What is 2-C-B-FLY?

Aaaa Depot
Nov 6, 2021
5 min read

2C-B-FLY is a lesser-known novel psychedelic substance of the phenethylamine and benzodihydrodifuran classes that produces an array of psychedelic and entactogenic effects when administered. Reports have characterized its effects profile as possessing features of 2C-B, mescaline and MDA, with a duration of 6–8 hours (or up to 12 hours in larger doses). 2C-B-FLY is a derivative of the 2C-x family of psychedelic phenethylamines, specifically 2C-B, of which it significantly differs from in terms of its potency, metabolism, and potential toxicity. It was first synthesized by Aaron P. Monte in 1996.

Around 2005, 2C-B-FLY appeared and gained some popularity in the online research chemicals market before largely disappearing in October 2009, when a batch of Bromo-DragonFLY was accidentally mislabeled as 2C-B-FLY (Bromo-DragonFLY is dosed in micrograms, where 2C-B-FLY is dosed in milligrams) led to two deaths as a result of taking overdoses of Bromo-DragonFLY meant to be effective doses for 2C-B-FLY.[3] This event led to its immediate withdrawal until around 2016, when it resurfaced on the market again. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 2C-B-FLY, and it has little history of human usage. It has no documented history of being sold on the streets and is commercially distributed through online research chemical vendors. Due to its high potency and sensitive dose-response, many reports also indicate that the effects of this substance should not be seen as a simple substitute for 2C-B. It is highly advised to approach this potent, long-lasting, and unpredictable hallucinogenic substance with the proper amount of precaution and harm reduction practices if choosing to use it.

Chemistry

2C-B-FLY is a substituted molecule of the phenethylamine and dihydrobenzofuran chemical classes. 2C-B-FLY features a phenyl ring bound to an amino (NH2) group through an ethyl chain and contains a bromine atom attached to carbon R4 of the phenyl ring. It is an atypical psychedelic phenethylamine which is closely analogous to 2C-B; it is the dihydrofuran analog to 2C-B, where it incorporates the methoxy groups bound to R2 and R5 of 2C-B into five-member dihydrofuran rings fused to the central benzene ring. 2C-B-FLY belongs to a group of phenethylamine derivatives referred to as the FLY compounds, named for their insect-like appearance of two “wing-like” tetrahydrofuran rings fused on the opposite sides of the central benzene ring. The incorporation of the two methoxy groups into the 5 member rings fixes them into the optimum position for binding to the receptors they interact with resulting in an increase in potency compared to the compound's non-rigid counterpart 2C-B.

Pharmacology

2C-B-FLY is a psychedelic phenethylamine, and is the dihydrodifuran analog of 2C-B. Little is known about how the totality of its effects are produced, 2C-B-FLY's psychedelic effects are believed to come from its efficacy at the 5-HT2A receptor as a partial agonist. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience remains subject to on-going scientific investigation.

Subjective effects

Physical effects The physical effects of 2C-B-FLY are comparable to that of traditional phenethylamines such as 2C-E, mescaline and 2C-T-7 along with more pronounced side effects. There have been reports gastrointestinal disturbances following the use of this compound which include diarrhea, nausea, moderate to severe stomach bloating and general gassiness at moderate to heavy doses. These effects are comparable to that of 5-MeO-MiPT, 2C-T-7 and other compounds with suspected MAO-altering properties. This suggests that 2C-B-FLY may potentially have such MAO-altering properties of its own, which may make it dangerous to combine with certain substances. Stimulation and Sedation - At light dosages, this compound is generally stimulating but in a gentle, non-forceful manner similar to that of 2C-B or mescaline. At higher dosages one may find the amount of stimulation to increase to an uncomfortable level with undertones of sedation or lethargy in a manner similar to that of 2C-C or 2C-T-7. Spontaneous physical sensations - The "body high" of 2C-B-FLY can be described as a pleasurable, warm, soft, all-encompassing and mild tingling sensation. This maintains a consistent presence that steadily rises with the onset and hits its limit once the peak has been reached. It is comparable to that of a milder mescaline, 2C-B or 2C-E experience.

Physical euphoria
Tactile enhancement
Temperature regulation suppression - Compared to 2C-B, this effect is far more pronounced and unpredictable in its manifestation. Small increases in the dose may result in large changes in this effect.
Increased bodily temperature
Bodily control enhancement
Bodily pressures
Increased blood pressure
Increased libido
Headaches - This effect is more commonly reported than 2C-B or other traditional phenethylamines.
Muscle cramps
Stomach bloating
Stomach cramps
Nausea
Diarrhea
Dehydration
Excessive yawning
Watery eyes
Pupil dilation
Teeth grinding
Visual effectsEye.svg
Enhancements
Colour enhancement
Pattern recognition enhancement
Visual acuity enhancement
Distortions
Drifting (melting, breathing, morphing and flowing) - In comparison to other psychedelics, this effect can be described as highly detailed, slow and smooth in motion, intricate in appearance and unrealistic/cartoon-like in style. It is very comparable to that of 2C-B or mescaline.
Tracers
After images
Colour shifting
Depth perception distortions
Perspective distortions
Symmetrical texture repetition
Geometry

The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of mescaline, 2C-B and 2C-D than psilocin or ayahuasca. It can be comprehensively described through its style variations as intricate in complexity, abstract in form, synthetic in style, structured in organization, brightly lit and multicoloured in scheme, glossy in shading, flat in edges, large in size, fast in speed, smooth in motion, angular in corners, non-immersive in-depth and consistent in intensity. They have a contradictory combination of a very "natural" but also "neon digital" feel to them and at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of level 8B visual geometry over level 8A. Hallucinatory states

2C-B-FLY produces a moderate range of hallucinatory states in a fashion that is comparable to mescaline or common doses of 2C-E. This is more consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics such as 2C-B or LSD. It tends to occur at heavier dosages and integrates seamlessly with the accompanying geometry. These effects generally include: Transformations Internal hallucination (autonomous entities; settings, sceneries, and landscapes; perspective hallucinations and scenarios and plots)

2C-B-FLY tends to maintain a level of relatively normal and sober thought structure regardless of the subjective visual, physical and cognitive accompanying effects intensity. This leaves the user in control in a manner which would not be possible on many compounds such as 4-AcO-DMT or LSD due to their accompanying confusion and delusions.
Conceptual thinking
Creativity enhancement
Disinhibition
Emotion enhancement
Empathy, affection, and sociability enhancement - This compound presents entactogenic effects on a level which is less intense than that of 2C-B or MDMA but similar in quality to that of mescaline or 2C-E.
Increased libido
Increased music appreciation
Increased sense of humor
Memory suppression
Novelty enhancement
Thought acceleration
Time distortion
Wakefulness
Auditory effects
Enhancements
Distortions
Hallucinations

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 2C-B-FLY do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dose is unknown. This is because 2C-B-FLY is a research chemical with a very limited history of human usage. Anecdotal evidence from people within the community who have tried 2C-B-FLY suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the drug by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.