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3C-E
3,5-Dimethoxy-4-ethoxyamphetamine
3C-Escaline
3C-E is a synthetic psychedelic and stimulant in the 3C family of substituted amphetamines. It is the amphetamine analogue of escaline1 and has approximately the same potency. PiHKAL lists a duration of 8 to 12 hours for 3C-E and includes a report of heavy body discomfort during the first hour.1 It was first described in the scientific literature by Benington and colleagues in 1954; Alexander Shulgin later documented its properties in PiHKAL in 1991.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
Threshold15-25 mg
Light25-35 mg
Moderate35-50 mg
Strong50-70 mg
Heavy80+ mg
Duration
Onset1-2 hours
Peak4-8 hours
Offset3-6 hours
After Effects3-6 hours
Total10-16 hours
Subjective Effects
Subjective Effects not written up yet
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
3C-E is a potent agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor. It also interacts with other serotonin receptors and additional targets. In rodents, it elicits the head-twitch response2, a behavioral marker used to assess psychedelic activity.3
Pharmacokinetics
Absorption & half-lifenot documented yetMetabolitesnone documented yet
Tolerance
Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.
Tolerance to the effects of 3C-E develops almost immediately after ingestion.
Tolerance returns to baseline after about 7 days without further use.
Tolerance falls to approximately half its initial level after about 3 days without further use.
All psychedelics
Harm Potential
Toxicity
The toxic dose of 3C-E is unknown.
Psychosis Risk
3C-E can inconsistently induce paranoia, which is less common at low to moderate doses and less likely with attention to set and setting.
Seizure Risk
Seizures are considered likely to be rare with 3C-E but may occur in predisposed individuals, particularly during dehydration, undernutrition, overheating, or fatigue.
History & Culture
3C-E was first described in the scientific literature by Benington and colleagues in 1954. Alexander Shulgin and colleagues discussed unpublished findings on the compound in a 1978 literature review. Shulgin later documented its properties and effects in his 1991 book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have…
Legality
By Country
Illegal5
United StatesIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Controlled Substance Analogue Enforcement Act of 1986, codified at 21 U.S.C. §§ 802(32) and 8132526272829303132
3C-E is not separately named in the DEA alphabetical controlled-substances list dated 27 August 2026. Under 21 U.S.C. §§ 802(32) and 813, it may instead be treated as a Schedule I controlled substance only if it satisfies the statutory definition of a controlled substance analogue and is intended for human consumption. When those conditions are met, 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and 844(a) prohibit its unauthorized possession, manufacture, distribution, dispensing, and possession with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense. This classification concerns United States federal law and does not determine the law of any state, the District of Columbia, territory, or locality.
GermanyIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG), Anlage 1 Nr. 1 (Von 2-Phenethylamin abgeleitete Verbindungen)1011121314151617181920
3C-E is covered by the generic structural definition for compounds derived from 2-phenethylamine in Anlage 1 Nr. 1 of the Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG), rather than by an exact-name listing. The NpSG took effect on 26 November 2016. Section 3(1) prohibits trade, placing on the market, manufacture, import, export, transit, acquisition, possession, and administration to another person. Under § 4(1), trade, placing on the market, administration to another person, and manufacture or import for the purpose of placing on the market are punishable by imprisonment for up to three years or a fine; simple acquisition and possession are not standalone criminal offenses under § 4. Recognized commercial, industrial, scientific, and official uses specified in § 3(2) are excepted, and qualifying medicinal products and narcotic drugs governed by the BtMG are excluded from the NpSG.
JapanIllegal医薬品、医療機器等の品質、有効性及び安全性の確保等に関する法律第二条第十五項に規定する指定薬物及び同法第七十六条の四に規定する医療等の用途を定める省令（平成十九年厚生労働省令第十四号）第一条第百号6789
3C-E and its salts are listed as designated substances under Article 1, item 100 of 医薬品、医療機器等の品質、有効性及び安全性の確保等に関する法律第二条第十五項に規定する指定薬物及び同法第七十六条の四に規定する医療等の用途を定める省令（平成十九年厚生労働省令第十四号）, which expressly names 1-(4-ethoxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)propan-2-amine. The designation took effect on 4 April 2015. Manufacture, import, sale, transfer, possession, purchase, acquisition, and use are prohibited when intended for, or undertaken for, purposes outside the medical and other uses permitted by ministerial ordinance.
SwitzerlandIllegal (analog/blanket ban)Verordnung des EDI vom 30. Mai 2011 über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung, BetmVV-EDI), Anhang 6, Verzeichnis e21222324
3C-E is covered by the generic structural definition for Phenylalkylamine compounds in Annex 6, Verzeichnis e, number 315, of the Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung, rather than by an exact-name listing. Verzeichnis e substances are subject to the control measures applicable to Verzeichnis a narcotics. Unauthorized cultivation, manufacture, import, export, storage, use, or placing on the market is punishable by up to three years' imprisonment or a monetary penalty. Industrial and scientific use are exempt from the generic entry's control, but private use is expressly not exempt.
United KingdomIllegal3C-E falls within the generic structural definition in Schedule 2 Part I paragraph 1(c) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and is therefore a Class A controlled drug. This classification has applied since 20 September 1977. Its possession, production, supply, import and export are prohibited, subject to the licences, regulations, exceptions and defences stated in the Act.
References
Source Pages
Bluelight discussion: 3-halo-4-(1,1-difluoromethoxy)-5-methoxy-phenethylamine homologs (user reports include 3C-E)- Bluelight discussion: 3C-E – 4 Initial Trials
Erowid: 3C-E Vault – dosage, effects and experience reports
Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
PsychonautWiki- Shulgin & Shulgin, TIHKAL/PIHKAL – overview of substituted amphetamines
TripSit Factsheets
Wikipedia
Citations
Further Reading
Article Status
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