1,3-Benzodioxolylbutanamine

Use and effects

In his book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved), Alexander Shulgin lists the dose range as 150 to 230mg orally and the duration as 4 to 8hours. BDB produces entactogenic, MDMA-like effects. Although pleasant and euphoric, BDB is also fairly sedating and some users feel that the lack of stimulant effect makes it less enjoyable than other similar drugs. Additional side effects associated with BDB include nystagmus and dizziness. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of BDB.

Interactions

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Receptor and transporter interaction data have been reported for BDB. It acts as a serotonin–norepinephrine releasing agent (SNDRA) with only weak effects on dopamine. Animal studies and anecdotal reports have found that BDB is a slightly more potent serotonin releasing agent than its methylated sister compound methylbenzodioxylbutanamine (MBDB; "Eden", "Methyl-J").

Chemistry

BDB, also known as 1,3-benzodioxolylbutanamine or as 3,4-methylenedioxy-α-ethylphenethylamine, is a phenethylamine, α-ethylphenethylamine (phenylisobutylamine), and methylenedioxyphenethylamine (MDxx) related to MDMA. It is the α-ethyl analogue of 3,4-methylenedioxyphenethylamine (MDPEA) and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and the 3,4-methylenedioxy derivative of α-ethylphenethylamine (AEPEA).

Analogues

Analogues of BDB include MBDB (methyl-J), EBDB (ethyl-J), 1,3-benzodioxolylpentanamine (BDP; K), MBDP (methyl-K), EBDP (ethyl-K), and MPAP (PDBP; propyl-K), among others.

History

BDB was first described in the scientific literature by at least 1973.

Society and culture

Recreational use

Rather than as a recreational drug itself, BDB is more commonly known as a metabolite of the N-alkylated analogues MBDB and ethylbenzodioxylbutanamine (EBDB; "Ethyl-J"), which have appeared in MDMA or "ecstasy" tablets. Although BDB itself has not been reported as being sold as "ecstasy", urine analysis of users suggest that this drug may have appeared as a street drug, though it is unclear whether the positive urine test for BDB resulted from consumption of BDB itself or merely as a metabolite of MBDB.

Legal status

Germany

BDB is illegal in Germany (Anlage I).

References

References

1. {{CitePiHKAL
2. (1995). "A behavioral comparison of Nexus, cathinone, BDB, and MDA". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior.
3. (June 2022). "Pharmacological characterization of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) analogs and two amphetamine-based compounds: N,α-DEPEA and DPIA". Eur Neuropsychopharmacol.
4. (March 2007). "The effects of non-medically used psychoactive drugs on monoamine neurotransmission in rat brain". Eur J Pharmacol.
5. (1995). "Structure-activity relationships of BDB and its monomethyl and dimethyl derivatives". Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior.
6. (June 1973). "Relationship of the structure of mescaline and seven analogs to toxicity and behavior in five species of laboratory animals". Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.
7. (1997). "Excretion of MBDB and BDB in urine, saliva, and sweat following single oral administration". Journal of Analytical Toxicology.
8. (1998). "Ion trap mass spectrometry for the characterization of N-methyl-1- (3,4-methylene-dioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine and N-ethyl-3,4- methylenedioxyamphetamine, two widely distributed street drugs". Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry.
9. (October 1996). "Identification of N-methyl-1-(3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl)-2-butanamine (MBDB) in urine from drug users". Journal of Analytical Toxicology.