2C-P

2C-P (2,5-dimethoxy-4-propylphenethylamine) is an extremely potent, long-duration psychedelic phenethylamine of the 2C family, first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin and documented in PiHKAL (1991). It is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous members of the 2C family, not due to any specific organ toxicity, but because its extreme potency by weight, slow onset, and very long duration create conditions that reliably produce dosing errors with serious consequences. Shulgin himself rated it one of the most powerful compounds in his PiHKAL catalog.

At common doses (5–12 mg), 2C-P produces a psychedelic experience lasting 12–20 hours — significantly longer than any other common 2C compound. The onset is slow (1.5–3 hours), which has led to many documented cases of users redosing because they believed the initial dose was insufficient, only to have both doses activate simultaneously, producing overwhelming, medically concerning experiences. At higher doses, 2C-P is capable of producing profound perceptual distortion, ego dissolution, and physiological stimulation comparable to a massive dose of any classical psychedelic.

The harm reduction community treats 2C-P with considerable respect. The combination of extreme potency (active at 5 mg or below in sensitive individuals), slow onset, extremely long duration, and steep dose-response curve makes it uniquely dangerous compared to other 2C compounds. Multiple serious adverse events and at least one confirmed fatality have been associated with 2C-P use in the literature. It is not a compound recommended for inexperienced users under any circumstances, and even experienced users benefit from the most stringent harm reduction practices.