2C-B

close shot 2C-B capsule

Last published: June 06, 2024

What is 2C-B?

2C-B (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine) is a psychedelic drug, which means it can affect all the senses, altering a person’s thinking, sense of time and emotions. Psychedelics can cause a person to hallucinate, seeing or hearing things that do not exist or are distorted.1

2C-B is part of the ‘2C’ group of drugs, which is a general name for phenethylamines.2

The '2C' group of drugs are psychedelic but can also cause stimulant effects. Drugs from this group include 2C-C, 2C-P, 2C-E and 2C-I. The effects vary among each drug in this group.2

What does 2C-B look like?

According to anecdotal user reports, 2C-B usually comes as a white powder or crystal and is sometimes pressed into a tablet similar to MDMA.3

Other names

Nexus, BDMPEA, Venus, Bees3

How is 2C-B used?

2C-B is usually taken via the mouth (orally). 2C-B can be snorted, but anecdotal reports suggest this method of use can be very painful.4

Effects of 2C-B

Use of any drug can have risks. It’s important to be careful when taking any type of drug.

Psychedelics affect everyone differently, based on:

  • size, weight and health
  • whether the person is used to taking it
  • whether other drugs are taken around the same time
  • the amount taken
  • the strength of the drug (varies from batch to batch)
  • environment (where the drug is taken).

2C-B affects everyone differently, but effects may include:

  • dry mouth
  • increased blood pressure and heart rate
  • nausea and vomiting
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • confidence
  • euphoria
  • feelings of well-being
  • anxiety and panic
  • change in perception
  • hearing sounds
  • confusion
  • sexual arousal
  • hallucinations
  • insomnia.2, 4

The effects of 2C-B typically last from four to eight hours. There have been anecdotal reports it can last for up to 12 hours.3

Impact of mood and environment

Drugs that affect a person’s mental state (psychoactive drugs) can also have varied effects depending on a person’s mood (often called the ‘set’) or the environment they’re in (the ‘setting’).

Set is a person’s state of mind, previous encounters with psychedelic drugs, and expectations of what’s going to happen. For example, feelings of stress or anxiety before using 2C-B may result in an unpleasant experience (bad trip).5

Setting is the environment in which someone consumes 2C-B – whether it’s known and familiar, who they’re with, if they’re indoors or outdoors, the type of music and light. For example, using 2C-B in a calm, quiet and relaxed environment could lead or contribute to a pleasant experience but being in a noisy, crowded place may result in a negative experience.5

Being in a good state of mind, with trusted friends and a safe environment before taking 2C-B reduces the risk of having a ‘bad’ trip.

Overdose

There have been no reported deaths from 2C-B, but deaths have occurred from the use of other 2C drugs.2

Coming down 

According to anecdotal user reports, the after-effects or comedown of taking 2C-B can last for around 2-4 hours.3

Long-term effects

To our best knowledge, there have been no scientific studies into the long-term effects of 2C-B use.

2C-B and mental health 

People with a family history of mental illness are more likely to experience anxiety or paranoia after using 2C-B. This is consistent with what the evidence tells us about people with mental illness and psychedelic use.6

Bad trips 

Some people may have negative experiences taking psychedelics, or experiences they find challenging. This can include experiencing:

  • frightening or confronting hallucinations
  • intense anxiety and confusion
  • fear and paranoia.5, 7

Tolerance and dependence

Similar to other psychedelics, 2C-B does not produce dependence. Some people that use 2C-B report a tolerance to it after regular use (more than once every five to seven days).3

Mixing 2C-B with other drugs 

The effects of taking 2C-B with other drugs − including over-the-counter or prescribed medications − can be unpredictable and dangerous.

2C-B + cannabis = a more intense psychedelic experience which could result in anxiety and increase the chances of having a ‘bad trip’.8

2C-B + tramadol = a lowering of the seizure threshold. May cause seizures in predisposed individuals.9, 10

More on Polydrug use

Polydrug use is a term for the use of more than one drug or type of drug at the same time or one after another. Polydrug use can involve both illicit drugs and legal substances, such as alcohol and medications.

READ MORE

Reducing harm

  • Start with a lower dose until you know how the drug affects you personally. It will be different for everyone due to factors such as weight, tolerance and metabolism.
  • Always weigh the 2C-B before use, using a milligram scale. A 15mg dose will produce a very different experience to a 30mg dose.
  • Consider the impact of mood and environment.
  • Consider having a person to 'trip sit'. A person who remains sober and that can help out if needed.
  • Avoid snorting as anecdotal user reports are this is extremely painful and can damage your nose and cause nose bleeds.3, 11

Withdrawal

There is limited information regarding regular use of 2C-B and withdrawal symptoms.

Getting help

If your use of 2C-B is affecting your health, family, relationships, work, school, financial or other life situations, or you’re concerned about a loved one, you can find help and support.

Call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 for free and confidential advice, information and counselling about alcohol and other drugs

Help and Support Services search

Find a service in your local area from our list. Simply add your location or postcode and filter by service type to quickly discover help near you.

If you're looking for other information or support options, send us an email at druginfo@adf.org.au

Path2Help

Not sure what you are looking for?
Try our intuitive Path2Help tool and be matched with support information and services tailored to you.

Find out more
Image of a woman walking through a maze

2C-B is a schedule 9 drug and use of 2C-B is against the law. Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making, selling, importing or exporting, or driving under the influence of 2C-B.12

In 2021, 6% of respondents to the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System reported using a 2C type of drug.13

  1. Nichols D. Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews 2016;68:264–355.
  2. Vang Dean B, Stellpflug S, Burnett A, Engebretsen K. 2C or Not 2C: Phenethylamine Designer Drug Review. Journal of Medical Toxicology 2013;9(2):172-8.
  3. Psychonaut Wiki. 2C-B 2022 [cited: 27.06.2022].
  4. Papaseit E, Farré M, Pérez-Mañá C, Torrens M, Ventura M, Pujadas M, et al. Acute Pharmacological Effects of 2C-B in Humans: An Observational Study. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 2018;9.
  5. Nutt D. Drugs without the hot air: making sense of legal and illegal drugs. Cambridge: UIT Cambridge Ltd; 2012.
  6. Krebs T, Johansen P. Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study. PLoS One. 2013;8(8).
  7. Brands B, Marshman J, Sproule B. Drugs & Drug Abuse: A Reference Text: Addiction Research Foundation. Fondation de la recherche sur la toxicomanie; 1998.
  8. Strassman R. Adverse Reactions to Psychedelic Drugs A Review of the Literature. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease 1984;172(10).
  9. Talaie H, Panahandeh R, Fayaznouri MR, Asadi Z, Abdollahi M. Dose-independent occurrence of seizure with tramadol. The Journal of Medical Toxicity 2010;5(2).
  10. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre. Tramadol 2021 08.06.2022. Available from: https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/sites/default/files/ndarc/resources/NDARC%20Fact%20Sheet_Tramadol.pdf.
  11. Harm Reduction Victoria. 2C-B and the 2C family n.d. [27.06.2022]. Available from: https://www.hrvic.org.au/resources.
  12. Australian Government. Federal Register of Legislation The Poisons Standard 2021.
  13. Sutherland R, Karlsson A, Price O, Uporova J, Chandrasena U, Swanton RG, et al. Australian Drug Trends 2021: Key Findings from the National Ecstasy and Related Drugs Reporting System (EDRS) Interviews. UNSW 2021.

Explore psychedelics on the Drug Wheel

Drug Wheel psychedelics

Effects

anxiety , change in perception , confusion , dizziness , drowsiness , dry mouth , euphoria , feeling of wellbeing , hallucination , increased blood pressure , increased heart rate , sexual arousal

AKA

BDMPEA , Bees , bromo mescaline , Nexus