25C-NBOMe (NBOMe-2C-C, 2C-C-NBOMe, Cimbi-82) is a
psychedelic drug
Psychedelics are a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs whose primary effect is to trigger non-ordinary states of consciousness (known as psychedelic experiences or "trips").Pollan, Michael (2018). ''How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science o ...
and derivative of the psychedelic
phenethylamine
Phenethylamine (PEA) is an organic compound, natural monoamine alkaloid, and trace amine, which acts as a central nervous system stimulant in humans. In the brain, phenethylamine regulates monoamine neurotransmission by binding to trace amin ...
2C-C
2C-C is a Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants, psychedelic drug of the 2C (psychedelics), 2C family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin, sometimes used as an entheogen. In his book ''PiHKAL, PiHKAL (Phenethylamines i Have Known A ...
. 25C-NBOMe appeared on online vendor sites in 2010 but was not reported in the literature until 2011.
[
] It acts as a potent
agonist
An agonist is a chemical that activates a receptor to produce a biological response. Receptors are cellular proteins whose activation causes the cell to modify what it is currently doing. In contrast, an antagonist blocks the action of the ago ...
of the
5HT2A receptor, and has been studied in its
11C radiolabelled form as a potential ligand for mapping the distribution of 5-HT
2A receptors in the brain, using
positron emission tomography
Positron emission tomography (PET) is a functional imaging technique that uses radioactive substances known as radiotracers to visualize and measure changes in Metabolism, metabolic processes, and in other physiological activities including bl ...
(PET).
Multiple deaths have occurred from usage of 25C-NBOMe due to the ease of accidental overdose. The long-term toxic effects of the drug have not been researched.
History
25C-NBOMe is derived from the psychedelic phenethylamine
2C-C
2C-C is a Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants, psychedelic drug of the 2C (psychedelics), 2C family. It was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin, sometimes used as an entheogen. In his book ''PiHKAL, PiHKAL (Phenethylamines i Have Known A ...
by substitution on the amine with a 2-methoxybenzyl group. 25C-NBOMe is a clumpy white powder with a notably bitter and metallic taste. 25C-NBOMe has been found on blotter mimics sold as LSD.
Dosage

25C-NBOMe is extremely potent and the effects of the drug increase greatly within a small window of dosage adjustment. Overdose may occur at as little as double an average dose. With inaccurate dosing of street
blotter paper, when mistaken for LSD, or when taken as a powder or liquid, this has resulted in multiple accidental deaths.
One study has shown that 25C-NBOMe blotters have 'hotspots' of the drug and the dosage is not evenly applied over the surface of the paper, which could lead to overdose. Sublingually, the threshold for the onset of hallucinogenic effects reportedly is about 100–250 μg, with mild effects at 250–450, strong effects at 450–800, and very strong effects over 800 μg.
NBOMe-substituted compounds have a diminished absorption rate passing through mucus membranes, but generally remain inactive when taken orally.
Buccal,
sublingual
Sublingual (abbreviated SL), from the Latin for "under the tongue", refers to the pharmacological route of administration by which substances diffuse into the blood through tissues under the tongue.
The sublingual glands receive their prima ...
or
insufflated routes of administration are all viable options. Absorption rate
buccally and
sublingually can be increased when complexed with
HPBCD complexing sugar, however the most efficient is
nasal administration, which shortens the duration while increasing intensity, but has been attributed to several overdoses and deaths.
Effects
Desired
* strong open- and closed-eye
visuals
The visual arts are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. Many artistic disciplines such as performing arts, conceptual art, and textile arts ...
, including trails, color shifts, brightening, etc.
* mood lift
*
euphoria
Euphoria ( ) is the experience (or affect) of pleasure or excitement and intense feelings of well-being and happiness. Certain natural rewards and social activities, such as aerobic exercise, laughter, listening to or making music and da ...
* mental and physical
stimulation
Stimulation is the encouragement of development or the cause of activity generally. For example, "The press provides stimulation of political discourse." An interesting or fun activity can be described as "stimulating", regardless of its physica ...
* increase in associative & creative thinking
* increased awareness & appreciation of music
* life-changing spiritual experiences
* feelings of
love and
empathy
* increased
pattern recognition (psychology)
*
synesthesia
Synesthesia (American English) or synaesthesia (British English) is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway. People who re ...
and
chromesthesia (intensified for those who experience these while sober)
Neutral
* general change in
consciousness
*
pupil dilation
Pupillary response is a physiological response that varies the size of the pupil, via the optic and oculomotor cranial nerve.
A constriction response (miosis), is the narrowing of the pupil, which may be caused by scleral buckles or drugs such a ...
* unusual body sensations (
paresthesia
Paresthesia is an abnormal sensation of the skin (tingling, pricking, chilling, burning, numbness) with no apparent physical cause. Paresthesia may be transient or chronic, and may have any of dozens of possible underlying causes. Paresthesias ar ...
,
flushing,
chills
Chills is a feeling of coldness occurring during a high fever, but sometimes is also a common symptom which occurs alone in specific people. It occurs during fever due to the release of cytokines and prostaglandins as part of the inflammatory r ...
,
goose bumps)
* change in perception of time, time dilation
*
increased heart rate
* jaw clenching (
bruxism
Bruxism is excessive teeth grinding or jaw clenching. It is an oral parafunctional activity; i.e., it is unrelated to normal function such as eating or talking. Bruxism is a common behavior; reports of prevalence range from 8% to 31% in the gene ...
)
*
yawning, especially when coming up
*
insomnia
* looping,
recursive, out-of-control thinking
*
dissociation
Undesired
(Includes negative side effects arising from overdose; likelihood of negative side effects increases with dose)
*
confusion and difficulty focusing
* scrambled communication
* tunnel vision
*
vasoconstriction
*
nausea and vomiting (normally only during the onset for those affected)
*
paranoia,
fear, and
panic
* irritation of the throat
* irritation of mucous membranes
* upper respiratory irritation and difficulty breathing/swallowing
* unwanted and overwhelming feelings or life-changing spiritual experiences
*
syncope
*
shaking
*
dystonia
Dystonia is a neurological hyperkinetic movement disorder in which sustained or repetitive muscle contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements or abnormal fixed postures. The movements may resemble a tremor. Dystonia is often inten ...
,
clonus and
seizure
*
death
Toxicity and harm potential
25C-NBOMe overdoses have caused many cases of multi-organ failure and death worldwide.
NBOMe chemicals, including 25C-NBOMe, frequently cause
tachycardia (rapid heart rate),
hypertension
Hypertension (HTN or HT), also known as high blood pressure (HBP), is a long-term medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated. High blood pressure usually does not cause symptoms. Long-term high bl ...
(high blood pressure), and
vasoconstriction (which reduces blood flow). These physical symptoms can cause significant risks to health, especially when the user has underlying health issues or has taken a combination of drugs.
25C-NBOMe is significantly more dangerous and potent than
LSD, which is not easily overdosed.
25C-NBOme is a substituted
para-Chloroamphetamine which is a known neurotoxin. 25C-NBOMe being much more potent and a direct serotonergic neurotoxic agent.
25C-NBOme has been shown in preliminary studies to be toxic to development, heart health and brain health in
zebrafish, rats, and
brine shrimp (common model organisms for studying potential drug effects on humans), but more research is needed on this topic, the dosages, and if this applies to humans. The authors of one study recommended further research on if the drug is potentially damaging to pregnant women and their fetuses due to the potentially damaging effects to development.
While most deaths are due to the physical effects of the drug, one person died after repeatedly running into walls while under the effects of 25C-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe and MDMA; this person had thought the NBOMe drugs they had taken were LSD.
Another died while drowning while under the effects of 25C-NBOMe and 25H-NBOMe, shortly after expressing they wished to commit suicide.
Drug prohibition laws
Canada
As of October 31, 2016; 25C-NBOMe is a controlled substance (Schedule III) in Canada. http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p2/2016/2016-05-04/html/sor-dors72-eng.php
Israel
The NBOMe series of psychoactives became controlled in Israel in May, 2013.
New Zealand
25C-NBOMe was sold as a
designer drug in New Zealand in early 2012, but was withdrawn from sale after a statement by Associate Health Minister Peter Dunne that 25C-NBOMe would be considered to be substantially similar in chemical structure to the illegal hallucinogen
DOB, and was therefore a Class C controlled drug analogue.
Russia
Russia became the first country to regulate the NBOME class. The entire NBOMe series of psychoactives became controlled in the Russian Federation starting October, 2011.
Sweden
''Sveriges riksdag'' added 25C-NBOMe to schedule I (''"substances, plant materials and fungi which normally do not have medical use"'') as narcotics in Sweden as of Aug 1, 2013, published by
''Medical Products Agency'' in their regulation LVFS 2013:15 listed as 25C-NBOMe 2-(4-kloro-2,5-dimetoxifenyl)-N-(2-metoxibensyl)etanamin.
United Kingdom
United States
Several NBOMe series compounds will be temporarily scheduled in the United States for 2 years. The temporary scheduling applies to 25C-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, and 25I-NBOMe. In November 2015, the temporary scheduling was extended for another year.
China
As of October 2015 25C-NBOMe is a controlled substance in China.
Czech Republic
25C-NBOMe is banned in the Czech Republic.
Analogues and derivatives
References
{{Phenethylamines
25-NB (psychedelics)
Chlorobenzenes
Designer drugs