3-FEA
3-FEA is a novel synthetic entactogen and stimulant of the substituted amphetamine class.1 It is the 3-fluorinated analog of ethylamphetamine and belongs to a series of designer fluorinated amphetamines. Anecdotal reports characterize it as a moderately potent serotonin-dominant triple monoamine releaser, producing a combination of entactogenic and mild stimulant effects. Very little formal research exists regarding its pharmacology, toxicity, or safety profile in humans.1
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Duration
Subjective Effects
3-FEA produces a mixed stimulant and entactogen-leaning experience consistent with its action as a releaser of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. Its relatively strong serotonin release compared to other ethylamphetamine derivatives lends the experience a warmer, mood-elevating character than that of purely dopaminergic stimulants, though its effects are generally regarded as mild and short-lived relative to classical entactogens. Detailed phenomenological documentation of this compound remains limited.
Physical
Cognitive
The headspace is typically described as a gentle mood lift with mild euphoria and a subtle sense of emotional warmth and sociability, without significant alteration of thought structure. In high dosages it becomes much more like that of an entactogen such as MDMA due to its triple monoamine release.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
3-FEA acts primarily as a monoamine releasing agent, elevating levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine in the brain.1 It may also partially inhibit reuptake at these transporters, though this has not been formally confirmed. Relative to unsubstituted ethylamphetamine, 3-FEA shows enhanced serotonin release, though available characterizations differ regarding its relative dopamine and norepinephrine releasing potencies.2 In animal studies, it produced the strongest reinforcing effects among a range of 3-substituted ethamphetamine derivatives tested, despite not being the most potent dopamine releaser in that series.
Pharmacokinetics
There have been no studies on the pharmacokinetic profile of 3-FEA and the metabolism of 3-FEA is unknown.
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Dopaminergic stimulants, Serotonergic stimulants, Entactogens (including MDMA), Amphetamines
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
ModerateDescribed as likely moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse, capable of causing psychological dependence in some users. Compulsive redosing is commonly reported, particularly during or immediately following the peak effects. Cravings may develop with chronic use.
Physical
LowWithdrawal effects may occur if use is suddenly stopped after dependence has developed, though available reports emphasize psychological rather than physical dependence mechanisms.1
Toxicity
Psychosis Risk
As an amphetamine derivative, abuse at high dosages for prolonged periods can potentially result in stimulant psychosis presenting with paranoia, hallucinations, or delusions. Based on reviews of amphetamine-induced psychosis, approximately 5-15% of affected users fail to recover completely, though antipsychotics effectively resolve acute symptoms.5 Psychosis very rarely arises from cautious, sparing use at moderate doses.
History & Culture
3-Fluoroethamphetamine belongs to a series of designer fluorinated amphetamine derivatives that emerged in the 2010s, which includes related compounds such as 2-FA, 2-FMA, 3-FA, 4-FMA, and 4-FA. These substances were developed as novel psychoactive compounds for the research chemical market.…
Legality
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Cheolmin Jo, Hyejin Joo, Na Young Lim, Su‐Jeong Park, & Sun Ok Choi. (2023). Withdrawal from 3-Fluoroethamphetamine induces hyperactivity and depression-like behaviors in male mice. https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.2525112345
- R E Tessel, & C O Rutledge. (May 1976). Specificity of release of biogenic amines from isolated rat brain tissue as a function of the meta substituent of N-ethylamphetamine derivatives. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 197(2), 253–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0022-3565(25)30504-51
- Richard B Rothman, & Michael H Baumann. (2009). Serotonergic Drugs and Valvular Heart Disease. 8(3), 317-329. https://doi.org/10.1517/147403309029315241
- LW Fitzgerald, TC Burn, BS Brown, JP Patterson, MH Corjay, PA Valentine, JH Sun, JR Link, I Abbaszade, JM Hollis, BL Largent, PR Hartig, GF Hollis, PC Meunier, AJ Robichaud, & DW Robertson. (2000). Possible role of valvular serotonin 5-HT(2B) receptors in the cardiopathy associated with fenfluramine. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10617681/1
- Dimy Fluyau, Paroma Mitra, & Kervens Lorthe. (2019). Antipsychotics for Amphetamine Psychosis. A Systematic Review. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2019.007401
- RIS - Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung § 1 - Bundesrecht konsolidiert, Fassung vom 28.08.2026. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Anlage=&Artikel=&FassungVom=2026-08-28&Gesetzesnummer=20007642&Paragraf=1&Uebergangsrecht=1
- RIS - Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung Anlage II, BGBl. II Nr. 106/2024. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Bundesnormen/NOR40261441/II_106_2024_Anlage_II.pdf1
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- PubChem CID 57458869 compound properties for 3-FEA. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug/compound/cid/57458869/property/IUPACName,CanonicalSMILES,IsomericSMILES,MolecularFormula,InChIKey/JSON1
- PubChem CID 57458869 synonyms for 3-FEA. pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug/compound/cid/57458869/synonyms/JSON1
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- PubChem PUG REST compound identity record for 3-FEA (CID 57458869). pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (n.d.). https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/rest/pug/compound/name/3-FEA/property/IUPACName,Title,CanonicalSMILES/JSON1
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Further Reading
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