This article will give you an overview of the ideal 2C-B dosage, 2C-B effects, 2C-B visuals, and 2C-B experiences from the psychonaut eye view.

What Is 2C-B?

2C-B 2C-B is a designer hallucinogenic synthetic drug first synthesised by Alexander Shulgin in 1974.

2C-B stands for 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine. This novel psychoactive drug has a similar structure to mescaline, which is another psychedelic drug.

Some people describe 2C-B as a cross between MDMA and LSD - the 2C-B trip is distinct and slightly different from other psychedelic drugs. 

In fact, when Ecstasy became a controlled substance in 1985, 2C-B was marketed as a legal MDMA substitute. 3 2C-B became a Schedule I substance 10 years later in 1995.

The “headspace” of 2C-B is often much more easy-going than that of LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.

While 2C-B is not as popular as other drugs that are typically used at parties and raves, in recent years it has begun appearing more often at nightclubs across the world.

It's also started to be referenced in popular culture more..

"Tweakin tweakin off that 2cb huh" - Ye, Yikes.

Some people prefer 2C-B to MDMA because it doesn’t deplete serotonin, the neurotransmitter thats responsible for feelings of well-being and happiness. Instead, it mimics serotonin, similar to Antidepressants.

2C-B at recreational doses induces a constellation of psychedelic/psychostimulant-like effects similar to those associated with serotonin-acting drugs.

2C-B Street Names

2C-B has a ton of street names associated with the drug. Here's a list of the most common street names for 2C-B:

• Cloud nine 
• Utopia
• Nexus
• Spectrum
• Synergy
• Illusion
• Erox 
• Eve
• Bees
• Zenith

How do you take 2C-B?

Generally 2C-B is consumed orally, via a pill, capsule, tablet form , or crushed as powder.

In powder form, it can be smoked or snorted., though it's almost always taken orally due to how painful and intense it is to snort.

How Long Does 2C-B Last?

The time that 2C-B lasts will vary. The dosage of 2C-B is in the milligram region and the effects are highly dose dependent. There is a very steep dose response curve, which means that small changes to the dose that may be undetectable by eye could have drastic effects on the 2C-B experience.

Alexander Shulgin states in PiHKAL that “over the 12 to 24 milligram range, every 2 milligrams can make a profound increase on effects during the experience."

Again, onset time of 2C-B is highly dose dependent, but usually the effects will start after 45 to 75 minutes, and then a trip can last for 4-6 hours.  Taken on a full stomach, the onset time is increased to two hours or more.

Like many other psychedelics, a low dose is typically less intense and more positive as fewer drug chemicals are in your body. But, if you take a higher dose, you can expect to feel heightened emotions and hallucinations. 

Lower doses will be more MDMA-like, higher doses will produce a full psychedelic experience.

For reference:

• Microdose: 2-7mg
• Effective dose: 2-15mg
• Average psychedelic dose: 15-20mg
• High psychedelic dose: 20-30mg

So, the choice will depend on your personal preference and what you want from the psychedelic experience.

Taking doses over 25 mg will produce Intense hallucinations and greatly increase the risk of having a bad trip. Because 2C-B is so dose sensitive we highly recommend weighing doses with a milligram scale accurate to 0.001.

What does 2C-B feel like?

Depending on dosage and individual body chemistry, the drug can produce a range of effects from mild changes in perception to intense physical and emotional stimulation lasting several hours.

The stand-out feature of 2C-B is its stimulant properties and immersive visuals. Most users experience psychedelic effects like enhanced colors and shapes, shifts in time perception, vivid visualizations, altered senses of touch and taste, along with sensations of euphoria or deep contemplation.

Users typically report increased sociability, introspective thought, increased empathy and a softening of the ego. For many people these powerful effects can lead to an unforgettable mind-expanding journey.

A recent observational study investigated the immediate pharmacological effects of 2CB, demonstrating increased heart rate and blood pressure after 2CB consumption. Therefore, 2C-B may be dangerous for those with heart conditions.

2C-B Experiences

Here are a few excerpts from the hundreds or 2C-B trip reports over at Erowid:

"Meanwhile, I was ramping up, my body speeding and rushing as if I'd just freebased a gram of blow and topped it off with a fat line of meth. I distractedly plucked at the guitar and the tones sounded as if they came from far, far away. Intense rushes coursing through my body, I put the guitar down and stepped onto the SU porch. On the distant horizon I could see stormclouds of swirling colors and shapes. The hallucinatory cloudbank was approaching with hurricane speed and increasing in velocity, coming from every direction toward me, such that I was at the center of a rapidly shrinking circle of relatively lucid sensory perception. Along with intense body rushes I was getting nauseous and my stomach was spasming. The storm of visuals closed in on me from 360 degrees, and at the very moment that it enveloped me, my stomach muscles clenched hard and I projectile-vomited, sending my dinner 6 feet across the porch onto the grass below a nearby tree."

"After the overwhelming nausea, which lasted about 20-30 minutes, I was taken out to a quieter hallway where I sat calmly with my friend. The whole time, I was seeing my world in blurred motion, and I was unable to focus on any one thing for more than a few seconds. The world was reduced to fractal patterns and all sounds echoed, quite literally like in the Yellow Submarine. Perhaps the most amazing thing of the trip was I had absolutely no idea what reality was. I couldn’t pin down my life at all, as in I couldn’t identify what I would wake up to in the morning, I couldn’t understand what a duty or chore was, I couldn’t understand where exactly I was, and I couldn’t identify what my goals or desires truly were."

"The forest begins to show its magic to me. I would never have thought that watching a small bug running along a blade of grass can be such a great source of pure psychedelia. The bug runs, changing its colour like a chameleon, and the wave of new colours washes over the entire blade. What a wonderful creature! Each plant becomes a personality. Rind morphs into strange but friendly faces. The forest is a kind place."

Whats a banana split?

Combining 2C-B with acid.

What Is Nexus Flipping?

Combining 2C-B with MDMA.

Read about a Nexus Flip experience here.

"I personally like to take my 2c-b 30-45min after I take my MDMA. It just makes you feel a bit more comfortable and in control of your trip. Because depending on set and setting 2c-b can be a bit uncomfortable for me, say for instance at a rave or generally outside of the house/nice place to trip. Because of the MDMA giving you this feeling of a higher appreciaton and love for everything, it makes me appreciate my trip even more as well. Defo recommendo"

"If you want to extend your roll and not really trip, try 15-20mg. Either way you cant go wrong, but if you haven't tripped in a while keeping it 20 or below will ensure that you will not get overwhelmed. Also, I personally like to wait more towards 3 hours or longer. I just kinda feel it out tbh. Enjoy!"

Are There Any Side Effects?

The most frequent symptom of 2C-B is nausea.

People can experience vomiting when they have a large meal before dosing. To avoid this, it's a good idea to have a small meal or something light before taking 2C-B. This will allow your body to digest the drug and not interfere with your stomach. 

Ideally, you should eat at least 3-4 hours before taking 2C-B for your food to be properly digested. The same advice holds true for 2CB as it does for a shroom trip when it comes to pre and post meals and supplements.

Another common side effect is anxiety after taking a dose of 2C-B. It's comparable to the feeling of amphetamine, which can make people feel overwhelmed and stressed if they've never experienced it before.

Adverse reactions AKA a bad trip is also entirely possible with 2C-B, with users experiencing agitation, aggression, and a general state of unease. Users report struggle to get to sleep after taking 2C-B, a familiar feeling for anyone who has experienced the stimulant effects of other drugs. You can also potentially have hypertension, headaches and lethargy the day after taking 2CB.

All the above is fairly standard for anyone experienced with psychedelic drugs.

If you experience seizures, tremors, or chills, you should consult a medical professional.This could indicate an allergic reaction or another underlying health condition interfering with the drug components. 

There is no scientific research on the long term effects of 2C-B use.

2c-b risks

Aside from the above side effects, there is always a question of purity with street drugs. Because 2C-B pills are produced in secret laboratories, they are rarely pure and the amount in a capsule or tablet is likely to vary considerably.

Mixing 2C-B with alcohol is fairly common in the club drug scene, but it becomes more risky when combined with other certain types of substances - so be very conscious of what else you're putting in your body at the same time.

Anecdotal reports suggest that recreational doses of 2C-B are associated with low toxicity and are physiologically well tolerated. However, there is a lack of scientific studies on the toxicity and long-term effects of 2C-B.

As always, anyone with a history of mental illness should be particularly careful with recreational psychoactive substances.

How to minimize a 2C-B comedown?

Advice for reducing the post experience blues for 2C-B are similar for MDMA.

The right neuroprotective supplements can go a long way - you can read a full breakdown of how to prepare pre and post experience here.

Can you overdose from 2C-B?

It's unknown if there is a fatal dose of 2C-B.

The higher the dose, the increase chance of panic attacks, severe psychosis, delirious states, headaches, and the risk of over-stimulating the heart and circulatory system.

Is 2C-B addictive?

There is limited information regarding regular use of 2C-B, addiction and withdrawal symptoms.

Most people do not experience physical withdrawal symptoms after using hallucinogens, though regular MDMA users are known to experience withdrawal symptoms such as fatigue, loss of appetite, depression, and trouble concentrating.

Common addiction symptoms are irritability, reliance, isolation from friends, and anger. If you think someone is struggling with addiction, getting them the help they need is important. Likewise, if you feel that you're addicted to any substance, you should reach out to a medical professional and seek help.

Can you develop a tolerance to 2c-b?

Yes, long-term users can develop tolerance.

Is 2C-B legal?

Internationally, 2C-B was added to the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances as a Schedule II substance on March 20, 2001.

Before it was scheduled, 2C-B was sold in small doses as an aphrodisiac!

2C-B is Schedule I in the United States. This means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, possess, or distribute (sell, trade or give) without a DEA license.

2C-B is a Schedule III drug in Canada.

2C-B is Schedule I in the U.K., making it illegal to sell, buy, or possess without a license.

For a full list of countries and legal status, see this resource.

Despite this legal status, 2CB remains popular among club-goers, who often rave about its effects for days after taking it.

Possible Therapeutic Effects of 2C-B

After the synthesis of 2C-B by Alexander Shulgin in 1974, there were reports that he recommended its use in therapy to a limited number of psychotherapists due to the empathogenic effects of 2C-B and it's ability to facilitate the process of working with psychological material.

Ann Shulgin were using the compound in combination with psychotherapy. Ben Sessa and other researchers have also documented underground 2C-B-assisted psychotherapy in Zurich, Switzerland.

There is limited clinical research into the medical uses of 2CB, however an observational study showed that 2C-B acts as an entactogenic drug. Entactogens have effects which include emotional openness, oneness and introspection. MDMA is also described as an entactogen and this property is attributed to its potential use as a tool in Gálligo et al., 2012 ; Nugteren-van Lonkhuyzen et al., 2015 ; Papoutsis et al., 2015 ).

With the exception of emerging 2C-B research performed in the 1950s–1970s by Shulgin, who reported a maximum oral dose of 100 mg without apparent harm ( Shulgin and Carter, 1975 ; Shulgin and Shulgin, 1990 ), limited clinical research has been conducted in humans. Current evidence about 2C-B acute effects in humans comes from intoxications collected at Poison Information Centers ( Burns et al., 2014 ; Srisuma et al., 2015 ), self-reports from research chemical recreational users (questionnaires and surveys).

Sasha Shulgin found that the MDMA and 2C-B combination (the “Nexus flip”) was particularly therapeutic:

“Its [2C-B’s] effects are felt very much in the body, as well as in the mind, and thus it has found clinical use as a follow-up to MDMA. Once the MDMA has shown you where your problems are, the 2C-B opens up the emotional, intuitive and archetypal area of your psyche to help you solve them.”

In PiHKAL, he wrote:

“Many of the reports that have come in over the years have mentioned the combination of MDMA and 2C-B. The most successful reports have followed a program in which the two drugs are not used at the same time, nor even too closely spaced. It appears that the optimum time for the 2C-B is at, or just before, the final baseline recovery of the MDMA. It is as if the mental and emotional discoveries can be mobilized, and something done about them. This combination has several enthusiastic advocates in the psychotherapy world, and should be the basis of careful research when these materials become legal, and accepted by the medical community.”

Because of the limited research on 2CB , so it is unproven that there are therapeutic benefits.

Find Out More About 2C-B

If you choose to have a 2c-B experience, you have a higher likelihood for a good experience if you enter into it with a positive mindset, a sober friend nearby to help you feel safe, and positive intentions for your trip.

If you want to dive deeper into the world of psychedelics, you can check out the hundreds of articles on our magazine.

We aim to provide valuable, factual, and trustworthy information surrounding plant-based medicine, psychedelics and other drugs. Our aim is to inform and enhance safety.

We provide tools, resources, and other tips for safe experiences so you can stay healthy and happy.