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DOC

DOC molecule structureDOC molecule structure
2,5-Dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine

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.

Threshold0.5-1 mg
Light1-1.5 mg
Moderate1.5-2 mg
Strong2-4 mg
Heavy4+ mg

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

Onset1-2 hours
Come Up2-3 hours
Peak6-12 hours
Offset2-8 hours
After Effects6-24 hours
Total12-24 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 DOC can be broken down into several components which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:

Bodily control enhancementPupil dilationIncreased blood pressure

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:

Transformations

Auditory

The auditory effects of DOC are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects which commonly includes:

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation work byJosie Kins September 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 → green2
Mecke(ME)
white → green2 → brown3
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → green2
Ehrlich(EH)
No reaction
No reaction
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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.

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.

AmphetaminesCocaineDXMPCPTramadol

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 compounds2C-x compounds5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesCaffeineCannabisDiphenhydramineMAOIsMDMAMephedroneMescalineMXENBOMe compoundsPregabalin
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to the effects of DOC develops almost immediately after ingestion. Unlike many substances, tolerance does not build significantly without repeated use over a short period of time.
Baseline Reset
Full baseline tolerance is typically restored after approximately 7 days of abstinence from DOC.
Half Tolerance
Approximately 3 days after ingestion, tolerance is reduced to roughly half of its peak level.
Cross Tolerance

Serotonergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT), Other phenethylamine psychedelics (2C-x series, DOx series), 5-HT2A agonists

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

DOC 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 Low

DOC is not physically addictive and does not appear to produce physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms.citation needed

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

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

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

Illegal28
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Australia flagAustraliaIllegal
Austria flagAustriaIllegal
Belgium flagBelgiumIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Brazil flagBrazilIllegal
Canada flagCanadaIllegal
China flagChinaIllegal
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicIllegal
Denmark flagDenmarkIllegal
Finland flagFinlandIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
India flagIndiaIllegal
Indonesia flagIndonesiaIllegal
Ireland flagIrelandIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
Israel flagIsraelIllegal
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Latvia flagLatviaIllegal
Netherlands flagNetherlandsIllegal
New Zealand flagNew ZealandIllegal
Norway flagNorwayIllegal
Poland flagPolandIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
Spain flagSpainIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal
Thailand flagThailandIllegal
Turkey flagTurkeyIllegal (analog/blanket ban)
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Controlled / restricted1
Colombia flagColombiaRestricted
Legal / decriminalized1
Italy flagItalyDecriminalized

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: DOC Drug Info
  2. Disregard Everything I Say
  3. Erowid
  4. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  5. PsychonautWiki
  6. TripSit Factsheets
  7. TripSit Wiki
  8. TripSit: DOC Factsheet
  9. UNODC: 2013 Report on Research Chemicals
  10. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. 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
  2. World Health Organization ECDD. ecddrepository.org (n.d.). https://ecddrepository.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/final_doc.pdf1
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Anlage=51
  7. Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011053&Paragraf=11
  8. Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011040&Paragraf=271
  9. Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/NormDokument.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=10011056&Anlage=11
  10. 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

  1. DEA Federal Register 2022 - DOC Schedule I Placement
  2. PiHKAL Mirror: Pihkal
  3. Talaie et al. 2009 - Tramadol Seizure Risk

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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Recent changes8 human edits · latest

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31 July 2026

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24 January 2026

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

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