4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxy-1-benzylpiperazine (2C-B-BZP) is a
psychoactive drug
A psychoactive drug, psychopharmaceutical, mind-altering drug, consciousness-altering drug, psychoactive substance, or psychotropic substance is a chemical substance that alters psychological functioning by modulating central nervous system acti ...
and
research chemical
Research chemicals are chemical substances which scientists use for medical and scientific research purposes. One characteristic of a research chemical is that it is for laboratory research use only; a research chemical is not intended for human ...
of the
piperazine
Piperazine () is an organic compound with the formula . In term of its structure, it can be described as cyclohexane with the 1- and 4-CH2 groups replaced by NH. Piperazine exists as deliquescent solid with a saline taste. Piperazine is freely sol ...
chemical class
Chemical classification systems attempt to classify elements or compounds according to certain chemical functional or structural properties. Whereas the structural properties are largely intrinsic, functional properties and the derived classi ...
which has been sold as a "
designer drug
A designer drug is a structural or functional analog of a controlled substance that has been designed to mimic the pharmacological effects of the original drug, while avoiding classification as illegal and/or detection in standard drug tests. ...
".
It produces
stimulant
Stimulants (also known as central nervous system stimulants, or psychostimulants, or colloquially as uppers) are a class of drugs that increase alertness. They are used for various purposes, such as enhancing attention, motivation, cognition, ...
effects similar to those of
benzylpiperazine
Benzylpiperazine (BZP) is a substance often used as a recreational drug and is known to have euphoriant and stimulant properties. Several studies conducted between 2000 and 2011 found that the effects of BZP are similar to amphetamine, although ...
(BZP).
Chemistry
2C-B-BZP contains a benzylpiperazine base as well as the ring-substitution pattern of the
psychedelic
Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary mental states (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips") and a perceived "expansion of consciousness". Also referred to as classic halluci ...
phenethylamine
Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound, natural monoamine alkaloid, and trace amine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace ami ...
2C-B
2C-B, also known as 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine or by the slang name Nexus, is a synthetic psychedelic drug of the 2C family, mainly used as a recreational drug. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 1974 for use in psychoth ...
. 2C-B-BZP is not a phenethylamine itself and does not produce psychedelic effects, as the binding groups are in the wrong position to activate the
5-HT2A receptor, while the phenylpiperazine homologue
2C-B-PP substitutes for DOM in DOM-trained rats with around one-tenth the potency of DOM, but does not substitute for TFMPP.
Effects
2C-B-BZP produces stimulant effects which last 3–6 hours. It is also said by several sources to increase the effects of other compounds when combined . Side effects include headaches and nausea, similar to those of other recreationally-used piperazine derivatives.
Legality
2C-B-BZP is unscheduled and uncontrolled in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
, but possession and sale of 2C-B-BZP could possibly be prosecuted under the
Federal Analog Act
The Federal Analogue Act, , is a section of the United States Controlled Substances Act passed in 1986 which allows any chemical "substantially similar" to a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or II to be treated as if it were listed ...
because of its structural similarities to benzylpiperazine. 2C-B-BZP is illegal to possess, use or sell in
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
where it used to be sold in local
smartshops.
See also
*
Substituted piperazine
*
2C-B-morpholine
References
{{Piperazines
Benzylpiperazines
Bromobenzene derivatives
Designer drugs
O-methylated phenols
1-Piperazinyl compounds
Stimulants