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 psychotherapy.

To date, there is limited scientific information regarding the drug's pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects in humans. The existing studies primarily classify 2C-B as a stimulant and hallucinogen, and less commonly an entactogen.

2C-B is also known by a number of slang names and appears on the illicit market in multiple forms: as a powder, in capsules or pills. For recreational use, the substance is generally consumed orally or nasally.

Use

Recreational

2C-B became briefly popular in the United States as substitute for the street drug ecstasy (MDMA) when the latter became illegal in 1985. Many 2C-B users are young adults who attend raves. Although 2C-B is still used in the rave subculture (commonly mistaken for and/or sold as ecstasy), more knowledgeable use has become more widespread in the 2000s.

Entheogenic

There are claims that 2C-B was used as entheogen by the Sangoma, Nyanga, and Amagqirha people in place of their traditional plants; they refer to the chemical as ''Ubulawu Nomathotholo'', which roughly translates to "''Medicine of the Singing Ancestors''".

Dosage

In Shulgin's book ''PiHKAL'', the oral dosage range is listed as 12 to 24mg. The common oral recreational dose per Erowid is around 15 to 25mg. Shulgin and others describe 2C-B as having a steep dose–response curve, such that a small increase in dose can result in an unexpectedly large increase in effects.

When sold as "Ecstasy", tablets containing 2C-B often contain about 5 mg of the drug, an amount which produces stimulatory effects that mimic the effects of MDMA; in contrast, tablets marketed as 2C-B have larger quantities of the drug (10–20 mg) which cause hallucinogenic effects.

Duration

When orally consumed, 2C-B has a much longer delay before the onset of effects than when it is insufflated. Oral ingestion generally takes roughly 45–75 minutes for the effects to be felt, plateau lasts 2–4 hours, and coming down lasts 1–2 hours. Rectal administration onset varies from 5 to 20 minutes. Insufflated onset takes 1–10 minutes for effects to be felt. The duration can last from 4 to 12 hours depending on route of administration, dose, and other factors.

With insufflation, the effects are more abrupt and intense but have a significantly shorter duration, while oral usage results in a milder, longer experience. When insufflated, the onset happens very rapidly, usually reaching the peak at about 20–40 minutes and plateauing for 2–3 hours. 2C-B is also considered one of the most painful drugs to insufflate, with users reporting intense nasal burning. The sudden intensity of the experience combined with the pain can often start the experience with a negative imprint and nausea is also increased with insufflation, compounding the issue.

Effects

Little academic research has been conducted on the effects of 2C-B in humans. The information available is largely anecdotal and limited. Effects are often described as being more easily managed than other psychedelics; it is often compared to a mixture of a serotonergic psychedelic and MDMA. At 5–10 mg, experiments with young chickens have shown it to produce effects similar to a low dosage of amphetamines.

The anecdotal effects of 2C-B that have been reported by users on online discussion forums include:

* At low doses, the experience may shift in intensity from engaging to mild/undetectable. Experienced users report the ability to take control of the effects and switch from engaged to sober at will.
* The hallucinations have a tendency to decrease and then increase in intensity, giving the users a sense of "waves" or even glowing. These are popularly described as "clichéd '70s visuals" or objects taking on "water color"-like textures.
* While the effects of the drug often render users unable to concentrate deeply on anything in particular, some can become engrossed in an activity such as watching a movie or playing a video game, thus distracting themselves from the visual and auditory effects of the drug.
* Excessive giggling or smiling is common, as is a tendency for deeper "belly laughs".
* Some users say that the effects are more intense when listening to music and report that they can see sounds and noises.
* Some users experience a decrease in visual acuity, although others report sharper vision.
* Through increased awareness of one's body, attention may be brought to perceived "imperfections" or internal body processes.''The following effects are highly dose-dependent.''
* Open eye visuals (OEVs), such as cartoon-like distortions and red or green halos around objects. Closed eye visuals (CEVs) are more common than OEVs.
* Affects and alters ability to communicate, engage in deep thought, or maintain attention span.
* Some users report experiencing frightening or fearful effects during the experience. Users describe feeling frigid or cold on reaching a plateau, while others feel wrapped in comfortable blankets/ultimate pleasure.
* Coordination may be affected; some users lose balance or have perceptual distinction problems.
* Onset time of 2C-B is highly dose dependent, but usually from 45 to 75 minutes. Taken on a full stomach, the onset time is increased to two hours or more.
* Before it was scheduled, 2C-B was sold in small doses as an aphrodisiac . Some users report aphrodisiac effects at lower doses.

Clinical studies in humans suggest that 2C-B is a psychedelic with some possible entactogen-like effects. Specific effects have included slight hallucinogenic states, perceptual changes, ego dissolution, time dilation, euphoria, feelings of well-being, reduced anger, increased reactivity to negative emotional stimuli, decreased ability to recognize expressions of happiness, augmented emotionality in speech, and mild sympathomimetic effects such as pressor effects, among others.

Side effects

* Some users report mild "jitters" (body tremors), shuddering breath, and/or mild muscle spasms after insufflating 2C-B. Whether or not these effects are enjoyable depends on the user;
* Mild to intense diarrhea, gas, nausea, and general gastrointestinal discomfort;
* Severe headaches after coming down from large doses have been reported. However, many users report a lack of "comedown" or "crash", instead noting a gradual return to sobriety;
* At doses over 30–40 mg the user may experience frightening hallucinations, as well as tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia;
* 2C-B HCl is very painful to insufflate. Anecdotal evidence suggests that 2C-B HBr, the hydrobromide salt with greater water solubility, is less irritating to the mucous membranes lining the nose but slightly less potent when compared dose-for-dose with the HCl salt;
* Rectal administration of a water-based solution of 2C-B is known to be less painful than insufflation and much more potent than oral administration.

Severe adverse reactions are rare, but use of 2C-B was linked to significant brain injury in one case report; the alleged "2C-B" was never actually discovered by testing so the only evidence suggesting 2C-B was the cause was the victim's own words, without taking into consideration that adulteration and impurities are very common in illicit drugs. There is a case report of acquired synesthesia following a single very high dose of 2C-B. There is also a case report of persistent psychosis following a single dose of 2C-B.

Overdose

The lethal dosage is unknown. It was reported in ''PiHKAL'', by Alexander Shulgin, that a psychologist had accidentally taken a 100 mg dose orally without apparent harm.

Interactions

2C-B is metabolized by the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes MAO-A and MAO-B. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide, and selegiline may potentiate the effects of 2C-B. This may result in overdose and serious toxicity. 2C-B may also have interactions with other medications and drugs.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Unlike most psychedelics, 2C-B has been shown to be a low efficacy human serotonin 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_2C receptor partial agonist. This suggests that activation of the 5-HT_2A-coupled phospholipase D pathway or functional antagonism of 5-HT_2A may also play a role. The rank order of 5-HT_2A receptor antagonist potency for this family of drugs in ''Xenopus'' is 2C-I > 2C-B > 2C-D > 2C-H.

Although 2C-B itself was not evaluated, other closely related members of the 2C series, including 2C-C, 2C-D, 2C-E, 2C-I, and 2C-T-2, all showed no activity as monoamine releasing agents of serotonin, norepinephrine, or dopamine ( = >100,000nM or "inactive"). Likewise, these other 2C derivatives showed little activity as serotonin 5-HT_1A receptor agonists ( = >3,000nM).

The September 1998 issue of '' Journal of Analytical Toxicology'' reported that very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 2C-B.

Pharmacokinetics

With 30mg 2C-B by oral administration, its peak concentrations (mean ± SD) were 5.4 ± 1.7ng/mL and its time to peak concentrations were 2.3 ± 1.0hours.

2C-B has been shown to be metabolized by liver hepatocytes, resulting in deamination and demethylation that produces several products. Oxidative deamination results in the 2-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanol (BDMPE) and 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (BDMPAA) metabolites. Additionally, 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid (BDMBA) can be produced by oxidative deamination. Further metabolism of BDMPE and BDMPAA may occur by demethylation. Alternatively, the later metabolites can be generated by demethylation of 2C-B followed by oxidative deamination. Deamination of 2C-B is mediated by the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes MAO-A and MAO-B.

There is species differentiation in the metabolism of 2C-B. Mice hepatocytes produce 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenol (BDMP), a previously unknown metabolite. Meanwhile, human, monkey, and rabbit hepatocytes produce 2-(4-bromo-2-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-ethanol (B-2-HMPE), but dog, rat, and mouse hepatocytes do not.

2C-B's metabolites BDMPAA and 4-bromo-2-hydroxy-5-methoxyphenylacetic acid (B-2-HMPAA) in humans occur at peak concentrations 280-fold and 17-fold higher than those of 2C-B with oral administration of 2C-B, respectively.

The elimination half-life of 2C-B in humans is 1.2 to 2.5hours.

Chemistry

Analogues and derivatives

A variety of N-substituted derivatives of 2C-B have been tested, including N-methyl-2CB, N,N-dimethyl-2CB, N-ethyl-2CB and N-benzyl-2CB. Most simple alkyl derivatives were considerably less potent than 2C-B, with N-ethyl-2CB for instance having a 40 times lower affinity for the 5-HT_2A receptor. The N-benzyl derivative however was found to have higher binding affinity than 2C-B itself, with N-(4-bromobenzyl)-2CB binding even more tightly. This initial research did not include functional assays of activity, but later led to the development of potent substituted N-benzyl derivatives such as 25B-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOH. βk-2C-B shows dramatically reduced potency and efficacy as a serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor agonist compared to 2C-B.

ASR-2001 (2CB-5PrO) is another notable analogue of 2C-B which is under development for treatment of psychiatric disorders.

Reagent results

Exposing compounds to the reagents gives a colour change which is indicative of the compound under test.

History

2C-B was synthesized from 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde by American chemist Alexander Shulgin in 1974. It first saw use among the psychiatric community as an aid during therapy, but was abandoned due to gastrointestinal effects and the lack of empathogenic effects. 2C-B was first sold commercially as a purported aphrodisiac under the trade name "Erox", which was manufactured by the German pharmaceutical company Drittewelle. For several years, it was available as tablets in Dutch smart shops under the name "Nexus" and "B-Dub".

Society and culture

Illicit forms

Street purity of 2C-B, when tested, has been found to be relatively high. Researchers in Spain found that 2C-B samples in the country doubled between 2006 and 2009, switched from primarily powder form to tablets, and exhibited "low falsification rates". An analysis of street samples in the Netherlands found impurities "in small percentages"; only one of the impurities, the N-acetyl derivative of 2C-B, could be identified, and comprised 1.3% of the sample. The authors suggested that this compound was a by-product of 2C-B synthesis.

In 2011, street prices in the United States ranged between $10 and $30 per tablet when purchased in small quantities. Larger retail purchases cost between $200 and $500 per gram. Wholesale purchases of 2C-B would lower the price ($100 to $300 per gram in 2001, $30 to $100 on the darknet in 2020).

Legal status

United Nations

The UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs added 2C-B to Schedule II of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances in March 2001.

2C-B is a scheduled drug in most jurisdictions. The following is a partial list of territories where the substance has been scheduled.

Argentina

2C-B is controlled under the List 1, as well as similar substances like 2C-I or 2C-T-2.

Australia

2C-B is controlled in Australia and on the list of substances subject to import and export controls (Appendix B). It was placed on Schedule One of the Drugs Misuse and Trafficking Act when it first came to notice in 1994, when in a showcase legal battle chemist R. Simpson was charged with manufacturing the substance in Sydney. Alexander Shulgin came to Australia to testify on behalf of the defense, to no avail.

2C-B is not specifically listed in the Australia Poisons Standard (October 2015), however similar drugs such as 2C-T-2 and 2C-I are making 2C-B fall under the Australian analogue act.Poisons Standard October 2015 https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01534

Belgium

In Belgium, 2C-B is a controlled substance making production, distribution, and possession illegal.

Brazil

In Brazil, 2C-B is a controlled substance making production, distribution, and possession illegal.

Canada

In Canada, 2C-B is classified under Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as Schedule III as "4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxybenzeneethanamine and any salt, isomer or salt of isomer thereof".

2C-B has been rescheduled (Schedule III), in a new amendment, taking effect on October 31, 2016. This is to include the other 2C-x analogues.

Chile

In August 2007, 2C-B, along with many other psychologically active substances, was added to Ley 20.000, known as the .

Czech Republic

Possession of more than 200 mg of 2C-B is punishable with a two years jail sentence. Smaller amount is punishable by a fine. The 200 mg threshold is merely a guideline which the court can reconsider depending on circumstances.

Denmark

In Denmark, 2C-B is listed as a category B drug.

Estonia

In Estonia, 2C-B is classified as Schedule I.

Finland

Scheduled in the "government decree on substances, preparations and plants considered to be narcotic drugs".

Germany

In Germany, 2C-B is controlled in the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (BtMG) Anlage I as "Bromdimethoxyphenethylamin" (BDMPEA).

Italy

2C-B is schedule I (tabella I).

Japan

In Japan, 2C-B was scheduled in 1998. It was previously marketed as "Performax".

Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, 2C-B is a prohibited substance since 2001.

Netherlands

In the Netherlands, 2C-B was scheduled on July 9, 1997.

In the Netherlands, 2C-B became a list I substance of the Opium Law despite no health incidents occurring. Following the ban, other phenethylamines were sold in place of 2C-B until the Netherlands became the first country in the world to ban 2C-I, 2C-T-2 and 2C-T-7 alongside 2C-B.

Norway

In Norway, 2C-B was classified as Schedule II on March 22, 2004, listed as 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine.

Poland

2C-B is schedule I (I-P group) in Poland.

Russia

Banned as a narcotic drug with a criminal penalty for possession of at least 10 mg.

Spain

In Spain, 2C-B was added to Category 2 prohibited substances in 2002.

Sweden

2C-B is currently classified as Schedule I in Sweden.

2C-B was first classified as "health hazard" under the act Lagen om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor (Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health) as of April 1, 1999, under SFS 1999:58 that made it illegal to sell or possess. Then it became schedule I as of June 1, 2002, published in LVFS 2002:4 but mislabeled "2-CB" in the document. However, this was corrected in a new document, LVFS 2009:22 effective December 9, 2009.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, 2C-B is listed in Anhang D of the DetMV and is illegal to possess.

United Kingdom

All drugs in the 2C family are Class A under the Misuse of Drugs Act which means they are illegal to produce, supply or possess. Possession carries a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment while supply is punishable by life imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

United States

In the United States, 2C-B is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. This became permanent law on June 2, 1995, following a proposal by the Drug Enforcement Administration in December 1994.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:2c-B

5-HT2A agonists
5-HT2B agonists
5-HT2C agonists
2C (psychedelics)
Alexander Shulgin
Bromobenzene derivatives
Entactogens
Entheogens
O-methylated phenols