2C-P: The Strongest Member of the 2C Family of Psychedelics

2C-P is one of the more obscure research chemicals derived from the classic psychedelic compound, mescaline. It’s a member of a large group of psychedelics known as the 2C-X drugs — which include popular members such as 2C-B and 2C-E. 2C-P is, by far, the strongest and longest-lasting of the 2C drug class. Its effects are compatible with LSD in terms of the profundity of the experience and the depth of consciousness this compound can induce.

What is 2C-P?

2C-P stands for 2,5-dimethoxy-4-n-propyl phenethylamine. It’s an obscure substance from the 2C-X family of psychedelics. Recently 2C-P has started to rise in popularity due to its strength. This compound was first discovered by Alexander Shulgin, who published the process for making it, along with qualitative information on its effects in his book, PiHKHAL. Characteristics of 2C-P are its slow onset time, exceptional potency of experience, and long-lasting effects. This drug can take 3–5 hours to kick in, peaks for up to 10 hours, and lasts a total of 16–20 hours in total. It’s stimulating, empathogenic, and powerfully hallucinogenic.

2C-P: Specs & Technical Details

Active Ingredient: 2,5-dimethoxy-4-n-propyl phenethylamine

Level of Risk: Moderate

Most Common Side-Effects: Muscle cramping, nausea, vomiting

Duration of Effects: 16–20 hours

Legality: Illegal in most parts of the world

Guidelines for the Responsible Use of 2C-P

• I understand why psychedelics should be treated with respect
• I’m familiar with the laws surrounding psychedelics in my country & state
• I’m familiar with and confident in the dose I’m taking (dose range for 2C-P is 3-12 mg)
• I’ve tested a sample of the substance I’m using with a drug testing kit
• I’m not mixing any medications or other substances with 2C-P
• I’m in a safe & comfortable environment with people I trust
• One of the members of my group is responsible and sober (AKA a trip sitter)
• I have nothing important scheduled for after the trip
• I’m in a sound & healthy state of mind
• I’m aware of the increased risk of heatstroke & dehydration with this compound
• I’m familiar with the four pillars of responsible psychedelic use — set, setting, sitter, & substance.
• Know the timeline — the effects of 2C-P can last between 16 and 20 hours
• Know when to avoid stimulants — don’t take 2C-P if you have underlying heart, neurological, or psychiatric disorders

What’s The Dose of 2C-P?

2C-P has a much lower dose than most other members of the 2C-X family. The dose of 2C-P is roughly half the dose of 2C-B, 2C-C, 2C-E, and others. Alexander Shulgin detailed the doses for this compound as sitting somewhere between 6 and 12 mg. The experience can change dramatically with differences of just a few milligrams. It’s wise for people who have never used this substance to titrate the dose — starting with a very low dose for the first session and increasing the dose gradually from there. This compound can quickly move from being very enjoyable and manageable to overwhelming and scary.

Dosage Breakdown for 2C-P

• Threshold Dose — 1 mg
• Standard Psychoactive Dose — 3 to 12 mg
• Heavy Dose — 12–16 mg

Never exceed 16 mg of 2C-P. Overdoses have occurred.

What Does 2C-P Feel Like?

The 2C-P experience is strong — tread carefully with this one. This compound isn’t recommended for anybody who doesn’t have a lot of experience with psychedelics already. This compound can bring the user deeper than most other research chemicals and can be a genuinely insightful and enjoyable experience — but it also has a dark side to it that can be overwhelming and potentially harmful to the uninitiated user. For starters, there’s no such thing as a “mild 2C-P experience.” The threshold dose causes very subtle changes in visual acuity and an increased feeling of empathy. But when you take just a slightly larger dose, it brings you to what could be considered a “moderate” experience — consisting of strange and chaotic thought processes, strong visual hallucinations, and mental stimulation. Secondly, 2C-P is very long-lasting. It’s common for the experience to last more than 12 hours, with some users reporting more than 20 hours in total. Visions are notably strong with 2C-P and are somewhat comparable to LSD. The visual experience of 2C-P feels more cartoon-like than LSD but has the same breathing effects and merging patterns on objects in the environment. Some people who have taken 2C-P report out of body experiences — meeting other entities in a similar way to DMT, ketamine (and other dissociatives),...