NDIC Product No. 2004-L0559-007

National Drug Intelligence Center

a component of the 

U.S. Department of Justice

080309

Questions 

and 

Answers

BZP

Check out Fast Facts on: Other products of interest:

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic 

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

Other products of interest:

For more information on illicit drugs 

check out our web site at:

www.usdoj.gov/ndic 

Call 814-532-4541 

to request NDIC products

, Huffing—The Abuse of Inhalants

, Prescription Drug Abuse and Youth

, Drugs, Youth, and the Internet

National Drug Intelligence Center

319 Washington Street, 5th Floor

Johnstown, PA 15901-1622

Telephone: 814-532-4601

FAX: 814-532-4690

NDIC Office of Policy and Interagency Affairs

United States Department of Justice

Robert F. Kennedy Building, Room 3341

950 Pennsylvania Avenue NW

Washington, D.C. 20530-2000

Telephone: 202-532-4040

FAX: 202-514-4252

NDIC publications are available on the following web sites:

ADNET http://ndicosa.adnet.sgov.gov

LEO www.leo.gov/http://leowcs.leopriv.gov/lesig/ndic/index.htm

RISS ndic.riss.net

INTERNET www.usdoj.gov/ndic

Fast Facts

+ 5MeO-AMT

+ AMT

+ Crack cocaine

, Crystal methamphetamine

, Drug abuse and mental illness

, Drug-facilitated sexual assault

, Drug paraphernalia

, Drugs and gangs

, Drugs and the Internet

, DXM

, Fentanyl

, Foxy

, Fry

, GHB and analogs

, Heroin

, Inhalants

, Jimsonweed

, Ketamine

, Khat

, LSD

, Marijuana

, MDMA

, Methadone

, Methamphetamine

, Methamphetamine laboratory

identification and hazards

, OxyContin

, PCP

, Powdered cocaine

, Prescription drugs

, Psilocybin

, Ritalin

, Rohypnol

, Salvia divinorum

, Soma

, Steroids

, Teens and drugs

, Triple C

, Yaba

Background photo © John Foxx Images; cover photo: NDIC. 
What is BZP?

What does BZP look like?

BZP is a common name for the 

synthetic drug N-benzylpiperazine, a 

stimulant that produces euphoria and 

cardiovascular effects and is approximately 10 to 20 times less potent than 

amphetamine in producing these 

effects. BZP tablets, especially those 

that also contain the hallucinogen TFMPP 

(1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine), 

often are sold as MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known 

as ecstasy) or promoted as an alternative to MDMA.

BZP typically is available as a 

powder, which may be packaged in 

small glass or plastic vials or in small 

plastic resealable bags. BZP powder 

often is pressed into tablets, many of 

which are embossed with logos. BZP 

is occasionally available in capsules.

What does BZP look like?

What is BZP?

BZP is a common name for the 

synthetic drug N-benzylpiperazine, a 

stimulant that produces euphoria and 

cardiovascular effects and is approximately 10 to 20 times less potent than 

amphetamine in producing these 

effects. BZP tablets, especially those 

that also contain the hallucinogen TFMPP 

(1-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)piperazine), 

often are sold as MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also known 

as ecstasy) or promoted as an alternative to MDMA.

BZP typically is available as a 

powder, which may be packaged in 

small glass or plastic vials or in small 

plastic resealable bags. BZP powder 

often is pressed into tablets, many of 

which are embossed with logos. BZP 

is occasionally available in capsules.

What does BZP look like?

Is BZP illegal?

powder—high dosages can cause overdoses. Further, BZP tablets often 

contain additional substances. 

Laboratory testing of some tablets that 

contained BZP showed that the tablets 

also contained TFMPP, cocaine, and 

dextromethorphan (DXM).

Yes, BZP is illegal. In March 2004 the 

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) 

designated BZP a Schedule I substance 

under the Controlled Substances Act. 

Schedule I drugs, which include heroin 

and MDMA, have a high potential for 

abuse and serve no legitimate medical 

purpose in the United States.

Is BZP illegal?

1-benzylpiperazine

A2

Frenzy

Nemesis

How is BZP used?

Who abuses BZP?

What are the risks?

BZP usually is consumed orally. The 

drug also can be snorted or smoked, 

but these methods of administration 

are less common. Common oral dosages 

of BZP range from 20 to 200 milligrams. 

The effects of BZP generally last from 6 

to 8 hours.

BZP primarily is abused by teenagers 

and young adults. The drug often is 

used at raves, nightclubs, private parties, and other venues where the use of 

club drugs, particularly MDMA, is wellestablished.

The risks associated with BZP abuse 

are similar to those associated with 

amphetamine abuse. Stimulants, 

including BZP and amphetamine, 

decrease appetite, dilate pupils, and 

increase blood pressure and heart and 

respiration rates. Other effects include 

anxiety, blurred vision, dizziness, and 

insomnia. Chronic abuse of stimulants 

can cause irregular heartbeat and can 

lead to delusions, hallucinations, and 

paranoia.

Compounding these risks is the 

uncertainty of the BZP dosage in a 

particular tablet, capsule, or quantity of 

Street Terms for BZP