4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B): presence in the recreational drug market in Spain, pattern of use and subjective effects.
Fernando Caudevilla-Gálligo, Jordi Riba, Mireia Ventura, Débora González, Magí Farré, Manel J. Barbanoj, José Carlos Bouso
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) July 1, 2012 DOI: 10.1177/0269881111431752 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Recreational users of 2C-B in Spain |
| Intervention | 2C-B |
| Dose | about 20 mg |
| Duration | 2006 to 2009 |
| Keywords | 2c-b drug Synthetic drug 2c-b 2c-b substance Drug trends Drug prevalence Drug market Drug use patterns Drug statistics Drug rise Drug spread Psychoactive effects Drug effects Psychedelic effects Entactogen effects Perceptual changes Drug experience Drug impact Recreational drug use Drug consumption Illicit drug use Party drugs Drug users |
| Citations | 99 |
| Key findings | 2C-B presence in Spain's illicit drug market doubled from 2006 to 2009, with perceptual effects similar to other psychedelics but lower incapacitation and higher pleasure comparable to MDMA. |
Abstract
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine (2C-B) is a psychoactive analogue of mescaline that is becoming increasingly popular as a rave and club drug. We investigated its presence in the illicit drug market in Spain, its pattern of use and profile of subjective effects. Drug material was analysed for 2C-B and information on pattern of use and subjective effects was obtained from recreational users. Scores were statistically compared with previously collected data on psychostimulants (d-amphetamine), entactogens (MDMA) and psychedelics (ayahuasca and Salvia divinorum). The percentage of samples containing 2C-B doubled between 2006 and 2009, evolved from powder to tablet form and showed low falsification rates. Respondents reported taking 2C-B orally in doses of about 20 mg. Subjective effects involved perceptual modifications analogous to those observed after ayahuasca and salvia but absent after amphetamine and MDMA. Pleasure and sociability effects did not differ from those after MDMA and incapacitation was lower than for the psychedelics used as comparators. In conclusion, we found 2C-B is consistently present in the illicit drug market in Spain. While it elicits perceptual modifications that are analogous to other psychedelics, the lower impairment and higher pleasurable effects make it comparable with entactogens.