-Fluoroamphetamine, is a synthetic molecule of the amphetamine family. Molecules of the amphetamine class contain a phenethylamine core featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain with an additional methyl substitution at R_α (i.e. amphetamines are alpha-methylated phenethylamines). Unlike its close analogue 2-FMA, 2-FA does not contain a methyl group bound to the terminal amine R_N of the amphetamine core, which renders it structurally and functionally similar to amphetamine. 2-FA is the 2-position fluorinated analogue of amphetamine.

Toxicity

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 2-FA use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because 2-FA has very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried 2-FA within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Others have commented that its d-isomer form is virtually similar to the effects of d-amphetamine, and thus far little has been shown to give reason to suspect that its toxicity is radically different (though future evidence to the contrary may prove otherwise).

It is perhaps worth noting that in the field of medicinal chemistry, the fluorine substitution is sometimes seen as desirable in central nervous system pharmaceutical agents, and is a common practice due to the corresponding increase in lipophilicity granted by the substitute.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this drug.

Tolerance

As with other stimulants, the chronic use of 2-FA can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among a certain population of users. When dependence or addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.

Tolerance to many of the effects of 2-FA develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 – 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 – 10 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 2-FA presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of 2-FA all stimulants will have a reduced effect (especially including atypical stimulants one might not expect, like MDMA due to its reliance on dopamine and norepinephrine to exert its full euphoric effect).

In a analogous way tolerance to amphetamine relates to tolerance on methamphetamine, 2-FA has been observed to have a similar relationship to its more popular relative, 2-FMA.

Psychosis

Abuse of compounds within the amphetamine chemical class at high dosages for prolonged periods of time can potentially result in a stimulant psychosis that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions). A review on treatment for amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely. The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis. Psychosis very rarely arises from therapeutic use.

Legal issues

2-FA is currently a grey area compound within all parts of the world, meaning its regulation lies in a legal grey area and that it is not known to be specifically illegal (“scheduled”) within any country. However, people may still be charged for its possession under certain circumstances such as under analogue laws and with intent to sell or consume.