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3C-E Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted amphetamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

3C-E (3,5-dimethoxy-4-ethoxyamphetamine) is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain,[1] producing the visual and cognitive shifts characteristic of classical psychedelics.

Subjective effects include geometric visual patterns, color enhancement, closed-eye imagery, trembling, and generalized bodily heaviness. The experience is defined by the tension between rich, jewel-like visuals and a persistent physical burden — nausea, muscle tension, and somatic discomfort that dominates the session, especially at higher amounts.[2]

3C-E does not produce physical dependence, and no fatalities have been attributed to it — though this reflects its rarity, not established safety.[3] The central risk is a steep dose-response curve: modest dose increases sharply intensify both physical discomfort and psychological difficulty.[2]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 20 mgLight30 – 40 mgCommon40 – 60 mgStrong60 – 80 mgHeavy80+ mg

Starts in 30 – 120 minLasts 8 – 12 hoursAfter-effects 3 – 6 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Not assessed
Physical dependence
None
Psychological dependence
Negligible
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Negligible

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
7 days
Carries over to
LSD; psilocybin; mescaline; DOx series; 2C-x series

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Music enhancement; Color enhancement; Visual drifting; Color alteration; Brightness alteration; Geometry; Visual breathing; +24 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Visual haze / noise, Vestibular distortion
Body
Wakefulness; Appetite suppression; Pupil dilation; Body high; Insomnia; +26 possible, including Nausea, Dehydration sensation, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Conceptual thinking; Thought connectivity; Novelty enhancement; Aesthetic enhancement; Openness enhancement; +21 possible, including Confusion, Suggestibility enhancement, Memory suppression
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; +7 possible, including Emotional lability, Anxiety, Paranoia
Self
none likely · 8 possible, including Derealization
Time
Time alteration; +2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 3 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders; Current lithium therapy; Pregnancy
Relative
Severe cardiovascular disease; Seizure disorders; Current MAOI therapy

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/3c-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]
    ^Halberstadt AL, Chatha M, Chapman SJ, Brandt SD (2019) Comparison of the behavioral effects of mescaline analogs using the head twitch response in mice — Journal of Psychopharmacology doi:10.1177/0269881119826610
  2. [2]
    ^abShulgin A, Shulgin A (1991) PiHKAL Entry #25: 3C-E (3,5-Dimethoxy-4-Ethoxyamphetamine) Link
  3. [3]
    ^de la Fuente Revenga M, Jaster AM, McGinn J, Silva G, Saha S, Gonzalez-Maeso J (2022) Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance among Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists in Mice — ACS Chemical Neuroscience doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00170
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