2C-B
Alexander Shulgin, the legendary research chemist, pharmacologist and synthesiser of 2-CB (June 17, 1925 – June 2, 2014)
2C-B is a hallucinogenic substance found in the form of pills, capsules and powder. It is ingested typically by swallowing the pills, capsules and "bombs" which is powder contained in a wrapper of sorts. 2C=B was synthesized by the chemist Alexander Shulgin, who also made lots of different chemicals with similar molecular shapes to 2C-B, known as the 2C family. His book PIKHAL contains a description of the substances he made and is available to read online via Erowid. 2C-B produces visual hallucinations, like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, and also has a stimulating effect like MDMA.
Effects
Potential positive effects can include increased sociability, euphoria, increased laughter, feelings of spiritual connection with the Earth and other people, increased energy, increased music appreciation and enhanced sensory awareness (touch/sound/smell). (1) (2)
Potential neutral effects include increased libido, time-distortion, vivid visual hallucinations, closed-eye hallucinations, visual geometry, synaesthesia and spontaneous body sensations. (1) (2)
Potential negative effects can include nausea, anxiety, paranoia, insomnia, impaired memory, delusion, confusion and feeling dehydrated. (1) (2)
People may experience physical effects including increase in heart-rate, increase in blood pressure, pupil dilation, potential gastrointestinal disturbances including vomiting and diarrhea and increased heart rate. (1) (2)
Dosage
2-5mg: Threshold. Experience reports from this dose include mild stimulation, increased feelings of empathy and openness and the sensation of touch being heightened. (1)
5-15mg: Light. Experience reports from this dose include external and and closed eye visuals, senses heightened, stimulation, mild euphoria and increased laughter.
15-25mg: Common. Experience reports from this dose include intense visuals, synaesthesia, more significant stimulation, intense laughter, euphoria and confusion.
25-50mg: Strong. Experience reports from this dose includes delirium, potential for panic and anxiety feeling very stimulated and experiencing very intense visuals.
If your 2C-B comes in pill form, see if you can find out the mg within the pill. If the dosage is unknown, it's advisable to take only half and then consider taking the other half once 90 minutes have passed.
NB: There is a very narrow and variable dosing range where people can experience very different effects. From around 17-23mg, the effects can change from a relatively tolerable stimulant-like effect to very intense psychedelics effects. The differences between the doses that produce these effects are very small and can vary significantly between different people. Because of the narrow range in variability, one pill can have extremely different effects on different people. Because of this, 2C-B containing pills tend to be dosed on the lower end. Taking 2-CB in powder form that has been weighed up using accurate mg scales is the safest most controlled option for getting the right dose.
Duration
Onset: 20-40 minutes
Peak: 2-3 hours
Total duration: 5-8 hours
Aftereffects: 2-4 hours
Dangers
What not to mix with
Cannabis: Cannabis is known to synergise with other psychedelics, which strongly intensifies the psychedelic experience and for some people this can be unexpected and unpleasant. Smoking cannabis at the end of a 2C-B trip may cause visual hallucination to reappear once they have gone which can be unwanted.
Stimulants: Mixing stimulants, such as amphetamines and cocaine, with 2C-B can increase anxiety levels and the risk of thought loops. Furthermore, as both stimulants and 2C-B increase heart rate and blood pressure, taking these drugs in combination increases the risk of dangerous cardiovascular problems such as a heart attack.
What are the dangers?
Fatality: There have been no published cases of 2C-B induced fatality to date. However, fatalities have been linked to ingestion of 25B-NBOMe, a 2C-B-like molecule.
Experiencing a psychedelic crisis, risk of psychosis and Hallucinogenic Perception Persisting Disorder: General risks for all psychedelics apply. Read more under our general psychedelic risks and harm-reduction section of our website.
Serotonin Syndrome: At typical doses of 2C-B this risk is extremely small. However, one case report documented an instance of serotonin syndrome and neurological damage following ingestion of the drug. Ingesting stimulants or serotonergic-acting drugs alongside 2-CB increases the risk of serotonin syndrome. Read more under our general psychedelic risks and harm-reduction section of our website.
Risky behaviours and impulsive decision-making: As mental coordination whilst under the influence of drugs is impaired, this can lead to somebody doing something dangerous or deadly. Impaired judgement and false-senses of certainty may also mean people under the influence make decisions that wouldn’t otherwise if they were sober. Impaired decision making can lead to adverse outcomes.
How can the risks be minimised?
Not taking beyond the recommended dose of any drug decreases risks associated with health. If testing kits are available, it's highly advisable to test the drug purity. If symptoms of severe hyperthermia (high body temperature) and tachycardia (increased heart rate) become apparent for yourself or someone closeby who has taken 2C-B, it is essential to seek medical emergency.
By being in a safe environment with a trusted trip sitter present, this can help reduce the risk of adverse outcomes caused by impulsive decision-making and behaviours linked to impaired judgement.
What are the potential benefits?
There have been no clinical trials to date which have tested 2C-B as a treatment for disorders. However, one experiment found that people who took 2-CB as part of the experiment were more emotionally open and less aggressive when on the drug indicating it may be useful in treating anger management (8).
Alexander Shulgin, who originally synthesised 2C-B suggested the drug’s empathogenic nature (producing feelings of emotional openness and connectedness) and short duration could make it a good compound to be used in psychotherapy sessions. Therapist Frederike Meckel Fischer used 2-CB in underground settings during the 1980s as part of a “psycholytic therapy” model, which also utilised MDMA and LSD. Her patients described improved relationships and wellbeing following this therapy. However, no clinical studies investigating 2C-B’s therapeutic effectiveness have been published to date.
Weblinks
Drugs and Me contains a comprehensive guide including interactions, legality and harm-reduction: https://www.drugsand.me/en/drugs/2c-b/
Psychonaut wiki for 2C-B: https://psychonautwiki.org/wiki/2C-B
Doubleblind psychedelics guide, 2C-B guide: https://doubleblindmag.com/what-is-2c-b/
Erowid, various personal 2C-B reports for different dosages and with different combinations: https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_2CB.shtml
Article about the history of the 2C psychedelic drug family and their modern day uses: https://www.theverge.com/2015/7/15/8962743/all-smiles-the-history-of-the-2c-designer-drug-class
The manual of psychedelic support- a comprehensive guide to helping those experiencing psychedelic crisis, specifically aimed at during music festivals and events but can be applied externally: https://psychsitter.com/
Video guide to 2C-B: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V79JFvgm6x4
References:
Credit to Dr Andrew Gibson for contributing his medical expertise and background in harm-reduction to the process of making this content.