TAA is a colorless liquid with a burning flavor and an unpleasant odor similar to paraldehyde with a hint of camphor. TAA remains liquid at room temperature, making it a useful alternative solvent to tert-butyl alcohol.
Safety at a Glance
High Risk- Germany: 2M2B is a prescription medicine, according to Anlage 1 AMVV ("Amylenhydrat").
- United Kingdom: It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which cam...
- Toxicity: The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 2M2B use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific...
- Dangerous with: Atropa belladonna, Cake, Datura, Deschloroetizolam (+23 more)
- Overdose risk: fatal dose in a human is 30mL. However, 2M2B is expected to be less toxic than ethanol as it cann...
If someone is in crisis, call 911 or Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Dosage
oral
Duration
oral
Total: 8 hrs – 14 hrsHow It Feels
The onset of 2-methyl-2-butanol creeps in slowly, sometimes taking forty-five minutes or more to fully declare itself. The first signal is a heaviness in the eyelids and a loosening of the jaw, as if gravity had increased by a fraction and your face were the first thing to notice. There is a warmth that starts in the core of the body and spreads outward through the limbs, accompanied by a sensation of the skeletal muscles releasing tension they had been holding since morning. The effect bears a family resemblance to alcohol, but there is an odd chemical cleanliness to it -- the warmth without the burn.
As the substance settles into its full expression, the sedation becomes the dominant feature. The world does not so much blur as soften: edges seem less urgent, sounds arrive as though through a layer of felt, and the body sinks deeper into whatever surface supports it. There is a mild euphoria, but it is the quiet kind -- not a surge of joy so much as an absence of worry, a feeling that everything is fundamentally acceptable. Thoughts slow to a comfortable crawl, each one arriving like a leaf drifting down a lazy river. Conversation becomes possible but requires deliberate effort; the temptation to simply sit in companionable silence is strong.
At peak effects, the sedation can become genuinely profound. The limbs feel leaden, and standing requires a conscious marshalling of will that seems barely worth the effort. There is a noticeable impairment of coordination -- the floor seems to tilt gently, and fine motor tasks like typing or unlocking a door become comically difficult. Visually, the world appears slightly flattened, as though depth perception has been dialed down a notch. Some users describe a feeling of being wrapped in thick cotton, insulated from sensory input in a way that is either deeply comforting or mildly claustrophobic depending on temperament and setting.
The comedown arrives not as a crash but as a deepening of the sedation into outright sleepiness. The body demands rest with the quiet insistence of a child tugging at your sleeve. Sleep, when it comes, is heavy and dreamless. The morning after often brings a residual sluggishness, a sense that the brain is still shaking off the chemical's long embrace, though without the headache or nausea that alcohol typically leaves as its calling card.
Subjective Effects
The effects listed below are based on the Subjective Effect Index (SEI), an open research literature based on anecdotal reports and personal analyses. They should be viewed with a healthy degree of skepticism. These effects will not necessarily occur in a predictable or reliable manner, although higher doses are more liable to induce the full spectrum of effects.
Physical Effects
Physical(11)
- Appetite enhancement— A distinct increase in hunger and desire for food, often accompanied by enhanced enjoyment of taste ...
- Dehydration— A state of insufficient bodily hydration manifesting as persistent thirst, dry mouth, and physical d...
- Dizziness— A sensation of spinning, swaying, or lightheadedness that impairs balance and spatial orientation, o...
- Headache— A painful sensation of pressure, throbbing, or aching in the head that can range from a dull backgro...
- Motor control loss— A distinct decrease in the ability to control one's physical body with precision, balance, and coord...
- Muscle relaxation— The experience of muscles throughout the body losing their rigidity and tension, becoming noticeably...
- Nausea— An uncomfortable sensation of queasiness and stomach discomfort that may or may not lead to vomiting...
- Pain relief— A suppression of negative physical sensations such as aches and pains, ranging from dulled awareness...
- Physical euphoria— An intensely pleasurable bodily sensation that can manifest as waves of warmth, tingling electricity...
- Respiratory depression— A dangerous slowing and shallowing of breathing that can progress from barely noticeable reductions ...
- Sedation— A state of deep physical and mental calming that manifests as a progressive desire to remain still, ...
Cognitive & Perceptual Effects
Visual(1)
- Drifting— The visual experience of perceiving stationary objects, textures, and surfaces as appearing to flow,...
Cognitive(15)
- Amnesia— A complete or partial inability to form new memories or recall existing ones during and after substa...
- Analysis suppression— Analysis suppression is a cognitive impairment in which the capacity for logical reasoning, critical...
- Anxiety— Intense feelings of apprehension, worry, and dread that can range from a subtle background unease to...
- Anxiety suppression— A partial to complete suppression of anxiety and general unease, producing a calm, relaxed mental st...
- Cognitive euphoria— A cognitive and emotional state of intense well-being, elation, happiness, and joy that manifests as...
- Compulsive redosing— An overwhelming, difficult-to-resist urge to continuously take more of a substance in order to maint...
- Delirium— Delirium is a serious and potentially dangerous state of acute mental confusion involving disorienta...
- Delusion— A delusion is a fixed, false belief that is held with unshakeable certainty and is impervious to con...
- Depression— A persistent state of low mood, emotional numbness, hopelessness, and diminished interest or pleasur...
- Disinhibition— A marked reduction in social inhibitions, self-consciousness, and behavioral restraint that manifest...
- Focus suppression— Focus suppression is a diminished capacity to direct and sustain attention on a chosen target — a ta...
- Language suppression— A diminished ability to formulate, comprehend, or articulate language, ranging from difficulty findi...
- Memory suppression— A dose-dependent inhibition of one's ability to access and utilize short-term and long-term memory, ...
- Sleepiness— A progressive onset of drowsiness, heaviness, and the desire to sleep that pulls the individual towa...
- Thought deceleration— The experience of thoughts occurring at a markedly reduced pace, as if the mind has been placed into...
Pharmacology
2-Methyl-2-butanol inhibits binding to a proconvulsant site on the GABA receptor which causes negatively charged chloride ions to enter neurons and increase the amount of excitation necessary to cause the neurons to fire. As it is a tertiary alcohol, it cannot be metabolized by alcohol dehydrogenase into aldehydes (which cause the hangover associated with consuming large amounts of ethanol). This makes 2M2B significantly safer than primary alcohols. However, a consequence of this is that 2-methyl-2-butanol has an extended duration of action with effects that last up to 12 hours after its consumption.
In comparison to other depressants of a similar nature, 2M2B is comparatively closer to alcohol than GHB in terms of its subjective effects and is also considerably more sedating than alcohol but less sedating than GHB.
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 2M2exact toxic dosage is unknown although the lowest recorded fatal dose in a human is 30mL. However, 2M2B is expected to be less toxic than ethanol as it cannot be metabolized into aldehydes in the same way. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried 2M2B within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed).
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.
As with any other GABA receptor agonist, repeated use and increasing tolerance will eventually result in a withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation resembling alcohol, barbiturate, or benzodiazepine withdrawal, up to and including delirium tremens ("the shakes").moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.
Tolerance to many of the effects of 2M2develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that,3 - 71 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 2M2B presents cross-tolerance with Cross-all GABAgenic depressants, meaning that after the consumption of 2M2B all depressants will have a reduced effect.
Germany:** 2M2B is a prescription medicine, according to Anlage 1 AMVV ("Amylenhydrat").
United Kingdom:** It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.
Responsible use
Alcohol
GHB
2-methyl-2-butanol (Wikipedia)
Discussion
2-methyl-2-butanol (2M2B) "Vodka" (Bluelight)
Detection Methods
Standard Drug Panel Inclusion
2-Methyl-2-butanol (2M2B) is NOT included on any standard drug screening panel. It is a tertiary alcohol that does not cross-react with ethanol immunoassays or any other standard drug testing platform. It is not detected on 5-panel, 10-panel, or extended drug tests. Because 2M2B is not metabolized via the same pathway as ethanol, standard alcohol breath testing and blood alcohol testing methods do not detect it.
Urine Detection
2M2B undergoes minimal hepatic metabolism due to the steric hindrance around the hydroxyl group on the tertiary carbon. A large fraction is excreted unchanged via the lungs and kidneys. Urine detection windows are approximately 12 to 24 hours, though specific data is limited. Detection requires targeted GC-MS or headspace GC-FID methods that specifically include 2M2B in their volatile alcohol panel.
Blood and Serum Detection
Blood detection is possible for approximately 8 to 16 hours after ingestion. Standard blood alcohol testing using enzymatic methods (alcohol dehydrogenase-based assays) will not detect 2M2B because the enzyme cannot oxidize tertiary alcohols. Gas chromatography methods used in forensic toxicology laboratories can identify 2M2B when specifically included in the volatile substances panel, but most clinical laboratories do not routinely test for it.
Hair Follicle Detection
No validated hair testing methods exist for 2M2B. The volatile nature of the compound makes hair incorporation unlikely.
Confirmatory Methods
Headspace GC-MS or headspace GC-FID with appropriate reference standards can confirm 2M2B in biological specimens. The compound must be specifically targeted, as it will not appear on standard volatile alcohol panels that only screen for ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, and acetone.
Reagent Testing
No reagent testing protocols exist for 2M2B. Chemical identification requires analytical instrumentation. The substance has a characteristic camphor-like odor that can aid in preliminary identification but is not definitive.
Interactions
| Substance | Status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Atropa belladonna | Dangerous | Compounding CNS depression with anticholinergic effects; risk of cardiac events and respiratory failure |
| Cake | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Datura | Dangerous | Compounding CNS depression with anticholinergic effects; risk of cardiac events and respiratory failure |
| Deschloroetizolam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Desomorphine | Dangerous | Severe respiratory depression risk; leading cause of polydrug overdose |
| Diclazepam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Diphenhydramine | Dangerous | Compounding CNS depression with anticholinergic effects; risk of cardiac events and respiratory failure |
| Dissociatives | Dangerous | — |
| Eszopiclone | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Etizolam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Flubromazepam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Flubromazolam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Flunitrazepam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Flunitrazolam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Gaboxadol | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Harmala alkaloid | Dangerous | Unpredictable potentiation of CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Lorazepam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Mephenaqualone | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Metizolam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Midazolam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Naloxone | Dangerous | Severe respiratory depression risk; leading cause of polydrug overdose |
| Nicotine | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Nifoxipam | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Peganum harmala | Dangerous | Unpredictable potentiation of CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Pentobarbital | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| Phenobarbital | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| SAMe | Dangerous | Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure |
| 3-Cl-PCP | Caution | Both cause CNS depression; increased risk of vomiting, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression |
| 3-FMA | Caution | Masks the effects of each drug; risk of overdosing when one wears off before the other |
| 3-HO-PCE | Caution | Both cause CNS depression; increased risk of vomiting, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression |
| 3-HO-PCP | Caution | Both cause CNS depression; increased risk of vomiting, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression |
| 3-MeO-PCE | Caution | Both cause CNS depression; increased risk of vomiting, unconsciousness, and respiratory depression |
| 1,3-Butanediol | Low Risk & Decrease | Depressants dull psychedelic effects; benzodiazepines are commonly used as trip-killers |
| 25E-NBOH | Low Risk & Decrease | Depressants dull psychedelic effects; benzodiazepines are commonly used as trip-killers |
| 2C-T | Low Risk & Decrease | Depressants dull psychedelic effects; benzodiazepines are commonly used as trip-killers |
| 2C-T-2 | Low Risk & Decrease | Depressants dull psychedelic effects; benzodiazepines are commonly used as trip-killers |
| 2C-T-21 | Low Risk & Decrease | Depressants dull psychedelic effects; benzodiazepines are commonly used as trip-killers |
History
2M2B belongs to the depressant class of psychoactive substances, which encompasses a diverse range of compounds that reduce central nervous system activity.
The history of CNS depressants in medicine stretches back millennia, from the ancient use of alcohol and opium to the development of barbiturates in the early 1900s and benzodiazepines in the 1960s. Each generation of depressant drugs was initially heralded as safer than its predecessors, only for patterns of dependence and misuse to emerge with wider use.
The development of benzodiazepines represented a significant improvement in the therapeutic index over barbiturates, though concerns about dependence and long-term cognitive effects have moderated initial enthusiasm. Newer GABAergic compounds, including the Z-drugs and various research chemicals, continue this pattern of iterative development.
2M2B is situated within this evolving pharmacological landscape, with its own specific history of development, clinical application, and patterns of use.
Harm Reduction
As with any other GABA receptor agonist, repeated use and increasing tolerance will eventually result in a withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation resembling alcohol, barbiturate, or benzodiazepine withdrawal, up to and including delirium tremens ("the shakes").moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.
Tolerance to many of the effects of 2M2develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that,3 - 71 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 2M2B presents cross-tolerance with Cross-all GABAgenic depressants, meaning that after the consumption of 2M2B all depressants will have a reduced effect.
Germany:** 2M2B is a prescription medicine, according to Anlage 1 AMVV ("Amylenhydrat").
United Kingdom:** It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.
Responsible use
Alcohol
2-methyl-2-butanol (Wikipedia)
Discussion
2-methyl-2-butanol (2M2B) "Vodka" (Bluelight)
Toxicity & Safety
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 2M2B use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dosage is unknown although the lowest recorded fatal dose in a human is 30mL. However, 2M2B is expected to be less toxic than ethanol as it cannot be metabolized into aldehydes in the same way. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried 2M2B within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed).
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.
Tolerance and addiction potential
As with any other GABA receptor agonist, repeated use and increasing tolerance will eventually result in a withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation resembling alcohol, barbiturate, or benzodiazepine withdrawal, up to and including delirium tremens ("the shakes"). The chronic use of this compound can be considered moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.
Tolerance to many of the effects of 2M2B develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that, it takes about 3 - 7 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 1 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 2M2B presents cross-tolerance with all GABAgenic depressants, meaning that after the consumption of 2M2B all depressants will have a reduced effect.
Dangerous interactions
Warning: Many psychoactive substances that are reasonably safe to use on their own can suddenly become dangerous and even life-threatening when combined with certain other substances. The following list provides some known dangerous interactions (although it is not guaranteed to include all of them).
Always conduct independent research (e.g. Google, DuckDuckGo, PubMed) to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume. Some of the listed interactions have been sourced from TripSit.
Depressants (1,4-Butanediol, 2M2B, alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, GHB/GBL, methaqualone, opioids) - This combination potentiates the muscle relaxation, amnesia, sedation, and respiratory depression caused by one another. At higher doses, it can lead to a sudden, unexpected loss of consciousness along with a dangerous amount of depressed respiration. There is also an increased risk of suffocating on one's vomit while unconscious. If nausea or vomiting occurs before a loss of consciousness, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
Dissociatives - This combination can unpredictably potentiate the amnesia, sedation, motor control loss and delusions that can be caused by each other. It may also result in a sudden loss of consciousness accompanied by a dangerous degree of respiratory depression. If nausea or vomiting occurs before consciousness is lost, users should attempt to fall asleep in the recovery position or have a friend move them into it.
Stimulants - Stimulants mask the sedative effect of depressants, which is the main factor most people use to gauge their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant effects wear off, the effects of the depressant will significantly increase, leading to intensified disinhibition, motor control loss, and dangerous black-out states. This combination can also potentially result in severe dehydration if one's fluid intake is not closely monitored. If choosing to combine these substances, one should strictly limit themselves to a pre-set schedule of dosing only a certain amount per hour until a maximum threshold has been reached.
Addiction Potential
moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse
Overdose Information
fatal dose in a human is 30mL. However, 2M2B is expected to be less toxic than ethanol as it cannot be metabolized into aldehydes in the same way. Anecdotal evidence from people who have tried 2M2B within the community suggest that there do not seem to be any negative health effects attributed to simply trying this drug at low to moderate doses by itself and using it sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed).
It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.
As with any other GABA receptor agonist, repeated use and increasing tolerance will eventually result in a withdrawal syndrome upon abrupt discontinuation resembling alcohol, barbiturate, or benzodiazepine withdrawal, up to and including delirium tremens ("the shakes").moderately addictive with a high potential for abuse and is capable of causing psychological dependence among certain users. When addiction has developed, cravings and withdrawal effects may occur if a person suddenly stops their usage.
Tolerance to many of the effects of 2M2develops with prolonged and repeated use. This results in users having to administer increasingly large doses to achieve the same effects. After that,3 - 71 - 2 weeks to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 2M2B presents cross-tolerance with Cross-all GABAgenic depressants, meaning that after the consumption of 2M2B all depressants will have a reduced effect.
- Germany:** 2M2B is a prescription medicine, according to Anlage 1 AMVV ("Amylenhydrat").
- United Kingdom:** It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.
Dangerous Interactions
The combinations listed below may be life-threatening. Independent research should always be conducted to ensure safety when combining substances.
Compounding CNS depression with anticholinergic effects; risk of cardiac events and respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Compounding CNS depression with anticholinergic effects; risk of cardiac events and respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Severe respiratory depression risk; leading cause of polydrug overdose
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Compounding CNS depression with anticholinergic effects; risk of cardiac events and respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Unpredictable potentiation of CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Severe respiratory depression risk; leading cause of polydrug overdose
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Unpredictable potentiation of CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Combined CNS depression; risk of respiratory failure
Tolerance
| Full | develops with prolonged and repeated use |
| Half | 3 - 7 days |
| Zero | 1 - 2 weeks |
Cross-tolerances
Legal Status
Germany:** 2M2B is a prescription medicine, according to Anlage 1 AMVV ("Amylenhydrat").
United Kingdom:** It is illegal to produce, supply, or import this drug under the Psychoactive Substance Act, which came into effect on May 26th, 2016.
Responsible use
2-methyl-2-butanol (Wikipedia)
Discussion
2-methyl-2-butanol (2M2B) "Vodka" (Bluelight)
Experience Reports (6)
Tips (8)
Delusions of sobriety are very real with 2M2B. You may feel completely sober while being significantly impaired. Do not redose based on how sober you feel — use a timer and stick to a schedule.
If you are considering quitting 2M2B after regular use, consult a medical professional. Depressant withdrawal can be medically dangerous and a supervised taper is the safest approach. Do not try to white-knuckle it.
Using 2M2B to cope with anxiety, insomnia, or emotional pain creates a dangerous feedback loop. The rebound effects when the drug wears off are often worse than the original problem, driving continued use.
Start with 2-3ml for your first time. The onset is extremely fast (within 30 seconds) which can be alarming. Effects level off around the 20 minute mark, so resist the urge to redose too quickly.
With 2M2B, the dose-response curve is steep near the top end. A dose that feels mildly intoxicating might be only 50% more than a dose that causes unconsciousness. Always err on the side of caution.
Mix 2M2B in water and stir thoroughly before drinking — it does not dissolve easily. Use a strong-flavored chaser like Arnold Palmer as the chemical taste is extremely harsh, similar to rubbing alcohol.
Community Discussions (3)
See Also
References (2)
- 2M2B - TripSit Factsheet
TripSit factsheet for 2M2B
tripsit - 2M2B - Wikipedia
Wikipedia article on 2M2B
wikipedia