2C-I
2C-I is a psychedelic phenethylamine of the 2C-x family, similar in character to 2C-B but generally described as more visual and slightly longer-lasting. It gained notoriety partly because of confusion with the far more dangerous NBOMe compound 25I-NBOMe, which has been mis-sold as 2C-I on blotter.
01 Overview
2C-I is a 5-HT2A partial agonist producing colourful visuals, sensory enhancement and a stimulating psychedelic headspace, with common oral doses in the low tens of milligrams. Human data are sparse; the evidence base is anecdotal and drawn from harm-reduction and forensic sources.
A specific hazard is misidentification: 25I-NBOMe, an extremely potent and toxic blotter psychedelic, has been sold as '2C-I'. Because 2C-I is not reliably active on blotter at typical NBOMe amounts, any 'blotter 2C-I' should be treated with suspicion. General 2C-x risks — nausea, vasoconstriction and anxiety at higher doses — also apply.
02 Mechanism
Partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors (with 5-HT2C activity), the shared psychedelic mechanism of the 2C-x family.
03 Dosing
| Tier | Dose | Route | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Threshold | 5–10 mg | Oral | Mild sensory effects. |
| Common | 12–22 mg | Oral | Full psychedelic effect, visually prominent. |
| Strong | 22–35 mg | Oral | Intense; higher anxiety and body-load risk. |
04 Effects
| Effect | Magnitude | Evidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual enhancementPronounced colour enhancement and geometric visuals. | Anecdotal | ||
| Stimulation and mood liftEnergetic, positive headspace. | Anecdotal | ||
| Sensory enhancementHeightened tactile and auditory perception. | Anecdotal |
05 Side effects
| Effect | Severity | Frequency | Evidence | Countermeasures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vasoconstriction and cardiovascular strainVasoconstriction with raised heart rate and blood pressure. | Moderate | Common | Anecdotal | |
| Anxiety and psychological distressAnxiety and difficult experiences at high or misjudged doses. | Moderate | Common at higher doses | Anecdotal | |
| Misidentification as 25I-NBOMeThe far more toxic 25I-NBOMe has been mis-sold as 2C-I, especially on blotter; NBOMe compounds have caused deaths at low doses. | Life-threatening | Unknown but documented | Observational |