2C-T-4
Encyclopedia
2C-T-4 or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-isopropylthiophenethylamine is a psychedelic
phenethylamine
of the 2C family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin
, sometimes used as an entheogen
.
homologue
of Aleph-4
. The full chemical name is 2-4-(isopropyl
thio
)-2,5-dimethoxy
phenylethan
amine
. The drug has structural
and pharmacodynamic properties similar to 2C-T-7
and 2C-T-9
.
and euphoria
to intense sickness and anxiety.
serotonin receptor
agonist
in the brain, a mechanism of action shared by all of the hallucinogenic tryptamines and phenethylamines for which the mechanism of action is known.
group at the 4 position such as 2C-T-7
and 4-MTA
are known to act as selective monoamine oxidase
A inhibitors, a side effect which can lead to lethal serotonin syndrome
when they are combined with stimulant
drugs. Most confirmed fatalities involving 2C-T drugs involve their combination with other drugs such as alcohol or cocaine. To those already inebriated with alcohol, 2C-T-4 has a dangerous sobering effect that could lead chronically abusive or inexperienced users to drink until lethally poisoned. Based on the known toxicity of other drugs of this family, doses above 20 milligrams of 2C-T-4 may have a high risk of very unpleasant physiological experiences, and at doses of 30 mg or above, death from overdose might occur.
US: 2C-T-4 is unscheduled and unregulated in the United States
, however its close similarity in structure and effects to 2C-T-7 could subject possession and sale of 2C-T-4 to prosecution under the Federal Analog Act
. This seems to be the tack the federal government is taking in the wake of the DEA
's Operation Web Tryp
. A series of Court Cases in the US involving the prosecution of several online vendors were commenced in 2004 and resulted in several convictions. 2C-T-4 is a Schedule I controlled substance in the US State of Oklahoma
.
2C-T-4 has one homologue, the structural isomer Ψ-2C-T-4 (2,6-dimethoxy-4-(i)-propylthiophenethylamine). This compound was tested by Alexander Shulgin at a dose of 12 mg.
At this dosage its duration was very short and it produced few effects, however based on the research into the better characterized compound Ψ-DOM
, the potency of Ψ-2C-T-4 is likely to be around 1/3 that of 2C-T-4 itself, so a more effective dosage of Ψ-2C-T-4 might be in the region of 20–60 mg; however high doses such as this might well be associated with toxic side effects, and so extreme caution would be advised.
Psychedelic
The term psychedelic is derived from the Greek words ψυχή and δηλοῦν , translating to "soul-manifesting". A psychedelic experience is characterized by the striking perception of aspects of one's mind previously unknown, or by the creative exuberance of the mind liberated from its ostensibly...
phenethylamine
Phenethylamine
Phenylethylamine or phenethylamine is a natural monoamine alkaloid, trace amine, and also the name of a class of chemicals with many members well known for psychoactive drug and stimulant effects. Studies suggest that phenylethylamine functions as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter in the...
of the 2C family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin
Alexander Shulgin
Alexander "Sasha" Theodore Shulgin is an American pharmacologist, chemist, artist, and drug developer.Shulgin is credited with the popularization of MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, especially for psychopharmaceutical use and the treatment of depression and...
, sometimes used as an entheogen
Entheogen
An entheogen , in the strict sense, is a psychoactive substance used in a religious, shamanic, or spiritual context. Historically, entheogens were mostly derived from plant sources and have been used in a variety of traditional religious contexts...
.
Chemistry
2C-T-4 is the 2-carbon2C (psychedelics)
2C is a general name for the family of psychedelic phenethylamines containing methoxy groups on the 2 and 5 positions of the benzene ring. Most of these compounds also carry lipophilic substituents at the 4 position, usually resulting in more potent and more metabolically stable and longer acting...
homologue
Homologous series
In chemistry, a homologous series is a series of compounds with a similar general formula, possessing similar chemical properties due to the presence of the same functional group, and showing a gradation in physical properties as a result of increase in molecular size and mass...
of Aleph-4
Aleph (psychedelic)
Aleph, or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylthioamphetamine, is a psychedelic hallucinogenic drug and a substituted amphetamine of the phenethylamine class of compounds, which can be used as an entheogen. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin. In his book PiHKAL , Shulgin lists the dosage range as...
. The full chemical name is 2-4-(isopropyl
Isopropyl
In organic chemistry, isopropyl is a propyl with a group attached to the secondary carbon. If viewed as a functional group an isopropyl is an organic compound with a propyl group attached at its secondary carbon.The bond is therefore on the middle carbon....
thio
Thio
The prefix thio-, when applied to a chemical, such as an ion, means that an oxygen atom in the compound has been replaced by a sulfur atom. This meaning is especially valid in organic chemistry. For example, the word ether refers to an oxygen-containing compound having the general chemical...
)-2,5-dimethoxy
Methoxy
In chemistry , methoxy refers to the functional group consisting of a methyl group bound to oxygen. This alkoxy group has the formula O–CH3.The word is used in organic nomenclature usually to describe an ether...
phenylethan
Ethyl group
In chemistry, an ethyl group is an alkyl substituent derived from ethane . It has the formula -C2H5 and is very often abbreviated -Et.Ethylation is the formation of a compound by introduction of the ethyl functional group, C2H5....
amine
Amine
Amines are organic compounds and functional groups that contain a basic nitrogen atom with a lone pair. Amines are derivatives of ammonia, wherein one or more hydrogen atoms have been replaced by a substituent such as an alkyl or aryl group. Important amines include amino acids, biogenic amines,...
. The drug has structural
Structure
Structure is a fundamental, tangible or intangible notion referring to the recognition, observation, nature, and permanence of patterns and relationships of entities. This notion may itself be an object, such as a built structure, or an attribute, such as the structure of society...
and pharmacodynamic properties similar to 2C-T-7
2C-T-7
2C-T-7 is a psychedelic phenethylamine of the 2C family. In his book PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story, Alexander Shulgin lists the dosage range as 10 to 30 mg. 2C-T-7 is generally taken orally, and produces psychedelic and entactogenic effects that last 8 to 15 hours...
and 2C-T-9
2C-T-9
2C-T-9 is a psychedelic phenethylamine of the 2C family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin, sometimes used as an entheogen.-Chemistry:2C-T-9 is 2,5-dimethoxy-4--butylthiophenethylamine....
.
Dosage
2C-T-4 is usually taken orally, and the dosage range is typically 8-20 mg.Effects
2C-T-4 produces psychedelic and entheogenic effects that develop slowly and can last 8–16 hours. Some users have also reported dissociative properties uncharacteristic of other psychedelic phenethylamines. While all users experience virtually no effects for the first hour after ingestion, results vary drastically between individuals and range from hallucinationHallucination
A hallucination, in the broadest sense of the word, is a perception in the absence of a stimulus. In a stricter sense, hallucinations are defined as perceptions in a conscious and awake state in the absence of external stimuli which have qualities of real perception, in that they are vivid,...
and euphoria
Euphoria
Euphoria is an emotional and mental state defined as a sense of great elation and well being.Euphoria may also refer to:* Euphoria , a genus of scarab beetles* Euphoria, a genus name previously used for the longan and other trees...
to intense sickness and anxiety.
Pharmacology
The mechanism that produces 2C-T-4’s hallucinogenic and entheogenic effects has not been specifically established, however it is most likely to result from action as a 5-HT2A5-HT2A receptor
The mammalian 5-HT2A receptor is a subtype of the 5-HT2 receptor that belongs to the serotonin receptor family and is a G protein-coupled receptor . This is the main excitatory receptor subtype among the GPCRs for serotonin , although 5-HT2A may also have an inhibitory effect on certain areas such...
serotonin receptor
5-HT receptor
The serotonin receptors, also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors or 5-HT receptors, are a group of G protein-coupled receptors and ligand-gated ion channels found in the central and peripheral nervous systems. They mediate both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission...
agonist
Agonist
An agonist is a chemical that binds to a receptor of a cell and triggers a response by that cell. Agonists often mimic the action of a naturally occurring substance...
in the brain, a mechanism of action shared by all of the hallucinogenic tryptamines and phenethylamines for which the mechanism of action is known.
Dangers
The toxicity of 2C-T-4 is not well documented. It may be expected that it would act in a manner similar to that of other phenethylamines, especially of the 2C-T family. Other phenethylamine derivatives substituted with an alkylthioThio
The prefix thio-, when applied to a chemical, such as an ion, means that an oxygen atom in the compound has been replaced by a sulfur atom. This meaning is especially valid in organic chemistry. For example, the word ether refers to an oxygen-containing compound having the general chemical...
group at the 4 position such as 2C-T-7
2C-T-7
2C-T-7 is a psychedelic phenethylamine of the 2C family. In his book PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story, Alexander Shulgin lists the dosage range as 10 to 30 mg. 2C-T-7 is generally taken orally, and produces psychedelic and entactogenic effects that last 8 to 15 hours...
and 4-MTA
4-MTA
4-Methylthioamphetamine is an illicit drug and research chemical developed in the 1990s by a team led by David E. Nichols at Purdue University. It acts as a non-neurotoxic highly selective serotonin releasing agent in animals...
are known to act as selective monoamine oxidase
Monoamine oxidase
L-Monoamine oxidases are a family of enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of monoamines. They are found bound to the outer membrane of mitochondria in most cell types in the body. The enzyme was originally discovered by Mary Bernheim in the liver and was named tyramine oxidase...
A inhibitors, a side effect which can lead to lethal serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome
Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction that may occur following therapeutic drug use, inadvertent interactions between drugs, overdose of particular drugs, or the recreational use of certain drugs...
when they are combined with stimulant
Stimulant
Stimulants are psychoactive drugs which induce temporary improvements in either mental or physical function or both. Examples of these kinds of effects may include enhanced alertness, wakefulness, and locomotion, among others...
drugs. Most confirmed fatalities involving 2C-T drugs involve their combination with other drugs such as alcohol or cocaine. To those already inebriated with alcohol, 2C-T-4 has a dangerous sobering effect that could lead chronically abusive or inexperienced users to drink until lethally poisoned. Based on the known toxicity of other drugs of this family, doses above 20 milligrams of 2C-T-4 may have a high risk of very unpleasant physiological experiences, and at doses of 30 mg or above, death from overdose might occur.
Popularity
2C-T-4 is relatively unknown on the black market, but has been sold to a limited extent on the research chemical market.Legality
Sweden: from May 1 2007, 2C-T-4 is a controlled substance under the act "Lag (1999:42) om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor".US: 2C-T-4 is unscheduled and unregulated in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, however its close similarity in structure and effects to 2C-T-7 could subject possession and sale of 2C-T-4 to prosecution under the Federal Analog Act
Federal Analog Act
The Federal Analog Act, , is a controversial section of the United States Controlled Substances Act which allowed any chemical "substantially similar" to a controlled substance listed in Schedule I or II to be treated as if it were also listed in those schedules, but only if intended for human...
. This seems to be the tack the federal government is taking in the wake of the DEA
Drug Enforcement Administration
The Drug Enforcement Administration is a federal law enforcement agency under the United States Department of Justice, tasked with combating drug smuggling and use within the United States...
's Operation Web Tryp
Operation Web Tryp
Operation Web Tryp was a United States Drug Enforcement Administration operation that ended on July 21, 2004 with the arrests of 10 persons. Its purpose was to investigate web sites suspected of distribution of unscheduled, unregulated tryptamines and phenethylamines of questionable legality...
. A series of Court Cases in the US involving the prosecution of several online vendors were commenced in 2004 and resulted in several convictions. 2C-T-4 is a Schedule I controlled substance in the US State of Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
.
Homologue
At this dosage its duration was very short and it produced few effects, however based on the research into the better characterized compound Ψ-DOM
Psi-DOM
Ψ-DOM, or 2,6-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine, is a hallucinogenic drug and a structural isomer of the better-known hallucinogen DOM. Ψ-DOM was first reported by Alexander Shulgin in his book PiHKAL ....
, the potency of Ψ-2C-T-4 is likely to be around 1/3 that of 2C-T-4 itself, so a more effective dosage of Ψ-2C-T-4 might be in the region of 20–60 mg; however high doses such as this might well be associated with toxic side effects, and so extreme caution would be advised.