2-FA: Difference between revisions

'''2-Fluoroamphetamine''' (also known as '''2-FA''') is a novel [[psychoactive class::stimulant]] substance of the [[chemical class::Substituted amphetamine|amphetamine]] class. It is a structural analog of [[amphetamine]] and is presumed to possess a similar mechanism of action, promoting the release of [[dopamine]] and [[norepinephrine]] in the brain.  

2-FA is part of a series of amphetamine analogs that first appeared on the online research chemical market in the 2010s.<ref>{{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=10 March 2005 | issn=0379-0738 | doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.05.003}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Camilleri, A.)), ((Johnston, M. R.)), ((Brennan, M.)), ((Davis, S.)), ((Caldicott, D. G. E.)) | journal=Forensic Science International | title=Chemical analysis of four capsules containing the controlled substance analogues 4-methylmethcathinone, 2-fluoromethamphetamine, alpha-phthalimidopropiophenone and N-ethylcathinone | volume=197 | issue=1–3 | pages=59–66 | date=15 April 2010 | issn=1872-6283 | doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.12.048}}</ref>  These compounds include [[2-FMA]], [[3-FA]], [[3-FEA]] and [[4-FA]] and are reported to produce a range of [[stimulant|stimulating]] and [[euphoria|euphoric]] effects, many of which have been used as [[research chemical]] substitutes for classical street [[stimulants]] and [[entactogens]].{{citation needed}} Of these, 2-FA is considered to be most [[amphetamine]]-like in its [[subjective effects]]. It is commonly compared to the d-isomer of amphetamine (dexedrine).

2-FA, or 2-Fluoroamphetamine, is a synthetic molecule of the [[Substituted amphetamine|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]].

In comparison to other substituted amphetamines, 2-FA is reported to be relatively free of side effects such as [[nausea]], [[high blood pressure]], [[anxiety]] and an uncomfortable [[offset]] ("comedown"). It is considered to be a functional and effective psychoactive substance for performing general productivity tasks in a manner that is similar to [[amphetamine|dextroamphetamine]]. However, at higher doses, it reportedly loses its productivity and attention-enhancing effects and begins to take on a recreational character due to the distracting euphoria and overstimulation that can result. However, it is often said that it possesses a "ceiling dose" that purportedly lowers the abuse threshold relative to methamphetamine, although this has yet to be scientifically demonstrated.

 

*[https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_2Fluoroamphetamine.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: 2-FA]

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.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Smart, B. E.)) | journal=Journal of Fluorine Chemistry | title=Fluorine substituent effects (on bioactivity) | volume=109 | issue=1 | pages=3–11 | date=1 June 2001 | url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002211390100375X | issn=0022-1139 | doi=10.1016/S0022-1139(01)00375-X}}</ref>

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|paranoia]], [[External hallucinations|hallucinations]], or [[Delusions|delusions]]).<ref name="Shoptaw2009">{{cite journal | vauthors=((Shoptaw, S. J.)), ((Kao, U.)), ((Ling, W.)) | veditors=((Cochrane Drugs and Alcohol Group)) | journal=Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | title=Treatment for amphetamine psychosis | date=21 January 2009 | url=https://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/14651858.CD003026.pub3 | issn=14651858 | doi=10.1002/14651858.CD003026.pub3}}</ref> A review on treatment for amphetamine, dextro[[amphetamine]], and [[methamphetamine]] abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely.<ref name="Shoptaw2009"/><ref>{{cite book | vauthors=((Hofmann, F. G.)) | date= 1983 | title=A handbook on drug and alcohol abuse: the biomedical aspects | publisher=Oxford University Press | edition=2nd ed | isbn=9780195030563}}</ref> The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, [[antipsychotic]] medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis.<ref><ref name="Shoptaw2009"/> Psychosis very rarely arises from therapeutic use.<ref>Stimulant Misuse: Strategies to Manage a Growing Problem | http://www.acha.org/prof_dev/ADHD_docs/ADHD_PDprogram_Article2.pdf</ref><ref>http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2013/021303s026lbl.pdf</ref>

==Legal status==

*'''Canada''': 2-FA would be considered Schedule I as it is an analogue of Amphetamine.<ref>{{Citation | vauthors=((Branch, L. S.)) | year=2022 | title=Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act | url=https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/page-12.html}}</ref>

*'''New Zealand''': 2-FA is an amphetamine analogue, so is a Schedule 3 controlled substance in New Zealand.<ref>{{Citation | title=Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 No 116 (as at 01 July 2022), Public Act – New Zealand Legislation | url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1975/0116/latest/whole.html}}</ref>

*'''United Kingdom''': 2-FA is considered a Class A drug as a result of the amphetamine analog clause of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.<ref>{{Citation | title=Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/2/part/I}}</ref>