3-Trifluoromethylphenylpiperazine ( TFMPP) is a recreational drug of the phenylpiperazine chemical class and is a substituted piperazine. Usually in combination with benzylpiperazine (BZP) and other analogues, it is sold as an alternative to the illicit drug MDMA ("Ecstasy").
Use and effects
TFMPP is rarely used by itself. In fact, TFMPP
hypoactivity and produces
aversives effects in animals rather than self-administration, which may explain the decision of the DEA not to permanently make TFMPP a controlled substance.
More commonly, TFMPP is co-administered with BZP, which acts as a norepinephrine and dopamine releasing agent.
Due to the serotonin agonist effects and increase in serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine levels produced by the BZP/TFMPP combination, this mixture of drugs produces effects which crudely mimic those of
MDMA.
In a clinical study, TFMPP produced effects in humans including dysphoria, dextroamphetamine-like effects (i.e., stimulant-like effects), tension and anxiety, mental confusion and "bewilderment", and increased ratings of "drug liking", "high", and "stimulated".
Side effects
The combination of BZP and TFMPP has been associated with a range of side effects, including
insomnia,
anxiety,
nausea and vomiting,
headaches and muscle aches which may resemble
migraine,
seizures,
impotence, and rarely
psychosis,
as well as a prolonged and unpleasant
hangover effect. These side effects tend to be significantly worsened when the BZP/TFMPP mix is consumed alongside alcohol, especially the headache, nausea, and hangover.
However, it is difficult to say how many of these side effects are produced by TFMPP itself, as it has rarely been marketed without BZP also being present, and all of the side effects mentioned are also produced by BZP (which has been sold as a single drug). Studies into other related piperazine drugs such as mCPP suggest that certain side effects such as anxiety, headache and nausea are common to all drugs of this class, and pills containing TFMPP are reported by users to produce comparatively more severe hangover effects than those containing only BZP. The drug can also cause the body to tremble for a long period of time.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
TFMPP has affinity for the 5-HT
1A (K
i = 288–1,950 nM), 5-HT
1B (K
i = 30–132 nM), 5-HT
1D (K
i = 282 nM), 5-HT
2A (K
i = 160–269 nM), and 5-HT
2C (K
i = 62 nM) receptors, and functions as a
full agonist at all sites except the 5-HT
2A receptor, where it acts as a weak
partial agonist or antagonist.
Unlike the related piperazine compound
meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP), TFMPP has insignificant affinity for the 5-HT
3 receptor (IC
50 = 2,373 nM).
TFMPP also binds to the SERT (EC
50 = 121 nM) and evokes the
releasing agent of
serotonin.
It has no effects on
dopamine or
norepinephrine reuptake or efflux.
TFMPP has been found to reduce aggression in rodents.
Chemistry
Derivatives
Society and culture
Legal status
Canada
Since 2012, TFMPP has been listed as a Schedule III controlled substance in
Canada,
making possession of TFMPP a federal offence. It has also been added to Part J of the Food and Drug Regulations thereby prohibiting the production, export or import of the substance.
China
As of October 2015 TFMPP is a controlled substance in China.
Denmark
As of December 3, 2005, TFMPP is illegal in
Denmark.
Finland
Scheduled in government decree on psychoactive substances banned from the consumer market.
Japan
Since 2003, TFMPP and BZP became illegal in
Japan.
Netherlands
TFMPP is unscheduled in the
Netherlands.
New Zealand
Based on the recommendation of the EACD, the
New Zealand government has passed legislation which placed BZP, along with the other piperazine derivatives TFMPP, mCPP, pFPP, MeOPP and MBZP, into Class C of the New Zealand Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. A ban was intended to come into effect in New Zealand on December 18, 2007, but the law change did not go through until the following year, and the sale of BZP and the other listed piperazines became illegal in New Zealand as of 1 April 2008. An amnesty for possession and usage of these drugs remained until October 2008, at which point they became completely illegal.
Sweden
As of March 1, 2006, TFMPP is scheduled as a "dangerous substance" in
Sweden.
Switzerland
As of December 1, 2010, TFMPP is a controlled substance in
Switzerland.
United Kingdom
As of December 2009, TFMPP has been made a Class C drug in the
United Kingdom along with BZP.
United States
TFMPP is not currently scheduled at the federal level in the
United States,
but it was briefly emergency scheduled in Schedule I. The scheduling expired in April 2004 and was not renewed.
However, some states such as Florida have banned the drug in their criminal statutes making its possession a felony.
[ Florida Statutes - Chapter 893 - DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND CONTROL]
Florida
TFMPP is a Schedule I controlled substance in the state of
Florida making it illegal to buy, sell, or possess in Florida.
Texas
TFMPP is controlled in
Texas under Penalty Group 2, as a hallucinogenic substance. It is illegal to possess TFMPP in any quantity in Texas.
External links
-
//www.erowid.org/chemicals/tfmpp/tfmpp.shtml
