What’s 2CB, 2CI, and 2CE Like?
The 2C-X Phenethylamine Drugs Compared
All of the 2C-X series of drugs belong to the phenethylamine class which tends to be more empathogenic and introspective in effects when compared to other psychedelic drugs that are also 5-HT2A agonist. Alexander Shulgin, the author of PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved ), synthesized all 2C-X compounds with 2CB being the first of the 2C-X series synthesized in 1974. Because the effects of 2CB were relatively “soft” in nature with a short duration of action they were perceived to have substantial therapeutic value; However, they are research chemicals meaning there’s little knowledge on the short and long-term consequences. 2CB started to become popular in the United States commonly found at raves when MDMA (ecstasy) became illegal in 1985. In 2011, the 2C-X series of drugs gained immense popularity as an easily accessible alternative to LSD which is when I experimented with the substance and its analogs 2CI and 2CE.
I will say that I was psychologically addicted to 2CI due to it being a party psychedelic. I never had a challenging experience which meant there was little hesitation going into the trip. Under the influence, I felt a euphoria similar to MDMA which is also a phenethylamine but visuals and a light psychedelic headspace. There was little to no feeling that I was “on the brink of insanity” accompanied by racing thoughts and random bouts of laughter which commonly accompanied my psilocybin mushroom trips. 2CE was similar in the sense it was empathogenic, euphoric, and had a similar body load. However, the difference was it leaned more towards being a true psychedelic as opposed to a party psychedelic which aroused more difficult experiences I had to learn from and hesitation regarding taking the substance. 2CB was a blend of the two, it was a party psychedelic that would occasionally go into a deep introspective headspace, but it never was as intense as 2CE, and it wasn’t as light as 2CI.
Philip Markoff (Associate of Science) is an online influencer and thought leader on addiction education; he is known as his alias “CG Kid” who’s obtained a large audience primarily on YouTube as a vlogger and journalist. His current sobriety date from polysubstance chemical dependency is June 9th, 2013.
cyrilio says
Agree on the 2C-E description. I’m not a big fan. Also, its one of the only ones I’ve ever had auditory hallucinations.
CG Kid says
For sure bro 2C-E is edgy, pixelated, and dark at times.