2Cb & 2C-i

2Ci and 2Cb pills have recently hit the streets, so it’s okay if you’ve never heard of them before. While stuff like Coke or Molly have been around since your grandparents were teens, the new ones can be kind of intimidating. You should also try and avoid putting something in your body if you don’t know exactly what’s in it. With that said, let’s get you informed on the latest highs.

What are 2C drugs? 

Fairly new to UK clubs, the 2cb drug family was a popular legal substitute for ecstasy in mid-80s America. It was invented by Alexander Shulgin in 1974. This psychoactive drug is generally taken instead of ecstasy, or alongside it to lengthen the high. It’s usually sold in small pills or white powder  to be swallowed or snorted. Another way to take it is by smoking, but this is less common.

2C drugs are part of the psychedelic drugs family, meaning they are structurally similar to mescaline (mesc/cactus) and MDMA (ecstasy/molly). If you want to find out more about MDMA, click here. 

What are the effects of 2CB? 

• 2CB is very dose sensitive. At a lower dose the experience is similar to that of ecstasy, while a higher dose of 2c-b is reported to combine effects of both ecstasy and LSD, which can cause a psychedelic experience or psychedelic effects
• 2CB effects are dose dependent. But generally it’s a similar trip experience to LSD or magic mushrooms, but gentler – heightened visual imagery, acute awareness of body, increased sensitivity to taste, touch, smells and sexual stimulation

How long does 2CB last?

2Cb usually takes around an hour to take effect (although some can come up in as little as 20 minutes) and lasts for two to four hours, or longer if taken with ecstasy. This is then followed by another two to four hours where the user may find it hard to sleep, despite everything else feeling back to normal.

What are the risks of taking 2CB? 

• Unpleasant stomach effects can include diarrhoea, cramps, and wind
• Try and avoid mixing with other drugs. Be aware: if you do take 2cb with ecstasy, more intense nausea, anxiety and confusion coming up and coming down are likely
• Do not take this drug if you are on MAOI anti-depressants
• You shouldn’t take it if you are at risk of depression or psychosis, such as schizophrenia. Vulnerable people may find they experience psychotic syndromes, visual illusions, panic attacks and depersonalisation. It could also trigger latent psychological problems
• There is a risk of heart overstimulation 
• Mixing 2C drugs with alcohol can increase all of these risks
• Since the drugs are relatively new, not enough research has been done to understand the long-term impact

What is 2C-T-7?

Besides the fact that you can take it as a pill or powder, we don’t know much about this drug. It’s sometimes referred to as blue mystic, T-7, 7-up, or Tripstacy. Of the three recorded deaths, two have involved mixing 2C-T-7 with MDMA, although this could just be coincidence. According to Erowid: “2C-T-7 is a psychedelic phenethylamine developed by Alexander Shulgin around 1980. The effects of 2C-T-7 share general similarities with LSD and 2CB. Its length of action is more like LSD”.

What is 2C-i? 

Also known as CID, or 2, 5-Dimethoxy-4-odophenethylamine, this one’s another phenethylamine developed by Shulgin (seriously, does the guy ever stop?) It’s thought to be stronger than 2CB and the effects definitely last longer (eight hours or more). 2C-i gives the hallucinatory aspects of LSD but less ‘full on’ mixed with the energy and chattiness of ecstasy. It comes as a small white 16mg pill with the letter ‘i’ printed on it.

If you’re planning on taking 2C-i 

• Harm reduction is key because the trip can be pretty overwhelming. If you’re thinking of taking it, then start on a small dose. Even a quarter of a pill might be too much at first
• Don’t take high doses of it, less is defo more in this case. Honestly, the experience can be frightening
• Don’t snort it, if there’s anything you take from this list – let this be it. Snorting is painful and triples the strength of the drug which can be fatal. Working out the correct smaller dose for taking this drug in powder form is ESSENTIAL for a safe high, but it can also be pretty tricky

The law and the 2Cs 

All drugs in the 2C-B family are Class A under the 1971 Misuse of Drugs Acts which means they are illegal to produce, supply or possess in any form. The maximum penalty for possession is seven years in prison. Ideally don’t go near them, but if you do then DON’T get caught – it could screw up your whole future.

Other terms for 2Cs 

Look out for these terms if you’re not sure what drug someone has: Bees, Nexus, Bromo, CB, 2CV, Shulgin’s baby.

Tips for taking any of the 2C family 

• If you’ve never tripped before, or even if you have, it is best to do it with people you know, and in a safe environment i.e. your living room rather than a big disorientating festival
• If you have had traumatic, sad or unsettling news or experiences in the days before the high, delay the plan because it could lead to a scary bad trip.
• Like ecstasy, the 2C family of drugs affects the body’s thermostat. Dancing for long periods in a hot place, such as a club, while high increases the chance of overheating and/or dehydrating
• Long-term effects from regular use, as with ecstasy and LSD, can include extended feelings of fatigue, disorientation and anxiety

It is not thought to be psychologically or physically addictive, but 2Cb tolerance does build up if you use it regularly. To find out more about 2cb you can visit DrugScience.