25C-NBOMe (NBOMe-2C-C, 2C-C-NBOMe, Cimbi-82) is a psychedelic drug and derivative of the psychedelic phenethylamine2C-C. 25C-NBOMe appeared on online vendor sites in 2010 but was not reported in the literature until 2011.[3] It acts as a potent agonist of the 5-HT2Areceptor,[4] and has been studied in its 11Cradiolabelled form as a potential ligand for mapping the distribution of 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, using positron emission tomography (PET).[3][5] 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 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.[6]
Dosage
Blotter paper containing 25C-NBOMe
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.[7]
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.[8] 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.[9]
NBOMe-substituted compounds have a diminished absorption rate passing through mucous membranes, but generally remain inactive when taken orally. Buccal, sublingual 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.[10]
Effects
Desired
strong open- and closed-eye visuals, including trails, color shifts, brightening, etc.
NBOMe and NBOHs are regularly sold as LSD in blotter papers,[13][21] which have a bitter taste and different safety profiles.[15][12] Despite high potency, recreational doses of LSD have only produced low incidents of acute toxicity.[12] Fatalities involved in NBOMe intoxication suggest that a significant number of individuals ingested the substance which they believed was LSD,[17] and researchers report that "users familiar with LSD may have a false sense of security when ingesting NBOMe inadvertently".[15] While most fatalities are due to the physical effects of the drug, there have also been reports of death due to self-harm and suicide under the influence of the substance.[22][23][15]
Given limited documentation of NBOMe consumption, the long-term effects of the substance remain unknown.[15] NBOMe compounds are not active orally,[a] and are usually taken sublingually.[25]: 3 When NBOMes are administered sublingually, numbness of the tongue and mouth followed by a metallic chemical taste was observed, and researchers describe this physical side effect as one of the main discriminants between NBOMe compounds and LSD.[26][27][28]
Many of the NBOMe compounds have high potency agonist activity at additional 5-HT receptors and prolonged activation of 5-HT2B can cause cardiac valvulopathy in high doses and chronic use.[13][18] 5-HT2B receptors have been strongly implicated in causing drug-induced valvular heart disease.[29][30][31] The high affinity of NBOMe compounds for adrenergic α1 receptor has been reported to contribute to the stimulant-type cardiovascular effects.[18]
In vitro studies, 25C-NBOMe has been shown to exhibit cytotoxicity on neuronal cell lines SH-SY5Y, PC12, and SN471, and the compound was more potent than methamphetamine at reducing the visibility of the respective cells; the neurotoxicity of the compound involves activation of MAPK/ERK cascade and inhibition of Akt/PKB signaling pathway.[14] 25C-NBOMe, including the other derivative 25D-NBOMe, reduced the visibility of cardiomyocytes H9c2 cells, and both substances downregulated expression level of p21 (CDC24/RAC)-activated kinase 1 (PAK1), an enzyme with documented cardiac protective effects.[14]
Preliminary studies on 25C-NBOMe have shown that the substance is toxic to development, heart health, and brain health in zebrafish, rats, and Artemia salina, a common organism for studying potential drug effects on humans, but more research is needed on the topic, the dosages, and if the toxicology results apply to humans. Researchers of the study also recommended further investigation of the drug's potential in damaging pregnant women and their fetus due to the substance's damaging effects to development.[32][33]
As of October 31, 2016; 25C-NBOMe is a controlled substance (Schedule III) in Canada.[34]
Israel
The NBOMe series of psychoactives became controlled in Israel in May, 2013.[35][36]
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.[37]
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.[35][38]
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.[39]
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.[41] In November 2015, the temporary scheduling was extended for another year.[42]
China
As of October 2015 25C-NBOMe is a controlled substance in China.[43]
^The potency of N-benzylphenethylamines via buccal, sublingual, or nasal absorption is 50-100 greater (by weight) than oral route compared to the parent 2C-x compounds.[24] Researchers hypothesize the low oral metabolic stability of N-benzylphenethylamines is likely causing the low bioavailability on the oral route, although the metabolic profile of this compounds remains unpredictable; therefore researchers state that the fatalities linked to these substances may partly be explained by differences in the metabolism between individuals.[24]
^ abEttrup A, Hansen M, Santini MA, Paine J, Gillings N, Palner M, et al. (April 2011). "Radiosynthesis and in vivo evaluation of a series of substituted 11C-phenethylamines as 5-HT (2A) agonist PET tracers". European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. 38 (4): 681–693. doi:10.1007/s00259-010-1686-8. PMID21174090. S2CID12467684.
^Hansen M (2010-12-16). Design and Synthesis of Selective Serotonin Receptor Agonists for Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of the Brain (Ph.D. thesis). University of Copenhagen. doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.33671.14245.
^Zuba D, Sekuła K, Buczek A (April 2013). "25C-NBOMe--new potent hallucinogenic substance identified on the drug market". Forensic Science International. 227 (1–3): 7–14. doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.08.027. PMID22989597.
^Harrigan TM (10 October 2013). "Proposed Rules"(PDF). Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Retrieved 5 September 2015.
^Drug Enforcement Administration (November 2015). "Schedules of Controlled Substances: Extension of Temporary Placement of Three Synthetic Phenethylamines in Schedule I. Final order". Federal Register. 80 (219): 70657–70659. PMID26567439.
^"关于印发《非药用类麻醉药品和精神药品列管办法》的通知" (in Chinese). China Food and Drug Administration. 27 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2015.
