2C-C
2C-C is a psychedelic substance of the substituted phenethylamine class and a member of the 2C-x family.12 It was first synthesized by Cheng and Castagnoli in 19841 and later described in detail by Alexander Shulgin in his 1991 book PiHKAL.3 2C-C is widely regarded as gentler, more relaxed, and more sedating than closely related compounds such as 2C-B, 2C-I, and 2C-E. It remains a lesser-known substance, primarily obtained as a research chemical through online vendors.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Duration
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
Cognitive
The head space of 2C-C is described by many as one which is both insightful and relatively normal in its thought processes even at moderate to high dosages.
Visual
Distortions
Geometry
The visual geometry of 2C-C can be described as more similar in appearance to that of 4-AcO-DMT or ayahuasca than that of LSD, 2C-B or 2C-I. They can be comprehensively described as structured in their organization, organic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, large in size, slow and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, equally blurred and sharp in their edges and equally rounded and angular in their corners. They give off a contradictory natural and synthetic feel at higher dosages. This substance seems more likely to result in states of Level 8B visual geometry over Level 8A.
Hallucinatory States
2C-C produces a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics, particularly in comparison to other substances within the phenethylamine family.
Auditory
Reagent Testing
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Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
2C-C acts primarily as a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (49% intrinsic activity), which is believed to underlie its psychedelic effects. It also shows notable affinity for 5-HT2C and 5-HT2B receptors, with higher intrinsic activity at 5-HT2B (81%), and binds 5-HT1A with approximately 15-fold lower affinity than 5-HT2A. The compound has negligible affinity for monoamine transporters and very weak reuptake inhibition,4 but shows high affinity for rat trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), though substantially weaker at mouse TAAR1.5 In rodent models, 2C-C has been found to decrease dopamine transporter expression and increase DAT phosphorylation in the nucleus accumbens and medial prefrontal cortex, changes that may elevate extracellular dopamine levels.67
Pharmacokinetics
2C-C is metabolized by the monoamine oxidase enzymes MAO-A and MAO-B.
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
Serotonergic psychedelics
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
LowWhile anecdotal reports suggest 2C-C is not habit-forming and desire to use may decrease with repeated use, rodent studies have demonstrated reinforcing effects including conditioned place preference and self-administration, suggesting some misuse potential that differs from typical psychedelics.67
Physical
Extremely LowAnecdotal evidence suggests 2C-C is not physically addictive. No withdrawal syndrome has been documented.
Toxicity
Neurotoxicity has been observed at high doses in rodent studies; the relevance to typical human recreational doses is unknown.6
Acute cardiovascular stress including increased blood pressure and heart rate occurs during intoxication, though heart rate elevation may be less pronounced compared to related phenethylamines.
Psychosis Risk
The chance of entering a psychotic or very confused state is relatively low compared to other psychedelics. 2C-C is considered a clear-headed psychedelic overall, though temporary psychosis, paranoia, delusional thinking, and panic attacks remain possible, particularly in individuals with pre-existing mental health conditions.
Seizure Risk
May lower seizure threshold. Contraindicated in individuals with epilepsy or seizure disorders.
History & Culture
2C-C was first synthesized in 1983 by Alice C. Cheng and Neal Castagnoli Jr. at the University of California, San Francisco. The compound was not originally created for its psychoactive properties; rather, it was produced as an intermediate during their investigation of 6-hydroxydopamine analogs…
Trip Reports
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Legality
International
1961 Single Convention: 2C-C is not individually scheduled.
1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances: 2C-C is not individually scheduled.
1988 Convention: 2C-C is not listed in precursor Tables I or II.
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- Zamberlan F, Sanz C, Martínez Vivot R, Pallavicini C, Erowid F, Erowid E, & Tagliazucchi E. (2018). The Varieties of the Psychedelic Experience: A Preliminary Study of the Association Between the Reported Subjective Effects and the Binding Affinity Profiles of Substituted Phenethylamines and Tryptamines. Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, 12, Article 54. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnint.2018.0005412
- Dean BV, Stellpflug SJ, Burnett AM, & Engebretsen KM. (June 2013). 2C or Not 2C: Phenethylamine Designer Drug Review. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 9(2), 172–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13181-013-0295-x1
- Shulgin AT, & Shulgin A. (1991). PiHKAL: Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved — Entry #22: 2,5-DIMETHOXY-4-CHLOROPHENETHYLAMINE (2C-C). PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story, Article 22. https://erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal022.shtml123
- (March 2014). Behavioral and neurochemical pharmacology of six psychoactive substituted phenethylamines: mouse locomotion, rat drug discrimination and in vitro receptor and transporter binding and function. Psychopharmacology, 231(5), 875–888. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-013-3303-61
- (April 2016). In Vitro Characterization of Psychoactive Substances at Rat, Mouse, and Human Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1. The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 357(1), 134–144. https://doi.org/10.1124/jpet.115.2297651
- (April 2021). New designer phenethylamines 2C-C and 2C-P have abuse potential and induce neurotoxicity in rodents. Archives of Toxicology, 95(4), 1413–1429. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-021-02980-x1234
- (June 2025). Toxicodynamic insights of 2C and NBOMe drugs - Is there abuse potential?. Toxicology Reports, 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2025.10189012
- (April 1984). Synthesis and physicochemical and neurotoxicity studies of 1-(4-substituted-2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-aminoethane analogues of 6-hydroxydopamine. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 27(4), 513–520. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm00370a01412
- (n.d.). Resolução RDC nº 6, de 18 de fevereiro de 2014 — ANVISA Lista F2 (2C-C). ANVISA / Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária. https://anvisalegis.datalegis.net/action/ActionDatalegis.php?acao=detalharAto&tipo=RDC&numeroAto=00000006&seqAto=000&valorAno=2014&orgao=RDC/DC/ANVISA/MS&nomeTitulo=codigos&desItem=&desItemFim=&cod_modulo=134&cod_menu=16961
- (n.d.). Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, Schedule III. laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-38.8/page-17.html1
- (2019). Gesetz über den Verkehr mit Betäubungsmitteln: Anlage I. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/btmg_1981/anlage_i.html1
- (n.d.). Förordning (1999:58) om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor, konsolidering 2005:641 — 2,5-dimetoxi-4-klorfenetylamin (2C-C). lagen.nu. https://lagen.nu/1999:58/konsolidering/2005:6411
- (n.d.). Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel — Anhang 6 (Verzeichnis e), Eintrag 60: 2C-C. Fedlex / Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft. https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/20231009/de/html/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-cc-2011-363-20231009-de-html.html1
- (n.d.). Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 Part I paragraph 1(c) — phenethylamine catch-all. UK National Archives / legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/21
- (n.d.). 21 CFR § 1308.11(d). ecfr.gov. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1308/section-1308.111
Further Reading
Asanuma et al., 2020 - Neurotoxicity of 2C Series
Eshleman et al., 2014 - Behavioral & Neurochemical Pharmacology
FRANK – Mixing Risks Section
Nervewing: Trip Report - 2C-C (Intranasal)
Nichols D., 2016 - Pharmacology of Psychedelics
Nichols D., 2016 – Pharmacology of Psychedelics- Papaseit et al., 2018 - Acute Effects of 2C-B in Humans
- Papaseit et al., 2018 – Acute Effects of 2C-B in Humans
Reddit 2C-C: The Sober Psychedelic- Scarfone et al., 2025 - Toxicodynamic Insights of 2C & NBOMe Drugs
Scarfone et al., 2025 – Toxicodynamic Insights of 2C & NBOMe Drugs- Talk to Frank: 2C Family Drug Facts
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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