Buphedrone
Buphedrone, also known as α-methylamino-butyrophenone, is a stimulant of the phenethylamine and cathinone chemical classes that was first synthesized in 1928. It is a synthetic analogue of cathinone, a stimulant naturally occurring in the khat plant. Like many other synthetic cathinones, it is also found in so called "legal highs", a class of designer drugs used to bypass legal restrictions.
Pharmacology
Buphedrone is a substituted cathinone, and more broadly related, a substituted amphetamine and substituted phenethylamine and, as such, operates as a norepinephrine-dopamine releasing agent, similar to many of the drugs in its chemical class. It mediates this action by reversing the VMAT2, causing an efflux of the monoamines; dopamine, norepinephrine, and, to a lesser extent, serotonin.Chemistry
Buphedrone is a β-ketone and is related to the naturally occurring compounds cathinone and cathine. It is also related to methamphetamine, differing by the β-ketone substituent and an ethyl group replacing the methyl group at the carbon at the α-position relative to the amine. Another name for buphedrone is phenylacetoethyl-methylamine.Buphedrone as free base is very unstable; it is prone to dimerization like other α-amino ketones. Because of this, it is sold as various salts, with a hydrochloride being most common.
Effects
Buphedrone increases spontaneous rodent locomotor activity, potentiates the release of dopamine from dopaminergic nerve terminals in the brain, and causes appetite suppression. It also causes a possibly dangerous effect of decreasing subjective feeling of thirst. Though the specific effects and toxicity of buphedrone are not well studied, in general it is expected to have overlapping effects with other synthetic cathinones.Legal status
As of October 2015, buphedrone is a controlled substance in China.Buphedrone is an Anlage II controlled drug in Germany.
In the United States, buphedrone is considered a schedule 1 controlled substance as a positional isomer of mephedrone.