factsheet 42 Benzo Fury

Benzo Fury is a brand name for a ‘legal high’. Tests • Increased heart rate and blood pressure usually show it to be the chemical 6-(2-aminopropyl) • Increased body temperature benzofuran (6-APB), an analogue of the class A • Chest pains/Palpitations substance MDA. The is a and a • Dilated pupils phenethylamine. It has similar effects to MDMA • Sweating (Ecstasy). The name comes from the benzofuran • Teeth grinding ring in the chemical structure and should not be • Jaw clenching confused with benzodiazepines, which have entirely • Dry mouth different effects. • Increased thirst Similar to many ‘legal highs’, the contents of • Sleeplessness/insomnia the product can vary and may include substances • Difficulty with urination which are illegal. Test analyses of Benzo Fury have • Kidney pain shown that it can contain a structurally similar • Liver damage compound 5-APB, other substances such as D2PM • Nausea and vomiting (Diphenylprolinol), a Class B drug, and sometimes • Headaches simply . • Suppressed appetite • Eye jitters (nystagmus) Appearance: Can be found in pill, gel capsule, pellet or white or tan grainy powder form. The Mental: powder form generally appears to be sold under the • Feeling of stimulation and excitement chemical name 6-APB. • Euphoria • Empathy Cost: Pellets cost approx £10 per pellet, powder form • Perception of increased energy costs approx £36 per gram. • Alertness • Urge to talk Route of administration: Benzo Fury is often • Sexual arousal consumed orally, either by swallowing pills, pellets • Visual and auditory hallucinations (hearing and or capsules, wrapping powder in a cigarette paper seeing things) (bombing) or by mixing in a soft drink. The powder • Anxiety form can be snorted although oral appears to be the • Paranoia preferred route by most users, as users report nasal • Panic use can be unpleasant and painful. • Poor concentration • Mental confusion • Poor short term memory Onset of effects and duration: Varies from 15 – 90 mins, depending on route of Long term effects/known harms: administration. Typically a nasal dose will come on more quickly, while an oral dose will generally take Benzo Fury is a relatively unknown substance (and longer. Users often report it comes on in waves. the active ingredient can vary). Little is known about Likened to an MDMA type experience, benzo fury the long-term effects and potential harms. As 6-APB tends to reach its peak within 2-3 hours from an oral is structurally similar to MDA, its risk profile may be dose and then will plateau for an average period of similar, with overstimulation of the central nervous 4 hours. Coming down is described as gradual with and cardiovascular system potential concerns. effects lessening in intensity but potentially lasting up to 14 hours or more. This factsheet has Legal status: been adapted for Druglink from an Typical effects and side effects: Not currently controlled under the Misuse of original Crew2000/ Act in the UK at time of writing. Benzo Fury could be DrugWatch Physical: subjected to a temporary class drug order if there is publication • Rushes deemed sufficient concern.

July/August 2012 Druglink | 29