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2C-C

2C-C molecule structure2C-C molecule structure
4-Chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine
Psychoactive Class
Chemical Class

2C-C is a psychedelic substance of the substituted phenethylamine class and a member of the 2C-x family.1 It was first synthesized by Cheng and Castagnoli in 19842 and later described in detail by Alexander Shulgin in his 1991 book PiHKAL.citation needed 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.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~5 mg
Light5-25 mg
Moderate25-50 mg
Strong50-70 mg
Heavy70+ mg

Duration

Onset20-90 minutes
Come Up15-90 minutes
Peak2-4 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After Effects2-12 hours
Total4-8 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

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

TracersColour shifting

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.

TransformationsMachinescapes

Auditory

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins January 2015.

See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
white → yellow2 → green1 → green2
Mecke(ME)
white → yellow2 → green2 → brown2
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → green2
Robadope(RB)
orange1 → pink1 → pink1 → pink2 → purple2
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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,3 but shows high affinity for rat trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1), though substantially weaker at mouse TAAR1.citation needed 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.

Pharmacokinetics

2C-C-specific human pharmacokinetic parameters, including bioavailability, elimination half-life, clearance, and a validated human metabolite profile, have not been established in the reviewed literature.citation needed The frequently cited in-vitro enzyme study found MAO-A and MAO-B involvement in deamination of 2C-B, 2C-I, 2C-D, 2C-E, 2C-T-2, and 2C-T-7; it did not test 2C-C. Its MAO result should therefore be described only as evidence from related 2C compounds, not as measured 2C-C metabolism.4

Metabolitesnone documented yet

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These 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

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

Caution

Use caution

These 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.

2C-T-x compounds5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesAmphetaminesCannabisCocaineDOx compoundsMAOIsMescalineNBOMe compounds
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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-C appears to produce minimal tolerance with repeated use over a few days. Anecdotal reports describe a tolerance buildup only when the drug is used consecutively for many days in a row.
Cross Tolerance

Serotonergic psychedelics

Baseline Reset
Anecdotal reports suggest little to no tolerance when use is separated by about 5-7 days.

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Low

While 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.citation needed

Physical

Extremely Low

Anecdotal evidence suggests 2C-C is not physically addictive. No withdrawal syndrome has been documented.

Toxicity

Central Nervous System

Neurotoxicity has been observed at high doses in rodent studies; the relevance to typical human recreational doses is unknown.citation needed

Cardiovascular

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

Illegal13
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Australia flagAustraliaIllegal
Brazil flagBrazilIllegal
Canada flagCanadaIllegal
China flagChinaIllegal
Denmark flagDenmarkIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
Israel flagIsraelIllegal
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Latvia flagLatviaIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Controlled / restricted3
Austria flagAustriaRestricted
Finland flagFinlandRestricted
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandRestricted

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: 2C-C Live Report
  2. Disregard Everything I Say
  3. Erowid
  4. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  5. PIHKAL 2C-C Entry
  6. PsychonautWiki
  7. The Drug Classroom
  8. TripSit Factsheets
  9. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. 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
  2. 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.2018.000541
  3. Amy J. Eshleman, Michael J. Forster, Katherine M. Wolfrum, Robert A. Johnson, Aaron Janowsky, & Michael B. Gatch. (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
  4. Denis S. Theobald, & Hans H. Maurer. (January 2007). Identification of monoamine oxidase and cytochrome P450 isoenzymes involved in the deamination of phenethylamine-derived designer drugs (2C-series). Biochemical Pharmacology, 73(2), 287–297. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2006.09.0221
  5. Young-Jung Kim, Shi-Xun Ma, Kwang-Hyun Hur, Youyoung Lee, Yong-Hyun Ko, Bo-Ram Lee, Seon-Kyung Kim, Su-Jeong Sung, Kyeong-Man Kim, Hyoung-Chun Kim, Seok-Yong Lee, & Choon-Gon Jang. (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-x1
  6. Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026, sections 1–2 and Schedule classification. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/asmade/2026-05-28/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
  7. Criminal Code Regulations 2019, Compilation No. 6 (13 December 2025), Schedule 1 item 53. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2019L00561/2025-12-13/2025-12-13/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
  8. Criminal Code Act 1995, Compilation No. 174 (in force 30 June 2026), sections 301.1 and 301.4. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2004A04868/2026-06-30/2026-06-30/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_2/document_2.html1
  9. Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956, Compilation No. 147 (13 July 2026), regulation 5 and Schedule 4 item 5B. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03651/2026-07-13/2026-07-13/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
  10. Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung (NPSV), consolidated official text, version 27 August 2026. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung/Bundesnormen/20007642/NPSV%2c%20Fassung%20vom%2027.08.2026.pdf1

Further Reading

  1. Asanuma et al., 2020 - Neurotoxicity of 2C Series
  2. Eshleman et al., 2014 - Behavioral & Neurochemical Pharmacology
  3. FRANK – Mixing Risks Section
  4. Nervewing: Trip Report - 2C-C (Intranasal)
  5. Nichols D., 2016 - Pharmacology of Psychedelics
  6. Nichols D., 2016 – Pharmacology of Psychedelics
  7. Papaseit et al., 2018 - Acute Effects of 2C-B in Humans
  8. Papaseit et al., 2018 – Acute Effects of 2C-B in Humans
  9. Reddit 2C-C: The Sober Psychedelic
  10. Scarfone et al., 2025 - Toxicodynamic Insights of 2C & NBOMe Drugs
  11. Scarfone et al., 2025 – Toxicodynamic Insights of 2C & NBOMe Drugs
  12. Talk to Frank: 2C Family Drug Facts

Article Status

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    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

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    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

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    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes8 human edits · latest

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31 July 2026

  1. Lyrea · Updated the article

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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