2C-B is a psychedelic hallucinogenic drug and entheogen first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 1974. The full name of the chemical is 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine. In his book PIHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved), Shulgin lists the dosage range as 16 to 24 mg. 2C-B is a white powder usually found in pressed tablets or gel caps, and is almost always taken orally. Snorting is also an effective, though extremely painful, way to ingest the drug. On December 20, 1994, in a notice of proposed rulemaking published in the Federal Register (59 FR 65521) and after a review of relevant data, the Deputy Administrator of the DEA proposed to place 4-bromo-2,5-DMPEA into Schedule I making 2C-B illegal in the United States. This became permanent law July, 2 1995. Prior to this, 2C-B was commercially available as an aphrodisiac under the tradename "Eros" which was manufactured by the german phamacuetical company Drittewelle. Recently 2C-B has been distributed under the street name "Nexus." In the past 2C-B has also been distributed as "Eve", "Venus", "Bees", and (incorrectly) "bromo-mescaline."

Not much information is known about the toxicity of 2C-B. Because 2C-B lacks an alpha-methyl group it is not considered an amphetamine such as MDMA, MDA, methamphetamine, or fenfluramine. 2C-B does not seem to deplete the brain of serotonin, and this suggests that it may not share the neurotoxic mechanisms of many amphetamines.

There are no known deaths caused by 2C-B, despite widespread use and relatively large overdoses (see the PIHKAL entry linked to on the bottom of this page) - suggesting that the acute physical danger is relatively small. However, few (if any) proper studies have been conducted on its safety, physically or psychologically.

At lower doses 2C-B produces an entactogenic effect, but at higher doses the drug can produce intense visual and auditory effects, combined with everything from paranoia to euphoria, which is a good reason to not take high doses of 2C-B unless in a safe environment. Experience also tells us that persons with certain psychological disorders (such as schizophrenia) should be extra careful when using psychedelic drugs.

See also

• phenethylamine

External links

• 2C-B Entry in PIHKAL
• Erowid 2C-B vault, includes reports from users of 2C-B, as well as scientific and government reports
• 2C-B aka Nexus History

Categorization