This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-08T03:33:20Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
[[Subjective effects]] include [[geometry|open and closed-eye visuals]], [[time distortion]], [[euphoria]], and [[ego loss]]. Compared to [[2C-B]], its effects are often described as being considerably more [[stimulating]] and less [[psychedelic]] with a significantly longer duration.
[[Subjective effects]] include [[geometry|open and closed-eye visuals]], [[time distortion]], [[euphoria]], and [[ego loss]]. Compared to [[2C-B]], its effects are often described as being considerably more [[stimulating]] and less [[psychedelic]] with a significantly longer duration.
Bk-2C-B is relatively uncommon and has little to no history of human usage prior to its 2014 distribution by online vendors as a [[research chemical]].<ref>Test purchase, identification and synthesis of 2-amino-1-(4-bromo-2, 5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one (bk-2C-B) | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1699/abstract</ref><ref>Characterization of the [[designer drug]] βk-2C-B (2-amino-1-(bromo-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry without and with derivatization with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate, liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26395784</ref>
βk-2C-B is relatively uncommon and has little to no history of human usage prior to its 2014 distribution by online vendors as a [[research chemical]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Power, J. D.)), ((Kavanagh, P.)), ((O’Brien, J.)), ((Barry, M.)), ((Twamley, B.)), ((Talbot, B.)), ((Dowling, G.)), ((Brandt, S. D.)) | journal=Drug Testing and Analysis | title=Test purchase, identification and synthesis of 2‐amino‐1‐(4‐bromo‐2, 5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethan‐1‐one (bk‐2C‐B) | volume=7 | issue=6 | pages=512–518 | date= June 2015 | url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/dta.1699 | issn=1942-7603 | doi=10.1002/dta.1699}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Frison, G.)), ((Odoardi, S.)), ((Frasson, S.)), ((Sciarrone, R.)), ((Ortar, G.)), ((Romolo, F. S.)), ((Strano Rossi, S.)) | journal=Rapid communications in mass spectrometry: RCM | title=Characterization of the designer drug bk-2C-B (2-amino-1-(bromo-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry without and with derivatization with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate, liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance | volume=29 | issue=13 | pages=1196–1204 | date=15 July 2015 | issn=1097-0231 | doi=10.1002/rcm.7211}}</ref>
Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of Bk-2C-B. As a result, users are advised to approach this novel and poorly understood [[hallucinogenic]] substance with the proper amount of precaution and [[harm reduction practices]] if choosing to use it.
Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of βk-2C-B. As a result, users are advised to approach this novel and poorly understood [[hallucinogenic]] substance with the proper amount of precaution and [[harm reduction practices]] if choosing to use it.
==History and culture==
==History and culture==
{{historyStub}}
The original synthesis of βk-2C-B is not available on the public record. However, based on information gathered from internet forums and scientific studies, it appears that it was not originally synthesized in the 1970s by [[Alexander Shulgin]] like many [[2C-x]] compounds.
The first reliable mention of βk-2C-B does not appear until 2004, with it playing only a minor role in a scientific study as a precursor of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonists.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Glennon, R. A.)), ((Bondarev, M. L.)), ((Khorana, N.)), ((Young, R.)), ((May, J. A.)), ((Hellberg, M. R.)), ((McLaughlin, M. A.)), ((Sharif, N. A.)) | journal=Journal of Medicinal Chemistry | title=Beta-oxygenated analogues of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonist 1-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane | volume=47 | issue=24 | pages=6034–6041 | date=18 November 2004 | issn=0022-2623 | doi=10.1021/jm040082s}}</ref> The next confirmed mention of the substance can be dated to December 2007. At that time, the user "King Kong" of the bluelight.org forum opened a thread for information and discussion of bk-2c-bβk-2C-B. There was a brief discussion about the possible instability of the molecule, but not more than 20 posts were written in the following 6 years.<ref>Bluelight.ru - The Big & Dandy βK-2C-B Thread - Part 1 | https://www.bluelight.org/xf/threads/the-big-dandy-%CE%B2k-2c-b-thread-part-1.694585</ref>
βk-2C-B received more attention since 2013, when the first experience reports appear on the internet following its appearance on the research chemical market via "online head shops" start selling it as "a legal replacement for 2C-B".<ref name="Beharry2016">{{cite journal | vauthors=((Beharry, S.)), ((Gibbons, S.)) | journal=Forensic Science International | title=An overview of emerging and new psychoactive substances in the United Kingdom | volume=267 | pages=25–34 | date=1 October 2016 | url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073816303437 | issn=0379-0738 | doi=10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.08.013}}</ref>
Overall, βk-2c-b is considered a relatively obscure substance, even among research chemicals.<ref name="Beharry2016"/><ref>Last checked in 09/20 via Google Scholar |https://scholar.google.de/scholar?hl=de&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=%22bk-2c-b%22&btnG=&oq=%22bk-2c-%22</ref> An analysis of the Google search history between 2013-2017 shows that 2C-B was consistently searched 3-4 times more often βk-2C-B.<ref>Last checked in 09/20 via Google Trends | https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&q=%CE%B2k-2C-B,%22bk-2C-B%22,%222C-B%22</ref> Since 2017, βk-2C-B seems to have almost completely disappeared from the open market.
==Chemistry==
==Chemistry==
βk-2C-B, or beta-keto 2C-B, is a substituted [[phenethylamines|phenethylamine]] featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH<sub>2</sub>) group through an ethyl chain. βk-2C-B contains the structure of 2C-B substituted with a ketone group at the beta carbon of the structure (R<sub>1</sub>). βk-2C-B contains methoxy functional groups CH<sub>3</sub>O- attached to carbons R<sub>2</sub> and R<sub>5</sub> as well as a bromine atom attached to carbon R<sub>4</sub> of the phenyl ring. βk-2C-B belongs to the 2C family of phenethylamines which contain methoxy groups on the 2 and 5 positions of the benzene ring.<ref>#20 2C-B: 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (PiHKAL) | http://isomerdesign.com/PiHKAL/read.php?id=20</ref>
βk-2C-B, or beta-keto 2C-B, is a substituted [[phenethylamines|phenethylamine]] featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH<sub>2</sub>) group through an ethyl chain. βk-2C-B contains the structure of 2C-B substituted with a ketone group at the beta carbon of the structure (R<sub>1</sub>). βk-2C-B contains methoxy functional groups CH<sub>3</sub>O- attached to carbons R<sub>2</sub> and R<sub>5</sub> as well as a bromine atom attached to carbon R<sub>4</sub> of the phenyl ring. βk-2C-B belongs to the 2C family of phenethylamines which contain methoxy groups on the 2 and 5 positions of the benzene ring.<ref>{{Citation | title=#20 2C-B PiHKAL | url=http://isomerdesign.com/PiHKAL/read.php?id=20}}</ref>
==Pharmacology==
==Pharmacology==
{{Further|Serotonergic psychedelic}}
{{Further|Serotonergic psychedelic}}
Bk-2C-B likely acts as a [[Serotonin#The_5-HT_system|5-HT<sub>2A</sub>]] [[Agonist#Agonists|partial agonist]]. The [[psychedelic]] effects are believed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptors. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain elusive.
βk-2C-B likely acts as a [[Serotonin#The_5-HT_system|5-HT<sub>2A</sub>]] [[Agonist#Agonists|partial agonist]]. The [[psychedelic]] effects are believed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptors. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain elusive.
{{further|Research chemicals#Toxicity and harm potential|Responsible use #Hallucinogens}}
{{further|Research chemicals#Toxicity and harm potential|Responsible use #Hallucinogens}}
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational Bk-2C-B use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact [[Toxicity::toxic dose is unknown]]. This is because Bk-2C-B is a [[research chemical]] with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people within the psychonaut community who have tried Bk-2C-B suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the substance by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). [https://www.google.com/ Independent research] should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational βk-2C-B use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact [[Toxicity::toxic dose is unknown]]. This is because Bk-2C-B is a [[research chemical]] with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people within the psychonaut community who have tried Bk-2C-B suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the substance by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). [https://www.google.com/ Independent research] should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance.
It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this substance.
===Tolerance and addiction potential===
===Tolerance and addiction potential===
As with psychedelics in general, Bk-2C-B is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]] and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.
As with psychedelics in general, βk-2C-B is [[Addiction potential::not habit-forming]] and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.
Tolerance to the effects of Bk-2C-B are built [[Time to full tolerance::almost immediately after ingestion]]. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::3 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::7 days]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Bk-2C-B presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[psychedelic]]s]], meaning that after the consumption of Bk-2C-B all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.
Tolerance to the effects of βk-2C-B are built [[Time to full tolerance::almost immediately after ingestion]]. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::3 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::7 days]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Bk-2C-B presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[psychedelic]]s]], meaning that after the consumption of βk-2C-B, all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.
==Legality==
==Legal status==
{{LegalStub}}
{{LegalStub}}
*'''Germany''': Bk-2C-B is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act) as of November 26, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav?startbk=Bundesanzeiger_BGBl&jumpTo=bgbl116s2615.pdf#__bgbl__%2F%2F*%5B%40attr_id%3D%27bgbl116s2615.pdf%27%5D__1576017393518|title=Gesetz zur Bekämpfung der Verbreitung neuer psychoaktiver Stoffe|publisher=Bundesanzeiger Verlag|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage.html|title=Anlage NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=de}}</ref> Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html|title=§ 4 NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=de}}</ref>
*'''United Kingdom''': It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.<ref>Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 (Legislation.gov.uk) | http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents/enacted</ref>
*'''Canada''': βk-2C-B is a Schedule III controlled substance as of October 12, 2016.
*'''United States''': Bk-2C-B is unscheduled in the U.S., but may be considered an analogue of 2C-B under the Federal Analogue Act and thus a Schedule I drug.{{citation needed}}
*'''Germany''': βk-2C-B is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act) as of November 26, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bgbl.de/xaver/bgbl/start.xav?startbk=Bundesanzeiger_BGBl&jumpTo=bgbl116s2615.pdf#__bgbl__%2F%2F*%5B%40attr_id%3D%27bgbl116s2615.pdf%27%5D__1576017393518|title=Gesetz zur Bekämpfung der Verbreitung neuer psychoaktiver Stoffe|publisher=Bundesanzeiger Verlag|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage.html|title=Anlage NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=de}}</ref> Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html|title=§ 4 NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 11, 2019|language=de}}</ref>
*'''Japan''': βk-2C-B is a controlled substance in Japan effective March 25th, 2015.<ref>[https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/0000078803.html "危険ドラッグの成分１６物質を新たに指定薬物に指定"] (in Japanese). 厚生労働省 [Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)]. Retrieved May 2, 2022.</ref>
*'''Switzerland''': βk-2C-B is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.admin.ch/opc/de/classified-compilation/20101220/index.html|title=Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien|publisher=Bundeskanzlei [Federal Chancellery of Switzerland]|access-date=January 1, 2020|language=de}}</ref>
*'''Sweden: βk-2C-B was classified as a narcotic on April 5, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/nyheter-och-press/nyhetsarkiv/2019/april/atta-nya-amnen-klassas-som-narkotika/|title=Åtta nya ämnen klassas som narkotika|publisher=Folkhälsomyndigheten[The Swedish Public Health Agency]|access-date=January 4, 2021|language=se}}</ref>'''
*'''United Kingdom''': It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.<ref>{{Citation | title=Psychoactive Substances Act 2016 | url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/contents/enacted}}</ref>
*'''United States'''<nowiki>: βk-2C-B is unscheduled in the U.S., but may be considered an analogue of 2C-B under the Federal Analogue Act and thus a Schedule I drug.{{</nowiki>https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/nyheter-och-press/nyhetsarkiv/2019/april/atta-nya-amnen-klassas-som-narkotika/<nowiki>}}</nowiki>
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section.
DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.
βk-2C-B is relatively uncommon and has little to no history of human usage prior to its 2014 distribution by online vendors as a research chemical.[1][2]
Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of βk-2C-B. As a result, users are advised to approach this novel and poorly understood hallucinogenic substance with the proper amount of precaution and harm reduction practices if choosing to use it.
The original synthesis of βk-2C-B is not available on the public record. However, based on information gathered from internet forums and scientific studies, it appears that it was not originally synthesized in the 1970s by Alexander Shulgin like many 2C-x compounds.
The first reliable mention of βk-2C-B does not appear until 2004, with it playing only a minor role in a scientific study as a precursor of 5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonists.[3] The next confirmed mention of the substance can be dated to December 2007. At that time, the user "King Kong" of the bluelight.org forum opened a thread for information and discussion of bk-2c-bβk-2C-B. There was a brief discussion about the possible instability of the molecule, but not more than 20 posts were written in the following 6 years.[4]
βk-2C-B received more attention since 2013, when the first experience reports appear on the internet following its appearance on the research chemical market via "online head shops" start selling it as "a legal replacement for 2C-B".[5]
Overall, βk-2c-b is considered a relatively obscure substance, even among research chemicals.[5][6] An analysis of the Google search history between 2013-2017 shows that 2C-B was consistently searched 3-4 times more often βk-2C-B.[7] Since 2017, βk-2C-B seems to have almost completely disappeared from the open market.
Chemistry
βk-2C-B, or beta-keto 2C-B, is a substituted phenethylamine featuring a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain. βk-2C-B contains the structure of 2C-B substituted with a ketone group at the beta carbon of the structure (R1). βk-2C-B contains methoxy functional groups CH3O- attached to carbons R2 and R5 as well as a bromine atom attached to carbon R4 of the phenyl ring. βk-2C-B belongs to the 2C family of phenethylamines which contain methoxy groups on the 2 and 5 positions of the benzene ring.[8]
βk-2C-B likely acts as a 5-HT2Apartial agonist. The psychedelic effects are believed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptors. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain elusive.
Disclaimer: The effects listed below cite the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal user reports and the personal analyses of PsychonautWikicontributors. As a result, they should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism.
It is also worth noting that these effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become increasingly likely with higher doses and may include addiction, severe injury, or death ☠.
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational βk-2C-B use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dose is unknown. This is because Bk-2C-B is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people within the psychonaut community who have tried Bk-2C-B suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the substance by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.
As with psychedelics in general, βk-2C-B is not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.
Tolerance to the effects of βk-2C-B are built almost immediately after ingestion. After that, it takes about 3 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 7 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). Bk-2C-B presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all psychedelics]], meaning that after the consumption of βk-2C-B, all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.
As such, it may contain incomplete or wrong information. You can help by expanding it.
Canada: βk-2C-B is a Schedule III controlled substance as of October 12, 2016.
Germany: βk-2C-B is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act) as of November 26, 2016.[9][10] Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.[11]
Japan: βk-2C-B is a controlled substance in Japan effective March 25th, 2015.[12]
Switzerland: βk-2C-B is a controlled substance specifically named under Verzeichnis E.[13]
Sweden: βk-2C-B was classified as a narcotic on April 5, 2019.[14]
United Kingdom: It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.[15]
↑Frison, G., Odoardi, S., Frasson, S., Sciarrone, R., Ortar, G., Romolo, F. S., Strano Rossi, S. (15 July 2015). "Characterization of the designer drug bk-2C-B (2-amino-1-(bromo-dimethoxyphenyl)ethan-1-one) by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry without and with derivatization with 2,2,2-trichloroethyl chloroformate, liquid chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance". Rapid communications in mass spectrometry: RCM. 29 (13): 1196–1204. doi:10.1002/rcm.7211. ISSN1097-0231.
↑Glennon, R. A., Bondarev, M. L., Khorana, N., Young, R., May, J. A., Hellberg, M. R., McLaughlin, M. A., Sharif, N. A. (18 November 2004). "Beta-oxygenated analogues of the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor agonist 1-(4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-aminopropane". Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. 47 (24): 6034–6041. doi:10.1021/jm040082s. ISSN0022-2623.
