3C-P
3,5-dimethoxy-4-propoxyamphetamine
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3C-P (3,5-dimethoxy-4-propoxyphenylpropan-2-amine) is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class. It is the amphetamine structural analog of proscaline, a compound closely related to mescaline. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, disrupting the normal filtering of sensory signals and producing the effects characteristic of classical psychedelics.[1]
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Proscaline, the parent compound, was first described by Otakar Leminger in 1972.[2] Alexander Shulgin identified 3C-P as an "unexplored amphetamine homolog" in PiHKAL (1991),[3] and Daniel Trachsel completed the first synthesis in 2003.[4] It has remained an obscure research chemical with no medical use and only a handful of documented human experiences.
Subjective effects include sustained physical energy, wakefulness, emotional warmth, enhanced thinking, and mild visual patterns. The experience leans toward stimulation — outward-facing and articulate — with psychedelic depth building quietly in the background rather than taking over. Rapid heartbeat, chest pressure, constricted blood vessels, and prolonged inability to sleep are characteristic unwanted effects.[5]
3C-P does not produce physical dependence; tolerance builds rapidly after a single dose and limits compulsive use.[6] The dominant risk is cardiovascular — elevated heart rate and vasoconstriction sustained across a 10–16 hour experience put prolonged stress on the body.[7]safety citation needed Understanding rests almost entirely on a single animal study and roughly a dozen anonymous user reports.[1]
History[edit]
Discovery
Proscaline, the parent compound, was first described by Otakar Leminger in 1972.[2] Alexander Shulgin identified 3C-P as an "unexplored amphetamine homolog" in PiHKAL (1991),[3] predicting activity in the 20–40 mg oral range without reporting any human experiment.[8]
Synthesis and early use
Daniel Trachsel completed the first synthesis around 2002, publishing in 2003 as part of a broader study of mescaline derivatives.[4] The compound appeared on research chemical markets in late 2003, representing its first likely human exposure outside private self-experimentation.[7]
Research chemical era
Between 2003 and 2015, around 10–12 anonymous experience reports were submitted to the Erowid Experience Vault.[7] Halberstadt and colleagues published the only quantitative pharmacological study in 2019, measuring 3C-P's potency in mice.[1] No clinical trials have been conducted.
The "3C" designation indicates three carbon-linked oxygen substituents on the phenyl ring; the "P" suffix marks the n-propoxy group at the 4-position. The compound is also called 3C-Proscaline or α-methylproscaline, reflecting its direct lineage from proscaline. It has remained deeply obscure even within psychedelic communities — one of many Shulgin-predicted compounds that exist between theoretical proposal and serious investigation.
Chemistry[edit]
Structural class
3C-P belongs to the 3C-x series — substituted amphetamines built from the mescaline scaffold. The defining feature of this family is that extending the alkoxy chain at the 4-position progressively increases hallucinogenic potency.[1] Its molecular formula is C₁₄H₂₃NO₃ (molecular weight 253.34 g/mol).
Stereochemistry
3C-P has a chirality center at its α-carbon and exists as a racemic mixture of two mirror-image forms. All available pharmacological data come from this racemic mixture — no enantiopure preparation has been studied.[1] Analytical reference data for related compounds in the mescaline structural analog series have been published.[9]
Pharmacology[edit]
Mechanism of action
3C-P activates serotonin receptors on cortical neurons, triggering increased glutamate release and disrupting the brain's normal sensory filtering.[6] Phenethylamine psychedelics are selective for this receptor type, distinguishing them from tryptamine psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin.[10] In controlled mescaline studies, blocking this receptor with ketanserin eliminated all psychedelic effects.[11]
Head twitch response
The only published pharmacological study measured 3C-P's potency using a serotonin-receptor-mediated behavior in mice that reliably predicts human hallucinogenic potency.[12] 3C-P was essentially equipotent with 3C-E and about 50% more potent per molecule than TMA, the amphetamine structural analog of mescaline.[1]
Pharmacokinetics
No human pharmacokinetic data exist for 3C-P. The parent compound mescaline peaks around 2 hours after oral dosing, has a plasma half-life of roughly 3.5 hours, and produces subjective effects lasting 6–14 hours.[13][11] The α-methyl group in 3C-P resists breakdown by monoamine oxidase enzymes, which likely accounts for the 10–16 hour duration reported by users.citation needed
Neuroscience[edit]
Where it acts
3C-P activates serotonin receptors on cortical neurons, disrupting the brain's default mode network and increasing connectivity across otherwise separate regions.[6] Controlled mescaline research confirms that blocking these receptors eliminates all psychedelic effects.[11]
Why it matters
One influential model proposes that activating these receptors loosens the brain's grip on its habitual interpretation of the world, letting raw sensory signals propagate more freely through the cortex. 3C-P's mild visual effects paired with strong cognitive and emotional activation suggests moderate loosening — enough to shift mood and thinking without the full perceptual upheaval of more potent psychedelics.
- Does 3C-P interact with targets beyond serotonin receptors? The stimulant character suggests possible contributions from epinephrine or dopamine pathways that remain unmeasured.
- What accounts for the 10–16 hour duration? Receptor residence time, tissue accumulation, or active metabolite formation could each be the driver.
- Does the inverted-U dose-response pattern seen in mice[1] translate to humans?
Subjective Effects[edit]
3C-P produces a stimulant-weighted psychedelic experience. The dominant quality is sustained mental and physical energy — alert, articulate, and outward-facing — with emotional warmth and mild visual modulation present but running quietly in the background rather than dominating the foreground.
Relative to mescaline, 3C-P operates at a fraction of the dose, delivers far less visual intensity, and tilts strongly toward cognitive stimulation. Compared to 3C-E, its closest structural cousin, 3C-P is reported as more mentally activating and less visually rich.
Effect Grid
Prominent stimulation and sustained wakefulness define the experience. Cognitive enhancement becomes apparent — articulate speech, information synthesis, and pattern recognition enhancement are reported. Empathy enhancement and emotional openness provide an empathogenic warmth.
Mild visual effects emerge: color enhancement, gentle visual drifting, subtle tracers, and possible faint synesthesia. Music enhancement is notable. Body load includes muscle tension, mild bruxism, appetite suppression, and possible nausea during the come-up. Pupil dilation is observable.
The full experience extends 10–16 hours. Sleep is effectively impossible for 8+ hours after ingestion. A full day cleared of obligations is necessary.
Modeled from the effect's dose-dependence curve — not per-substance measurements.
Visual drifting · Depth perception distortion · Tracers · Environmental patterning · Light sensitivity · Visual breathing · Holotropic state · After-images · Perspective distortion · Symmetrical texture repetition · Auditory enhancement · Peripheral vision distortion · Sound sensitivity · Visual morphing · Visual diffraction · Touch enhancement · Auditory distortion · Auditory misinterpretation · Dreaming suppression · Peripheral misidentification · Proprioceptive distortion · Sleep-transition hallucinations · Spatial disorientation · Vestibular distortion · Visual haze / noise · Visual melting · Visual acuity enhancement · Synesthesia · Dreaming enhancement · Visual magnification · Olfactory enhancement · Taste enhancement · Visual processing acceleration · Tinnitus · Object transformations · Internal hallucinations · Environmental orbism / cubism · External hallucinations · Object activation · Perspective hallucinations · Visual recursion · Visual flipping · Auditory hallucinations · Visual scenery slicing
Light sensitivity · Visual breathing · Holotropic state · After-images · Perspective distortion · Symmetrical texture repetition · Auditory enhancement · Peripheral vision distortion · Sound sensitivity · Visual morphing · Visual diffraction · Touch enhancement · Auditory distortion · Auditory misinterpretation · Dreaming suppression · Peripheral misidentification · Proprioceptive distortion · Sleep-transition hallucinations · Spatial disorientation · Vestibular distortion · Visual haze / noise · Visual melting · Visual acuity enhancement · Synesthesia · Dreaming enhancement · Visual magnification · Olfactory enhancement · Taste enhancement · Visual processing acceleration · Tinnitus · Object transformations · Internal hallucinations · Environmental orbism / cubism · External hallucinations · Object activation · Perspective hallucinations · Visual recursion · Visual flipping · Auditory hallucinations · Visual scenery slicing
Stimulation · Wakefulness · Insomnia · Spontaneous body sensations · Nausea · Muscle tension · Dry mouth · Physical fatigue · Restlessness · Excessive sweating · Dehydration sensation · Body high · Heart rate perception changes · Motor control impairment · Tingling / electric sensations · Bruxism · Bodily pressures · Body schema distortion · Breathing alteration · Dizziness · Laughter fits · Respiratory stimulation · Tactile euphoria · Trembling · Vibrations / buzzing · Sexual arousal enhancement · Involuntary body movements · Bodily lightness · Headache · Nystagmus (eye wobbles) · Vomiting · Abnormal heartbeat · Increased urination · Diarrhea · Salivation · Seizure threshold reduction · Tactile hallucination
Spontaneous body sensations · Nausea · Muscle tension · Dry mouth · Physical fatigue · Restlessness · Excessive sweating · Dehydration sensation · Body high · Heart rate perception changes · Tingling / electric sensations · Bruxism · Bodily pressures · Body schema distortion · Breathing alteration · Dizziness · Laughter fits · Respiratory stimulation · Tactile euphoria · Trembling · Vibrations / buzzing · Sexual arousal enhancement · Involuntary body movements · Bodily lightness · Headache · Nystagmus (eye wobbles) · Vomiting · Abnormal heartbeat · Increased urination · Diarrhea · Salivation · Seizure threshold reduction · Tactile hallucination
Aesthetic enhancement · Introspection enhancement · Confusion · Immersion enhancement · Pattern recognition enhancement · Thought acceleration · Cognitive fatigue · Cognitive flexibility · Conceptual thinking · Multiple thought streams · Openness enhancement · Analysis enhancement · Memory suppression · Synchronicity · Cognitive dysphoria · Cognitive impairment · Creativity enhancement · Focus suppression · Increased nature relatedness · Memory fragmentation · Thought disorganization · Thought loops · Humor enhancement · Motivation enhancement · Analysis suppression · Information processing suppression · Memory replays · Focus enhancement · Information processing enhancement · Language enhancement · Compulsive redosing urge · Language suppression · Amnesia · Delusions
Immersion enhancement · Pattern recognition enhancement · Thought acceleration · Cognitive fatigue · Cognitive flexibility · Conceptual thinking · Multiple thought streams · Openness enhancement · Analysis enhancement · Memory suppression · Synchronicity · Cognitive dysphoria · Cognitive impairment · Creativity enhancement · Focus suppression · Increased nature relatedness · Memory fragmentation · Thought disorganization · Thought loops · Humor enhancement · Motivation enhancement · Analysis suppression · Information processing suppression · Memory replays · Focus enhancement · Information processing enhancement · Language enhancement · Language suppression · Amnesia · Delusions
Euphoria · Simultaneous emotions · Empathy enhancement · Catharsis · Dysphoria · Irritability · Mania
Catharsis · Dysphoria · Irritability
Social connection · Sociability enhancement · Automaticity · Disinhibition · Social disconnection · Trust enhancement · Communication enhancement · Flow state · Compulsive behavior reduction · Craving · Ego inflation · Boundary dissolution · Cognitive disconnection · Ego dissolution · Identity alteration · Telepathic feelings
Social disconnection · Trust enhancement · Communication enhancement · Flow state · Compulsive behavior reduction · Craving · Ego inflation · Boundary dissolution · Cognitive disconnection · Ego dissolution · Identity alteration · Telepathic feelings
Entity contact · Non-dual awareness · Death-rebirth sequence
Mindfulness enhancement · Recursive awareness
Timeline
Latent period with minimal perceptible effects. Subtle stimulation or mild restlessness may emerge toward the end of this phase.
Gradual emergence of stimulation, building energy, and mood elevation. Nausea, if present, typically occurs here. Head tension reported by some users.
Maximum stimulation, empathogenic warmth, cognitive enhancement, and mild visual effects. Cardiovascular effects — tachycardia, vasoconstriction — are most prominent. Music enhancement peaks.
Sustained stimulation and mood effects with gradual visual decline. Wakefulness persists strongly. Cognitive enhancement remains but emotional intensity begins to recede.
Effects slowly waning with residual stimulation preventing sleep. Physical fatigue accumulates alongside persistent mental alertness, creating a dissociated tiredness.
Residual wakefulness, possible next-day fatigue, and mild cognitive aftereffects. Some users report a quiet reflective quality.
⚠ Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 18 hours after ingestion.
Safety[edit]
- Acute toxicity
- Low
- Chronic toxicity
- No data
- 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 controlled toxicity data exist for 3C-P. No lethal dose has been established in any species, and no therapeutic index can be calculated.safety citation needed
The highest documented human oral dose is approximately 50 mg, taken without fatal outcome.[7] This establishes only that the lethal dose exceeds 50 mg for those individuals. Safety at higher doses is entirely undocumented.
Heart and circulation
At 40–43 mg, users report rapid heartbeat, chest pressure, and constriction in the extremities.[5] Strenuous physical activity substantially worsens these effects. Clinical mescaline studies confirm that elevated blood pressure and rapid heartbeat are characteristic of this chemical class.[13][14]
Class-level risks
At high doses, phenethylamine psychedelics can produce elevated blood pressure, dangerously high body temperature, agitation, and seizures. At least five fatalities have been associated with the related 2C series.[15] Mescaline research documents elevated blood pressure, headache, nausea, and vomiting as the most common adverse effects, with no deaths attributed to pure mescaline.[16]
Duration-related risks
The 10–16 hour duration sustains elevated heart rate and vasoconstriction for an unusually long time. Wakefulness persisting more than 13 hours post-dose has been documented.[17]
Psychological Risks
Paranoia has been documented at 40+ mg, particularly in the context of physical exertion.[5] Anxiety, confusion, and sensory overload are reported at higher doses. The extended duration amplifies psychological burden — a difficult 10–16 hour experience is substantially harder to endure than one lasting 4–6 hours.
One user noted visual distortions persisting into subsequent days at 40 mg oral,[18] though this resolved without intervention. No published cases of psychosis, lasting perceptual disturbance, or hospitalization specifically attributable to 3C-P have been identified.
Tolerance and Dependence
Serotonergic hallucinogens develop rapid tolerance after a single dose — serotonin receptors dial down almost immediately.[6][12] Tolerance resets in about 7 days, and cross-tolerance extends to all other serotonergic hallucinogens, including LSD, psilocybin, and Mescaline.[12][10]
Serotonergic hallucinogens do not produce physical dependence.[6] Rapid tolerance actively discourages compulsive use. No dependence cases for 3C-P or closely related 3C-series compounds have been reported.
Drug Interactions
No substance-specific interaction studies have been conducted. The following are inferred from pharmacological class.
Tramadol blocks serotonin reuptake.[19][20] Combining it with a serotonin-activating psychedelic can trigger serotonin syndrome — agitation, dangerous overheating, rapid heartbeat, and muscle rigidity. Severe cases can be fatal.[15]
MAOIs block the breakdown of serotonin. Combined with direct serotonin receptor activation, severe serotonin syndrome is the expected outcome.[6] They would also block a major metabolic pathway for the amphetamine scaffold, potentially amplifying blood levels unpredictably.
SSRIs and SNRIs may both reduce psychedelic effects and raise serotonin levels simultaneously, producing an unpredictable combined picture.
Stimulants — amphetamines, cocaine, and similar drugs — compound cardiovascular risk through additive blood pressure elevation, rapid heartbeat, and dangerous overheating, on top of the cardiovascular stress already documented at higher 3C-P doses.
Lithium combined with serotonergic psychedelics has been associated with seizures at the class level.citation needed
Cannabis can modulate or amplify the experience unpredictably. No data specific to 3C-P exist.
Contraindications
No substance-specific contraindication data exist. The following are inferred from class membership and the documented adverse effect profile.
Heart conditions: Pre-existing cardiac problems, high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and structural heart disease are absolute contraindications given the documented rapid heartbeat, chest pressure, and blood vessel constriction at standard doses.[5]
Serotonergic medications: Concurrent use of MAOIs, SSRIs, SNRIs, or tramadol is an absolute contraindication due to serotonin syndrome risk.
Seizure history: This chemical class has been associated with lowered seizure threshold.[15]
Psychiatric vulnerability: Personal or family history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or severe anxiety is a relative contraindication, consistent with guidance for all serotonergic psychedelics.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: No reproductive safety data exist. Contraindicated.safety citation needed
Liver or kidney impairment: Impaired clearance could produce unpredictable increases in exposure and duration. Without metabolic data, risk cannot be assessed.safety citation needed
Harm Reduction[edit]
Forms & Identification
3C-P circulates exclusively as an unregulated research chemical. Because no pharmaceutical-grade supply exists, every batch carries uncertainty about identity, purity, and dose. The compound's obscurity makes vendor mislabeling — accidental or deliberate — a real possibility. Analytical testing through services like Energy Control or DrugsData provides the only reliable confirmation of identity and purity.
Standard reagent kits can indicate the presence of a substituted phenethylamine but cannot distinguish 3C-P from closely related compounds in the 3C or 2C series. Quantitative confirmation requires laboratory-grade analysis.
Guidelines
- Test every batch with reagent kits and, where possible, laboratory analysis before use.
- Weigh doses with a milligram-accurate balance. At the 20–40 mg active range, estimation is dangerous.
- Start at the low end of the reported dose range (20 mg or below) for a first experience. Do not redose — the slow onset (1.5–3 hours to peak) encourages premature redosing that compounds cardiovascular risk and extends duration.
- Ensure access to water, electrolytes, and light food throughout the experience. Avoid caffeine and other stimulants.
- Avoid strenuous physical activity. Elevated heart rate and vasoconstriction are dose-dependent and worsened by exertion.
- Plan for a full recovery day following the experience. Sleep disruption of 13+ hours post-dose is documented.
Set & Setting
The 10–16 hour duration demands planning that shorter psychedelics do not. A full day must be set aside with no obligations, and the setting should permit rest and eventual sleep when the experience tapers. Access to a comfortable indoor space is essential — physical exertion significantly worsens cardiovascular effects.
An experienced, sober sitter is strongly recommended, particularly for first experiences or doses above 30 mg. The stimulant character can mask fatigue and physical strain, making outside observation valuable.
Aftercare & integration. The extended duration means physical recovery takes priority in the first 24 hours. Sleep as soon as possible after the experience tapers — melatonin or a dark, quiet room can help. Rehydrate and eat nutritious food. Some physical fatigue and emotional sensitivity the following day are expected.
If the experience was psychologically significant, journaling within 24–48 hours can help process insights before they fade. Discussing the experience with a trusted person or integration circle provides perspective and grounding. If anxiety, visual disturbances, or emotional lability persist beyond a few days, consult a mental health professional.
Recovery & Support
3C-P does not produce physical dependence, and compulsive use patterns are rare for serotonergic psychedelics due to rapid tolerance. If use is becoming a pattern — particularly as avoidance of difficult emotions or a replacement for professional support — that pattern warrants examination regardless of the substance's low physiological dependence risk.
Resources for psychedelic harm reduction include the Fireside Project (62-FIRESIDE / 623-473-7433), MAPS integration resources, and local harm reduction organizations. For broader substance use concerns, SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) provides free, confidential referrals.
Recovery resources, crisis lines, and support pathways → View all
Emergency Response
Recognizing an emergency: Uncomfortable stimulation, mild rapid heartbeat, and anxiety are common and do not require emergency intervention. Seek immediate help for: chest pain or tightness that persists or worsens, seizure activity, loss of consciousness, extreme confusion or inability to communicate, signs of dangerous overheating (skin hot to the touch, confusion, cessation of sweating), or expressed intent to self-harm.
Immediate steps:
- 1. Call emergency services.
- 2. Move the person to a cool, quiet environment.
- 3. If unconscious and breathing, place in the recovery position (on their side, airway clear).
- 4. Do not restrain unless there is immediate danger to the person or others.
- 5. Do not induce vomiting.
- 6. Monitor breathing and heart rate while waiting for help.
What to tell the dispatcher: Name the substance (3C-P, a synthetic psychedelic amphetamine), the amount taken, the time of ingestion, and current symptoms. Good Samaritan laws in many jurisdictions protect people who call for help during a drug emergency.
No reversal agent exists for phenethylamine psychedelics. Hospital treatment is supportive — benzodiazepines for agitation and seizures, cooling measures for elevated body temperature, and monitoring of heart rhythm and blood pressure.
Legal Status[edit]
3C-P is not widely scheduled as a named substance. Its legal status is mainly determined by structural analog provisions and blanket psychoactive substance laws rather than compound-specific scheduling.
| Jurisdiction | Classification | Key provisions |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Not explicitly scheduled | May be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act as a Schedule I analog of mescaline or TMA. Sale, purchase, or possession "for human consumption" carries legal riskcitation needed |
| United Kingdom | Controlled (Psychoactive Substances Act 2016) | Blanket prohibition on production, supply, and possession with intent to supply of psychoactive substances; simple possession not an offence under the Act[21] |
| Germany | Controlled (NpSG) | Restricted under the New Psychoactive Substances Act; limited to industrial and scientific use[21] |
| Canada | Schedule I (CDSA) | Covered under the amphetamine blanket ban in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act[21] |
| Japan | Designated substance | Scheduled as of February 28, 2018[21] |
| Australia | Status unconfirmed | Likely falls under analog scheduling provisions but not confirmed from primary legal sourcescitation needed |
Legal status changes frequently and varies by jurisdiction. This information is not legal advice — consult a qualified legal professional for guidance specific to a given location.
Analog act considerations
In the United States, the Federal Analogue Act treats substances "substantially similar" in structure or effect to a Schedule I or II controlled substance as controlled when intended for human consumption. 3C-P is structurally related to both mescaline and TMA, both Schedule I, making prosecution under this provision plausible. No published case law or DEA scheduling action specifically addressing 3C-P has been identified.citation needed
references
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- [2]
- [3]
- [4]
- [5]
- [6]