Asymbescaline
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| Other names | ASB; 3,4-Diethoxy-5-methoxyphenethylamine |
| Routes of administration | Oral[1] |
| Drug class | Serotonergic psychedelic; Hallucinogen |
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| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Onset of action | Peak: 2 hours[1] |
| Duration of action | 10–15 hours[1] |
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| Chemical and physical data | |
| Formula | C13H21NO3 |
| Molar mass | 239.315 g·mol−1 |
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Asymbescaline (ASB), also known as 3,4-diethoxy-5-methoxyphenethylamine, is a psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine and scaline families related to mescaline.[1][2][3] It is the analogue of mescaline in which the methoxy groups at the 3 and 4 positions have been replaced with ethoxy groups.[1][2][3]
Use and effects
In his book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved) and other publications, Alexander Shulgin lists asymbescaline's dose as 200 to 280 mg orally and its duration as 10 to 15 hours.[1][2][3] The time to peak was approximately 2 hours.[1]
The effects of asymbescaline were reported to include a lack of visual and interpretive richness, few if any of the "open interactions" of other psychedelics like 2C-B or LSD, daydreaming, and visions while trying to sleep, and "some negative side".[1] One report described it as a "sort of gentler sister of mescaline", but with a tendency to emphasize the negative such as sadness and struggle.[1] Another report described it as "like being in a corridor outside the lighted halls where a beautiful mescaline experience is taking place, sensing the light from behind a grey door, and not being able to find my way in from the dusky underside passageways".[1] Physical and other side effects included some "body load, physical weirdness, heart rate changes, and insomnia and sleep disruption.[1] Per Shulgin, the consensus from over a half dozen tests was that there was not enough value with the drug to offset its body load.[1]
Interactions
Chemistry
Synthesis
The chemical synthesis of asymbescaline has been described.[1]
Analogues
Analogues of asymbescaline include mescaline, escaline, metaescaline, symbescaline, and trisescaline (trescaline), among others.[1][2][3]
History
Asymbescaline was first described in the scientific literature by George S. Grace in 1934.[4] Subsequently, it was described in greater detail by Alexander Shulgin in his 1991 book PiHKAL (Phenethylamines I Have Known and Loved).[1]
Society and culture
Legal status
Canada
Asymbescaline is not a controlled substance in Canada as of 2025.[5]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Asymbescaline". Shulgin A, Shulgin A (September 1991). PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story. Berkeley, California: Transform Press. ISBN 0-9630096-0-5. OCLC 25627628. https://www.erowid.org/library/books_online/pihkal/pihkal009.shtml
- ^ a b c d Shulgin AT (2003). "Basic Pharmacology and Effects". In Laing RR (ed.). Hallucinogens: A Forensic Drug Handbook. Forensic Drug Handbook Series. Elsevier Science. pp. 67–137. ISBN 978-0-12-433951-4. Archived from the original on 13 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d Jacob P, Shulgin AT (1994). "Structure-Activity Relationships of the Classic Hallucinogens and Their Analogs". In Lin GC, Glennon RA (eds.). Hallucinogens: An Update (PDF). National Institute on Drug Abuse Research Monograph Series. Vol. 146. National Institute on Drug Abuse. pp. 74–91. PMID 8742795. Archived from the original on 13 July 2025.
- ^ Grace GS (April 1934). "The action of mescaline and some related compounds". The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. 50 (4): 359–372. doi:10.1016/S0022-3565(25)07327-6.
- ^ "Controlled Drugs and Substances Act". Department of Justice Canada. Retrieved 19 January 2026.