2C-T
4-(methylthio)-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine
Viewing r1 — May 11, 2026 — CURRENT
Back to HistoryInteractions, related substances, and reports reflect the current entry and are not shown for historical revisions.
2C-T (2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylthiophenethylamine) — also known as Tesseract — is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class. It is the parent compound of the 2C-T-x thio series, the least potent member of the lineage. It activates serotonin receptors, disrupting normal sensory filtering and producing a mild psychedelic state.[1]
Psychedex is in open beta. We are still fine-tuning the generation and review process. Please double-check sources.
LSD, psilocybin, mescaline +1 moreLSD, psilocybin, mescaline, DMT show less
Alexander Shulgin synthesized 2C-T in the early 1980s as part of a systematic study of sulfur-modified phenethylamines.[2] The compound itself saw little use, but its descendants — 2C-T-2 and 2C-T-7 — reached recreational markets and generated the clinical reports that define the series' safety profile.[3] 2C-T remains confined to psychonaut research communities, with negligible market presence.
Subjective effects include tactile sensitivity, introspection, mild visual distortion, and sedation. The character is quiet and inward — closer to contemplation than perceptual fireworks, described as "stoning" rather than stimulating.[4] Nausea and gastrointestinal discomfort are the most consistent unwanted effects.
2C-T produces no physical dependence, and no death has been specifically attributed to the compound. The main danger is combining it with monoamine oxidase inhibitors — drugs that slow its breakdown — which can intensify effects sharply and trigger a dangerous overheating and seizure response.[5] All human data come from four self-experiments; everything else is inferred from structurally related compounds.[4]
History[edit]
Discovery
Alexander Shulgin synthesized 2C-T at his private laboratory in Lafayette, California, working with Philip Jacob. Between 1981 and 1984 they published foundational structure-activity data establishing that a sulfur atom at the 4-position of the phenethylamine scaffold produces psychoactive compounds.[2][6][7] Shulgin later documented four self-experiments in PiHKAL (1991), describing 2C-T as having "relatively low potency" while noting that "the higher 2C-T's proved to be a treasure house".[4]
Scientific significance
2C-T matters structurally more than pharmacologically. It established the methylthio template from which more potent derivatives were built — extending the sulfur chain yielded 2C-T-2 and then 2C-T-7, each substantially more potent.[1] The early papers also revealed that these compounds are broken down by monoamine oxidase, a metabolic fact central to the series' safety profile.[2]
Market and modern context
2C-T never found meaningful recreational use. Its congeners 2C-T-2 and 2C-T-7 circulated in the late 1990s and 2000s — with 2C-T-7 explicitly scheduled in the United States in 2004[8] — while 2C-T remained within psychonaut research communities.[3][9]
The "2C" prefix marks the two-carbon chain between the benzene ring and the amino group — distinguishing phenethylamines from amphetamines. "T" stands for thio, the sulfur atom at the 4-position. This naming system was Shulgin's own convention for his 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine series. The street name "Tesseract" appears in community sources but not in peer-reviewed literature.[10]
Chemistry[edit]
Structural class
2C-T belongs to the 2C-x family of substituted phenethylamines, specifically the 2C-T-x thio sub-series. The defining feature is a methylthio (–SCH₃) group at the 4-position of the 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine scaffold, making it the shortest-chain and least potent member of the thio series. Extending that sulfur chain increases potency — ethylthio yields 2C-T-2, propylthio yields 2C-T-7.[1]
Molecular identity
| Molecular formula | C₁₁H₁₇NO₂S |
| Molecular weight | 227.33 g/mol |
The hydrochloride salt melts at 240–241 °C.[11] No solubility or stability data have been published.inferred
Pharmacology[edit]
Mechanism of action
2C-T produces its psychedelic effects by activating serotonin receptors in the brain.[1] Unlike stimulant phenethylamines, it has little effect on dopamine or norepinephrine systems — it is a serotonergic psychedelic, not a stimulant.[12]
Pharmacokinetics
The oral route is the only documented route. Onset is approximately 30–45 minutes,[11][13] with a total duration of 3–6 hours.[10][4] Peak effects are estimated at 1–2 hours based on analogy to 2C-B.[14]inferred
Monoamine oxidase enzymes break 2C-T down in the body — it is a substrate for these enzymes, not an inhibitor of them.[2] Drugs that block MAO slow this breakdown, intensifying and prolonging effects and raising the risk of serotonin syndrome.[5]
Neuroscience[edit]
Where it acts
2C-T is expected to act on the same brain circuits as other serotonergic psychedelics.[15] Serotonin receptor activation in the prefrontal cortex disrupts the brain's normal filtering of incoming sensory data, allowing more unfiltered perception to reach awareness. This also quiets the brain's self-referential network, correlating with altered introspection and the sense of ego dissolution some users report.
Why it matters
The leading theory of psychedelic action proposes that activating serotonin receptors loosens the brain's fixed assumptions, letting raw sensory experience temporarily reshape perception.[4] 2C-T's lower receptor affinity predicts a gentler version of this — consistent with reports of quiet introspection rather than overwhelming perceptual change. Whether it triggers neuroplastic effects such as new synaptic growth at human doses is unknown.
Key unresolved questions: whether 2C-T produces neuroplastic effects given its partial agonism and lower potency, what determines its short duration compared to other phenethylamine psychedelics, and whether the methylthio group's oxidation products contribute unique pharmacological properties not captured by binding assays.
inferred All neural mechanism claims above are extrapolated from the serotonergic psychedelic class. No substance-specific neuroimaging or electrophysiological data exist for 2C-T.
Subjective Effects[edit]
2C-T's character is defined by subtlety. Where other psychedelic phenethylamines lead with vivid perceptual distortion, 2C-T foregrounds tactile sensitivity, a sedating body state, and a quiet, inward-turning mood. Users consistently describe it as "stoning" rather than stimulating.[13]
Within the 2C-T-x series it is the mildest and briefest member. Its qualitative feel resembles mescaline — introspective, body-aware — but with far less visual intensity and across a much shorter timeframe.[4] Cannabis markedly amplifies its visual component.[13]
Effect Grid
The common dose range (60–100 mg) represents the core 2C-T experience as documented in PiHKAL. Tactile sensitivity becomes clearly noticeable — touch feels enhanced and surfaces more textured. Introspection deepens, with emotional openness and a gentle empathogenic quality. Thoughts flow more freely, and aesthetic appreciation may be heightened. Verbal communication remains easy and natural; one PiHKAL subject described the state as one that "opens things up but doesn't get in the way."
Visual effects are minimal at common doses — mild color enhancement or saturation may be noticed, but geometric patterns and morphing are largely absent. The dominant body load is gastrointestinal: a persistent stomach pressure that some users find mildly uncomfortable. The overall character is sedating rather than stimulating, described as "stoning."
Total duration is 3–5 hours, with good sleep and residual well-being commonly reported afterward. This is the PiHKAL-documented range and the best-characterized tier for 2C-T.
Modeled from the effect's dose-dependence curve — not per-substance measurements.
Brightness alteration · Visual breathing · Music enhancement · Tracers · After-images · Touch enhancement · Auditory enhancement · Depth perception distortion · Environmental patterning · Light sensitivity · Peripheral vision distortion · Perspective distortion · Sound sensitivity · Spatial disorientation · Symmetrical texture repetition · Auditory distortion · Auditory misinterpretation · Holotropic state · Proprioceptive distortion · Synesthesia · Vestibular distortion · Visual haze / noise · Visual morphing · Visual acuity enhancement · Peripheral misidentification · Visual diffraction · Visual melting · Visual processing acceleration · Visual magnification · Internal hallucinations · Object transformations · Environmental orbism / cubism · External hallucinations · Object activation · Visual recursion · Visual scenery slicing · Auditory hallucinations · Perspective hallucinations · Visual flipping
After-images · Touch enhancement · Auditory enhancement · Depth perception distortion · Environmental patterning · Light sensitivity · Peripheral vision distortion · Perspective distortion · Sound sensitivity · Spatial disorientation · Symmetrical texture repetition · Auditory distortion · Auditory misinterpretation · Holotropic state · Proprioceptive distortion · Synesthesia · Vestibular distortion · Visual haze / noise · Visual morphing · Visual acuity enhancement · Peripheral misidentification · Visual diffraction · Visual melting · Visual processing acceleration · Visual magnification · Internal hallucinations · Object transformations · Environmental orbism / cubism · External hallucinations · Object activation · Visual recursion · Visual scenery slicing · Auditory hallucinations · Perspective hallucinations · Visual flipping
Wakefulness · Spontaneous body sensations · Nausea · Appetite suppression · Insomnia · Tingling / electric sensations · Vibrations / buzzing · Bodily lightness · Dizziness · Dry mouth · Heart rate perception changes · Laughter fits · Muscle tension · Physical fatigue · Restlessness · Tactile euphoria · Body schema distortion · Dehydration sensation · Excessive sweating · Sexual arousal enhancement · Temperature dysregulation · Breathing alteration · Diarrhea · Bruxism · Headache · Involuntary body movements · Nystagmus (eye wobbles) · Trembling · Vomiting · Abnormal heartbeat · Motor control enhancement · Bodily dissociation · Tactile hallucination
Appetite suppression · Insomnia · Tingling / electric sensations · Vibrations / buzzing · Bodily lightness · Dizziness · Dry mouth · Heart rate perception changes · Laughter fits · Muscle tension · Physical fatigue · Restlessness · Tactile euphoria · Body schema distortion · Dehydration sensation · Excessive sweating · Sexual arousal enhancement · Breathing alteration · Diarrhea · Bruxism · Headache · Involuntary body movements · Nystagmus (eye wobbles) · Trembling · Vomiting · Abnormal heartbeat · Motor control enhancement · Bodily dissociation · Tactile hallucination
Cognitive flexibility · Introspection enhancement · Openness enhancement · Conceptual thinking · Cognitive euphoria · Increased nature relatedness · Thought connectivity · Immersion enhancement · Memory suppression · Thought acceleration · Creativity enhancement · Cognitive impairment · Memory fragmentation · Multiple thought streams · Synchronicity · Analysis enhancement · Humor enhancement · Thought loops · Analysis suppression · Cognitive fatigue · Confusion · Focus suppression · Information processing suppression · Thought disorganization · Focus enhancement · Information processing enhancement · Language enhancement · Cognitive dysphoria · Language suppression · Memory replays · Delusions
Conceptual thinking · Cognitive euphoria · Increased nature relatedness · Thought connectivity · Immersion enhancement · Memory suppression · Thought acceleration · Creativity enhancement · Cognitive impairment · Memory fragmentation · Multiple thought streams · Synchronicity · Analysis enhancement · Humor enhancement · Thought loops · Analysis suppression · Cognitive fatigue · Confusion · Focus suppression · Information processing suppression · Thought disorganization · Focus enhancement · Information processing enhancement · Language enhancement · Cognitive dysphoria · Language suppression · Memory replays
Empathy enhancement · Catharsis · Simultaneous emotions · Dysphoria · Irritability
Irritability
Trust enhancement · Sociability enhancement · Depersonalization · Communication enhancement · Flow state · Communication suppression · Ego inflation · Sociability suppression · Social disconnection · Boundary dissolution · Cognitive disconnection · Identity alteration · Ego dissolution
Flow state · Communication suppression · Ego inflation · Sociability suppression · Social disconnection · Boundary dissolution · Cognitive disconnection · Identity alteration · Ego dissolution
Transpersonal visions
Recursive awareness
Timeline
Initial alerts emerge — mild body awareness, possible faint stomach pressure, and a subtle shift in baseline mood. Effects are ambiguous and may be mistaken for placebo.
Tactile sensitivity and mood shift develop progressively. Body load becomes noticeable as stomach pressure. The sedating character begins to establish itself.
Full expression of effects — tactile enhancement, introspection, emotional openness, and a sedating body state. Visual effects remain minimal at common doses. Verbal communication is easy.
Effects thin progressively. Tactile sensitivity and introspective depth diminish. Stomach discomfort resolves.
Residual well-being and possible enhanced dreaming. Good sleep is commonly reported. Mood may feel subtly elevated into the following day.
Safety[edit]
- Acute toxicity
- Low
- Chronic toxicity
- Negligible
- Withdrawal
- None
- Tolerance buildup
- rapid
- Tolerance reset
- 7 days
- Physical
- None
- Psychological
- Negligible
- Compulsive redosing
- Negligible
- Dose escalation
- Negligible
- Cross-tol.
- LSD · psilo · mesc
Toxicity
No lethal dose data have been published for 2C-T in any species. No overdose case reports or fatalities specifically attributable to this compound appear in the medical literature.safety citation needed
Class-level toxicity
The broader 2C drug class has been linked to a recognizable pattern of toxicity at high doses[3]:
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure, raised body temperature, heavy sweating
- Agitation, muscle jerking, tremor, and exaggerated reflexes
- Hallucinations, aggression, and extreme agitated confusion
- Seizures
At least five deaths have been reported across the 2C class, predominantly involving 2C-T-7 and 2C-T-2 — often combined with MDMA or other serotonergic drugs.[3] Agitated delirium was the most consistent feature in fatal cases.
5-HT₂B concern
The 2C-T-x class activates a receptor type linked to heart valve damage with chronic use.[12] Given 2C-T's minimal use and the improbability of repeated dosing, this risk is theoretical.
Psychological risks
2C-T carries the psychological risks common to psychedelics: anxiety, panic, paranoia, and transient psychotic symptoms — especially at higher doses or in predisposed individuals. One subject in Shulgin's PiHKAL accounts experienced emotional detachment at 75 mg, showing that dysphoric responses are possible within the common dose range.[4]
Persistent visual disturbances after the experience and any lasting psychiatric effects are inferred from the psychedelic class as a whole — no data exist specifically for 2C-T.inferred
Tolerance & dependence
Tolerance builds almost immediately after ingestion as serotonin receptors downregulate — a pattern shared across serotonergic psychedelics. Full reset takes approximately 7 days.[10] Cross-tolerance with LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline is expected.
No evidence supports physical dependence or withdrawal. Serotonergic psychedelics carry low abuse liability.inferred
Drug interactions
MAO inhibitors are the most dangerous interaction. Monoamine oxidase enzymes are 2C-T's presumed primary breakdown pathway; prescription MAOIs (phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide, selegiline) and plant-derived MAOIs (harmaline, Syrian rue) block this pathway, prolonging exposure and amplifying effects. Serotonin toxicity — dangerously high body temperature, muscle rigidity, and altered consciousness — is the principal danger.[5]Serotonergic medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, tramadol, lithium) add to serotonin accumulation and carry overlapping risk.[16] SSRIs may also blunt psychedelic effects through downregulation, creating unpredictable interactions where both dampening and intensification are possible.
Stimulants (amphetamines, MDMA, cocaine) add cardiovascular strain — elevated blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature. Combining MDMA with 2C-T-7 has been implicated in fatal cases.[3]
Lithium has been associated with seizures in combination with serotonergic psychedelics and is contraindicated on class grounds.safety citation needed
Cannabis markedly enhanced visual effects in the single available user report.[13]
Contraindications
Absolute:
- Concurrent MAO inhibitor use — prescription MAOIs, reversible MAOIs, and MAO-inhibiting plant preparations (ayahuasca, Syrian rue): risk of serotonin syndrome and uncontrolled cardiovascular crisis[5]
- Concurrent lithium use — seizure risk documented for serotonergic psychedelic combinationssafety citation needed
- Personal or family history of psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder) — serotonin receptor activation may trigger or worsen psychotic episodesinferred
Relative:
- Heart conditions — elevated blood pressure and heart rate; caution with pre-existing cardiovascular disease
- Bipolar disorder — risk of manic episode, particularly Type Iinferred
- Concurrent serotonergic medications (SSRIs, SNRIs, tramadol) — unpredictable interaction
- Pregnancy — no reproductive toxicity data; standard precautionary contraindication applies
Harm Reduction[edit]
Forms & Identification
2C-T circulates as a white to off-white powder (hydrochloride salt) and has never been manufactured at pharmaceutical grade. Purity varies between batches. Substitution or contamination with other 2C-series compounds — some far more potent — is a meaningful risk.
Reagent testing provides partial identification but cannot confirm purity or dose. A milligram-precision scale is essential — the active dose range (60–100 mg) is wide enough that estimation by eye invites dangerous variation.
Guidelines
- Test the substance with at minimum a Marquis reagent kit before use
- Weigh every dose on a milligram-precision scale — never estimate by eye
- Start low within the documented range — individual sensitivity varies, and no controlled dose-finding studies exist
- Eat lightly 2–3 hours beforehand to reduce nausea, the most consistent body-load effect
- Arrange a sitter — ideally someone experienced and sober, present for the duration
- Prepare the space — remove hazards, ensure comfortable temperature, have water and light food available
- Set a clear intention but hold it loosely — psychedelic experiences rarely follow a script
- Do not redose within the same session; tolerance develops immediately and additional material is unlikely to deepen effects
Set & Setting
2C-T's gentle, introspective character makes it sensitive to context. A calm, familiar environment with a trusted companion reduces the likelihood of anxiety or dysphoria. The 3–6 hour duration is manageable, but clearing the full day of obligations prevents time pressure from shaping the experience.
Avoid use during periods of acute psychological distress, grief, or emotional lability.
Aftercare & integration. The relatively short duration means the post-experience window opens sooner than with most psychedelics. Allow at least a full day for rest and reflection. Light meals, hydration, and gentle physical activity support recovery from any residual nausea or fatigue.
If the experience raised difficult emotions, writing about it within 24–48 hours helps consolidate insight before it fades. Persistent anxiety, intrusive imagery, or depersonalization lasting more than a few days warrants professional consultation.
Recovery & Support
Compulsive use of 2C-T is extremely unlikely given rapid tolerance and limited rewarding effects. However, patterns of repeated psychedelic use — even without physical dependence — can reflect unaddressed psychological needs.
If psychedelic use is interfering with daily functioning, relationships, or mental health, support is available through SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357), the Fireside Project psychedelic support line (62-FIRESIDE), or a therapist experienced with substance use and psychedelic integration.
Recovery resources, crisis lines, and support pathways → View all
Emergency Response
Recognizing an emergency: Most difficult moments on 2C-T involve anxiety, nausea, or transient confusion — uncomfortable but not medically dangerous. Seek immediate help if any of the following occur: seizure, loss of consciousness, chest pain, body temperature hot to the touch, or behavior suggesting complete disconnection from reality with risk of self-harm.
Immediate steps:
- 1. Stay with the person and speak calmly
- 2. Call emergency services if any red flags above are present
- 3. Do not restrain them unless they are in immediate physical danger
- 4. If unconscious and breathing, place them in the recovery position (on their side)
- 5. Keep them cool if overheating — remove excess clothing, apply cool cloths
- 6. Do not induce vomiting
What to tell the dispatcher: Name the substance (2C-T, a synthetic phenethylamine psychedelic), estimated dose, time of ingestion, and current symptoms. Good Samaritan laws in many jurisdictions protect people who call for help during a drug emergency.
Legal Status[edit]
2C-T occupies an ambiguous legal position in most jurisdictions — frequently captured under structural analog provisions or blanket phenethylamine controls rather than being individually named.
| Jurisdiction | Classification | Key provisions |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not explicitly scheduled; Federal Analogue Act may apply | 2C-T is not individually listed in Schedule I. Its structural and pharmacological similarity to scheduled congeners (2C-T-2, 2C-T-7) may render it prosecutable as a Schedule I analogue when intended for human consumption[8]safety citation needed |
| United Kingdom | Class A (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971) | Controlled under the phenethylamine catch-all clause; possession, production, and supply carry the most severe penaltiescitation needed |
| Canada | Schedule III (Controlled Drugs and Substances Act) | Listed since 31 October 2016citation needed |
| Australia | Likely Schedule 9 (Prohibited Substance) | The 2C class is broadly scheduled under the Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard); explicit documentation for 2C-T specifically was not confirmedinferred |
| Germany | Controlled under BtMG analogue provisions | Related 2C compounds are controlled under the Betäubungsmittelgesetz; 2C-T's specific status depends on structural analogue interpretationcitation needed |
Analogue act considerations
In jurisdictions with structural analogue legislation, 2C-T's close relationship to explicitly scheduled compounds creates significant legal exposure. The Federal Analogue Act applies to substances substantially similar in chemical structure and pharmacological effect to Schedule I or II substances — criteria 2C-T meets with respect to 2C-T-2 and 2C-T-7. Prosecution under analogue provisions has been upheld for other 2C-series compounds.[9]
references
- [1] ^abcdHalberstadt AL, Luethi D, Hoener MC, Trachsel D, Brandt SD, Liechti ME (2023) Use of the head-twitch response to investigate the structure-activity relationships of 4-thio-substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenylalkylamines — Psychopharmacology doi:10.1007/s00213-022-06279-2
- [2] ^abcdJacob P, Shulgin AT (1981) Sulfur analogues of psychotomimetic agents. Monothio analogues of mescaline and isomescaline. — Journal of Medicinal Chemistry PMID:7310812
- [3]
- [4]
- [5] ^abcdRached G, Campana A, Fiani D, et al. (2026) Safety and Efficacy of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Patients Who Use Psychoactive Substances — CNS Drugs doi:10.1007/s40263-025-01256-7
- [6] ^Jacob P, Shulgin AT (1983) Sulfur analogues of psychotomimetic agents. 2. Analogues of (2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)- and (2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylphenyl)isopropylamine. — Journal of Medicinal Chemistry PMID:6842515