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2M2B: Difference between revisions
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| ''[[2-methyl-2-butanol/Summary|Summary sheet: 2-methyl-2-butanol]]'' | | ''[[2-methyl-2-butanol/Summary|Summary sheet: 2-methyl-2-butanol]]'' | ||
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'''2- | '''2-Methyl-2-butanol''' (also known as '''''tert''-amyl alcohol''' or '''2M2B''') is a tertiary [[chemical class::alcohol]] substance that produces [[psychoactive class::depressant]], [[hypnotic]], and [[anxiolytic]] effects. Historically, it has been used in anesthesia as a component of avertin fluid mixed with tribromoethanol and water.<ref>http://archsurg.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=540829</ref> It has a strong solvent smell reminiscent of gasoline, but with little flavor. 2M2B's simple structure and intoxicating effects have led to its use as a recreational drug.<ref>https://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_2Methyl2Butanol.shtml</ref> | ||
Fusel alcohols including | Fusel alcohols including 2M2B are a grain fermentation by-product and therefore present in many alcoholic beverages.<ref>The Practitioner's Medical Dictionary | http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=XewWAAAAYAAJ&redir_esc=y</ref> Trace levels of 2M2B have also been detected in various food substances, including fried bacon and cassava,<ref>Some flavouring constituents of cassava and of processed cassava products | http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.2740340816/abstract;jsessionid=1200794E266855A06F6A07494E7D1B1E.f04t04</ref><ref>Isolation and identification of volatile flavor compounds in fried baconhttp://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf00116a038</ref> rooibos tea,<ref>Volatile components of Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) | http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf00062a024</ref> and fruits (such as apple and pineapple). | ||
==Chemistry== | ==Chemistry== | ||
2-methyl-2-butanol is also known as tert-amyl-alcohol, | 2-methyl-2-butanol is also known as tert-amyl-alcohol, 2M2B, or amylene hydrate. 2-methyl-2-butanol is an [[chemical class::alcohol]] with the formula C<sub>5</sub>H<sub>11</sub>OH. 2-methyl-2-butanol is comprised of butane, an alkyl chain of four carbons. This chain is substituted at R<sub>2</sub> with a methyl group CH<sub>3</sub>- and an alcohol group OH-. It is synthesized by the reaction of 2-methyl-2-butene with water in the presence of an acid catalyst.<ref>http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+5005</ref> | ||
==Pharmacology== | ==Pharmacology== | ||
2- | 2-Methyl-2-butanol inhibits binding to a proconvulsant site on the [[GABA]] [[receptor]]<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11888705?dopt=Abstract</ref> 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.<ref>http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/carey/student/olc/ch15oxidationalcohols.html</ref> However, a consequence of this is that 2-methyl-2-butanol has an extended duration of action with effects which last up to 12 hours after its consumption. | ||
==Subjective effects== | ==Subjective effects== | ||
{{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}} | {{Preamble/SubjectiveEffects}} | ||
In comparison to other depressants of a similar nature, | 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. | ||
===Physical effects=== | ===Physical effects=== | ||
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==Toxicity and harm potential== | ==Toxicity and harm potential== | ||
The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational | The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 2M2B use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the [[Toxicity::exact toxic dosage is unknown]] although the lowest recorded fatal dose in a human is 30mL.<ref>http://www.toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+5005</ref> However, 2M2B is expected to be less toxic than ethanol as it cannot be metabolized into aldehydes in the same way.<ref>http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/chemistry/carey/student/olc/ch15oxidationalcohols.html</ref> 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 [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug. | It is strongly recommended that one use [[responsible drug use|harm reduction practices]] when using this drug. | ||
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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#Discontinuation|benzodiazepine withdrawal]], up to and including delirium tremens ("the shakes"). The chronic use of this compound can be considered [[Addiction potential::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. | 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#Discontinuation|benzodiazepine withdrawal]], up to and including delirium tremens ("the shakes"). The chronic use of this compound can be considered [[Addiction potential::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 | Tolerance to many of the effects of 2M2B [[Time to full tolerance::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 [[Time to half tolerance::3 - 7 days]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::1 - 2 weeks]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 2M2B presents cross-tolerance with [[Cross-tolerance::all [[GABA]]genic [[depressants]]]], meaning that after the consumption of 2M2B all [[depressant]]ss will have a reduced effect. | ||
===Dangerous interactions=== | ===Dangerous interactions=== | ||
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*'''[[Depressants]]''' (''[[1,4-Butanediol]], [[alcohol]], [[barbiturates]], [[benzodiazepines]], [[GHB]]/[[GBL]], [[methaqualone]], [[opioids]]'') - This combination can result in dangerous or even fatal levels of [[respiratory depression]]. These substances potentiate the [[muscle relaxation]], [[sedation]] and [[amnesia]] caused by one another and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. There is also an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the [[recovery position]] or have a friend move them into it. | *'''[[Depressants]]''' (''[[1,4-Butanediol]], [[alcohol]], [[barbiturates]], [[benzodiazepines]], [[GHB]]/[[GBL]], [[methaqualone]], [[opioids]]'') - This combination can result in dangerous or even fatal levels of [[respiratory depression]]. These substances potentiate the [[muscle relaxation]], [[sedation]] and [[amnesia]] caused by one another and can lead to unexpected loss of consciousness at high doses. There is also an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the [[recovery position]] or have a friend move them into it. | ||
*'''[[Dissociatives]]''' - This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the [[recovery position]] or have a friend move them into it. | *'''[[Dissociatives]]''' - This combination can result in an increased risk of vomiting during unconsciousness and death from the resulting suffocation. If this occurs, users should attempt to fall asleep in the [[recovery position]] or have a friend move them into it. | ||
*'''[[Stimulants]]''' - It is dangerous to combine | *'''[[Stimulants]]''' - It is dangerous to combine 2M2B, a [[depressant]], with [[stimulant]]s due to the risk of excessive intoxication. Stimulants decrease the [[sedation|sedative]] effect of 2M2B, which is the main factor most people consider when determining their level of intoxication. Once the stimulant wears off, the effects of 2M2B will be significantly increased, leading to intensified [[disinhibition]] as well as [[2-methyl-2-butanol#Subjective effects|other effects]]. If combined, one should strictly limit themselves to only drinking a certain amount of 2M2B per hour. | ||
==Legal issues== | ==Legal issues== | ||