There’s a new drug out there called Smiles, more technically known as 2C-1. Like Bath Salts, K2 or “fake weed,” Smiles is another illegal designer drug popular among young adults.
Smiles, made sometime in the early 2000s by a drug guru called Alexander Shulgin, was first popular in Europe before it made its way to the US. Introduced as a hallucinogen in 2005, Smiles didn’t attract much attention until September 2011, when it took the lives of two North Dakota teens. The drug has been smiling at the world from media headlines ever since.
Here’s the lowdown on 2C-1.
What it 2C-1?
2C-1 is a synthetic street drug with hallucinogenic and stimulant effects
What is the federal classification of 2C-1?
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, 2C-1 is classified as a Schedule I substance, which means it is illegal to manufacture, buy, sell, or possess the drug.
What’s different about 2C-1?
2C-1 is unique because it’s not just an amphetamine or a hallucinogen, but a combination of the two. This means this drug includes the negative side effects of both hallucinogens and amphetamines. For example, the hallucinogenic effects of 2C-1 may fool users into thinking it is difficult to overdose on the drug since classic hallucinogens don’t typically cause immediate bodily harm. However, 2C-1 also contains stimulant effects, which makes this drug as dangerous as meth and cocaine when taken in large amounts.
What does 2C-1 look like?
2C-1 is usually sold as a white, crystalline powder or as a tablet or capsule.
What is the Chemistry of 2C-1?
2C-1 belongs to the 2C family of drugs, a class of drugs known as phenethylamines. 2C drugs are basically modified amphetamine compounds; chemists add substitutions to the amphetamine molecules, and these changes produce different effects. The substitutions that make 2C-1 create an amphetamine with more euphoric and psychedelic effects.
Who uses 2C-1?
2C-1 is used by the same population who uses Ecstasy and other club drugs, namely teenagers and young adults.
How do people abuse 2C-1?
Users may snort the drug or mix the powder with another substance, such as chocolate or candy, before ingesting.
Why is 2C-1 so popular?
2C-1 is fairly easy to obtain and untraceable in blood tests, two reasons which makes this an extremely popular drug among high school and college-age kids. However, the physical effects of the drug are evident in emergency rooms, and physicians can usually identify the effects of 2C-1.
What are the Short term Effects of 2C-1?
The effects of 2C-1 are likened to a combination of Ecstasy and LSD, only more intense. Other effects include:
- euphoria
- auditory and visual hallucinations
- giddiness
- relaxation
- empathy
- “bad trips,” which include terrifying hallucinations and feelings of fear and panic
What are the long term effects of 2C-1?
Since 2C-1 is a relatively new drug, there has not been a lot of documentation of its long term effects. But this doesn’t mean the long term effects don’t exist. In fact, judging from the chemical components of this drug, 2C-1 may have long term effects similar to those of amphetamines and hallucinogens. Some effects may include:
- brain damage
- depression and anxiety
- high blood pressure
- heart and kidney damage
- flashbacks or “bad trips”
- impaired memory and concentration
- psychosis
- physical dependence
- addiction
- death
What are the side effects of 2C-1?
Side effects of 2C-1 include:
- nausea and vomiting
- muscle tenseness
- seizures
- kidney failure
- fatally high blood pressure
What are the overdose effects of 2C-1?
2C-1 has some pretty severe overdose effects, as evidenced by the tragic death of the 17-year old teenager in North Dakota. According to the report from City Pages, the teenage boy ingested 2C-1 with melted chocolate. One hour later, the boy began “‘freaking out, and acting as if he were ‘possessed,’ foaming at the mouth, hyperventilating, and smashing his head against the ground.” The effects of this dosage of 2C-1 eventually led to his death the next morning.
Why is 2C-1 dangerous?
Like ecstasy, bath salts, and other street drugs, the danger of 2C-1 lies in the unknown. Since street drugs are often sold by weight, drug dealers may add other substances along with 2C-1 to increase profit, and users often do not know what they are buying.
2C-1 is also difficult to measure in powder form, which makes it easy for users to overdose. Users often snort or ingest more than they realize, and it’s often too late to do anything once the effects kick in.
Is it safe to use 2C-1?
2C-1 is an illegal, dangerous and deadly drug. If you’ve read this far, you’re aware of its dangers. Yet thousands of people still choose to use it while fully aware of the risk. The point is, people are going to do it, regardless of what they know and regardless of what other people say.
There are usually two types of these people: those who have a choice and those who may not. For the people who have a choice to say no, remember that reality will always catch up with you.
A party will always come to an end. When it does, you may find that the consequences of your actions may—and they usually do—spiral out of your control.
Make the wise choice while you still have a choice.
The other group of people who use 2C-1 usually don’t have a choice. Maybe they want to stop, but “just stopping” is beyond the scope of sheer will power. Maybe they want to turn their life around, but aren’t quite sure how to do it.
For these people who want to change, there is hope that they can. For these people, Duffy’s can help.
Rehab is not for the weak. Rehab is for the people who are strong enough to admit they have a problem and brave enough to accept help. That’s what Duffy’s offers you today. We want to help you. We want to love you and lead you towards a better life. Will you accept this help today?