2C-B

2C-B
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	2C-B, Nexus, Bees
Substitutive name	4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine
Systematic name	2-(4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethanamine
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Psychedelic
Chemical class	Phenethylamine
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. ⇣ Oral Dosage Threshold 5 mg Light 10 - 15 mg Common 15 - 25 mg Strong 25 - 45 mg Heavy 45 mg + Duration Total 5 - 7 hours Onset 20 - 40 minutes Come up 60 - 90 minutes Peak 60 - 90 minutes Offset 2.5 - 3.5 hours After effects 2 - 4 hours ⇣ Insufflated Dosage Threshold < 1 mg Light 5 - 8 mg Common 8 - 12 mg Strong 12 - 23 mg Heavy 23 mg + Duration Total 4 - 6 hours Onset 1 - 5 minutes Come up 15 - 30 minutes Peak 60 - 90 minutes Offset 2 - 3 hours After effects 2 - 4 hours ⇣ Rectal Dosage Threshold < 1 mg Light 5 - 8 mg Common 8 - 12 mg Strong 12 - 23 mg Heavy 23 mg + Duration Total 4 - 7 hours Onset 0 - 20 minutes ⇣ Intravenous Dosage Threshold < 1 mg Light 1 - 2.5 mg Common 2.5 - 5 mg Strong 5 - 10 mg Heavy 10 mg + Duration Total 2 - 3 hours Onset 5 - 15 seconds Peak 15 - 30 minutes Offset 1.5 - 2 hours 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.
Interactions

2C-B or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromophenethylamine is a psychedelic drug of the 2C-x family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 1974. In Shulgin's book, PiHKAL, the dosage range is listed as 16–24 mg. 2C-B is sold as a white powder sometimes pressed in tablets or gel caps and is referred to on the street as 'Rusko', 'Spectrum', 'Venus', 'B's', 'CB's', or 'Nexus'. The drug is usually taken orally, but can also be insufflated or vaporized.

It first saw use among the psychiatric community as an aid during therapy. It was considered one of the best drugs for this purpose because of its short duration, relative absence of side effects, and comparably mild nature. Shortly after becoming popular in the medical community, it became popular recreationally. 2C-B was first sold commercially as an aphrodisiac under the trade name "Eros", 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". In modern times it is used as a recreational drug and an entheogen, rarely sold on the streets and almost exclusively obtained as a grey area research chemical through the use of online vendors.

Chemistry

General formula of phenethylamine molecule.

2C-B is a substituted phenethylamine with methoxy groups attached to carbons R₂ and R₅ as well as a bromine attached to carbon R₄.

Pharmacology

Unlike most psychedelics, 2C-B has been shown to be a low efficacy serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor partial agonist or even full antagonist. This suggests that the 5-HT_2C receptor is primarily responsible for mediating the effects experienced by users of 2C-B. Research also suggests that 2C-B increases dopamine levels in the brains of rats which may contribute to its psychoactivity. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience continues to remain elusive.

Subjective effects

Physical effects

The physical effects of 2C-B can be broken down into five components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage. These are described below and generally include:

• Spontaneous tactile sensations - The "body high" of 2C-B is not necessarily one of the most intense, but is instead one of the most complex compared to other psychedelics, sharing components of MDMA, 2C-E, and LSD. This is first characterized by an intense soft warm glow that grows over the body and is capable of becoming extremely physically euphoric. This is most similar to MDMA and is consistently manifested throughout the experience. This is contrasted by an intensely pleasurable yet sharp, cold electric tingling sensation which moves up and down the body. This is most similar to LSD and is also consistently manifested throughout the trip. The final physical effect noticed throughout the experience is an intense and slightly uncomfortable, energetic pins and needles sensation that manifests itself in the form of a continuously shifting and tingling sensation that travels up and down the body in spontaneous waves. This is most similar to 2C-E and is not entirely consistent throughout the trip.
• Stimulation - In terms of its effects on the physical energy levels of the tripper, 2C-B is usually considered to be very energetic and stimulating in a fashion that is quite comparable to that of MDMA.
• Nausea - Mild to extreme nausea is reported when consumed in moderate to high dosages and either passes once the tripper has vomited or gradually fades by itself as the peak sets in.
• Increased bodily control
• Enhancement of touch

Cognitive effects

The cognitive effects of 2C-B are often described by many as both insightful and relatively normal in their thought processes even at moderate to high dosages.

The total sum of these cognitive components regardless of the setting generally includes:

• Increased empathy, love and sociability - These feelings of sociability, love and empathy are a little weaker and less sharp than those found on substances such as MDMA but still prove stronger and more consistent than other psychedelics of any class. This is capable of providing long lasting therapeutic effects.
• Introspection - This component is consistently manifested only in the context of a non-social setting in which the user is alone.
• Sexual arousal
• Acceleration of thought
• Time distortion
• Feelings of fascination, importance and awe
• Conceptual thinking
• Connectivity of thought
• Enhancement of current mind state
• Removal of cultural filter
• Ego suppression, loss and death

Visual effects

Enhancements

2C-B presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements which generally includes:

• Increased visual acuity
• Enhancement of colour
• Enhanced pattern recognition

Distortions

As for visual distortions and alterations, effects experienced are detailed below:

• Drifting (Melting, Flowing, Breathing and morphing) - In comparison to other psychedelics, this effect can be described as highly detailed, slow and smooth in motion, static in appearance and unrealistic/cartoon-like in style.
• Tracers
• After images
• Texture repetition
• Colour shifting
• Scenery slicing

Geometry

The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of LSD than that of 2C-E, psilocin, or ayahuasca. They can be comprehensively described as unstructured in their organization, algorithmic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, large in size, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, sharp in their edges and angular in their corners. They seem high in algorithmic visuals such as fractals and at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of Level 8A visual geometry over Level 8B.

Hallucinatory states

Like LSD, while 2C-B is capable of producing a full range of low and high level hallucinatory states, this is extremely rare and inconsistent at higher levels but common at lower and generally includes the following effects:

• External hallucinations (psychedelic)
• Internal hallucinations (psychedelic) - Although 2C-B is technically capable producing of hallucinatory states in a fashion that is on par with psilocin or DMT in its vividness and intensity, in comparison, these effects are extremely rare and inconsistent. Whilst traditional psychedelics such as LSA, Ayahuasca and Mescaline will induce internal hallucinations near consistently at level 5 geometry and above, 2C-B will for most go straight into Level 8A visual geometry. This lack of consistently induced hallucinatory breakthroughs means that for most, 2C-B is simply not as deep of an experience as certain other psychedelics.

Auditory effects

The auditory effects of 2C-B are more common than some psychedelics in their occurrence and are capable of producing a full range of effects which commonly include:

• Enhancements
• Distortions
• Hallucinations

Toxicity and Harm Potential

The toxicity and long term health effects of recreational 2C-B use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown. This is because 2C-B is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried 2C-B within the psychedelic community suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses or using it very sparingly but nothing can be completely guaranteed.

Lethal Dosage

There is no current data for the LD₅₀ of 2C-B, but it is thought to be considerably higher than the active dosage. Alexander Shulgin reported a 100 mg oral dose taken without apparent harm.

Tolerance and Addiction Potential

There is no real tolerance to be gained through 2C-B use. There does not seem to be any addictive potential.

Legal Issues

• Australia: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• Belgium: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• Brazil: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• The EU: 2C-B is a Schedule II drug.
• Canada: 2C-B is a Schedule III drug.
• Italy:2C-B is schedule I (tabella I)
• Estonia: 2C-B is a Schedule I drug.
• Finland: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• Japan: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• The Netherlands: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• Norway: 2C-B is a Schedule II drug.
• Poland: 2C-B is a Schedule I drug.
• Russia: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• Spain: 2C-B is a Category 2 drug.
• Sweden: 2C-B is a Schedule I drug.
• Switzerland: Possession, production and sale is illegal.
• UK: 2C-B is a Class A drug.
• USA: 2C-B is a Schedule I drug.

See Also

• Psychedelics
• Phenethylamines
• 2C-x
• 2C-B (Wikipedia)
• 2C-B (Erowid)