After discovering 2-methyl-2-butanol, I used it occasionally over about four months, typically keeping at least 4-5 days between doses to prevent dependence. The effects were unremarkable in the moment, somewhere between klonopin and alcohol, a typical depressant experience.
What shocked me was the cumulative memory damage. At some point after discontinuing use, I realized I had almost zero memory of the past six months. Not just the periods of intoxication, but the days and weeks in between. I specifically noticed something was wrong when I could not remember most of a two-week vacation I had taken while completely sober, despite not having used any substances for six days prior.
I devised a simple experiment to test the extent of the damage. The results confirmed significant impairment to both short-term memory formation and long-term memory consolidation that persisted well beyond the acute intoxication period.
This is deeply concerning because 2M2B is marketed in some communities as a safer alternative to ethanol. The lack of a traditional hangover may actually be masking more insidious neurological damage. The taste alone should be a warning sign. It is genuinely one of the most unpalatable substances I have ever encountered, and I have tried many research chemicals.
I want to be very clear: this memory impairment was not limited to blackout periods during intoxication. It affected my ability to form and retain memories during completely sober days between uses. That pattern is far more alarming than typical alcohol-induced blackouts. I strongly caution anyone considering regular 2M2B use to reconsider.