2-Fluoromethamphetamine (2-FMA): A Smart Choice for Productivity?

What is 2-FMA?

2-Fluoromethamphetamine, better known as 2-FMA, is a psychostimulant amphetamine psychedelic belonging to the subtype known as fluorinated amphetamines. 2-FMA has no recognized medical potential and exists primarily as a recreational designer drug.

The fluorinated amphetamines are characterized by the presence of a fluoride group attached to the central ring moiety of the base amphetamine molecule. Although research is significantly lacking on these compounds, basic impressions recorded on self-assessment drug forums reveal how the addition of a fluoride group leads to considerable pharmacological diversity. Close structural isomers in this family will often have quite separate effects, some leaning towards stimulant properties while others are more empathogenic.

In the case of 2-FMA, user reports describe a long-lasting and highly “functional” stimulant with marked similarities to lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), a popular “study drug.”

2-FMA Specs

Chemical Name	2-Fluoromethamphetamine
Level of Risk	Low to Moderate
Other Names	None
Most Common Side Effects	Appetite suppression, Anxiety, Headaches, Wakefulness
Duration of Effects	Seven to nine hours
Estimated Threshold Dose	10 mg
Common Dose	12 to 35 mg
Legality/Status	As an analog of methamphetamine, the sale or possession of 2-FMA has the potential to be prosecuted in the United States
PubChem ID:	24257263
CAS#	1017176-48-5

Metabolism: The only available study on the metabolism of 2-FMA indicated that N-hydroxylation and aliphatic hydroxylation are likely the characteristic metabolic pathways utilized [1].

Trip Sitter Safe 2-FMA Guidelines

🐍 I understand why psychedelics should be treated with respect
⚖️ I’m familiar with the laws for 2-FMA in my country & state
🍄 I’m familiar with and confident in the dose I’m taking
🧪 I’ve tested a sample of the substance I’m using with a drug-testing kit
💊 I’m not mixing any medications or other substances with 2-FMA
🏔 I’m in a safe & comfortable environment with people I trust
🐺 One of the members of my group is responsible and sober (AKA a trip sitter)
⏳ I have nothing important scheduled for after the trip
🧠 I’m in a sound & healthy state of mind
❤️ I don’t have any underlying health issues — don’t take 2-FMA if you have underlying heart, neurological, or psychiatric disorders
👭 Use the buddy system — 2-FMA can remove your inhibition and allow you to make unsafe decisions, always stay with people you trust, and never go out alone

How Does 2-FMA Work?

All of the psychoactive analogs of methamphetamine work by way of three basic mechanisms that alter the functioning of three basic neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) as well as a host of other secondary transmitters:

Some block the reuptake of neurotransmitters
Some block the clearance of neurotransmitters
Some reverse the polarity of neurotransmitter transporters

Apart from their differences in regard to these three mechanisms, amphetamine compounds express different binding affinities to the known neurotransmitters. It’s important to understand that the various ways these factors can interact play a large role in determining the effects profile of any given amphetamine.

Research that attempts to examine the precise pathways utilized by 2-FMA is lacking, but one particular study does let us know that 2-FMA has no activity at the serotonin receptors (5-HT2) [2]. This is not unheard of, but it’s not that common either: psychostimulant amphetamines tend to display stronger binding affinities in favor of either dopamine and norepinephrine or serotonin, but, in most cases, whichever receptor is not favored will still display at least some level of affinity.

Given that 2-FMA does not activate serotonin receptors, we can reasonably assume that it’s a primarily dopaminergic compound with action at the dopamine and norepinephrine receptors.

More information is needed; however, As of yet, we have no data to understand the relative levels of action at each receptor. It could be that the dopamine receptor is heavily favored or vice versa.

As it’s the most common pathway and also the one utilized by its isomers, the mechanism utilized by 2-FMA is likely reuptake inhibition. This pathway consists of inhibiting transport proteins so neurotransmitter levels outside the neuron remain elevated, which then leads to higher levels of neurotransmission. This pathway is often accompanied by the stimulation of monoamine release, a secondary pathway that induces the release of a monamine neurotransmitter from the presynaptic neuron. However, we have no solid data when it comes to 2-FMA.

What Does 2-FMA Feel Like?

With the dozens and dozens of designer drugs now on the market, it is simply too expensive for researchers to try and delve into the distinct effects profile of each NPS (New Psychoactive Substance).

For this reason, we must turn to subjective self-assessment reports found in a variety of recreational drug forums. Although this method admittedly lacks scientific objectivity, it usually produces accurate results in terms of defining the general characteristics of what a user might expect, especially when it comes to understanding how different compounds relate to each other.

The reports found online associate the use of 2-FMA with the following effects:

Physical effects – Stimulation, Physical euphoria, Tactical enhancement, Stamina enhancement, Abnormal heartbeat, Increased heart rate, Increased blood pressure, Appetite suppression, Bronchodilation, Dehydration, Dry Mouth, Frequent urination, Increased bodily temperature, Increased perspiration, Nausea, Pupil dilation (only at higher doses), Teeth grinding, Temporary erectile dysfunction, Vasoconstriction, Restless legs
Cognitive effects – Analysis enhancement, Anxiety & Paranoia, Cognitive euphoria, Compulsive redosing, Delusion, Disinhibition, Ego inflation, Emotion Suppression, Focus enhancement, Increased libido, Increased music appreciation, Motivation enhancement, Bodily control enhancement, Thought acceleration, Thought organization, Wakefulness, Time distortion.
After Effects – Anxiety, Cognitive fatigue, Delusion, Depersonalization, Depression, Headaches, Irritability, Motivation suppression, Psychosis, Thought deceleration, Wakefulness

As can be seen, 2-FMA is a purely stimulant compound and produces none of the effects associated with serotonin activation. In this sense, it’s important to get a feel for the exact “texture” of its stimulant qualities. Some stimulants are often described as “chaotic,” which means they tend to overwhelm the user. On the other side of the spectrum, users often talk about “functional” or “clean” stimulants.

As a compound, 2-FMA falls squarely on the functional side, which is why it’s more popular as a productivity drug than a recreational compound, a clear indication of its functional attributes.

It’s important to note that when 2-FMA is taken in large enough quantities, the properties which enhance productivity are overwhelmed by the distracting euphoria it can produce.

When it comes to side effects, 2-FMA appears to have a more benign profile than that of other fluorinated amphetamines: it produces fewer side effects as well as “come down” effects.

Duration of Effects

One of the most popular features of 2-FMA is its long-lasting effects.

Users report that 2-FMA takes approximately 20 minutes to kick in and lasts for up to seven hours. On the other hand, the after-effects are quite short, lasting only one hour.

Is 2-FMA Safe? Risks & Side Effects

All amphetamine analogs carry a certain level of risk, especially with regard to their effects on cardiovascular health and the fact they’re mostly used as recreational drugs.

The cardiovascular complications that can arise from heavy stimulant use are well-known in the medical community. Over the long term, stimulant compounds can cause increased blood pressure and irregular heart rate, as well as chronic insomnia, impotence, seizures, psychosis, and heart failure. Although rare, deaths from cardiac arrest have been recorded as a result of acute intoxication with psychostimulants.

As a compound, 2-FMA has an average level of potency and seems to cause fewer side effects, which indicates a slightly reduced risk profile. It’s also more popular as a productivity drug than as a study drug and thus less associated with dangerous habits like compulsive redosing. Finally, the desired productivity-related effects of 2-FMA aren’t as prevalent at higher doses, which means there is less of an incentive to experiment with the higher dosing ranges of 2-FMA. In this sense, overdoses should be even rarer occurrences.

There’s one more reason why 2-FMA presents a more favorable risk profile than other members in its class. Compounds with serotonergic action have been found to cause long-lasting depletion of serotonin, and unlike many of its analogs, 2-FMA has no action at the serotonin receptors and thus cannot cause harm in this way.

Harm Reduction: 2-FMA

For those who have decided to experiment with recreational drugs in a responsible manner, the “just say no” approach to drug use provides utilized by public health authorities provides little, if any, information on how to stay safe. Drug use will never be totally eliminated, and, as a result, there is a pressing need to both popularize and internalize harm-reduction principles within the general public and especially the youth.

Harm-reduction tactics have one goal in mind: to provide the necessary tools and information so users can always minimize their risk while engaging in drug use.

With this in mind, we present some of the most effective harm-reduction techniques:

1. Beware of High-Potency Compounds

When the dose is properly adjusted, there’s no reason why a potent compound should be more dangerous than one of lesser potency. However, in the context of a rave or a music festival, decisions about dosage can be made quite carelessly. When this happens, potent compounds can easily produce events of acute intoxication and cause severe harm.

2. Stay Hydrated

A common side effect of stimulant compounds is hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), and when users don’t take care to stay hydrated, it can lead to loss of consciousness and other adverse effects.

3. Test Your Drugs

There’s no telling what sort of adulterants could wind up in drugs purchased through unregulated vendors or on the street. In order to hedge against this risk, users should always make use of reagent test kits. These kits don’t test for everything, but they do filter out the worst kinds of adulterants and may easily save your life. They usually go for around 40$ and have the materials for over a hundred tests.

4. Avoid Mixing Drugs

Whether it is an agonistic or an antagonistic interaction, nothing good ever comes from mixing potent pharmacological compounds. In fact, the vast majority of drug-related deaths involve the presence of more than one drug. Drug interactions produce unpredictable results and will always elevate a user’s risk level.

2-FMA: Dosage

There are no official studies on the optimal dosage range for 2-FMA. This is part of the downside when working with research drugs.

However, various user reports are available online that discuss dosages. In combination with our own testing, we’ve sorted through this information to identify what we believe to be the most up-to-date dosage information for 2-FMA.

Estimated Dosages for 2-FMA:

Threshold	10 mg
Light	15 to 25 mg
Common	25 to 35 mg
Strong	35 to 65 mg
Heavy	65 to 80+ mg

It’s important to remember that these values are subjective and that everyone is different when it comes to dosage. Formulaic dosing recommendations can never take into account all the different factors, such as body weight, method of administration, and tolerance. The smart decision is to always air on the side of caution: try half of what you had in mind, and if the effects are not satisfactory, you can always take the other half.

Final Thoughts on 2-FMA

Boasting long-lasting effects, smooth and functional stimulation, and minimal side effects, 2-FMA is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a productive stimulant.

2-FMA can also bring on considerable euphoria at higher doses, but it does not seem to be a popular recreational compound.

References

Ishii, A., Sato, K., Kusakabe, K., Kato, N., & Wada, T. (2022). Identification and Quantitative Analysis of 2-Fluoro Methamphetamine and its Metabolites in Human Urine. Journal of Analytical Toxicology.
Åstrand, A., Guerrieri, D., Vikingsson, S., Kronstrand, R., & Green, H. (2020). In vitro characterization of new psychoactive substances at the μ-opioid, CB1, 5HT1A, and 5-HT2A receptors—on-target receptor potency and efficacy, and off-target effects. Forensic Science International, 317, 110553.