25I-NBOMe
4-iodo-2,5-dimethoxy-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine
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25I-NBOMe — N-Bomb, Smiles — is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class. It is derived from 2C-I by a structural modification that increases potency by more than tenfold. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, disrupting normal sensory filtering and producing the visual and cognitive shifts characteristic of psychedelics.[1]
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LSD, psilocybin, psilocin +6 moreLSD, psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, mescaline, 2C-I, 2C-B, 25C-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe show less
First synthesized in 2003 by Ralf Heim as part of a search for high-affinity serotonin receptor ligands, the compound was initially developed as a brain-imaging tracer designated CIMBI-5.[2] It appeared on the recreational drug market around 2010, sold as LSD on blotter paper — a misrepresentation that led to multiple deaths.[3] It is now Schedule I in the United States and controlled in most major jurisdictions worldwide.
Subjective effects include geometric visual patterns, color enhancement, synesthesia, euphoria, and accelerated thinking. The experience is defined by a heavy physical load — vasoconstriction, racing heart, and temperature dysregulation accompany the visuals at virtually every active dose, distinguishing it sharply from LSD and other classical psychedelics. Severe anxiety, confusion, agitation, and intense physical tension are characteristic unwanted effects.
25I-NBOMe does not produce physical dependence, but it carries critical acute toxicity risk — the margin between a psychoactive and potentially lethal dose is extremely narrow.[4] Multiple analytically confirmed deaths have involved seizures, dangerous overheating, muscle breakdown, and organ failure, and no dose can be considered reliably safe.[3] No clinical trials have been conducted — all human data come from forensic case reports and user self-reports.
History[edit]
Discovery
25I-NBOMe was first synthesized in 2003 by Ralf Heim, searching for compounds that bind serotonin receptors with high selectivity. It was subsequently developed as a brain-imaging tracer designated CIMBI-5 — used to visualize serotonin receptors in the living brain via PET scanning.[2] The Nichols laboratory later established key binding and activity data for the NBOMe series.[5]
Market emergence and fatalities
25I-NBOMe appeared on the recreational drug market around 2010, sold as a legal psychedelic alternative.[4] It was frequently distributed on blotter paper and deliberately sold as LSD.[6][3] Unlike LSD, which has no confirmed pharmacological fatalities at normal doses, 25I-NBOMe has an extremely narrow margin between active and toxic doses — users who believed they had taken LSD died as a result.
Prohibition
Fatalities prompted rapid international scheduling. In November 2013, the US Drug Enforcement Administration placed 25I-NBOMe in emergency Schedule I, citing 17 attributed deaths.[7] Permanent US scheduling followed in 2016,[8] and most major jurisdictions had acted by the same year.[9]
The name NBOMe comes from the compound's N-(2-methoxybenzyl) group — the structural change that transforms a weak phenethylamine into an ultrapotent psychedelic. Street names N-Bomb and Smiles emerged alongside its market appearance around 2010.
Chemistry[edit]
Structural class
25I-NBOMe belongs to the NBOMe series of substituted phenethylamines. The parent compound is 2C-I; adding an N-(2-methoxybenzyl) group to its terminal amine converts a modestly active compound into one of the most potent phenethylamine hallucinogens known.[4][10]
Its molecular formula is C₁₈H₂₂INO₃ (molecular weight 427.3 g/mol), and the 4-iodo group on the phenethylamine ring distinguishes it from related analogs 25C-NBOMe (4-chloro) and 25B-NBOMe (4-bromo).
Pharmacology[edit]
Mechanism of action
25I-NBOMe acts on serotonin receptors in the prefrontal cortex, producing its hallucinogenic effects.[4][10] It also binds adrenergic receptors — this drives the vasoconstriction, elevated blood pressure, and racing heart that accompany virtually every active dose.[1]
Pharmacokinetics
No controlled human studies exist. The primary route is sublingual or buccal — held under the tongue — because stomach acid breaks down the compound before it can be absorbed.[4][1] The liver extensively metabolizes it; the parent compound often disappears from urine, so forensic identification depends on specialized metabolite screening.[11][12]
Genetic variation in the liver enzyme responsible for most of its metabolism can cause major differences between individuals. Slow metabolizers may experience prolonged or more intense effects from the same dose.[13][14]
Neuroscience[edit]
Where it acts
25I-NBOMe activates serotonin receptors in the prefrontal cortex, triggering increased release of glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin.[15] This disrupts how the brain filters incoming sensory information, producing the visual distortions and loosened thinking of the psychedelic state. No human neuroimaging studies exist — the mechanistic picture comes entirely from animal models.
Why it matters
Whether 25I-NBOMe produces the beneficial neural rewiring documented for psilocybin and LSD is unknown. In rats, chronic use causes oxidative DNA damage and reduces the number of support cells in the prefrontal cortex[16] — raising the question of whether any neuroplastic benefit can be separated from harm.
Key unknowns include whether single-dose exposure in humans produces the glial damage seen in chronically dosed rats, and whether 25I-NBOMe's extreme selectivity for one serotonin receptor subtype — unlike LSD, which acts on multiple — creates a qualitatively different experience.[15]
Subjective Effects[edit]
The 25I-NBOMe experience is defined by two things happening at once: rich visual and perceptual effects overlaid on an insistent physical strain. Vasoconstriction, a racing heart, and temperature dysregulation are present at virtually every active dose — they are part of the experience, not adverse effects that can be avoided.
Compared to LSD, the body load is heavier and more pronounced, and the dose-safety margin is fundamentally different. Relative to its parent compound 2C-I, the NBOMe modification delivers the same phenethylamine character at a fraction of the dose, with a toxicological dimension that 2C-I does not share.
Effect Grid
At common doses (500–700 µg sublingual), the full psychedelic experience manifests: pronounced visual hallucinations including geometric patterning, color saturation and shifting, drifting and morphing of surfaces, and closed-eye visuals. Synesthesia becomes more likely. Time distortion is significant. Thought patterns shift markedly — novel associations, emotional intensification, and immersion in sensory experience are characteristic.
Physically, tachycardia, vasoconstriction (cold extremities), jaw tension, diaphoresis, and temperature dysregulation become common. Body load can be significant. Nausea during the come-up occurs in some individuals.
The experience commits the user to 6–10 hours of altered consciousness. Sleep is impossible during active effects. Functional impairment is substantial.
Modeled from the effect's dose-dependence curve — not per-substance measurements.
Geometry · Visual breathing · Tracers · Symmetrical texture repetition · Brightness alteration · Visual morphing · Depth perception distortion · Perspective distortion · After-images · Music enhancement · Auditory enhancement · Peripheral misidentification · Visual diffraction · Auditory distortion · Light sensitivity · Peripheral vision distortion · Sound sensitivity · Spatial disorientation · Visual melting · Visual magnification · Auditory misinterpretation · Proprioceptive distortion · Touch enhancement · Vestibular distortion · Visual haze / noise · Visual acuity enhancement · Synesthesia · Touch suppression · Flashbacks · Object transformations · Internal hallucinations · Visual recursion · External hallucinations · Object activation · Environmental orbism / cubism · Visual processing suppression · Auditory hallucinations · Perspective hallucinations · Visual scenery slicing · Persisting hallucinations · Gustatory hallucination
Brightness alteration · Visual morphing · Depth perception distortion · Perspective distortion · After-images · Music enhancement · Auditory enhancement · Peripheral misidentification · Visual diffraction · Auditory distortion · Light sensitivity · Peripheral vision distortion · Sound sensitivity · Spatial disorientation · Visual melting · Visual magnification · Auditory misinterpretation · Proprioceptive distortion · Touch enhancement · Vestibular distortion · Visual haze / noise · Visual acuity enhancement · Synesthesia · Touch suppression · Flashbacks · Object transformations · Internal hallucinations · Visual recursion · External hallucinations · Object activation · Environmental orbism / cubism · Visual processing suppression · Auditory hallucinations · Perspective hallucinations · Visual scenery slicing · Persisting hallucinations · Gustatory hallucination
Spontaneous body sensations · Body high · Appetite suppression · Restlessness · Muscle tension · Insomnia · Physical fatigue · Tingling / electric sensations · Dehydration sensation · Dry mouth · Nausea · Headache · Dizziness · Heart rate perception changes · Vibrations / buzzing · Bodily lightness · Laughter fits · Bodily pressures · Body schema distortion · Breathing alteration · Excessive sweating · Motor control impairment · Tactile euphoria · Seizure threshold reduction · Sexual arousal enhancement · Temperature dysregulation · Involuntary body movements · Nasal congestion · Trembling · Increased urination · Bruxism · Respiratory stimulation · Vomiting · Tactile hallucination
Restlessness · Muscle tension · Insomnia · Physical fatigue · Tingling / electric sensations · Dehydration sensation · Dry mouth · Nausea · Headache · Dizziness · Heart rate perception changes · Vibrations / buzzing · Bodily lightness · Laughter fits · Bodily pressures · Body schema distortion · Breathing alteration · Excessive sweating · Tactile euphoria · Seizure threshold reduction · Sexual arousal enhancement · Temperature dysregulation · Involuntary body movements · Nasal congestion · Trembling · Increased urination · Bruxism · Respiratory stimulation · Vomiting · Tactile hallucination
Thought connectivity · Thought acceleration · Conceptual thinking · Immersion enhancement · Cognitive euphoria · Cognitive impairment · Introspection enhancement · Openness enhancement · Memory suppression · Cognitive fatigue · Cognitive flexibility · Confusion · Multiple thought streams · Thought disorganization · Thought loops · Creativity enhancement · Humor enhancement · Analysis suppression · Focus suppression · Increased nature relatedness · Information processing suppression · Memory fragmentation · Synchronicity · Analysis enhancement · Cognitive dysphoria · Focus enhancement · Motivation enhancement · Amnesia · Delusions
Immersion enhancement · Cognitive euphoria · Cognitive impairment · Introspection enhancement · Openness enhancement · Memory suppression · Cognitive fatigue · Cognitive flexibility · Confusion · Multiple thought streams · Thought disorganization · Thought loops · Creativity enhancement · Humor enhancement · Analysis suppression · Focus suppression · Increased nature relatedness · Information processing suppression · Memory fragmentation · Synchronicity · Analysis enhancement · Cognitive dysphoria · Focus enhancement · Motivation enhancement · Delusions
Simultaneous emotions · Empathy enhancement · Dysphoria · Irritability · Catharsis
Catharsis
Sociability enhancement · Communication suppression · Social connection · Trust enhancement · Communication enhancement · Boundary dissolution · Cognitive disconnection · Ego dissolution · Identity alteration
Communication enhancement · Boundary dissolution · Cognitive disconnection · Ego dissolution · Identity alteration
Entity contact
Timeline
Rapid first alerts within minutes — nasal irritation and burning, followed quickly by visual brightening and mood shift. The fast onset increases cardiovascular stress relative to sublingual dosing.
Rapid escalation of visual and cognitive effects. Nausea, anxiety, and marked increase in heart rate and blood pressure. The compressed come-up can feel overwhelming.
Full psychedelic intensity — visual hallucinations, time distortion, emotional intensification. Sympathomimetic effects peak. Shorter than sublingual peak but potentially more intense due to faster absorption.
Effects taper more quickly than sublingual route. Residual stimulation, mild visual distortion, and fatigue. Physical exhaustion and jaw soreness common.
Residual mood and perceptual changes may persist for several days. Sleep quality may be disrupted for the first night.
⚠ Do not drive or operate machinery for at least 12 hours after insufflation, and longer if any perceptual disturbances remain.
Safety[edit]
- Acute toxicity
- Critical
- Chronic toxicity
- Moderate
- Withdrawal
- None
- Tolerance buildup
- rapid
- Tolerance reset
- 14 days
- Physical
- None
- Psychological
- Negligible
- Compulsive redosing
- Low
- Dose escalation
- Negligible
- Cross-tol.
- LSD · psilo · psilocin
Toxicity
25I-NBOMe carries critical acute toxicity risk. The gap between a psychoactive dose and a potentially lethal dose is extremely narrow and not precisely known — unlike LSD, which has no confirmed pharmacological fatalities at normal doses, 25I-NBOMe has been causally linked to multiple analytically confirmed deaths.[3]
No lethal dose has been established in any species.
Acute toxicity
Severe intoxication presents with rapid heart rate, dangerously elevated blood pressure, high body temperature, dilated pupils, and heavy sweating. Neurological effects include severe agitation, disorientation, violent behavior, and generalized seizures.[4][1][17]
Life-threatening complications include muscle breakdown, acute kidney injury, blood clotting failure, organ failure, and cardiac arrest. Muscle breakdown is a common complication, driven by the combination of seizures, dangerous overheating, and vasoconstriction.[4]
Documented fatalities
Multiple analytically confirmed deaths have been attributed to 25I-NBOMe, with victims ranging from 15 to 21 years of age.[18][19][6][20][21] At DEA emergency scheduling in 2013, 17 deaths were attributed to 25I-NBOMe and two related NBOMe compounds collectively.[7]
Postmortem blood concentrations vary enormously and are unreliable as dose indicators due to redistribution from organs after death.[19][20] No validated fatal blood concentration threshold exists.
Neurotoxicity
In rats, chronic dosing produces oxidative DNA damage and reduces the number of support cells in the prefrontal cortex, though neuron counts remain unchanged at the same time points.[16] No human data exist, and whether single-dose or infrequent use produces comparable effects is unknown.
Misidentification risk
25I-NBOMe has been sold as LSD on blotter paper — directly contributing to multiple fatalities.[3] A bitter, metallic taste on blotter is a warning sign, as LSD is tasteless.[4] Ehrlich reagent provides more reliable identification: it reacts with LSD but produces no color change with NBOMe compounds.[4]
Psychological Risks
Acute psychological distress includes severe anxiety, panic, confusion, disorientation, and agitation. At higher doses, excited delirium — uncontrollable violent agitation and apparent insensitivity to pain — has been documented in multiple cases.[4][1][18]
No controlled data exist on persistent perceptual changes specific to 25I-NBOMe. Extended aftereffects lasting days have been reported by users but are not confirmed by controlled research.citation needed Triggering psychosis in predisposed individuals is expected based on the pharmacological class, but has not been systematically studied.
Tolerance & Dependence
Tolerance develops rapidly — in animal models, it is observable within 24 hours of a single dose.[22][23] Cross-tolerance exists with LSD, psilocin, DMT, mescaline, and other serotonin-acting psychedelics.[22]
25I-NBOMe does not produce physical dependence or withdrawal.[16] Tolerance half-life is estimated at approximately one week, with full reset at approximately two weeks; these values come from user self-reports and class inference.citation needed
Drug Interactions
Serotonergic agents
Combining 25I-NBOMe with other serotonergic drugs risks serotonin syndrome — a potentially life-threatening overheating and seizure response. Serotonin toxicity features were documented in a fatal case involving the closely related compound 25C-NBOMe.[24] SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, MDMA, and tramadol all carry elevated risk.[1]
Tramadol is specifically dangerous: it has its own serotonergic activity, lowers the seizure threshold (as does 25I-NBOMe), and competes for the same liver enzyme.[13]
Stimulants and sympathomimetics
Cocaine and other stimulants add cardiovascular risk. Both cocaine and 25I-NBOMe cause vasoconstriction through separate mechanisms[1] — combined use creates additive risk for dangerously elevated blood pressure, arrhythmia, overheating, and seizures.inferred
Cannabis
THC has been detected alongside 25I-NBOMe in multiple fatal case reports.[21][18] No pharmacological interaction study exists. Cannabis may worsen anxiety, paranoia, and cardiovascular effects.
Metabolic interactions
25I-NBOMe is broken down by specific liver enzymes. Drugs that inhibit those enzymes — including certain antifungals and HIV medications — can increase 25I-NBOMe exposure significantly.[13][14] Individuals who are genetically slow at processing one of those enzymes face higher exposure from any given dose.
Contraindications
Cardiovascular disease, a personal or family history of psychotic disorders or bipolar disorder, and seizure disorders are all absolute contraindications. The compound's adrenergic activity stresses the heart;[1] psychedelic class effects can trigger psychosis in predisposed individuals; and 25I-NBOMe lowers the seizure threshold.[4]
Liver impairment and concurrent use of drugs that inhibit its metabolic enzymes are relative contraindications, as either could raise exposure unpredictably.[13][14] Pregnancy and breastfeeding are absolute contraindications given the absence of reproductive safety data and animal neurotoxicity findings.[16]
Harm Reduction[edit]
Forms & Identification
25I-NBOMe and LSD are both distributed on blotter paper and are visually indistinguishable. Ehrlich reagent reacts with LSD but produces no color change with NBOMe compounds — this single test can prevent the most dangerous misidentification in the current drug market.
A bitter, metallic, or numbing taste on blotter is a warning sign, since LSD is tasteless. Taste alone is not reliable and does not replace reagent testing.
Guidelines
- Test every dose with Ehrlich and Hofmann reagent kits before use — this is the single most important risk reduction step for blotter-delivered substances
- Start at the lowest reported threshold dose and do not redose — the slow, variable onset (up to two hours sublingual) has led to fatal redosing decisions
- Use sublingual administration only — insufflation produces faster onset but sharper cardiovascular peaks
- Never use alone — the risk of seizures, loss of consciousness, and excited delirium makes a sober sitter essential, not optional
- Stay hydrated and in a cool environment — hyperthermia is a documented cause of death
- Do not combine with stimulants, serotonergic drugs, or alcohol
- Have a plan to contact emergency services before dosing
Set & Setting
The physical toxicity profile of 25I-NBOMe imposes constraints that set and setting cannot override. Classical psychedelics respond to environment and mindset — 25I-NBOMe produces dose-dependent cardiovascular stress regardless of surroundings.
A cool, temperature-controlled indoor environment with water and cooling access is essential. A sober, informed sitter who can monitor for physical warning signs — not just psychological distress — is strongly recommended.
Aftercare & integration. Extended aftereffects — including perceptual changes, mood instability, and physical fatigue — may persist for several days following use. Allow adequate rest and avoid demanding cognitive or physical tasks during the recovery window. Maintain hydration and balanced nutrition, particularly protein, to support recovery from any sub-clinical muscle stress.
If unusual perceptual symptoms (visual haze / noise, halos, trailing) persist beyond a week, consult a healthcare provider. For psychologically difficult experiences, processing with a trusted person or professional integration therapist may help contextualize the experience.
Recovery & Support
25I-NBOMe does not produce physical dependence, and compulsive use patterns have not been documented. If use has become a pattern despite awareness of the risks, this may reflect broader psychological factors worth exploring with a mental health professional.
Harm reduction organizations such as DanceSafe, The Loop, and local drug checking services provide non-judgmental support and testing resources.
Recovery resources, crisis lines, and support pathways → View all
Emergency Response
Recognizing an emergency: The line between an uncomfortable 25I-NBOMe experience and a medical emergency can shift rapidly. Seek immediate help if any of the following occur: seizures or convulsions, body temperature hot to the touch through clothing, chest pain or irregular heartbeat, uncontrollable violent agitation, loss of consciousness, dark or absent urine (a sign of muscle breakdown), or confusion so severe the person cannot communicate.
Immediate steps:
- Call emergency services immediately — do not wait to see if symptoms improve
- Place the person on their side (recovery position) if unconscious or seizing
- Cool the person actively — remove excess clothing, apply cool water, move to a cooler environment
- Do not restrain a person in excited delirium unless there is immediate danger of self-harm or harm to others
- Do not induce vomiting
What to tell the dispatcher: Name the substance (25I-NBOMe or "NBOMe"), approximate amount and time taken, and current symptoms. Good Samaritan laws in many jurisdictions protect people who call for help during a drug emergency.
No reversal agent exists for 25I-NBOMe. Hospital treatment is supportive: benzodiazepines for seizures and agitation, active cooling for hyperthermia, IV fluids for muscle breakdown.
Legal Status[edit]
25I-NBOMe is controlled in most major jurisdictions worldwide, driven by the rapid accumulation of fatality reports between 2011 and 2014.[9]
| Jurisdiction | Classification | Key provisions |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Schedule I (Controlled Substances Act) | Emergency temporary placement November 2013 citing 17 attributed deaths;[7] permanent Schedule I effective October 27, 2016.[8] |
| United Kingdom | Class A (Misuse of Drugs Act 1971) | Temporary control June 2013; permanent Class A June 2014.[9] |
| European Union | Controlled (varies by member state) | September 2014 EU Council decision requiring member states to schedule by October 2015.[9] |
| Germany | Anlage I (BtMG) | Scheduled December 13, 2014.[9] |
| Italy | TABELLA I | Scheduled February 2015.[9] |
| Netherlands | List 1 (Opium Law) | Scheduled March 2015.[9] |
| Sweden | Controlled substance | Scheduled August 1, 2013.[9] |
| Canada | Schedule III (CDSA) | Scheduled October 12, 2016.[9] |
| Australia | Controlled (state-level) | Scheduled at state level (QLD, NSW) by June 2014.[9] |
| Brazil | Controlled substance | Scheduled February 18, 2014.[9] |
| Russia | Controlled substance | Scheduled October 2011 — first major jurisdiction to act.[9] |
Legal status changes frequently and varies within countries. This information is not legal advice — verify current laws before traveling or importing.
references
- [1]
- [2] ^abEttrup A, Palner M, Gillings N, Santini MA, Hansen M, et al. (2010) Radiosynthesis and Evaluation of 11C-CIMBI-5 as a 5-HT2A Receptor Agonist Radioligand for PET. — Journal of Nuclear Medicine doi:10.2967/jnumed.109.074021
- [3]
- [4]
- [5] ^Nichols DE, Sassano MF, Halberstadt AL, Klein LM, Brandt SD (2014) N-Benzyl-5-methoxytryptamines as Potent Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Family Agonists and Comparison with a Series of Phenethylamine Analogues — ACS Chemical Neuroscience doi:10.1021/cn500292d
- [6] ^abShanks KG, Sozio T, Behonick GS (2015) Fatal Intoxications with 25B-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe in Indiana During 2014. — Journal of Analytical Toxicology doi:10.1093/jat/bkv058