2C-B

2C-B
Type	Psychedelic phenethylamine
Key terms	entactogenic effects; visual enhancement; 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine
Origin	First synthesized by Alexander Shulgin
Legal	Controlled status varies by jurisdiction
Domain	Psychopharmacology; Organic chemistry
Examples	effects: visual patterns; mood elevation; tactile enhancement
Related	2C family; mescaline; MDMA
Wikidata	Q229942

2C-B is a synthetic psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine class, which includes drugs like mescaline and amphetamine. Originally synthesized by chemist Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin in the 1970s, it is known for producing mild hallucinogenic visuals and feelings of emotional openness or empathy. Chemically, 2C-B is 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine. In recreational settings it is often sold as a powder or tablet under names like “Nexus” or “Eros.” It has a short duration of action (a few hours) and is reputed to combine some visual effects of classic psychedelics (like LSD) with the empathic warmth of entactogens (drugs like MDMA, which promote emotional connection and empathy). 2C-B has been used in contexts ranging from experimental psychotherapy to club and dance scenes.

Historical Context and Evolution

2C-B was first synthesized in 1974 by the American pharmacologist Alexander “Sasha” Shulgin. Shulgin prepared 2C-B from 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde and noted its effects among a range of novel phenethylamine compounds, many of which he published in the book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved).

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, 2C-B began to enter both clinical and underground use. Shulgin and others experimented with the drug in psychotherapy and for self-exploration, and some therapists reported using it to help patients with anxiety or trauma. Around the same time a German company (Drittewelle) briefly marketed 2C-B as an aphrodisiac under the trade name “Eros.” By the 1980s and 1990s, 2C-B had gained popularity as a recreational compound in nightclubs and dance parties, often as a substitute for MDMA. It appeared on the club scene with brand names like “Nexus” or “Venus” and was sometimes mistaken for or mixed with Ecstasy tablets.

Governments moved to control 2C-B by the mid-1990s. In the United States it became a Schedule I drug in 1995 (the DEA finalized its ban in July 1995). Internationally, 2C-B was added to the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 2001 (Schedule II), leading to its ban in many countries. Today it remains illegal across most of the world, although it still circulates as a so-called “research chemical” or party drug.

Pharmacology and Mechanism of Action

In the brain, serotonin is a chemical messenger that affects mood, thought and sensory perception. 2C-B mimics serotonin to some extent by binding to certain serotonin receptors (especially the 5-HT₂A subtype, and also 5-HT₂B/2C). These receptors normally help regulate how we experience sights, sounds and emotions. By partially activating 5-HT₂A receptors, 2C-B alters visual processing and thought patterns (similar to classical psychedelics). It also has mild stimulant qualities, raising heart rate and blood pressure slightly. Because 2C-B is a partial agonist at these receptors, its effects are generally milder than a full-blown hallucinogen would produce.

Chemically, 2C-B is a phenethylamine closely related to mescaline (the natural psychedelic from peyote). It contains two methoxy (–OCH₃) groups and one bromine atom attached to its aromatic ring. This structure gives 2C-B a potency and effect profile between more familiar psychedelics and empathogenic stimulants. When taken orally (the usual route), effects typically begin in 30–90 minutes, peak around 2–3 hours, and largely fade by 4–6 hours after ingestion.

Effects and Experiences

2C-B’s acute effects blend psychedelic and entactogenic experiences. At typical moderate doses (for example, 10–25 mg taken orally), common effects include enhanced colors and geometric visual patterns, a sense of euphoria, and increased sociability. Users often feel more empathetic and talkative, reporting a “body high” and gentle stimulation (somewhat like a low dose of MDMA). Some people find modest aphrodisiac or orgasmic effects even at low doses, aiding relaxation and emotional bonding.

Visual changes can range from subtle shifts in color and brightness to full-blown closed-eye hallucinations, especially with higher doses. These visuals are usually geometric or kaleidoscopic—different from the complex imagery of high-dose LSD. Sound and music may also seem richer or more rhythmic. Mentally, 2C-B tends to keep thinking relatively clear compared to stronger psychedelics: one is typically still coherent and able to converse or dance, although attention and coordination may be mildly disrupted. Giggling and mood swings are common, reflecting the drug’s playful, euphoric nature.

Physical effects include mild stimulation (elevated heart rate, warmth, slight jaw tension) and possible nausea at onset. Some users report brief muscle tightness or chills, but intense sedation is rare. The overall “come-up” (onset) is usually quicker than LSD’s: within 30–60 minutes one feels notable changes, reaching full effect around 2 hours after ingestion. The peak experience typically lasts a few more hours, with residual effects fading afterward. Afterward, many users feel pleasantly tired or briefly irritable, but a major hangover or crash is uncommon.

At very high doses or in unsafe combinations (for example with stimulants), 2C-B can cause confusion or agitation, and its safety at extreme levels is not well studied. There are no well-documented fatalities from 2C-B alone, suggesting a relatively wide safety margin compared to some drugs, but caution is advised. Because street tablets may contain unknown substances or adulterants, testing and careful dosing are important.

Overall, many users describe 2C-B as a “mild” or “light” psychedelic experience. Many emphasize its positive, uplifting effects with relatively gentle physical strain compared to other club drugs or hallucinogens.

Research and Studies

Because 2C-B is a Schedule I controlled substance in most countries, formal clinical research on it has been limited. However, some scientists have begun to study its effects systematically. Studies often involve giving measured doses to experienced volunteers in a controlled setting and recording both subjective reports and physiological data. For example, one observational study in healthy volunteers found that oral doses of 10–20 mg 2C-B caused modest increases in blood pressure and feelings of euphoria or altered perception, with minimal adverse symptoms. Such research generally shows that 2C-B produces a mix of entactogenic (euphoric, social) and psychedelic effects—enhanced mood and imagery but relatively mild changes compared to stronger hallucinogens.

In addition to formally supervised trials, knowledge about 2C-B also comes from surveys and case reports. Some clinicians published accounts of using 2C-B in private therapy settings in the 1970s, describing benefits for anxiety or trauma, though these reports were not controlled studies. More recently, researchers may measure 2C-B in biological samples (blood or saliva) to verify dose and metabolism. Because interest in novel psychedelics has grown, some current clinical trials are evaluating 2C-B alongside MDMA and psilocybin for potential therapeutic use (for example, in anxiety or PTSD). These studies note that 2C-B’s dual properties—part hallucinogenic, part empathogenic—make it an intriguing candidate for mental health research.

Overall, formal studies confirm the broad pattern known from experience: mild sympathetic activation (slightly raised heart rate/blood pressure), pronounced sensory effects, and an emotional uplift. However, much of the evidence still comes from small samples and anecdote, so many details (such as long-term risks) remain unknown.

Debates and Open Questions

2C-B raises several open questions and controversies. One debate centers on how to classify it: is 2C-B primarily a mild psychedelic, an entactogen (empathogen), or truly some hybrid? Many users note its empathic (“love drug”) qualities, while others emphasize its psychedelic visuals, so 2C-B sits in a gray zone between categories.

Researchers are also curious whether 2C-B might offer therapeutic benefits. Early reports from Shulgin’s work suggested it could help anxiety or PTSD, but no large clinical trials have been done. Now some therapists are exploring 2C-B as a shorter-lasting alternative to MDMA in therapy. This raises ethical and legal questions, since the drug remains illegal and understudied despite apparently low toxicity.

Safety is another concern. While 2C-B is generally considered less risky than many stimulants or classic hallucinogens, scientists do not fully understand its potential long-term effects. Rare cases of severe psychological reactions have been reported after high doses or unsafe use (for example, acute panic or brief psychotic episodes). There are also theoretical concerns about heart function: 2C-B stimulates serotonin receptors (like 5-HT₂B) that could affect heart valves (some drugs that strongly activate 5-HT₂B have been linked to valve problems), although no specific cases have been documented for 2C-B.

Legally, 2C-B was banned before it became widespread, so most evidence is anecdotal. Some advocates argue that continued prohibition slows valuable research into its profile. Criminalization also means users cannot be sure of a pill’s purity or dose. Conversely, authorities treat 2C-B like other psychedelics (often citing risks of misusing a cheap analog) and maintain strict control.

In summary, the open questions about 2C-B include its true safety margin, its possible medical uses, and how society should balance research access versus risk of misuse. As with many emerging drug issues, understanding of 2C-B evolves as more studies and data emerge.

Significance and Applications

2C-B has a niche but notable legacy in the history of psychoactive substances. In a cultural sense, it was one of the first “designer drugs,” representing early synthetic psychedelia outside the classic LSD/psilocybin paradigm. It captured the imagination of chemists and psychonauts alike. Shulgin himself regarded 2C-B as one of his most important creations—calling it his favorite—because it seemed to reliably produce gentle, positive experiences. For many in the 1980s and 1990s music and rave scenes, 2C-B offered a way to experience a light trip and emotional warmth without losing complete control.

In practical terms, 2C-B’s significance today is mostly as a recreational drug and research interest. It has no approved medical uses, but it helped pave the way for later work on MDMA-like substances and other 2C compounds (such as 2C-I, 2C-E, etc.). Some enthusiasts credit 2C-B (and the 2C family more broadly) with increasing scientific interest in phenethylamine psychedelics.

From a therapeutic perspective, some researchers see potential applications. The combination of empathy and introspection in 2C-B could theoretically assist couples therapy or treatments requiring emotional openness, though this is still speculative. As laws around psychedelics change, 2C-B may be studied for conditions like anxiety or PTSD—for example, as a shorter-acting alternative to MDMA.

Outside the lab, 2C-B remains primarily a recreational substance. Its role in shaping club culture and contributing to the broader psychedelic revival is part of its lasting impact. Finally, 2C-B is of chemical interest as a model compound: its partial agonist action at serotonin receptors is valuable in pharmacology, and it serves as a building block for chemists designing new psychoactive molecules.

Overall, 2C-B illustrates both the promise and pitfalls of psychedelic exploration: it shows how small chemical tweaks can yield markedly different mental experiences, but it also underscores the importance of careful research and regulation as such substances enter wider use.