The hospitalisation of six people after allegedly taking 2C-B is a prime example of the potential dangers of consuming a so-called designer drug.
It is one member of the 2-C family of synthetic (manmade) phenethylamines, many of which are reported to induce hallucinations in addition to other effects on the body.
The drug is closely related to mescaline, a natural drug produced by several cacti, including the Peyote cactus.
The chemical name of 2C-B is 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, hence the use of the more straightforward abbreviation “2C-B”.
So-called designer drugs are often referred to in the media and online with obscure abbreviations, as with the case of 2C-B.
These acronyms are usually based on the chemical structures and other chemical features of the drug. For example, the “B” of 2C-B refers to the chemical element bromine, which is part of 2C-B’s molecular architecture. Replacing this atom with alternative chemical elements results in the production of many other members of the 2-C drug series, with similar pharmacological effects to 2C-B itself.
2C-B, as with many designer drugs of abuse, are often synthesised and imported from Eastern Europe and Asia in a bulk powder or liquid form.
Once within Europe, they are typically mixed with other inert ingredients, packaged into smaller quantities and units, labelled, and then made available to individuals.
Drugs of abuse such as 2C-B have typically little, evidence-based, reliable data available in the public arena with regards to their pharmacological and potentially toxic effects on the human body.
The packaging of the products (if there is any in the first place) typically contains limited, if any, information, on the name and quantity of the drug present, dose, onset of action, duration of action in the body, possible side effects, effects if taken with alcohol or other drugs (prescription or otherwise).
Source: Dr JJ Keating, Irish Examiner, 21/01/16
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