Three synthetic benzofurans—5-APDB, 5-MAPB, and 6-APB—were tested in mice and rats to compare their behavioral effects with MDMA, cocaine, and methamphetamine. In mice, 6-APB produced strong locomotor stimulation 20 to 50 minutes after injection, while 5-MAPB caused modest stimulation, and 5-APDB initially depressed then modestly stimulated activity. All three compounds were more potent than MDMA. In rats trained to discriminate MDMA from saline, all three benzofurans fully substituted for MDMA, indicating similar subjective effects. Only 5-MAPB fully substituted for cocaine, and none fully substituted for methamphetamine. The findings suggest these benzofurans may have abuse liability as substitutes for MDMA.
Four novel synthetic hallucinogens structurally similar to 25X-NBOMe compounds—25B-NBOH, 25C-NBOH, 25E-NBOH, and 25I-NBOH—were tested in mice and rats. All four decreased spontaneous locomotor activity in mice, with effects similar in magnitude and potency to the hallucinogen DOM but less potent than 25X-NBOMe compounds. In rats trained to discriminate DOM, 25B-NBOH, 25C-NBOH, and 25E-NBOH fully substituted for DOM, indicating they produce similar psychoactive effects, while 25I-NBOH failed to fully substitute even at doses that suppressed responding. The findings suggest three of the four compounds are likely to be used recreationally as hallucinogens, whereas 25I-NBOH may have lower abuse liability.