4-FA: Difference between revisions

'''4-Fluoroamphetamine''' (also known as '''4-FA''', '''4-FMP''', '''para-Fluoroamphetamine''', '''PAL-303''' and colloquially as '''Flux''') is a novel synthetic [[chemical class::Substituted amphetamine|amphetamine]] compound that produces a unique progressive mixture of [[psychoactive class::entactogen|entactogenic]] and [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] effects when [[Routes of administration|administered]]. It is part of a series of fluorinated amphetamine analog that initially included such compounds as [[2-FA]], [[2-FMA]], and [[3-FA]].<ref name="Rosner2005">{{cite journal | vauthors=((Rösner, P.)), ((Quednow, B.)), ((Girreser, U.)), ((Junge, T.)) | journal=Forensic Science International | title=Isomeric Fluoro-methoxy-phenylalkylamines: a new series of controlled-substance analogues (designer drugs) | volume=148 | issue=2–3 | pages=143–156 | date= March 2005 | url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0379073804003251 | issn=03790738 | doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.05.003}}</ref>  

4-FA is rarely found on the streets but was commonly sold as a grey area [[research chemical]] by online vendors along with related compounds such as [[2-FMA]] and [[3-FA]].<ref name="Nagai2007">{{cite journal | vauthors=((Nagai, F.)), ((Nonaka, R.)), ((Satoh Hisashi Kamimura, K.)) | journal=European Journal of Pharmacology | title=The effects of non-medically used psychoactive drugs on monoamine neurotransmission in rat brain | volume=559 | issue=2–3 | pages=132–137 | date=22 March 2007 | issn=0014-2999 | doi=10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.11.075}}

</ref><ref name="Rosner2005"/> Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 4-FA, and it has only a brief history of human usage. Due to its strong psychostimulant effects, likely habit-forming properties as well as poorly understood toxicity profile, it is strongly recommended that one use proper [[harm reduction]] practices if choosing to use this substance.

4-Fluoroamphetamine acts as a releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine producing stimulating amphetamine-like effects at lower doses and euphoric, entactogenic effects similar to MDMA at dosages above 100mg.  The mechanism of action of 4-FA effectively boosts the levels of the norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin [[neurotransmitters]] in higher doses in the brain by binding to and partially blocking the transporter proteins that normally remove those monoamines from the synaptic cleft. This allows dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin to accumulate within the brain, resulting in stimulating, euphoric and [[entactogen]]ic effects.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Fuller, R. W.)), ((Baker, J. C.)), ((Perry, K. W.)), ((Molloy, B. B.)) | journal=Neuropharmacology | title=Comparison of 4-chloro-, 4-bromo- and 4-fluoroamphetamine in rats: Drug levels in brain and effects on brain serotonin metabolism | volume=14 | issue=10 | pages=739–746 | date=1 October 1975 | url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0028390875900994 | issn=0028-3908 | doi=10.1016/0028-3908(75)90099-4}}</ref><ref name="Nagai2007"/>

*'''France''': 4-FA is scheduled as a "stupéfiant", i.e. a recognized drug of abuse. It is illegal to possess, buy, sell or manufacture.<ref>{{Citation | title=Arrêté du 22 février 1990 fixant la liste des substances classées comme stupéfiants  | url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/loda/id/JORFTEXT000000533085/2020-11-20/}}</ref>