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2C-B
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine
Nexus, Bees, Venus, Bromo Mescaline, BDMPEA
2C-B is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class and perhaps the most well-known member of the 2C-x family, which are structurally related to mescaline.citation needed First synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 19741, he saw the possibility as an aid in psychiatric therapy.2 2C-B is characterized by warm, colorful visuals, mild entactogenic qualities, and a prominent body component.citation needed It is generally considered more manageable than classical psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin, though it is notably dose-sensitive.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage3
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold~2 mg
Light2-15 mg
Moderate15-25 mg
Strong25-40 mg
Heavy40+ mg
Bioavailability
Low
2C-B exhibits a notably steep dose-response relationship, particularly within the 12–24 mg range, where differences of just 2 mg can substantially alter both the intensity and qualitative nature of the experience. Careful, incremental dosing is recommended when establishing individual sensitivity.
Duration3
Onset20-75 minutes
Come Up15-30 minutes
Peak2-4 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After Effects2-4 hours
Total4-8 hours
Half-life
1.2-2.5 hours
Subjective Effects
Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
The physical effects of 2C-B can be broken down into five components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.
Cognitive
The head space of 2C-B is described by many as one which is both insightful and relatively normal in its thought processes even at moderate to high dosages.
Visual
Enhancements
2C-B presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements.
Geometry
The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of LSD than that of 2C-E, psilocin, or ayahuasca. They can be comprehensively described as unstructured in their organization, algorithmic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, large in size, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, sharp in their edges and angular in their corners. They seem high in algorithmic visuals such as fractals and at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of Level 7A visual geometry over Level 7B.
Hallucinatory States
Like LSD, while 2C-B is capable of producing a full range of low and high level hallucinatory states, this is extremely rare and inconsistent at higher levels but common at lower levels.
Auditory
The auditory effects of 2C-B are more common than some psychedelics in their occurrence and are capable of producing a full range of effects.
See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
2C-B functions primarily as a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2 receptor family, with potent binding at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and to a lesser degree 5-HT2B.citation needed Some studies have reported low efficacy or antagonism at 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C, while others have consistently measured near-full efficacy at these sites. Beyond the 5-HT2 receptors, 2C-B shows modest affinity for 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B receptors and has been characterized as a non-competitive serotonin transporter inhibitor of very low potency. Research in rat models has also demonstrated that 2C-B increases dopamine levels, which may contribute to its psychoactive profile.4
Pharmacokinetics
2C-B appears to have relatively low oral bioavailability as a result of substantial first-pass metabolism in the liver. It is metabolized by hepatocytes through oxidative deamination and demethylation, with deamination catalyzed by both MAO-A and MAO-B.citation needed Species differences exist in the metabolic products; human, monkey, and rabbit hepatocytes produce the demethylated metabolite B-2-HMPE, while dog, rat, and mouse hepatocytes do not.5 The primary metabolite BDMPAA reaches plasma concentrations approximately 280-fold higher than 2C-B itself after oral dosing. The elimination half-life in humans ranges from 1.2 to 2.5 hours.citation needed
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Full Tolerance
Unlike most serotonergic psychedelics, 2C-B exhibits an unusual tolerance profile. Tolerance develops slowly even with repeated consecutive use, and the substance can often be redosed multiple times with minimal reduction in effect intensity. Some users report sustained multi-day use with only gradual tolerance accumulation.
Cross Tolerance
Partial cross-tolerance with serotonergic psychedelics (asymmetric; other psychedelics may reduce 2C-B effects, but 2C-B typically does not diminish effects of subsequent psychedelic use)
Baseline Reset
Tolerance appears to diminish relatively quickly, with effects returning to near-baseline levels after 5-7 days of abstinence.
Harm Potential
Reported adverse effects of 2C-B include visual focusing difficulty, trembling, sweating, nausea, abdominal pain, tachycardia, jaw clenching, dizziness, confusion, and memory impairment.citation needed At oral doses over 20 to 30 mg, 2C-B may cause frightening hallucinations, tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia.
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely Low2C-B is considered non-addictive with a low potential for abuse. Like other serotonergic psychedelics, it possesses a self-regulating quality that discourages compulsive use patterns.
Physical
Extremely Low2C-B does not produce physical dependence. Withdrawal effects following discontinuation have not been reported.
Toxicity
Cardiovascular
Acute cardiovascular effects including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and hyperthermia occur during intoxication, particularly at higher doses; theoretical risk of cardiac valvulopathy exists with frequent long-term use due to 5-HT2B agonism, though this has not been documented in 2C-B users specifically.citation needed
Central Nervous System
At typical recreational doses, 2C-B is unlikely to be neurotoxic; severe neurological impairment has been reported in isolated case reports involving unknown doses or possible adulterants.citation needed
Psychosis Risk
Adverse psychological reactions including anxiety, paranoia, delusions, and psychosis are possible, particularly in those predisposed to mental disorders. One case report documents persistent psychosis following a single dose.8 Individuals with a family history of schizophrenia or early onset mental illness should exercise extreme caution.
Seizure Risk
Seizures are rare but have been documented in at least one case report involving an unknown dose that also produced serotonin syndrome.citation needed Risk may increase in susceptible individuals or when combined with seizure threshold-lowering substances.
History & Culture
Discovery and Early Research
2C-B was first synthesized in 1974 by American chemist Alexander Shulgin while investigating novel psychedelic compounds based on the chemical structure of mescaline, specifically exploring homologues of DOB. Its psychoactive properties were discovered on June 25, 1975, when Shulgin tested the…
Trip Reports
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Legality
International
UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances Schedule II (added March 2001)9
By Country
Illegal34
United StatesIllegalSchedule I, Controlled Substances Act (21 CFR § 1308.11)91
Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. Initially scheduled on January 6, 1994, with permanent scheduling effective June 2, 1995 following a DEA proposal in December 1994. Manufacturing, purchasing, possession, and distribution without a DEA license are prohibited.9293
By state
Across the 50 states, 2C-B is controlled in line with its federal Schedule I status; state schedules verified for 48 states plus the District of Columbia and Guam list it directly or capture it through state analog provisions.
Northern Mariana IslandsNot scheduled2C-B is not included in the Commonwealth’s statutory Schedule I hallucinogen list. A controlled substance is a drug, substance, or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V, and the Legislature alone has authority to add, delete, or reschedule scheduled substances. 2C-B is therefore unscheduled under the Commonwealth Controlled Substances Act.
AustraliaIllegalConsidered a prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard. First placed on Schedule One of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act in 1994 and included on the list of substances subject to import and export controls. Also falls under the Australian analogue act provisions.
CanadaIllegal2C-B is expressly listed in item 35 of Schedule III to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Except as authorized by regulations, the Act prohibits possession, trafficking, production, import and export of Schedule III substances. The current broader 2C-phenethylamines listing took effect on 31 October 2016.
ChileIllegal2C-B is identified in Article 1 of the regulation made under Law No. 20.000 as a psychotropic or narcotic substance capable of causing serious toxic effects or considerable harm to health. The decree is dated 8 August 2007 and was published in the Diario Oficial on 19 February 2008.
ChinaIllegal2C-B is expressly listed as item 234 of China’s Non-medical Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Catalogue, under its Chinese and English chemical names and CAS number 66142-81-2. China’s non-medical-substance control rules prohibit any unit or individual from producing, buying or selling, transporting, using, storing, importing, or exporting a listed substance. This is direct named-list control, rather than coverage under an analogue or blanket provision.
CroatiaIllegalPopis droga, psihotropnih tvari i biljaka iz kojih se može dobiti droga te tvari koje se mogu uporabiti za izradu droga (Narodne novine No. 19/2023)32
Prohibited as a result of being classified as a 2,5-dimethoxyphenylethanamine derivative.
Czech RepublicIllegalNařízení vlády No. 463/2013 Sb., List No. 5 of psychotropic substances; Supreme Court opinion Tpjn 301/2013333435
2C-B (bromdimethoxyfenethylamin) is included in List No. 5 of Czech psychotropic substances, corresponding to Schedule II of the 1971 Convention. For the criminal-law concept of an amount greater than small, the Supreme Court's guideline for 2C-B is more than four tablets or capsules, or more than 0.4 g of powder or crystals containing at least 0.20 g of active substance. The Penal Code provides a maximum two-year sentence for unauthorized personal possession of a non-THC psychotropic substance in an amount greater than small.
DenmarkIllegalAnnex 1, List B, no. 87, Bekendtgørelse om euforiserende stoffer (BEK nr 405 of 26 March 2026)36
Classified as a Category B controlled substance under Danish drug legislation.
FinlandIllegalAnnex II, Valtioneuvoston asetus huumausaineina pidettävistä aineista, valmisteista ja kasveista (Government Decree 543/2008)39
2C-B is listed in Annex II of Government Decree 543/2008, among substances in Schedules I–IV of the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Finnish legislation does not use a “hard-drug category” classification for 2C-B; Finnish legislation places 2C-B in Annex II under the 1971-convention Schedule I heading.
GermanyIllegalAnlage I (zu § 1 Abs. 1), Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG)40
Controlled under Anlage I of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act) since January 31, 1993, listed as 'Bromdimethoxyphenethylamin' (BDMPEA). Manufacturing, possession, import, export, purchase, sale, procurement, and dispensing without a license are prohibited.41
IndiaIllegalNarcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, Schedule43
India’s NDPS Act Schedule expressly lists 2C-B as 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine. It is consequently a psychotropic substance under the NDPS Act and subject to that Act’s controls on possession, manufacture, transport, import, export, sale, and use except as authorized.
IndonesiaIllegalPeraturan Menteri Kesehatan Republik Indonesia Nomor 15 Tahun 2025 tentang Perubahan Penggolongan Narkotika, Lampiran A (Daftar Narkotika Golongan I); Undang-Undang Nomor 35 Tahun 2009 tentang Narkotika, Pasal 8.44454647
2C-B is expressly listed as 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine in the current Appendix A list of Narkotika Golongan I. Indonesian law prohibits Group I narcotics from use in health services; limited scientific, diagnostic, or laboratory use requires ministerial approval following a BPOM recommendation. Its status follows express scheduling, not an analog or blanket-NPS provision.
IrelandIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 (Controlled Drugs) (Designation) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 211 of 2022), Schedule 1, paragraph 1(a)(l), as amended by S.I. No. 406 of 202548495051
2C-B is covered by a generic phenethylamine provision rather than expressly named: its given chemical name identifies a phenethylamine with ring alkoxy (methoxy) and halo (bromo) substituents. The Order designates that Schedule 1 class under section 13 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977, for which manufacture, sale, supply, distribution, and possession are unlawful except for specified special purposes. Ireland’s blanket psychoactive-substances Act is not the legal basis because it excludes controlled drugs.
ItalyIllegalTabella I delle sostanze stupefacenti e psicotrope, DPR 9 ottobre 1990, n. 30952
Listed in Tabella I of 'Tabelle delle sostanze stupefacenti e psicotrope,' making possession, purchase, and sale illegal.
JapanIllegal
LatviaIllegalAnnex 2, Section II (Schedule I), point 11(1), Law on the Procedures for the Coming into Force and Application of the Criminal Law55
Classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, prohibiting possession, production, and distribution.
PhilippinesIllegalComprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 (Republic Act No. 9165), Schedule 265
The Philippines’ official controlled-substances schedule identifies 2C-B as 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine. As a scheduled dangerous drug under Republic Act No. 9165, it is subject to the Act’s prohibitions and penalties for unauthorized possession, sale, administration, manufacture, and importation.
PolandIllegalRozporządzenie Ministra Zdrowia z 17 sierpnia 2018 r. w sprawie wykazu substancji psychotropowych, środków odurzających oraz nowych substancji psychoaktywnych, Annex 166
2C-B is listed in the current official Annex 1 as a psychotropic substance in group II-P. It is subject to Poland’s controlled-substance regime.
RussiaIllegalGovernment Resolution No. 681 of 30 June 1998, List I of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursors subject to control in the Russian Federation69
2C-B is expressly named in List I of Government Resolution No. 681, whose List I heading prohibits its circulation in the Russian Federation.
SingaporeIllegalMisuse of Drugs Act 1973, First Schedule, Class A drugs72
Singapore lists 2C-B among Class A controlled drugs in the First Schedule to the Misuse of Drugs Act. The listing also extends to its bromo and dimethoxy positional isomers in the phenyl ring. Unauthorized possession, trafficking, manufacture, import, and export are governed by the Act’s criminal prohibitions.
South AfricaIllegalDrugs and Drug Trafficking Act 140 of 1992, Schedule 2 Part III73
South Africa expressly lists 2C-B (Nexus) in Part III of Schedule 2 as an undesirable dependence-producing substance. The listed chemical name is 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine. Dealings with scheduled substances are prohibited except where the Act authorizes them.
SwedenIllegalLäkemedelsverkets föreskrifter (LVFS 2011:10) om förteckningar över narkotika, Förteckning I (consolidated)7677
Currently classified as Schedule I. First regulated on April 1, 1999 as a 'health hazard' under the Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health (SFS 1999:58), then promoted to Schedule I effective June 1, 2002.
SwitzerlandIllegal
ThailandIllegalNotification of the Ministry of Public Health Re: Specifying Names of Narcotics in Category 1, B.E. 2565 (2022), Government Gazette Vol. 139, Special Issue 253 D, p. 880818283
2C-B is expressly listed as entry 17 in Thailand’s active Ministry of Public Health notification specifying Category I narcotics under the Narcotics Code. It is controlled by name rather than through an analogue or blanket NPS provision; Thai FDA guidance states that Category I import, export, and possession are strictly prohibited without permission from the Minister of Public Health.
TurkeyIllegalCouncil of Ministers Decision No. 2011/1310, published in Resmî Gazete No. 27845 (13 February 2011), under Law No. 2313 on Control of Narcotic Drugs84
Classified as a controlled drug. Possession, production, supply, and import are prohibited.
United KingdomIllegalSchedule 2, Part I, Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Class A), together with the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 20018889
Controlled as a Class A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act due to the phenethylamine catch-all clause, applying to all drugs in the 2C family. Production, supply, and possession are illegal. Possession carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment; supply is punishable by life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.90
Controlled / restricted7
IcelandRestrictedReglugerð nr. 233/2001 um ávana- og fíkniefni og önnur eftirlitsskyld efni, as amended by Regulation No. 808/201842
Iceland’s official regulation lists 2C-B by name and chemical name in psychotropic list II. The regulation governs narcotic, addictive, and other controlled substances, making 2C-B subject to its psychotropic-substance controls.
MexicoRestrictedAcuerdo que establece las mercancías cuya importación y exportación está sujeta a regulación por parte de la Secretaría de Salud, Anexo I(c), partida 2922.29.99585960
Mexico expressly identifies 2C-B in Annex I(c) of the Health Ministry’s trade-control agreement, under tariff item 2922.29.99. The annex requires prior COFEPRIS sanitary authorization for imports of listed psychotropic materials and provides an export-permit procedure; the government’s explanatory annex describes 2C-B as a psychotropic under the 1971 Convention. The current Ley General de Salud authorizes the Health Ministry or General Health Council to specifically determine psychotropic substances and contains a residual analogous-substances provision, but its Article 245 table does not individually name 2C-B. These provisions establish named cross-border health control, not a blanket prohibition on domestic possession or supply.
SerbiaRestrictedPravilnik o utvrđivanju Spiska psihoaktivnih kontrolisanih supstanci (Službeni glasnik RS, br. 12/2026), Lista 5, red. br. 21; Zakon o psihoaktivnim kontrolisanim supstancama (Službeni glasnik RS, br. 99/2010 i 57/2018), čl. 10 i 12.7071
Serbia expressly lists 2C-B, including its chemical name and CAS number 66142-81-2, in List 5 of the national list of psychoactive controlled substances. List 5 covers psychotropic substances for limited therapeutic and scientific-research purposes; the statute permits List 5 use only under the law and implementing rules. The control is direct and named, not dependent on an analogue provision.
South KoreaRestrictedEnforcement Decree of the Narcotics Control Act, Attached Table 474
South Korea’s Enforcement Decree lists 2C-B in Attached Table 4, the table of psychotropic drugs. The table identifies the substance by both its Korean transliteration and its chemical name. It is therefore controlled as a psychotropic drug under the Narcotics Control Act framework.
SpainRestrictedReal Decreto 2829/1977, de 6 de octubre, Anexo I, Lista II (consolidated text)75
The current official consolidated annex lists 2C-B in Lista II. It is subject to Spain’s psychotropic-substance control regime.
UkraineRestrictedCabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 770 of 6 May 2000, as amended by Resolution No. 1890 of 12 December 20028586
Ukraine added 2C-B to List No. 2 of Table II, the list of psychotropic substances whose circulation is restricted. The official amendment identifies it as 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine. Listed psychotropics are subject to the national controlled-substances regime rather than ordinary commercial circulation.
United Arab EmiratesRestrictedUAE Ministry of Health and Prevention, Alphabetical list of INCB and MOH&P controlled narcotics, psychotropics and controlled drugs87
The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention lists 2C-B as a Psychotropic Schedule II substance. Its official traveller-control guidance permits only a medically justified quantity for the period of stay, capped at three months’ use. This establishes controlled psychotropic status rather than unrestricted availability.
Legal / decriminalized1
PortugalDecriminalized2C-B (4-bromo-2,5-dimetoxifenetilamina) is listed in table II-A of Portugal’s controlled-substances schedules. For personal use, Law No. 30/2000 makes consumption, acquisition, and possession an administrative offence rather than a criminal offence; this does not legalize supply or trafficking.
References
Source Pages
Citations
- C. B. Poulie, A. A. Jensen, A. L. Halberstadt, & J. L. Kristensen. (2020). DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: NBOMes. ACS Chemical Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschemneuro.9b005281
- Alexander T. Shulgin, & M. F. Carter. (1975). Centrally active phenethylamines. Psychopharmacology Communications. https://isomerdesign.com/bitnest/external/Psychopharmacol.Commun/1.1.931
- Alexander Shulgin, & Ann Shulgin. (1991). PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story. https://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal020.shtml12
- T. Páleníček, M. Fujáková, M. Brunovský, J. Horáček, I. Gorman, M. Balíková, L. Rambousek, K. Syslová, P. Kačer, P. Zach, V. Bubeníková-Valešová, & F. Tylš. (2013). Behavioral, neurochemical and pharmaco-EEG profiles of the psychedelic drug 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) in rats. Psychopharmacology, 225, 75–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-012-2797-71
- H. Carmo, F. Remião, A. Carvalho, A. Fernandes, M. de Boer, J. A. Boess, P. de Wolff, M. L. Bastos, & F. Carvalho. (2004). Metabolic pathways of 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): analysis of phase I metabolism with hepatocytes of six species including human. Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2004.10.0031
- D. S. Theobald, & H. H. Maurer. (2007). Identification of monoamine oxidase and cytochrome P450 isoenzymes involved in the deamination of phenethylamine-derived designer drugs (2C-series). Biochemical Pharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2006.09.0221
- B. V. Dean, S. J. Stellpflug, A. M. Burnett, & K. M. Engebretsen. (2013). 2C or not 2C: phenethylamine designer drug review. Journal of Medical Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-013-0295-x12
- Persistent psychosis after ingestion of a single tablet of '2C-B'. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry, 35(1), 293–294 (January 2011). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.10.0181
- World Health Organization / UNODC. (2001). 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) — WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence Information Repository. https://ecddrepository.org/en/4-bromo-25-dimethoxyphenethylamine1
- Disposición ANMAT No. 3634/2002, Article 2 (Lista II, Ley No. 19.303). argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/disposici%C3%B3n-3634-2002-76920/actualizacion1
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