25C-NBOMe: Preliminary Data on Pharmacology, Psychoactive Effects, and Toxicity of a New Potent and Dangerous Hallucinogenic Drug

Abstract

Introduction. The use of novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) has rapidly increased as well as their online availability. The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of the nature and the risks associated with 25C-NBOMe, which has recently appeared in the drug market. Methods. A systematic analysis of the scientific literature and a qualitative assessment of online and media resources (e.g., e-newsgroups, chat-rooms, and e-newsletters) in 10 languages were carried out. Results. 25C-NBOMe is sold online as legal LSD or as research chemical with different designations such as “Boom,” “Pandora,” “Holland film,” or “N-bomb.” It is a partial agonist of 5-HT2A receptors. It is usually ingested orally/sublingually and, less commonly, nasally, through injection, vaginally, rectally, and smoked. Its effects include sublingual numbing, stimulation, “body high,” hallucinations, dissociation, and anxiety. 25C-NBOMe presents high risk of overdoses; acute toxicity and fatalities have been reported. Conclusions. 25C-NBOMe consumption represents an emerging phenomenon with potential harmful effects. Its use is increased by its online availability at low costs. Health and other professionals should be informed about this new trend of substance use.

Rapid Screening Method for New Psychoactive Substances of Forensic Interest: Electrochemistry and Analytical Determination of Phenethylamines Derivatives (NBOMe) via Cyclic and Differential Pulse Voltammetry

“…Those compounds are potent agonists of the human 5HT2A receptor, responsible for subjective and behavioral effects 7,8 .They were mentioned for the first time in the book PIHKAL (1991) 9 . Although human consumption appears to have begun in 2010, it has increased rapidly as a consequence of the easy availability through the internet 5 .…”

Toxicities Associated With NBOMe Ingestion—A Novel Class of Potent Hallucinogens: A Review of the Literature

“…A novel class of synthetic hallucinogens called NBOMe has recently emerged as new substances of abuse 1–3 . NBOMes are N-benzylmethoxy derivatives of the 2C family of hallucinogens (i.e.…”

“…However, compared to previous 2C compounds, NBOMes have a significantly higher affinity at the 5-HT2A receptor 9,10 . As a consequence, sublingual doses as low as 50μg may produce psychoactive effects 3 .…”

Next generation of novel psychoactive substances on the horizon – A complex problem to face

“…During the last few years, more than a dozen fatalities have been reported as a result of the ingestion of NBOMes, mainly 25I-NBOMe (ACMD, 2013; Andreasen et al, 2015;Bersani et al, 2014;EMCDDA, 2014c;Kueppers and Cooke, 2015;Lowe et al, 2015;Poklis et al, 2014a;Shanks et al, 2015a;Srisuma et al, 2015; A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 22 students died in Poland after oral ingestion of 25B-NBOMe and 4-chloromethcathinone (Wiergowski et al, 2015). Legal status of the three discussed NBOMe compounds is given in Table 2.…”