Aleph-2
Aleph-2, or ALEPH-2, also known as 4-ethylthio-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine, is a psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine, amphetamine, and DOx families. It is one of the Aleph series of compounds. The drug was encountered as a novel designer drug in Europe in 2023.
Use and effects
In his book PiHKAL, Alexander Shulgin lists Aleph-2's dose as 4 to 8mg orally and its duration as 8 to 16hours. The effects of Aleph-2 have been reported to include "almost no visual phenomena" to "extraordinary visuals and interpretations", visual distortion and movement, enhanced auditory and tactile perception, and a sensation of physical warmth, and residual shakiness and muscle tremors, among others. There is an unpredictability with the dosing and effects of Aleph-2, such that one person who took 4mg had strong effects including ending up in a fetal position, in relative hibernation for several hours, and with substantial amnesia, whereas another person who took 8mg experienced only a bare threshold including slight lightheadedness.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Aleph-2 acts as a serotonin 5-HT2 receptor agonist. The drug is also a weak monoamine oxidase inhibitor, with values of 3,200nM for monoamine oxidase A and >100,000nM for monoamine oxidase B. Aleph-2 produces anxiolytic effects in rodents.
Chemistry
Synthesis
The chemical synthesis of Aleph-2 has been described.
Analogues
Analogues of Aleph-2 include Aleph, Aleph-4, Aleph-6, Aleph-7, and 2C-T-2, among others.
History
Aleph-2 was first described in the scientific literature by Alexander Shulgin in 1978. Subsequently, it was described in greater detail by Shulgin in his 1991 book PiHKAL. Aleph-2 was encountered as a novel designer drug in Europe in 2023.
Legal status
Canada
Aleph-2 is a controlled substance in Canada under phenethylamine blanket-ban language.
Aleph-2 is not an explicitly controlled substance in the United States. However, it is a Schedule I controlled substance in this country as an isomer of 2C-T-4.