2C-H
2C-H (2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine) is the unsubstituted parent of the 2C phenethylamine family. It is largely inactive as a psychedelic in humans and is chiefly encountered as a synthetic precursor to compounds like 2C-B and 2C-I.
01 Overview
2C-H was described by Alexander Shulgin, who reported it produced essentially no psychoactive effect at tested doses, likely because it is rapidly metabolised by monoamine oxidase before reaching the CNS. Its main significance is as a chemical intermediate for the wider 2C series.
Because it is functionally inactive, human data are effectively absent and any subjective reports are unreliable. It is discussed here as a family reference rather than a recreational agent.
02 Mechanism
A 5-HT2A partial agonist scaffold, but the unhindered position leaves it a favoured MAO substrate, so oral doses are degraded before appreciable central 5-HT2A activation occurs.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reported threshold | 100–200 mg | Oral | Shulgin reported little to no effect even at high doses. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimal psychoactivityMost reports describe no clear psychedelic effect, consistent with rapid MAO metabolism. | sub-perceptual | Anecdotal | |
| Mild stimulationOccasional reports of faint restlessness, not reliably distinguishable from placebo. | slight | Unconfirmed |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NauseaGastric upset reported with 2C-series phenethylamines generally. | Mild | Unknown | Anecdotal | |
| Unknown toxicityNo safety pharmacology exists; purity of research-grade material is unverifiable. | Moderate | Unknown | Unconfirmed |