2C-T-2 Stats & Data
NCCc1cc(OC)c(SCC)cc1OCHCWQGDLBIKOJPM-UHFFFAOYSA-NReceptor Profile
Receptor Actions
History & Culture
1981–present
2C-T-2 was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 1981. That same year, Shulgin discovered its psychedelic properties through self-experimentation, establishing the compound's activity in humans.
1990–1991
The compound was first described in the scientific literature by psychedelic psychotherapy pioneer Myron J. Stolaroff in 1990. Stolaroff conducted a formal study evaluating 2C-T-2's potential use in psychotherapy based on the experiences of forty participants. He compared the effects favorably to MDMA, describing 2C-T-2 as more emotionally opening and permitting a wider exploration of feelings and thoughts. Subsequently, Shulgin and colleagues published a more detailed description in 1991, and the compound was featured prominently in Shulgin's book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved) that same year.
2C-T-2 holds a notable place in psychedelic chemistry as one of the so-called "magical half-dozen," Shulgin's self-rated most important phenethylamine compounds. All compounds in this group except mescaline were developed and synthesized by Shulgin himself. The magical half-dozen comprises mescaline, DOM, 2C-B, 2C-E, 2C-T-2, and 2C-T-7.
1990s–present
Following the publication of PiHKAL, 2C-T-2 emerged as a novel designer drug during the 1990s. A point of potential misidentification exists regarding the compound's naming. 2C-T-2 has occasionally been abbreviated simply as "T-2," a nickname also used for T-2 Toxin, a mycotoxin of the Tricothecene group formed mainly by Fusarium species. T-2 Toxin gained notoriety as an alleged chemical warfare agent in Southeast Asia, though it was later identified as bee feces rather than a Soviet military weapon. Despite the shared nickname, T-2 Toxin and 2C-T-2 are radically different compounds.
Subjective Effect Notes
cognitive: The head space of 2C-T-2 is described by many as one which is both insightful and relatively normal in its thought processes even at moderate to high dosages.
Effect Profile
Curated + 188 ReportsStrong visuals, headspace, auditory effects, and body load
Strong stimulation, sensory enhancement, and euphoria with moderate empathy
Duration Timeline
BluelightTolerance & Pharmacokinetics
drugs.wikiTolerance Decay
Rapid acute tachyphylaxis within the same session; cross-tolerance expected across serotonergic psychedelics. Data are mostly anecdotal across 2C‑x; spacing 7–14 days is commonly advised to reset.
Cross-Tolerances
Demographics
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Reports Over Time
Effect Analysis
Erowid + BluelightEffects aggregated from 188 experience reports (148 Erowid + 40 Bluelight)
Effect Sentiment Distribution
Confidence Distribution
Positive Effects 69
Adverse Effects 48
Dose-Response Correlation
How effect frequency changes across dose levels
View data table
| Effect | Light (n=17) | Common (n=20) | Strong (n=37) | Heavy (n=15) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Distortions | 82.4% | 80.0% | 91.9% | 80.0% |
| Color Enhancement | 58.8% | 55.0% | 67.6% | 33.3% |
| Nausea | 47.1% | 30.0% | 64.9% | 33.3% |
| Anxiety | 41.2% | 60.0% | 45.9% | 40.0% |
| Music Enhancement | 52.9% | 45.0% | 56.8% | 40.0% |
| Tactile Enhancement | 35.3% | 20.0% | 48.6% | 53.3% |
| Stimulation | 52.9% | 45.0% | 48.6% | 26.7% |
| Empathy | 47.1% | 30.0% | 35.1% | 40.0% |
| Auditory Effects | 17.6% | 25.0% | 45.9% | 26.7% |
| Focus Enhancement | 23.5% | 45.0% | 40.5% | 33.3% |
| Euphoria | 35.3% | 25.0% | 43.2% | 33.3% |
| Muscle Tension | 0% | 25.0% | 37.8% | 33.3% |
| Confusion | 35.3% | 35.0% | 29.7% | 33.3% |
| Sedation | 23.5% | 35.0% | 29.7% | 26.7% |
| Headache | 23.5% | 15.0% | 27.0% | 13.3% |
Subjective Effect Ontology
Experience ReportsStructured effect tags extracted from 188 Erowid & Bluelight experience reports using a controlled vocabulary of 220+ canonical effects across 15 domains.
Visual
Dose–Effect Mapping
Experience ReportsHow reported effects shift across dose tiers, based on 148 experience reports.
| Effect | Light (n=17) | Common (n=20) | Strong (n=37) | Heavy (n=15) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visual distortions | → | ||||
| color enhancement | ↓ | ||||
| nausea | ↓ | ||||
| anxiety | → | ||||
| music enhancement | ↓ | ||||
| tactile enhancement | ↑ | ||||
| stimulation | ↓ | ||||
| empathy | ↓ | ||||
| auditory effects | ↑ | ||||
| focus enhancement | ↑ | ||||
| euphoria | → | ||||
| muscle tension | — | ↑ | |||
| confusion | → | ||||
| sedation | → | ||||
| headache | ↓ | ||||
| closed-eye visuals | ↑ | ||||
| introspection | ↑ | ||||
| body high | → | ||||
| memory suppression | → | ||||
| ego dissolution | — | → |
Showing top 20 of 31 effects
Risk Escalation
Sentiment AnalysisAverage frequency of positive vs adverse effects across dose tiers
View effect breakdown
Adverse Effects
| Effect | Light (n=17) | Common (n=20) | Strong (n=37) | Heavy (n=15) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nausea | -29% | ||||
| Anxiety | -2% | ||||
| Muscle Tension | — | +33% | |||
| Confusion | -5% | ||||
| Headache | -43% | ||||
| Memory Suppression | +13% | ||||
| Jaw Clenching | — | — | -46% | ||
| Motor Impairment | — | +33% | |||
| Increased Heart Rate | — | — | -38% | ||
| Thought Loops | — | — | — | 0% | |
| Pupil Dilation | — | — | -54% | ||
| Sweating | — | — | — | 0% |
Positive Effects
| Effect | Light (n=17) | Common (n=20) | Strong (n=37) | Heavy (n=15) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color Enhancement | -43% | ||||
| Music Enhancement | -24% | ||||
| Tactile Enhancement | +50% | ||||
| Stimulation | -49% | ||||
| Empathy | -15% | ||||
| Focus Enhancement | +41% | ||||
| Euphoria | -5% | ||||
| Introspection | +69% | ||||
| Body High | +13% | ||||
| Creativity Enhancement | — | — | +64% |
Dosage Distribution
Dose distribution from experience reports
Insufflated
Oral
Real-World Dose Distribution
62K DosesFrom 192 individual dose entries
Insufflated (n=32)
Oral (n=136)
Common Combinations
Most co-occurring substances in experience reports
Form / Preparation
Most common forms and preparations reported
Body-Weight Dosing
Dose relative to body weight from reports with weight data
Insufflated
Oral
Unknown
Redose Patterns
Redosing behavior across 120 reports
Legal Status
| Country | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina | Controlled substance | Listed as a controlled substance alongside other phenethylamines including 2C-B and 2C-I. |
| Australia | Schedule 9 | Classified as a prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard since 2005. Schedule 9 substances are those which may be abused or misused and are prohibited except for approved medical or scientific research, analytical, teaching, or training purposes with government authorization. |
| Austria | Illegal (SMG) | Prohibited under the Suchtmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act). Possession, production, and sale are illegal. |
| Belgium | Illegal | Added to the list of controlled psychotropic substances on November 8, 2004. |
| Brazil | Illegal | Controlled as of February 18, 2014. Listed on Portaria SVS/MS nº 344, making possession, production, and sale illegal. |
| Canada | Schedule III (CDSA) | Controlled under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as of October 31, 2016. Classified as a derivative of 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine. |
| China | Controlled substance | Added to the list of controlled substances as of October 2015. |
| Denmark | Category B | Added to Category B of the controlled substances list on August 23, 2003. |
| Estonia | Schedule I | Added to Schedule I in February 2011 alongside several other phenethylamines and synthetic cannabinoids. |
| Finland | Narcotic drug | Classified as a narcotic substance under Finnish drug control legislation. |
| Germany | Anlage I BtMG | Listed in Anlage I (Schedule I) of the Betäubungsmittelgesetz (Narcotics Act) since October 1998. Represents the highest level of control; manufacturing, possession, import, export, purchase, sale, procurement, and dispensing without license are prohibited. |
| Italy | Tabella I | Added to Tabella I (the list of prohibited plants and substances) by Ministry of Health statement on January 11, 2005. |
| Japan | Designated Substance (Shitei-Yakubutsu) | Controlled under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law. Possession and sale are illegal. |
| Latvia | Schedule I | Listed as a Schedule I controlled substance under national drug legislation. |
| Netherlands | List I (Opiumwet) | The Netherlands was the first country to ban 2C-T-2, classifying it as a hard drug under List I of the Opium Law in April 1999. Unlicensed manufacture, sale, import, trade, and possession can be prosecuted. |
| Portugal | Controlled substance | Law enacted in January 2005 to control 2C-T-2, 2C-I, 2C-T-7, and TMA-2. |
| Slovakia | Grade 2 | Added to Grade 2 (equivalent to Schedule II under the 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances) in October 2009. |
| Sweden | Schedule I (Narcotic) | First regulated on April 1, 1999 under the Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health (SFS 1999:58), making sale and possession illegal. Subsequently added to Schedule I of the Narcotic Drugs Punishments Act on March 16, 2004, as published in MPA regulation LVFS 2004:3. |
| Switzerland | Controlled (Verzeichnis D) | Specifically named as a controlled substance under Verzeichnis D of the Swiss narcotics legislation. |
| United Kingdom | Class A | Controlled as a Class A substance under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 through the phenethylamine catch-all clause. All compounds featured in PiHKAL are prohibited. Class A carries the most severe penalties for possession, manufacture, and import. |
| United States | Schedule I | Federally scheduled under SEC. 1152 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act of 2012 (S.3187), signed into law in July 2012. Possession, manufacture, and import are illegal. Additional state-level controls exist in Alabama (February 2013), Louisiana (June 2013), Oklahoma (May 2011), Pennsylvania, and Vermont (July 2012). |
Harm Reduction
drugs.wikiAllergy-test and dose accurately: Because active doses are in the low tens of milligrams, always use a 0.001 g (milligram) scale and allergy test 1–2 mg before a first full dose; start low and wait at least 3 hours before considering any change to avoid stacking a delayed onset. Misrepresentation risk is real: pressed “2C‑B” or “mescaline” tablets and powders occasionally contain other phenethylamines; use multiple reagents and, where possible, a drug-checking lab (Energy Control/TEDI-type services) to confirm identity before dosing. Reagents: On Marquis, 2C‑T‑2 typically shows a salmon/orange‑to‑red reaction, contrasting with 2C‑B’s green; no single reagent can confirm identity—use at least Marquis, Mecke, and Froehde and interpret within ~60 seconds. Avoid nasal use: Insufflation produces a very rapid, intense come‑up and is consistently reported to cause severe burning, higher nausea/vomiting rates, and vasoconstriction; 2C‑T‑x intranasal use has been linked to serious toxicity and deaths (notably with 2C‑T‑7). Hydration and heat: Like many psychedelics with mild stimulation, overheating can occur in hot, crowded settings; take breaks to cool down and sip fluids slowly (about 500 mL per hour maximum) to avoid both dehydration and over‑hydration. Redosing and tolerance: Acute tolerance develops rapidly; redosing late in the experience adds side‑effects more than benefits. Leave at least a week between substantial psychedelic sessions to reduce tolerance and mental fatigue. Set/setting and support: Anxiety and body‑load are common at the peak; a trusted sober sitter, calm environment, and controlled sensory input reduce risk of panic and injury. Emergency response: If severe agitation, hyperthermia, or signs of serotonin toxicity occur (high fever, clonus, confusion), seek medical care; lay responders should focus on cooling, reassurance, and avoiding restraints that impair breathing—do not attempt to self‑medicate. Rectal route hygiene: If using rectal administration to reduce nausea, dissolve in sterile water, use clean applicators, and lubricant to minimize mucosal injury and infection risk. Drug checking and ID nuance: 2C‑T‑2 may be sold in capsules or powders; while 2C‑B is often in pressed tablets, both can be confused at point‑of‑sale; lab testing best differentiates them; reagent patterns aid but are not definitive. Legal & sourcing context: EU risk assessment concluded 2C‑T‑2 is a potent hallucinogen with no recognized medical use; many regions control it; legal risk adds to harm if medical help is delayed—carry accurate substance/dose info for responders.
References
Data Sources
Cited References
- Bluelight: Big & Dandy 2C-T-2 Thread
- ChemSpider: 2C-T-2 Chemical Structure
- EMCDDA Risk Assessment: 2C-T-2
- Erowid: 2C-T-2 Basics
- Leysen et al. 2004 - 5-HT2 Receptor Binding Affinities
- PIHKAL Entry #40: 2C-T-2
- Reddit: field report – first-hand 20 mg oral experience
- 5-HT2 receptor binding affinities (Leysen et al. 2004)
Drugs.wiki References
- PIHKAL entry #40 2C‑T‑2 (dosage & duration)
- Erowid 2C‑T‑2 Vault (general info, history, links)
- EMCDDA/ EUDA – Report on the risk assessment of 2C‑I, 2C‑T‑2, 2C‑T‑7 (2004)
- EU Council Decision 2003/847/JHA (control measures for 2C‑I/2C‑T‑2/2C‑T‑7/TMA‑2)
- TripSit Drug Combinations (2C‑x / 2C‑T‑x with MAOIs, stimulants, tramadol, etc.)
- Erowid – MDMA Testing Kit FAQ (Marquis reagent color table incl. 2C‑T‑2)
- Erowid – 2C‑T‑7 Dosage & Death Warnings (to contextualize nasal-route risk across 2C‑T‑x)
- Erowid – 2C‑T‑7 fatality case summary (insufflated 35 mg)
- Bluelight community reports on 2C‑T‑2 nasal burn/adverse effects
- Bluelight – user notes vomiting after insufflated 2C‑T‑2 (contextual anecdote)
- DrugWise – Ecstasy harm reduction (cooling, fluid intake guidance)
- Saferparty.ch – 2C‑B alerts (misidentification risk with pressed tablets)
- Saferparty.ch – 2C‑B pill with impurities (illustrative of mixed contents)
- Erowid newsletter – on misidentified pills and testing (Energy Control/TLC)