Designer Drugs on the Internet: A Phenomenon Out-of-Control? The Emergence of Hallucinogenic Drug Bromo-Dragonfly

Abstract

Based on the material available in both the scientific literature and on the web, the present paper provides an updated pharmacological, chemical, toxicological and behavioural overview of Bromo-Dragonfly (1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b;4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane; 'B-fly'). B-Fly is a powerful, long lasting, LSD-like, hallucinogenic drug, which has been associated with a number of acute intoxications and fatalities in a number of countries. A critical discussion of the potential of misuse of B-fly but also of the methodological limitations, which are intrinsically associated with the analysis of online, non-peer reviewed, material, is presented. It is concluded that the availability of online information on novel psychoactive drugs, such as B-fly, may constitute a public health challenge. Better international collaboration levels may be needed to tackle this novel and fast growing phenomenon.

Bromo-DragonFly: Chemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicology of a Benzodifuran Derivative Producing LSD-Like Effects

“…In the last decades, these substances have received large popularity among young drug users who experience their effects principally in "rave or party scenes" [33][34][35]. Recreational use of hallucinogens has favoured the spread of increasingly more powerful and legal molecules capable of satisfying the needs of the users [35].…”

“…In the last decades, these substances have received large popularity among young drug users who experience their effects principally in "rave or party scenes" [33][34][35]. Recreational use of hallucinogens has favoured the spread of increasingly more powerful and legal molecules capable of satisfying the needs of the users [35]. In particular, the use of internet as a potential source of information on drugs of abuse [36] resulted in the use of several research chemicals as recreational drugs in place of traditional and illicit substances [1,[37][38][39][40][41][42].…”

NPS: Medical Consequences Associated with Their Intake

“…All NPS belonging to the so-called fly series (the term is used to connote their molecular structure resembling an insect), and particularly 2C-B-Fly (8-bromo-2,3,6,7-benzo-dihydro-difuran-ethylamine), and 'Bromo-DragonFly'/'B-fly' (1-(4-Bromofuro [2,3-f] [1]benzofuran-8-yl)propan-2-amine), have been described as powerful and long lasting drugs, with effects lasting for up to 3 days and including: hallucinations, mood elevation, paranoid ideation, confusion, anxiety, and flashbacks [165]. 'B-fly' has been associated with a number of acute intoxications and fatalities in the EU [165].…”

The Stimulants of Prohibition: Illegality and New Synthetic Drugs

“…Drug consumers are presented with a constantly changing selection of 'legal highs', many of which do not stay legal for long. This encourages a culture of self-experimentation and independent reporting, creating a parallel drug culture largely found on the Internet, where information is exchanged and drug consumers learn about new products (CORAZZA et al, 2011;WALSH, 2011). Chief among the main compounds produced, sold, and consumed in the last decade have been the synthetic or substituted cathinones.…”