AM-2201

AM-2201 (1-(5-fluoropentyl)-3-(1-naphthoyl)indole) is a research chemical that acts as a potent but nonselective full agonist for the cannabinoid receptor. It is part of the AM series of cannabinoids discovered by Alexandros Makriyannis at Northeastern University.

Reputed recreational use of AM-2201 in the United States has led to it being specifically listed in a proposed 2011 amendment to the Controlled Substances Act, aiming to add a number of synthetic drugs into Schedule I. There have been anecdotal reports of individuals experiencing panic attacks and vomiting, at doses as small as 2 milligrams. As the dosage is much smaller than most other synthetic cannabinoids, users may accidentally dose too much. Convulsions have been reported at doses exceeding 10 milligrams. Caution should be taken if using this substance as it is active at doses as small as 500 µg (micrograms), has a very steep dose-response curve, and tolerance builds up very quickly to the effects. As of November 2011, there have been no reports of death associated with the drug. The toxicity of AM-2201 is still a matter of debate and there may be long term side effects.

Pharmacology
AM-2201 is a full agonist for cannabinoid receptors. Affinities are: with a Ki of 1.0nM at CB1 and 2.6nM at CB2. The 4-methyl functional analog MAM-2201 probably has similar affinities.

Pharmacokinetics
AM-2201 metabolism differs only slightly from that of JWH-018. AM-2201 N-dealkylation produces fluoropentane instead of pentane (or plain alkanes in general). It has been speculated that the fluoropentane might function as an alkylating agent or is further metabolized into fluoroacetic acid. This is not likely as fluoroalkanes do not act as alkylating agents under normal conditions and uneven fluoroalkane chains metabolize into substantially less toxic fluoropropanoic acid.