STS-135

Summary sheet: STS-135
STS-135
STS-135.svg
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names STS-135
Substitutive name 5-fluoro-APICA
Systematic name N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide
Class Membership
Psychoactive class Cannabinoid
Chemical class Indolecarboxamide / Adamantane
Routes of Administration

WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.


Smoked
Dosage
Threshold < 0.5 mg
Light 0.5 - 1.5 mg
Common 1.5 - 2 mg
Strong 2 - 4 mg
Heavy 4 mg +
Duration
Total 30 - 60 minutes
Onset 10 - 45 seconds
Come up 10 - 45 minutes
Peak 10 - 30 minutes
Offset 5 - 10 minutes
After effects 15 - 45 minutes










DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.

Interactions
2C-T-x
2C-x
5-MeO-xxT
Amphetamines
aMT
Cocaine
DMT
DOx
LSD
Mescaline
Mushrooms
25x-NBOMe
Lithium


STS-135 (also called N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide or 5F-APICA) is a drug that acts as a potent agonist for the cannabinoid receptors which produces subjective effects somewhat similar to that of cannabis with a short duration and an emphasis on intense physical sensations. There is very little information regarding the pharmacology of this compound within the scientific literature. Despite this, however, it is available for sale as a grey area research chemical through online vendors.

Cannabinoids are commonly smoked or vaporized to achieve a quick onset of effects and rapid offset. STS-135 is orally active when dissolved in a lipid, which can increase the duration significantly. Like other cannabinoids, it is insoluble in water but dissolves in ethanol and lipids.

Unlike cannabis, the chronic abuse of synthetic cannabinoids has been associated with multiple deaths and more dangerous side effects and toxicity in general. Therefore, it is strongly discouraged to take this substance for extended periods of time or in excessive doses.

Chemistry

STS-135, or N-(adamantan-1-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamide, is a synthetic cannabinoid drug containing a substituted indole group. This indole moeity is substituted at R1 with a fluoropentyl chain, a substitution shared with 5F-PB-22, THJ-2201, and 5F-AKB48. Additionally, the indole is substituted at R3 with a carboxamide group. This carboxamide group is N-substituted at its terminal amine group with an adamantane group. This group consists of four fused cyclohexane rings in a unique structure called a diamondoid. STS-135 is an analog of 5F-AKB48 in which the core indazole structure is substituted with an indole base.

Pharmacology

Although this substance has not been formally studied, from analysis of the structure, it is presumed that STS-135 has a similar binding profile to that of other cannabinoids and matches many of the in vivo properties of Δ9-THC.

Formal studies have demonstrated that STS-135 acts a potent cannabinoid receptor agonist in vitro with an EC50 of 51 nM for human CB2 receptors and 13 nM for human CB1 receptors.[1] STS-135 produces bradycardia and hypothermia in rats at doses of 1-10 mg/kg, suggesting cannabinoid-like activity.[1] However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the cannabinoid high experience continues to remain elusive.

Subjective effects

Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWiki contributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.

It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.

Physical effects
 

Cognitive effects
 

Auditory effects
 


Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational STS-135 use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because STS-135 has very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried STS-135 within the community suggest 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). Informal experiments have shown that overdose will cause physical discomfort including heart palpitations, vertigo and sedation at much lower than dangerous doses, usually causing the user to suffer large amounts of anxiety or to fall asleep.

It has often been recommended that those with severe pre-existing mental conditions should not ingest these substances due to the way they strongly increase one's current state of mind and emotions. Also, like THC, prolonged usage of synthetic cannabinoids may increase one's disposition to mental illness and psychosis[6], particularly in vulnerable individuals with risk factors for psychotic illnesses (like a past or family history of schizophrenia).[7][8][9]

As synthetic cannabinoids are active in the milligram range (with below 5mg being a common dose), it is important to use proper precautions when dosing to avoid a negative experience.

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

Tolerance and addiction potential

As with other synthetic cannibanoids, the chronic use of STS-135 can be considered moderately 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 STS-135 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). STS-135 presents cross-tolerance with all cannabinoids, meaning that after the consumption of STS-135 all cannabinoids will have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions

Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).

Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.

  • 2C-T-x
  • 2C-x
  • 5-MeO-xxT
  • Amphetamines - Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences
  • aMT
  • Cocaine - Stimulants increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops which can lead to negative experiences
  • DMT
  • DOx
  • Lithium - Lithium is commonly prescribed in the treatment of bipolar disorder; however, there is a large body of anecdotal evidence that suggests taking it with cannabinoids can significantly increase the risk of psychosis and seizures. As a result, this combination should be strictly avoided.
  • LSD
  • Mescaline
  • Mushrooms
  • 25x-NBOMe

Legal status

STS-135 was developed to bypass drug prohibition laws which have banned the possession and sale of many synthetic cannabinoids. As such, it remains legal in many parts of the world. People may still be charged for its possession under certain circumstances such as under analogue laws and with intent to sell or consume.

  • China: As of October 2015, STS-135 is a controlled substance in China.[10]
  • Germany: STS-135 is controlled under Anlage II BtMG (Narcotics Act, Schedule II)[11] as of December 13, 2014.[12] It is illegal to manufacture, possess, import, export, buy, sell, procure or dispense it without a license.[13]
  • Latvia: STS-135 is a Schedule I controlled substance.[14]
  • Switzerland: STS-135 is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E.[15]
  • United Kingdom: STS-135 is a Class B controlled substance under the third-generation synthetic cannabinoids generic definition, which came into effect on December 14, 2016 and is illegal to possess, produce, supply, or import.[16]

See also

External links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Banister, S. D., Stuart, J., Kevin, R. C., Edington, A., Longworth, M., Wilkinson, S. M., Beinat, C., Buchanan, A. S., Hibbs, D. E., Glass, M., Connor, M., McGregor, I. S., Kassiou, M. (19 August 2015). "Effects of Bioisosteric Fluorine in Synthetic Cannabinoid Designer Drugs JWH-018, AM-2201, UR-144, XLR-11, PB-22, 5F-PB-22, APICA, and STS-135". ACS Chemical Neuroscience. 6 (8): 1445–1458. doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00107. ISSN 1948-7193. 
  2. Mechoulam, R., ed. (1986). Cannabinoids as therapeutic agents. CRC Press. ISBN 9780849357725. 
  3. 3.0 3.1 http://science.howstuffworks.com/marijuana4.htm}}
  4. Martín-Sánchez, E., Furukawa, T. A., Taylor, J., Martin, J. L. R. (November 2009). "Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Cannabis Treatment for Chronic Pain". Pain Medicine. 10 (8): 1353–1368. doi:10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00703.x. ISSN 1526-2375. 
  5. Lynch, M. E., Campbell, F. (November 2011). "Cannabinoids for treatment of chronic non-cancer pain; a systematic review of randomized trials: Cannabinoids for pain". British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 72 (5): 735–744. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2011.03970.x. ISSN 0306-5251. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 Arseneault, L., Cannon, M., Witton, J., Murray, R. M. (February 2004). "Causal association between cannabis and psychosis: examination of the evidence". The British Journal of Psychiatry. 184 (2): 110–117. doi:10.1192/bjp.184.2.110. ISSN 0007-1250. 
  7. 7.0 7.1 Every-Palmer, S. (September 2011). "Synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 and psychosis: An explorative study". Drug and Alcohol Dependence. 117 (2–3): 152–157. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.01.012. ISSN 0376-8716. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 Schneir, A. B., Cullen, J., Ly, B. T. (1 March 2011). ""Spice" Girls: Synthetic Cannabinoid Intoxication". The Journal of Emergency Medicine. 40 (3): 296–299. doi:10.1016/j.jemermed.2010.10.014. ISSN 0736-4679. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 Vearrier, D., Osterhoudt, K. C. (June 2010). "A Teenager With Agitation: Higher Than She Should Have Climbed". Pediatric Emergency Care. 26 (6): 462–465. doi:10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181e4f416. ISSN 0749-5161. 
  10. 关于印发《非药用类麻醉药品和精神药品列管办法》的通知 | http://www.sfda.gov.cn/WS01/CL0056/130753.html
  11. "Anlage II BtMG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz. Retrieved December 30, 2019. 
  12. "Achtundzwanzigste Verordnung zur Änderung betäubungsmittelrechtlicher Vorschriften" (PDF). Bundesgesetzblatt Jahrgang 2014 Teil I Nr. 57 (in German). Bundesanzeiger Verlag. December 12, 2014. pp. 1999–2002. Retrieved December 19, 2019. 
  13. "§ 29 BtMG" (in German). Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz. Retrieved December 19, 2019. 
  14. Zaudējis spēku - Noteikumi par Latvijā kontrolējamajām narkotiskajām vielām, psihotropajām vielām un prekursoriem 
  15. "Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien" (in German). Bundeskanzlei [Federal Chancellery of Switzerland]. Retrieved January 1, 2020. 
  16. The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Amendment) Order 2016