What Is Nexus Flipping?

Over the past decade or so, psychedelic use has been on the rise, leading to more experimentation with mixing psychoactive substances. Nexus flipping — mixing nexus with MDMA (ecstasy) — is one such combination that has grown in popularity.

Combining different drugs is generally not recommended due to the increased risk of side effects of overdose.

With that aside, this article will focus on the effects, common dosing, and other facets of Nexus flipping for the purposes of harm reduction.

What Is Nexus Flipping?

“Nexus flipping” is a term that refers to mixing two psychoactive drugs: MDMA (ecstasy) and 4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, more commonly referred to as 2C-B or “Nexus.”

The effects of this combination are notoriously psychedelic, despite both MDMA and 2C-B falling on the lower end of the psychedelic spectrum compared to LSD or magic mushrooms.

This combo often results in feelings of compassion and connection towards others, but with a distinct “cartoon-like” visual effect that’s unique from conventional hallucinogens.

Many users report exceptionally stunning colors and shifting patterns.

This combination is most commonly used as raves, music festivals, or other events. It’s especially enjoyable at events with powerful light shows and colorful artwork.

This combination can be dangerous — both 2C-B and MDMA overdoses do occur, and can be lethal. It’s wise to take a lower dose of both drugs, especially if this is your first time. It’s better to stick to one compound at a time and use only in moderation.

Other common “flipping” techniques include:

1. Kitty Flipping — Ketamine & MDMA
2. Sugar Flipping — Cocaine & MDMA
3. Hippie Flipping — Magic Mushrooms & MDMA
4. Jedi Flipping — Magic Mushrooms, LSD, & MDMA
5. Candy Flipping — MDMA & LSD

1. 2C-B (Nexus)

Nexus, also called 2C-B, is a psychedelic drug that was first synthesized in 1974 by Alexander Shulgin. It became popular after ecstasy was deemed illegal.

2C-B is just one of a large group of compounds in the phenethylamine or 2C-X family of drugs. Other members are sometimes combined with MDMA as well.

One of the interesting aspects of this psychedelic is that users report being able to switch back and forth between reality and the altered reality. This is where the term “Nexus” comes from. Others report increased focus and concentration, as well as enhanced creativity.

This compound is highly dose-dependant. Lower doses are stimulating and resemble the effects of MDMA, while higher doses are profoundly psychedelic.

2. MDMA (Ecstasy)

3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, more commonly referred to as MDMA or ecstasy, is another psychedelic drug that was first synthesized in 1912 for use in psychotherapy. It later gained popularity as a party drug in the 1960s for its ability to facilitate “one love” and a sense of connection with others.

MDMA offers most users an intensely emotional experience that leaves them feeling at one with the world around them. It can produce mild visual effects and hallucinations, and it’s known to alter the senses, including tactile, auditory, and visual perception.

Some side effects of MDMA include overstimulation, rapid heart rate, heightened body temperature, and physical or mental discomfort — especially during the comedown period.

How to Use Psychedelics Responsibly

Psychedelic drugs are most commonly associated with partying and attending raves, but countless users take them as a means of introspection and self-therapy. Understanding how to use psychedelics responsibly is the best way to ensure a positive and relatively safe experience. 

If you do plan on using psychedelic drugs, there are a few things you can do to set yourself up for a successful trip.

First and foremost, you should understand the importance of “set and setting.”

A) Set (Mindset)

“Set” refers to your mindset as it pertains to the psychedelic you intend to take. In most cases, your intentions or expectations for a trip can strongly influence the actual experience in a positive or negative way. You can influence the trip by getting into the right state of mind before you take any substance.

If you’re nervous about the trip or are in a bad place mentally, you should consider taking some time to parse out your feelings and put yourself into a better state of mind to let the substance affect you in a positive way. Simply stating your intentions before the trip or writing them down can set you up for success.

B) Setting (Environment & People You’re With)

“Setting” refers to the physical place you’ll be when you take the psychedelic compound. Your surroundings can have a positive or negative impact on your experience, so creating a space to experience the drug(s) that is comfortable and familiar is the best practice. It’s usually best to avoid unfamiliar or public places, as these could induce anxiety while you trip.

MDMA and 2C-B are considered social drugs by most users, so getting into a room with trusted friends and comfortable places to sit and relax is your best option. You can set up some music and artwork to experience while you trip or put together a list of comfortable but engaging topics to speak about with your friends.

Your setting should also include a trusted and sober trip sitter, someone who can watch over you to ensure you stay safe and offer some comfort if the substances you take become overwhelming.

What Does Nexus Flipping Feel Like?

Most users take MDMA first and then consume a dose of Nexus after 45 minutes to three hours of the MDMA trip. The results vary quite a bit from user to user.

One Reddit user, in particular, noted that 2C-B enhanced and extended the roll from the ecstasy and made them feel more in control of the experience. Others note that the 2C-B doesn’t do much at all to enhance or detract from the experience. However, some people state that the addition of 2C-B does little to provide a positive experience and instead ruins the MDMA roll.

Generally speaking, the response to mixing nexus with MDMA is positive. The majority of users feel an enhanced trip or control over their MDMA trip with the addition of nexus. Many state that, if nothing else, 2C-B can make the ecstasy a bit more manageable and less likely to become an overwhelming experience.

A popular way to nexus flip is to take 2C-B approximately an hour to two hours before the MDMA roll is expected to end. For most users, the comedown from ecstasy is rather unpleasant, and the addition of nexus can create a smoother transition back to reality while extending the trip a bit. Some users on Reddit report avoiding the MDMA comedown effects altogether using this method.

Why Is It Called Nexus Flipping?

Nexus flipping gets its name from the effects experienced with the two drugs separately. Many combinations with MDMA include the term “flipping” because the experience is more often described as a roll or a flip rather than a trip.

Nexus is named for the drug’s unique ability to offer users the option of “flipping a switch” to move between reality and the experience of the drug. While most psychedelics take hold and offer little control, 2C-B sometimes gives most people the ability to exist in the Nexus, or the connection between the real world and the psychedelic experience.

This effect is only reported by some people. Taking too much of this compound is still dangerous and bad trips are still common in higher doses.

Combining the rolling feeling of MDMA with the control of nexus produces the name for the drug combination: nexus flipping.

Is Nexus Flipping Safe?

Generally speaking, mixing drugs of any kind is not considered safe.

The results of drug combinations are largely unknown, and the potential side effects of any drug combination can be dangerous. This is true of prescription drugs as well as illegal drugs, like MDMA and 2C-B. There is no research on the combination effects or safety of using these drugs together.

With that said, there are no user reports available to suggest that combining these two drugs is particularly unsafe or deadly.

How Long Does Nexus Flipping Last?

The trip duration you expect from nexus flipping depends on when you take both compounds and how much of each you consume.

An MDMA experience typically takes effect within 30 to 45 minutes and lasts anywhere from three to six hours at normal doses of around 100 mg. Higher doses tend to last longer, while lower doses have effects that fade more rapidly.

A standard nexus dose is around 20-30 mg taken orally, and the effects typically last for between four and eight hours. Most users report a gradual descent back to reality.

Taking both MDMA and nexus simultaneously will likely not extend the experience much, but higher doses could leave you feeling the effects for 6–10 hours total. 

Taking 2C-B an hour or two into an MDMA roll will provide an extended experience in most cases, lasting between six and ten hours. Taking 2C-B toward the end of a molly experience will drastically extend the total trip time, sometimes up to a total of up to 14 hours.

What’s the Normal Dose for Nexus Flipping?

Given the lack of research on and limited popularity of mixing MDMA and nexus, there is no standard dose. However, many users take around 100 mg of MDMA and a 20 mg dose of 2C-B.

Some take more, but be very cautious with anything higher than this. Know the effects of the drug before you combine them, prioritize the fundamentals of set and setting, and make sure you’ve had a solid meal before you start.

Wrapping Up: Mixing Nexus & MDMA

“Nexus flipping,” which refers to mixing MDMA (ecstasy) and 2C-B (nexus), is a drug combination that has grown in popularity in recent years.

Combining these two drugs can create a new psychedelic experience, and many users report feeling in control over their ecstasy trip after adding 2C-B to the mix. In some cases, nexus can be used to avoid the unpleasant comedown from MDMA.

Mixing drugs of any kind is generally not recommended, as there can be unwanted and potentially dangerous side effects. Additionally, many foreign compounds and drugs are metabolized by the same cytochromes, leading to competition and potentially a build-up in the body.

If you do choose to consume MDMA and nexus together, it’s best to consume them in a comfortable and familiar setting. You’ll have a higher likelihood for a good trip experience if you enter into it with a positive mindset, a sober trip sitter nearby to help you feel safe, and positive intentions for your trip.