5-IAI
5-IAI (5-iodo-2-aminoindane) is an aminoindane entactogen and serotonin-releasing agent related to MDAI. It was investigated as a research tool and appeared briefly on the grey market. Human data is almost nonexistent, confined to scattered user reports.
01 Overview
5-IAI (5-iodo-2-aminoindane) is a halogenated aminoindane developed in academic research on serotonin releasers and MDMA analogues. It releases serotonin and is described as entactogenic with a shorter duration than MDAI.
There is essentially no controlled human data. Early animal studies noted serotonergic activity and comparatively lower neurotoxicity than MDMA, but long-term human effects are uncharacterised. Its rarity means the harm profile is extrapolated almost entirely from mechanism.
02 Mechanism
Serotonin-releasing agent with some norepinephrine/dopamine activity; entactogen-type action related to MDAI.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | 40–90 mg | Oral | User-reported only; very sparse data. |
| Common | 90–150 mg | Oral | Shorter duration than MDAI per reports. |
| Strong | 150–200 mg | Oral | Poorly characterised; serotonergic risk rises. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entactogenic warmthMild MDMA-like empathy and openness. | Anecdotal | ||
| Mood elevationImproved mood and sociability. | Anecdotal | ||
| Short durationShorter effect window than MDAI per limited reports. | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular strainSympathomimetic effects plausible. | Moderate | Unknown in humans | Unconfirmed | |
| HyperthermiaPlausible given serotonergic mechanism. | Severe | Unknown in humans | Unconfirmed | |
| Serotonin syndromeTheoretical from mechanism; not well documented for 5-IAI specifically. | Life-threatening | Rare alone; higher with serotonergic co-use | Unconfirmed |