Library
4-CA
4-CA is primarily a laboratory neurotoxin used to selectively destroy serotonergic neurons in research. It was briefly investigated as an appetite suppressant and antidepressant in the 1960s-1970s but medical development ceased due to severe neurotoxicity findings. Reports from Belgium (2018) confirmed sporadic adulteration of ecstasy pills with 4-CA, posing acute neurotoxicity risk to unwitting users. Clinical studies described only slight stimulant effects with the compound acting more like an antidepressant than a typical stimulant. The use of this substance is strongly discouraged.
Also known as: Pca, P-cmp, 4-cmp, Para-Chloroamphetamine, P-Chloroamphetamine, 4-Chloroamphetamine
Classification
- Chemical: Amphetamine
- Psychoactive: Entactogen
- Psychoactive: Stimulant
- Tag: Research-Chemical
Effects
- Mild Stimulation
- Sedation
- Hyperthermia
- Insomnia
- Muscle Tension
- Headache
- Anxiety
- Cognitive Fatigue
- Depression
- Dysphoria
- Talkativeness
- Alertness Enhancement
- Appetite Suppression
- Light Sensitivity
- Increased Libido
- Dehydration
- Open Eye Visuals
Routes of Administration
Oral
Dosage
- Threshold: ~2 mg (anecdotal, unverified)
- Light: 2–8 mg (user reports; unsafe)
- Common: 8–20 mg (user reports; unsafe)
- Strong: 20–40 mg (unsafe; high risk)
- Heavy: 40 mg+ (very unsafe; avoid)
Duration
- Onset: 0.33-0.75 h
- Peak: 1-2 h
- Offset: 1-3 h
- After Effects: 4-12 h
- Total Duration: 3-6 h
Harm Reduction
Check interactions before mixing substances, pay attention to dose spacing and hydration, and treat all dosage guidance as approximate rather than guaranteed safe.
Sources
Substance data is aggregated from the following public harm-reduction and reference sources.
Links
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