2M2B Facts
Depressant;
Description
2M2B (tert-amyl alcohol) is a synthetic depressant of the tertiary alcohol class. It boosts the brain's main inhibitory signaling system while suppressing excitatory activity, producing prolonged, alcohol-like sedation.[1]
Subjective effects include sedation, anxiety relief, euphoria, loss of motor control, and cognitive suppression. The experience resembles a prolonged, intensified alcohol intoxication — cleaner in character due to the absence of acetaldehyde, the metabolite responsible for hangover.[2]
Physical dependence develops with repeated use, and respiratory failure is the primary life-threatening risk — published cases document collapse requiring emergency intubation.[3] The gap between intoxication and respiratory collapse is unknown, and standard toxicology screens cannot detect the compound, complicating emergency diagnosis and enabling concealed relapse.
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Starts in 15 – 30 minLasts 8 – 14 hoursAfter-effects 4 – 12 hours
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- High
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Physical dependence
- Moderate
- Psychological dependence
- Moderate
- Withdrawal
- Severe · fatal · medical supervision
- Compulsive redosing
- Moderate
Tolerance
- Builds
- Moderate
- Fully resets after
- 10 days
- Carries over to
- ethanol;
benzodiazepines; barbiturates; neurosteroids; other GABA-A PAMs
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- none likely · 10 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual acuity suppression
- Body
- Sedation;
Motor control impairment; Muscle relaxation; +20 possible, including Dizziness, Nausea, Nystagmus (eye wobbles) - Thinking
- Focus suppression;
Memory suppression; Thought deceleration; Analysis suppression; Cognitive impairment; +14 possible, including Language suppression, Decision impairment, Information processing suppression - Feeling
- Anxiety suppression;
+4 possible, including Emotional lability - Self
- Disinhibition;
+9 possible, including Communication suppression, Craving, Ego inflation - Time
- none likely · 2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations60 recorded
Seek help immediately if
- Extreme drowsiness — can't stay awake or be roused
- Confusion, slurred speech, severe loss of coordination
- Slow, shallow, or irregular breathing
- Unconsciousness / unresponsive; limp, floppy body
- Blue lips or fingertips
- Vomiting while sedated (choking / aspiration risk)
- Cold, clammy skin; weak pulse
What to do
- Try to wake them — shout, firm sternal rub
- If unresponsive or breathing is impaired, call emergency services
- Place them in the recovery position — critical, they can choke on vomit
- Monitor breathing continuously; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR
- Never leave them alone to "sleep it off"
- Do not give other drugs, stimulants, or more depressants
Most depressant overdoses resolve with airway protection, breathing support, and monitoring. The danger is respiratory depression and choking on vomit — sharply worse when combined with opioids or alcohol. GHB/GBL overdoses often involve sudden deep unconsciousness and may self-resolve, but airway protection is essential.
988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE
References
- [1]^Lovinger DM, White G, Weight FF (1989) Ethanol inhibits NMDA-activated ion current in hippocampal neurons — Science PMID:2467382
- [2]^Amberg A, Bernauer U, Scheutzow D, Dekant W (1999) Biotransformation of tert-Amyl Methyl Ether and tert-Amyl Alcohol — Chemical Research in Toxicology doi:10.1021/tx990078x
- [3]^Anand JS, Gieron J, Lechowicz W, Schetz D, Kala M, Waldman W (2014) Acute intoxication due to tert-amyl alcohol - a case report — Forensic Science International doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.07.020