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Review: Benzylpiperazine: a drug of abuse?

Envirogenomics Group, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Porirua, New Zealand, Department of Pathology, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

Rod A. Lea

Envirogenomics Group, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Porirua, New Zealand

Katie A. Brennan

Envirogenomics Group, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Porirua, New Zealand

Susan Schenk

Department of Psychology, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

Martin A. Kennedy

Department of Pathology, Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

Paul S. Fitzmaurice

Envirogenomics Group, Institute of Environmental Science and Research Ltd, Porirua, New Zealand, paul.fitzmaurice{at}esr.cri.nz

N-benzylpiperazine (BZP) is the active ingredient in recreational `party' or `p.e.p.' pills, which are used to provide a stimulant, euphoric effect akin to that of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, `ecstasy'). BZP predominantly affects dopamine neurotransmission in a similar fashion to known `drugs of abuse', such as methamphetamine and cocaine, which strongly suggests BZP has abuse liability. BZP is illegal in many countries including the United States of America and Australia, yet it remains legal in the United Kingdom, Canada and New Zealand. There has been little research, to date, on the neurological consequences of high dose or chronic exposure of BZP. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the information currently available on BZP and suggest a need for further research into the mechanisms of action, long-term effects and potentially addictive properties of BZP.

Key Words: benzylpiperazine • BZP • party pills • p.e.p. pills • TFMPP • drugs of abuse

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This version was published on November 1, 2007

Journal of Psychopharmacology, Vol. 21, No. 8, 888-894 (2007)
DOI: 10.1177/0269881107077260


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Johnstone, A. C. Articles by Fitzmaurice, P. S. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Johnstone, A. C. Articles by Fitzmaurice, P. S. Pubmed/NCBI databases Compound via MeSH Substance via MeSH Social Bookmarking                         What's this?