J (psychedelic)

J, BDB, or 3,4-methylenedioxy-alpha-ethyl-phenethylamine, is a psychedelic drug with only limited history of use in humans. . It is also the alpha-ethyl analog of MDPEA and MDA.

BDB was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin. In his book PIHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved), the dosage range is listed as 150-230 mg, and the duration is listed as 4-8 hours. BDB produces entactogenic, MDMA-like effects. While pleasant and euphoric, BDB is also fairly sedating and some users feel that the lack of stimulant effect makes it less enjoyable than other similar drugs. Additional side effects associated with BDB include nystagmus and dizziness. Shulgin gives it a ++ on the Shulgin Rating Scale. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of BDB.

Animal studies and anecdotal reports show that BDB is a slightly more potent serotonin releaser than its methylated sister compound MBDB. However it is more commonly known as a metabolite of the N-alkylated analogues MBDB and EBDB which have appeared in street "Ecstasy" pills. While BDB itself has not been reported as being sold as "Ecstasy", urine analysis of "Ecstasy" users suggest that this drug may have appeared as a street drug, although it is unclear whether the positive urine test for BDB resulted from consumption of BDB itself or merely as a metabolite of MBDB.