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2C-E Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted phenethylamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

2C-E (2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylphenethylamine) is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class. It activates serotonin receptors, disrupting the brain's normal filtering of sensory and cognitive information.[1]

Subjective effects include geometric visual patterns, time alteration, enhanced introspection, ego dissolution, and intense body load. The experience is analytical and immersive — closer to mescaline in its reflective weight than to 2C-B's lighter, more sensory character.

2C-E does not produce physical dependence, and the lethal dose in humans is unknown — one confirmed death has been documented. The defining risk is its steep dose-response curve: a few milligrams can shift the experience from manageable to overwhelming.

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 2 mgLight5 – 10 mgCommon10 – 15 mgStrong15 – 25 mgHeavy30+ mg

Starts in 20 – 45 minLasts 6 – 10 hoursAfter-effects 6 – 12 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Moderate
Chronic toxicity
Low
Physical dependence
None
Psychological dependence
Negligible
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Negligible

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
14 days
Carries over to
LSD; psilocybin; mescaline; DMT; 2C-B; 2C-I; 2C-D; 2C-T-2; 2C-T-7; DOM

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Music enhancement; Color enhancement; Visual drifting; Color alteration; Symmetrical texture repetition; Tracers; Brightness alteration; Environmental patterning; Geometry; Visual breathing; +25 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Visual haze / noise, Vestibular distortion
Body
Spontaneous body sensations; Muscle tension; Pupil dilation; Stimulation; Body high; Body scan awareness; +30 possible, including Nausea, Insomnia, Temperature dysregulation
Thinking
Conceptual thinking; Immersion enhancement; Pattern recognition enhancement; Thought connectivity; Novelty enhancement; Aesthetic enhancement; Introspection enhancement; Openness enhancement; +28 possible, including Memory suppression, Cognitive impairment, Confusion
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; +9 possible, including Anxiety, Emotional lability, Dysphoria
Self
none likely · 11 possible, including Derealization, Communication suppression, Depersonalization
Time
Time alteration; +4 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 5 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Epilepsy; Psychotic disorders; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; MAOI use; Tramadol use
Relative
Hypertension; Cardiac arrhythmias

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (18)
MDMA, MDA; NRIs; Buspirone; Dopamine agonists; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids
Caution (37)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/2c-e
Not graded (5)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

Most difficulty is psychological (intense fear, panic, confusion) and passes with calm support — the signs below mean seek emergency help:

  • Very high body temperature; hot, dry skin
  • Seizures
  • Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Severe muscle rigidity, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
  • Cold, pale, or blue fingers/toes — severe vasoconstriction (notably NBOMe / DOx)
  • Persistent vomiting; unconsciousness; uncontrollable agitation or risk of self-harm

What to do

  1. Stay calm and reassure — remind them they took a drug and the effect will pass
  2. Move to a calm, quiet, safe space with low light; reduce noise and sensory input
  3. Keep them from harm — they may act on fear or confusion; stay with them, don't leave them alone
  4. Talk them down gently; don't grab or restrain unless they're in danger
  5. For the medical signs above (overheating, seizure, chest pain, vasoconstriction, unresponsive) call emergency services
  6. If overheating, cool the body; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

The experience is time-limited and usually resolves with calm reassurance in a safe setting — psychological first aid, not medication. Serious physical harm is uncommon for classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) but real for some potent phenethylamines (NBOMe, DOx), where hyperthermia, seizures, and vasoconstriction warrant emergency care.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^Papaseit E, Olesti E, Perez-Mana C, Torrens M, Grifell M, Ventura M, Pozo OJ, de Sousa Fernandes Perna EB, Ramaekers JG, de la Torre R, Farre M (2020) Acute Effects of 2C-E in Humans: An Observational Study — Frontiers in Pharmacology doi:10.3389/fphar.2020.00233
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