Aleph-6: Pharmacology, Side Effects, & Characteristics

Aleph-6 belongs to a family that’s a bit of a mix between a psychedelic and a stimulant. It isn’t well-studied, so tread carefully with it.

By Enrique Santos Last Updated: April 29, 2023
Last Updated: April 29, 2023
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What is Aleph-6?

Aleph 6 is an analog of the compound 2C-T-4, a member of the larger 2C-X family of psychedelics to which Aleph 6 holds a high degree of structural similarity.

Aleph 6, though, technically, belongs to the DOx subfamily — which itself is a sub-member of the amphetamines group.

More specifically, DOX are substituted dimethoxyamphetamines that exhibit properties in between those of psychedelics and stimulants.

DOx compounds have effects reminiscent of the 2CX family, including an increase in energy and vibrant, cartoon-like visuals, as well as a deeper level of introspection at higher doses.

The defining characteristic of this class of compounds is the presence of an amphetamine structure with two methoxy groups located at positions 2 and 5 and a functional group that varies in position 4.

Aleph 6 holds the typical effects of compounds in the DOx family. These compounds take longer than usual to kick in (around three hours) but also last much longer and are incredibly potent.

In fact, DOx compounds are some of the few substituted amphetamines, which are strong enough to deliver psychedelic doses on blotter paper, which has led many unethical clandestine drug manufacturers to sell DOx-coated blotters under the guise of LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide).

Aleph-6 Specs

Chemical Name2,5-Dimethoxy-4-phenylthioamphetamine
Level of RiskModerate
Other NamesN/A
Most Common Side EffectsPsychosis, seizures, anxiety, paranoia, agitation, confusion, increased heart rate and blood pressure, palpitations, chest pain, and difficulty breathing.
Duration of EffectsUnspecified (very long)
Estimated Threshold Dose20 mg
Common Dose>40 mg
Legality/StatusResearch Chemical
PubChem ID:44719475
CAS#952006-44-9

Tripsitter Safe Aleph-6 Guidelines

  • 🐍 I understand why substituted amphetamines should be treated with respect.
  • ⚖️ I’m familiar with the laws for substituted amphetamines in my country & state.
  • 🍄 I’m familiar with and confident in the dose I’m taking.
  • 🧪 I’ve tested a sample of the substance I’m using with a drug testing kit.
  • 💊 I’m not mixing any medications or other substances with Aleph-6.
  • 🏔 I’m in a safe & comfortable environment with people I trust.
  • 🐺 One of the members of my group is responsible and sober (AKA a trip sitter).
  • ⏳ I have nothing important scheduled for after the trip.
  • 🧠 I’m in a sound & healthy state of mind.
  • ❤️ I don’t have any underlying health issues — don’t take Aleph-6 if you have underlying heart, neurological, or psychiatric disorders.
  • 👭 Use the buddy system — Aleph-6 can remove your inhibition and allow you to make unsafe decisions, always stay with people you trust, and never go out alone.
  • 🌵 I understand the risk of dehydration — it’s easy to become dehydrated while on Aleph-6, so make sure you drink a cup of water every hour.
  • 🦻 Protect your hearing — music can be intoxicating while on Aleph-6, so protect your hearing and bring ear protection before you go out to a club or concert.

What Are the Effects of Aleph-6?

As an obscure compound, Aleph-6’s effects have not been studied by researchers in any meaningful way. However, that is not to say that psychonauts don’t have a fairly well-constructed vision of what its effects profile looks like.

Through user-generated information posted on designer drug forums, the psychonaut community has been able to suss out the general effects profile of dozens upon dozens of drugs. One thing must be understood, though, the following list should only be considered a potential spectrum of effects.

Aleph-6 will not reliably produce the same effects, but users can expect a more expansive range of effects the more they consume.

Users have associated the following effects with the use of Aleph-6:

Physical Effects of Aleph-6

  • Appetite suppression
  • Bodily control enhancement
  • Changes in the perception of bodily form
  • Dehydration
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Dry mouth
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased heart rate
  • Increased perspiration
  • Increased salivation
  • Muscle contractions
  • Muscle cramps
  • Muscle spasms
  • Nausea
  • Physical euphoria
  • Pupil dilation
  • Seizures
  • Spontaneous bodily sensations
  • Stimulation
  • Tactile enhancement
  • Teeth grinding
  • Temperature regulation suppression
  • Vasoconstriction

Visual Effects of Aleph-6

  • After images
  • Brightness alteration
  • Color enhancement
  • Diffraction
  • Drifting, Color shifting, Depth perception distortions
  • External hallucinations
  • Internal hallucinations
  • Pattern recognition enhancement
  • Perspective distortions
  • Symmetrical texture repetition
  • Tracers
  • Transformation
  • Visual acuity enhancement

Cognitive Effects of Aleph-6

  • Affection
  • Analysis enhancement
  • Anxiety 
  • Auditory enhancement
  • Auditory hallucinations
  • Cognitive euphoria
  • Conceptual thinking
  • Ego death
  • Emotion enhancement
  • Empathy
  • Immersion enhancement
  • Increased libido
  • Increased music appreciation
  • Increased sense of humor
  • Laughter fits
  • Memory suppression
  • Novelty enhancement
  • Paranoia
  • Sociability enhancement
  • Thought acceleration
  • Thought connectivity
  • Time distortion
  • Wakefulness

Compared to other psychedelics, DOx compounds like Aleph-6 are notable for the high level of stimulation they induce.

While traditional psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin can produce intense experiences that are typically more “heavy” and relaxing, DOX compounds like DOC can result in significant mental and physical stimulation.

Users may feel compelled to engage in physical activity or movement, and the strength of this stimulation can sometimes become too much to handle, leading to an unpleasant experience.

Is Aleph-6 Safe? Risks & Side Effects

Psychedelic drugs generally have lower risks to human physiology than other substances like empathogens, stimulants, and depressants. However, this does not mean that psychedelic drugs are entirely without risk.

For instance, MDMA, which is an empathogenic drug with serotonergic activity, has been associated with cardiotoxicity and depletion of serotonin levels in the brain — both of which may result in negative after-effects that can be long-lasting, according to some research.

It’s uncertain whether these effects apply to all other serotonergic psychedelics, but it is something to keep in mind.

Moreover, the strong serotonergic activity of substances like the related DOI can be hazardous when combined with other serotonergic compounds, such as certain antidepressants or MDMA. This combination carries a high risk of causing serotonin syndrome, a severe, life-threatening condition.

The most significant risk associated with psychedelic drug use is its unpredictable effects on the psyche. The dissociative effects can lead to “bad trips,” which are overwhelmingly negative experiences characterized by a loss of control. It’s crucial to approach psychedelic use with caution and in a safe and controlled setting to minimize the risk of adverse effects.

The stimulant qualities of Aleph-6 may also produce undesirable side effects and even serious health episodes if combined with other stimulant compounds.

Here are some of the adverse stimulant-related effects of Aleph-6:

  • Increased heart rate — Stimulant drugs can cause a rapid increase in heart rate, which can put extra strain on the heart and lead to cardiovascular problems.
  • High blood pressure — Like heart rate, blood pressure can also increase with stimulant use. High blood pressure can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke.
  • Appetite suppression — Stimulant drugs can reduce appetite, which can lead to weight loss and malnutrition if use is prolonged.
  • Dehydration — Stimulants can cause dehydration due to increased sweating and reduced fluid intake. This can lead to problems like dry mouth, headaches, and constipation.
  • Sleep disruption — Stimulant drugs make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. This can lead to daytime fatigue and impairments in cognitive and physical performance.
  • Muscle tension and twitching — Stimulant use can cause muscle tension and twitching, especially in the face and extremities.
  • Nausea and vomiting — Some people may experience nausea and vomiting as a side effect of stimulant use.
  • Dilated pupils — Stimulants can cause pupils to dilate, making it difficult to see in bright light and potentially increasing the risk of eye damage.

Aleph-6 Drug Interactions

Drug interactions are a dangerous thing. It’s rarely a good idea to mix drugs. Watch out for these compounds if you’re going to be using Aleph-6 or any other DOx compounds:

  • MAO inhibitors — MAO inhibitors are a class of drugs that are used to treat depression and other mental health conditions. They can interact with DOx compounds to cause potentially life-threatening serotonin syndrome, which can include symptoms such as high fever, seizures, and coma.
  • Stimulants — DOx compounds are potent stimulants themselves, and combining them with other stimulants such as amphetamines or cocaine can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as heart attack and stroke.
  • MDMA — MDMA (also known as ecstasy) is a popular recreational drug that can cause serotonin syndrome when combined with DOx compounds.
  • Tramadol — Tramadol is a pain reliever that can also increase serotonin levels in the brain. Combining DOx compounds with tramadol can lead to serotonin syndrome.
  • Antipsychotics — Antipsychotics are medications used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. Combining DOx compounds with antipsychotics can lead to a dangerous increase in body temperature.

When to Avoid Aleph-6

Aleph-6 is a research chemical — which means there isn’t much information available about how safe it truly is. There is always going to be some inherent risk when taking any research chemical.

With that said, there are a few situations where taking Aleph-6 is especially dangerous (called contraindications).

Contraindications of Aleph-6 include:

  • A history of cardiovascular disease or hypertension.
  • Prescribed monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
  • A history of seizures or other neurological disorders.
  • A history of mental health conditions such as psychosis or bipolar disorder should use caution when considering the use of DOx compounds.
  • Pregnant (or think they could be pregnant) or breastfeeding.
  • Currently taking other drugs such as alcohol, cannabis, or stimulants.