FACT SHEET TWENTY TWO

2CB

What is 2CB?

2CB or 4-Bromo-2,5-Dimethoxyphenophenethylamine by its chemical name, is an hallucinogenic drug with some similarity in its effects to LSD and some to Ecstasy. It is quite new to the UK and as such is still quite rare and its effects are poorly studied, it also goes by the name of Bromo, Nexus, CB, Performax, Spectrum, Venus, Erox, Cloud Nine or Toonies. A relative of 2CB, 2-CT-7, is also starting to make an appearance in the UK, having similar effects to 2CB it also goes by the name of T-7, 7-up and Tripstacy.

Both drugs are available as white powders or small pills and prices vary from £2-5 per pill and £5-25 depending on the amount of the powered drug, its purity and its strength. Although these drugs are normally taken orally they can be snorted or smoked as well.

The effects of the drugs start between 20 and 90 minutes after taking them, plateau for 2-3 hours and then after ‘coming down’, the after effects last for between 2-4 hours. As with all drugs the timing and intensity of the effects depend on the amount of substance taken, the strength and the purity.

The Effects of 2CB

2CB and 2-CT-7 have similar stimulating properties to that of ecstasy, which they are often taken in conjunction with to heighten or prolong the ‘high’. At lower doses users are said to feel energetic and have a higher sense of being and a heightened sense of sexuality. At higher doses the effects are more like those of LSD and other hallucinogens and the user may experience an increased awareness of senses including sight (especially colours), sound and smells. Users may also experience synesthia - the occurrence of one type of stimulation that triggers the sensation of another stimulation, such as hearing a sound causing the visualisation of a colour. The results of interactions with other drugs remain to be determined but most people take several at a time as well as using ecstasy.

The Side Effects of 2CB

Based on the sort of unwanted effects seen in LSD and Ecstasy users short term side effects of use may include fatigue, anxiety and disorientation, in the long-term users may suffer from depression, anxiety attacks and in more severe cases the drug may trigger psychotic episodes or illnesses. As these drugs are still quite new, their unwanted effects have yet to be elucidated and studies into any lasting or long term damage have yet to be carried out.

Due to its effects on sensory perception, users may put themselves in dangerous situations e.g driving with an inability to interpret traffic signals and a mistrust of ones perception could lead to serious injury or even death.