Not to be confused with A-PVP



alpha-Pyrrolidinohexiophenone (also known as PV-7, alpha-PHP, A-PHP, and α-PHP) is a lesser-known novel stimulant substance of the cathinone class. It is structurally related to compounds such as MDPV and is one of the successors to the designer drug cathinone analog α-PVP.

α-PHP generally comes in the form of either a fine powder or crystallized shards which users can ingest to produce powerful but short-lived euphoric stimulant effects which are comparable to those of methamphetamine and cocaine when insufflated or vaporized.[citation needed] Like its research chemical cathinone predecessors, it is has gained notoriety for its tendency to induce compulsive redosing and addictive behaviors in a large percentage of its users as well the ability to readily induce delusional states and psychosis when abused.[citation needed]

Subjective effects such as euphoria, thought acceleration, disinhibition and ego inflation when administered.

α-PHP has a short history of use and is subject to much scrutiny by the media.[citation needed] It is being used and marketed as a replacement for α-PVP (known on the street as flakka) a few years following its ban, where it has come to substitute α-PVP in many parts of the world. While initially mass synthesized in Chinese industrial laboratories, a ban on α-PHP within China's borders has forced production to nations worldwide.[citation needed]

Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of α-PHP. It has recently become commonly marketed alongside research chemical stimulants like NEP and Hexen as a legal, grey-market alternative to a-PVP, and commercially distributed through online research chemical vendors.

Chemistry

α-PHP, or α-Pyrrolidinohexanophenone, is a compound of the substituted cathinone and substituted pyrrolidine chemical classes. Its structure is comprised of hexanal bound to a phenyl ring at the 1 position and the nitrogen of a pyrrolidine ring at the 2 position.

α-PHP is the longer chain homolog of α-PVP, possessing an additional carbon on the alkyl side chain.

Pharmacology

The mechanism of action of α-PHP is unknown. Aside from a substantially shorter duration, it is believed to act similarly to the designer drug pentedrone and α-PVP, which both as a potent norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI),[1] although no substantial research on the pharmacology of this compound has yet been conducted.

This means it may effectively boost the levels of the norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitters in the brain by binding to and partially blocking the transporter proteins that normally remove those monoamines from the synaptic cleft. This allows dopamine and norepinephrine to accumulate within the brain, resulting in stimulating and euphoric effects.

Subjective effects

In comparison to its predecessor α-PVP, this compound has been reported as inducing slightly less anxiety, uncomfortable side effects, euphoria, and an easier comedown.

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), a literature which relies on collected anecdotal reports and the personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be taken with a healthy amount of skepticism. It is worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a consistent or reliable manner, although higher doses (common+) are more likely to induce the full spectrum of reported effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely with higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index include:

Additional experience reports can be found here:

Toxicity and harm potential

This toxicity and harm potential section is a stub. As such, it may contain incomplete or even dangerously wrong information. You can help by expanding or correcting it.

We also recommend that you conduct independent research and use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational α-PHP use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because α-PHP has very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried α-PHP within the community suggests 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).

α-PHP has been reported to be the cause, or a significant contributory cause, of death in suicides and overdoses caused by combinations of drugs.[2]

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

Tolerance and addiction potential

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

Tolerance to many of the effects of α-PHP 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 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). α-PHP presents cross-tolerance with all dopaminergic stimulants, meaning that after the consumption of α-PHP all stimulants will have a reduced effect.

Psychosis

α-PHP, like other strongly dopaminergic stimulants, can result in a stimulant psychosis that may present with a variety of symptoms (e.g., paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions).[3][4] A review on treatment for amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methamphetamine abuse-induced psychosis states that about 5–15% of users fail to recover completely.[5][6] The same review asserts that, based upon at least one trial, antipsychotic medications effectively resolve the symptoms of acute amphetamine psychosis.[7]

Dangerous interactions

Although many psychoactive substances are reasonably safe to use on their own, they can quickly become dangerous or even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The list below includes some known dangerous combinations (although it cannot be guaranteed to include all of them). Independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo) should always be conducted to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some interactions listed have been sourced from TripSit.

25x-NBOMe & 25x-NBOH - Members of the 25x family are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with stimulants should be avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation. This can result in panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, and heart failure in extreme cases.

- Members of the 25x family are highly stimulating and physically straining. Combinations with stimulants should be avoided due to the risk of excessive stimulation. This can result in panic attacks, thought loops, seizures, increased blood pressure, vasoconstriction, and heart failure in extreme cases. Alcohol - Alcohol can be dangerous to combine with stimulants due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask the sedative effects of alcohol, which is the main factor people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects of alcohol are left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and respiratory depression. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour.

- Alcohol can be dangerous to combine with stimulants due to the risk of accidental over-intoxication. Stimulants mask the sedative effects of alcohol, which is the main factor people use to assess their degree of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the depressant effects of alcohol are left unopposed, which can result in blackouts and respiratory depression. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of alcohol per hour. DXM - Combinations with DXM should be handled with extreme care due to DXM's effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. This can lead to panic attacks, hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with stimulants that increase levels of serotonin (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity.

- Combinations with DXM should be handled with extreme care due to DXM's effects on serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. This can lead to panic attacks, hypertensive crisis, or serotonin syndrome with stimulants that increase levels of serotonin (MDMA, methylone, mephedrone, etc.). Monitor blood pressure carefully and avoid strenuous physical activity. MDMA - The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with other stimulants. There is also a risk of excessive heart strain.

- The neurotoxic effects of MDMA may be increased when combined with other stimulants. There is also a risk of excessive heart strain. MXE - Combinations with MXE may dangerously elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of psychosis.

- Combinations with MXE may dangerously elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of psychosis. Stimulants - A-PHP can be potentially dangerous in combination with other stimulants as they can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.

- A-PHP can be potentially dangerous in combination with other stimulants as they can increase one's heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.

Cocaine - This combination may increase strain on the heart.

- This combination may increase strain on the heart. Tramadol - Tramadol lowers the seizure threshold.[8] Combinations with stimulants may further increase this risk.

Combinations with the following substances can cause dangerously high serotonin levels. Serotonin syndrome requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal if left untreated.

Legal status

Austria : α-PHP is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the NPSG (Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz Österreich). [ citation needed ]

: α-PHP is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the NPSG (Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz Österreich). Brazil : As of September 7, 2018, all cathinone analogues are controlled substances considered illegal to possess, use and distribute. This was made possible due to a blanket ban law appended to Portaria SVS/MS nº 344. [10]

: As of September 7, 2018, all cathinone analogues are controlled substances considered illegal to possess, use and distribute. This was made possible due to a blanket ban law appended to Portaria SVS/MS nº 344. China : α-PHP is a controlled substance in China as of October 2015. [11]

: α-PHP is a controlled substance in China as of October 2015. Germany : α-PHP is controlled under the NpSG ( New Psychoactive Substances Act ) [12] as of November 26, 2016. [13] Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized. [14]

: α-PHP is controlled under the NpSG ( ) as of November 26, 2016. Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized. Italy : The President of the Republic of Italy classified cathinone and all structurally derived analogues (including pyrovalerone analogues) as Narcotics in January 2012. [15]

: The President of the Republic of Italy classified cathinone and all structurally derived analogues (including pyrovalerone analogues) as Narcotics in January 2012. Sweden : Sweden's public health agency suggested to classify α-PHP as narcotic on June 1, 2015. [16]

: Sweden's public health agency suggested to classify α-PHP as narcotic on June 1, 2015. Switzerland : α-PHP can be considered a controlled substance as a defined derivative of Cathinone under Verzeichnis E point 1. It is legal when used for scientific or industrial use. [17]

: α-PHP can be considered a controlled substance as a defined derivative of Cathinone under Verzeichnis E point 1. It is legal when used for scientific or industrial use. United Kingdom : is a Class B drug in the United Kingdom as a result of the cathinone catch-all clause. [18]

: is a Class B drug in the United Kingdom as a result of the cathinone catch-all clause. United States: α-PHP was placed in Schedule I by a DEA temporary scheduling order effective July 2019; the order will expire in July 2021 unless extended or made permanent.[19]

See also

References



