DOC
DOC is a psychedelic amphetamine of the DOx family, first synthesized in 1972 at the University of Alberta and later documented by Alexander Shulgin in PiHKAL (1991). It is characterized by its long duration, strong visual effects, and prominent stimulant properties. DOC is highly dose-sensitive and often sold on blotter paper.citation needed Its intense body load and potency make it particularly challenging for those inexperienced with psychedelics.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.
DOC is highly dose-sensitive and is often distributed on blotting paper. Its effects can last 12-24 hours, so a full day should be set aside; dosing early in the day is advisable.
Duration
Subjective Effects
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Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
The physical effects of DOC can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:
Cognitive
The cognitive effects of DOC are described by many as extreme mental stimulation combined with a powerful enhancement of a person's current mental state. The total sum of these cognitive components regardless of the setting generally includes:
Visual
Distortions
DOC presents a full and complete array of possible visual distortions which generally includes:
Enhancements
DOC presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements which generally includes:
Geometry
The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip 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. It can be comprehensively described through its variations as intricate in complexity, abstract in form, organic in feel, structured in organization, brightly lit, multicoloured in scheme, glossy in shading, sharp in edges, large in size, fast in speed, smooth in motion, equally rounded and angular in its corners, non-immersive in depth and consistent in intensity. At higher dosages this geometry is significantly more likely to result in states of level 8B visual geometry over level 8A.
Hallucinatory States
DOC and other substituted amphetamines produce 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. This holds particularly true in comparison to other substances within the phenethylamine family. These effects include:
Auditory
The auditory effects of DOC are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects which commonly includes:
See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
DOC acts as a selective partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors, with its psychedelic effects believed to be primarily mediated through activity at the 5-HT2A receptor,citation needed though the precise mechanisms by which this interaction produces the psychedelic experience remain unclear. Its selectivity for the 5-HT2 receptor subfamily has made it a commonly used tool in pharmacological research on these receptors. DOC also displays very weak agonist activity at trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1).
Pharmacokinetics
Controlled human pharmacokinetic parameters for DOC—oral bioavailability, time to peak concentration, clearance, and elimination half-life—have not been established in the literature summarized by WHO. Human case reports provide isolated concentrations rather than concentration-time profiles.citation needed Metabolism is not wholly unknown. Rat-urine studies identified O-demethylation at either the 2- or 5-position, with the resulting metabolites partly excreted as glucuronide and/or sulfate conjugates. In recombinant human-CYP and pooled human-liver-microsome experiments, CYP2D6 was the only isoenzyme identified in the principal O-demethylation step, although metabolite formation was small and this does not establish its quantitative contribution in humans in vivo.
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.
Serotonergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT), Other phenethylamine psychedelics (2C-x series, DOx series), 5-HT2A agonists
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowDOC is not habit-forming and the desire to use it typically decreases with use, exhibiting a self-regulating quality. However, rodent studies have demonstrated reinforcing effects including conditioned place preference and self-administration similarly to methamphetamine.citation needed
Physical
Extremely LowDOC is not physically addictive and does not appear to produce physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms.citation needed
Toxicity
At overdose-level doses, DOC can cause significantly elevated heart rate, blood pressure, and severe vasoconstriction; individuals with pre-existing hypertension may be particularly at risk as the amphetamine-like pharmacology causes sharp increases in systolic blood pressure.citation needed
Pulmonary edema was noted in a fatal DOC overdose case, though data is limited to individual case reports rather than systematic study.1
Psychosis Risk
Psychosis, delusions, and bizarre or violent behavior may occur at high doses or in overdose scenarios. The substance's high dose sensitivity and unusually long duration increase the risk of adverse psychological reactions, particularly in those without extensive hallucinogen experience.citation needed
Seizure Risk
Seizures have been associated with DOC use in medical literature and may occur at high doses or in overdose situations.citation needed
History & Culture
Discovery and Synthesis
DOC was originally synthesized by Ronald Coutts and Jerry Malicky at the University of Alberta in Canada.citation needed Their work describing the compound was published in the scientific literature in 1973 as part of research into analogues of DOM and related substituted
Legality
International
DOC is listed in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971. It is not listed under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is not listed under the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- World Health Organization Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. (2019). Critical Review Report: DOC (4-Chloro-2,5-dimethoxyamfetamine). World Health Organization. https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/11444/1/ECDD42_DOC.pdf12
- World Health Organization ECDD. ecddrepository.org (n.d.). https://ecddrepository.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/final_doc.pdf1
- Ronald T. Coutts, & Jerry L. Malicky. (1973). The Synthesis of Some Analogs of the Hallucinogen 1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOM). https://doi.org/10.1139/v73-2101
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/asmade/2026-05-28/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
- Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F1996B03651/2026-03-26/2026-03-26/text/original/epub/OEBPS/document_1/document_1.html1
- Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Anlage=51
- Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Paragraf=11
- Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011040&Paragraf=271
- Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011056&Anlage=11
- Royal Decree of 6 September 2017 regulating narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, Annex IVa, Figure 1 (1-phenylpropan-2-amine derivatives), and Article 6. ejustice.just.fgov.be (n.d.). https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/eli/arrete/2017/09/06/2017031231/justel1
Further Reading
Article Status
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Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more
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