The diversity of chemicals that have psychedelic effects is staggering. Scientists have been taking known psychedelic compounds, like LSD or mescaline, and modifying them ever so slightly to search for new hallucinogenic derivatives.
2C-B-FLY is a derivative of a derivative. It’s a modification of 2C-B, which itself is a derivative of mescaline.
There are dozens of mescaline-derived psychedelics, but there’s something about this one in particular that makes it stand out.
Here, we’ll explore what has some psychonauts declaring 2C-B-FLY is the “best psychedelic for sexual intimacy.” We’ll cover dosage, safety, and a bit about this unique psychedelic compound’s history.
What is 2C-B-FLY?
2C-B-FLY is a member of the 2C-X family of psychedelics. Members of this class include psychedelics such as 2C-B, 2C-C, 2C-I, and more. The majority of the 2C-X compounds were invented in the 70s, 80s, and 90s by Alexander Shulgin, who spent decades synthesizing and testing analogs of existing psychedelic molecules.
While Shulgin did synthesize and test 2C-B-FLY, he wasn’t the first person to discover it. That acknowledgment goes to a researcher at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse by the name of Aaron P. Monte back in 1996.
2C-B-FLY contains a 2C-B molecule at its core with two dihydrofuran rings attached to the central benzene ring. FLY compounds are aptly named for the insect-like appearance of their chemical structure.
You can also find dihydrodifuranated (FLY) analogs of 2C-C (2C-C-FLY), 2C-I (2C-I-FLY), 2C-D (2C-D-FLY), DOB-FLY (bromo-dragonFLY), TFM-FLY, and many others. However, none of these other FLY compounds are as popular in the research chemical space as 2C-B-FLY.
2C-B-FLY: Specs & Technical Details
| Active Ingredient | 2-(8-bromo-2,3,6,7-tetrahydrofuro[2,3-f] [1]benzofuran-4-yl)ethanamine |
| Level of Risk | Low to Moderate |
| Most Common Side-Effects | Increased Body Temperature |
| Duration of Effects | 6–8 Hours |
| Legality | Grey Area |
What’s The Dose of 2C-B-FLY?
2C-B-FLY shares similar dosages to other members of the 2Cx family. The threshold is reported around 5 mg, and the standard psychoactive dose is between 10 and 25 mg.
There are some user reports of people taking much larger doses — closer to 40 mg — but this is only recommended if you have a lot of experience with this psychedelic. The main problem encountered when taking too much 2C-B-FLY is overheating and dehydration.
The effects of 2C-B-FLY are dose-dependent — which means the experience is going to be very different if you take a low dose compared to a high dose.
Lower doses (around the 10 mg range) are euphoric, empathogenic, and mildly stimulating. Not as stimulating as 2C-B, but enough that users feel a noticeable boost in energy.
In high doses, the experience becomes much more psychedelic. Users experience changes in the perception of vision and sound, mild to moderate introspection, and an expanded sense of empathy and euphoria. While many agree this compound is milder than 2C-B, LSD, and psilocybin in terms of the hallucinogenic potential, it’s still a formidable psychedelic in higher doses. Don’t underestimate this compound.
Dosage Breakdown for 2C-B-FLY
- Microdose — 1 – 2 mg
- Threshold Dose — 5 mg
- Light Dose — 10 mg
- Standard Psychoactive Dose — 25 mg
- Heavy Dose — >25 mg
What Does 2C-B-FLY Feel Like?
There’s a lot of subjective differences in how the effects of 2C-B-FLY feel. A lot of this comes from the fact that its effects can change depending on the dose you’re using.
The overall sentiment for this compound is that it’s one of the most enjoyable of the research psychedelics. Ann Shulgin — wife of Alexander Shulgin and co-author of the books TiHKAL and PiHKAL — once stated that 2C-B-FLY was one of her favorite psychedelics.
This is a woman that’s personally tried and tested hundreds of psychedelic compounds over several decades.
The 2C-B-FLY experience overlaps with 2C-B, mescaline, and MDMA but is distinct within itself.
The key features of 2C-B-FLY include:
- Strong body-load — causing “warm tingly sensations.”
- Cognitive function remains largely intact — Most users report enhanced feelings of empathy but remain in a centered, sober state of mind.
- Strong erotic component — a recurring feature of the 2C-B-FLY experience is an increase in both libido and intensity of orgasm.
- Visual perception changes — the visions from 2C-B-FLY are described as complex and geometric with glowing edges.
- Feels like a blend of mescaline & MDMA — shares similar “grounding” sensation of mescaline, with the euphoric and empathogenic effects of MDMA. Despite similarities, the experience is still distinctly 2C-B-FLY.
One of the components that make this psychedelic so enticing is that it doesn’t have a debilitating effect on one’s cognitive abilities. Most people can remain entirely coherent without being inhibited like other psychedelics. You can interact with others without it being obvious that you’re experiencing the effects of a mind-altering substance.
LSD, magic mushrooms, and other psychedelics don’t often share this same sentiment. Psychoactive doses make it very difficult to perform normal activities, let alone interact with other people.
How Long Does 2C-B-FLY Last?
2C-B-FLY is a long-lasting psychedelic. The average duration is about 6 hours, with some users reporting trips up to 8-hours in duration.
Effects usually begin around 1 hour after first taking 2C-B-FLY, and peak effects are reached around the 2-hour mark. The effects then gradually start to fade out over the course of 4–6 hours.
For comparison, 2C-B lasts between 4 and 8 hours, and MDMA lasts 4–6 hours.
How Strong is 2C-B-FLY Compared To Other Psychedelics?
2C-B-FLY is considered to fall somewhere on the milder end of the spectrum in terms of the psychedelic effects. It isn’t as powerful as LSD, psilocybin, or 2C-B in terms of psychedelic effects but is still a formidable experience in its own right.
It’s more empathogenic and euphoric than classic psychedelics like mescaline, LSD, or magic mushrooms — but less so than MDMA or MDA.
The effects of this compound are distinct — meaning it is unique and has key differences to all other substances. With that said, it shares the most overlap with 2C-B, mescaline, and MDMA.
2C-B-FLY vs. 2C-B
2C-B is the closest psychedelic in terms of both the chemical structure and the effect profile to 2C-B-FLY. However, despite the similarities, both compounds remain distinct from each other.
In general, 2C-B-FLY is mellower and longer-lasting than 2C-B. It also has a stronger body load and maintains more of a normal “headspace” than 2C-B — especially in higher doses. Even subtle changes in the dose with 2C-B can change the experience from euphoric and empathogenic to powerfully psychedelic and dissociative.
In terms of dosage, both compounds are comparable — active in the 5 – 20 mg range, with a threshold somewhere around 5 mg. When taken at the same dose, 2C-B is going to be a bit stronger in terms of the visuals, but 2C-B-FLY has stronger effects on the body.
2C-B-FLY vs. Mescaline
2C-B-FLY shares some similarities with mescaline. Both compounds share the same phenethylamine base structure but have entirely different functional groups. The visual effects of mescaline are stronger, but both compounds have similar benefits in terms of maintaining functional cognition while high.
In terms of potency, 2C-B-FLY is roughly 10 times as potent as mescaline. A psychoactive dose of 2C-B-FLY is roughly 20 mg, while the psychoactive dose of pure mescaline is closer to 200 mg.
2C-B-FLY vs. MDMA & MDA
Many users report the 2C-B-FLY experience to be similar to MDMA or MDA — especially in lower doses. Its euphoric and empathogenic effects are most pronounced in lower doses. Higher doses maintain this effect, but the hallucinogenic action overpowered this effect.
MDMA is the king of the empathogens and is therefore much stronger in this regard than 2C-B-FLY. Its stimulating actions can sometimes be a detriment — causing overstimulation, overheating, and dehydration. It also makes it impossible to sleep for several hours after the experience.
2C-B-FLY has some benefits in this regard by being less stimulating. It still provides a nice energy boost but isn’t so overpowering. It’s just strong enough that it’s almost guaranteed to induce feelings of positivity, motivation, and increased feelings of love and connection. These effects make it especially useful for promoting arousal and enhancing sexual activity.
Is 2C-B-FLY Safe?
There are virtually no scientific studies involving 2C-B-FLY, so we don’t yet have enough data to clearly define whether this compound is entirely safe or not.
There were two deaths mistakenly associated with 2C-B-FLY that caused some concern — ultimately leading to the banning of this substance in the UK. It was later found that the death resulted from a mislabeling of a related compound called bromo-dragonFLY as 2C-B-FLY.
Bromo-dragonFLY itself isn’t inherently dangerous when used at the right dose, but it’s substantially more potent than 2C-B-FLY, so the mislabelling led users into taking a dose nearly 40 times the recommended dose of this compound. The dose of 2C-B-FLY is around 20 mg, while the dose of bromo-dragonFLY is around 500 micrograms (not even 1 mg).
There’s an old adage — “the only difference between poison and medicine is the dose.”
These deaths are a strong reminder that it’s essential that you test your substances before you take them and to make sure you fully understand the dosages of the substance you’re using — especially for compounds that don’t have a lot of scientific studies.
Users should always do an “allergy test” before increasing the dose, which involves taking a very small dose first to see if they have any reaction. If the two people that tragically died as a result of overdosing on bromo-dragonFLY had done this, they would have found out on the allergy test that the substance they were using was active at a substantially lower dose than anticipated.
Testing 2C-B-FLY
You should always test your substances using a harm-reduction drug testing kit before you take it. Even if you’re ordering from a “reputable” vendor, you should always verify the substance you have before you take it. Skipping this step could prove lethal.
When testing 2C-B-FLY, you should use the following reagents:
- Marquis — should turn yellow
- Mecke — should turn yellow
- Mandelin — should turn brown
Side Effects of 2C-B-FLY
All pharmacologically active substances are going to carry some risk of side effects — 2C-B-FLY is no different. If you stick to the recommended doses, it’s unlikely for there to be any serious side effects.
There are a few side effects commonly reported online and submitted through our trip report surveys:
- Increased body temperature (90%)
- Stomach discomfort or bloating (34%)
- Nausea (24%)
- Diarrhea (15%)
- Muscle cramping (5%)
- Headaches (2%)
Is 2C-B-FLY Legal?
2C-B-FLY is one of the more obscure psychedelics. It isn’t well-known or discussed amongst regulators or lawmakers and is rarely listed on official prohibited substance lists.
In Canada, 2C-B-FLY is considered a Schedule III substance — which refers to substances that can only legally be sold in pharmacies. You’re very unlikely to find 2C-B-FLY in a pharmacy, however — so the only place o buy it is on the black market. This makes 2C-B-FLY functionally illegal in Canada.
In the United States, 2C-B-FLY isn’t directly mentioned, which would make it an unscheduled substance. However, it’s illegal under the Federal Analogue Act. This act automatically makes any analogs of existing scheduled substances illegal until manually removed.
In the United Kingdom, 2C-B-FLY is illegal under the Psychoactive Substance Act.
How Does 2C-B-FLY Work?
This compound works through the same mechanism of action as most psychedelics. It’s a partial 5-HT2A agonist. This is the same mechanism of action used by psilocybin, LSD, mescaline, and most other classical psychedelics.
Substances that target this specific serotonin receptor have been shown to induce a higher entropic state in the brain by decreasing the activity of a system called the default mode network (DMN). This effect induces more out-of-the-box thinking, alters visual and auditory perception, and enables the activity of otherwise disconnected brain networks to interact with each other.
All of this is what serves to induce what we know as the psychedelic experience.
2C-B-FLY has also been found to interact with the 5-HT1D, 5-HT1E, 5-HT1A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors.
Final Thoughts: What’s The Future of 2C-B-FLY?
As the public interest in psychedelics continues to grow, more obscure psychedelics like 2C-B-FLY are likely to garner more attention in the coming years.
This psychedelic is particularly interesting as a recreational substance for its affinity for creating a positive, energized experience. It’s widely considered one of the best psychedelics for enhancing connection and sexual intimacy.
This compound is milder than other psychedelics in its class but can still induce powerful psychedelic experiences when used at the upper end of the recommended dose range.
2C-B-FLY is currently illegal in most parts of the world, and this is unlikely to change unless the general sentiment on psychedelic substances is changed on a federal level. We’re likely several years away from this happening.
