NBOMes

Description

NBOMes are psychedelic research chemicals that change the senses and alter thoughts. The most well-known NBOMes include 25I-, 25B-, and 25C-NBOMe. NBOMes are chemically related to the 2C-x drug family, and sometimes missold as LSD. They are generally extremely potent and have been involved in many deaths and hospitalisations.

Pharmacology

NBOMes share some chemical structural similarity to 2C drugs (but are far more active; see Harm Reduction) and is a very potent 5HT2A receptor agonist with active doses under 1 mg and effects lasting between 3 and 12 hours. Its effects have been compared to 2C-I, LSD, and DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine).

25I- and 25B-NBOMes are full agonists for the human 5HT2A receptors, whereas 25C-NBOMe is a partial 5HT2AR agonist more aligned to other more well-known psychedelics. Additionally, many NBOMes have high affinity for the 5HT2B and adrenergic α1 receptors, which are suspected to play a role in their association with cardiac toxicity.

In contrast to the 2C drugs, 25I-NBOMe is only metabolised by the CYP450 enzymes, not MAO-A and -B. However, it is still recommended to avoid taking MAO inhibitors such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine, moclobemide, and selegiline alongside psychedelics like NBOMes.

Little is known about the long-term effects or risks associated with regular consumption of NBOMes. The lethal dose is not known, so it is recommended to take extreme caution if taking them. NBOMes should only be taken in microgram (µg) doses, not milligrams (mg). This size of dose is very small, so snorting is not recommended due to the high risk of overdose.

Harm Reduction

• Take extreme caution: NBOMes are extremely potent and have led to several fatalities
• Set and setting: Psychedelic experiences are impacted by your baseline. Feeling anxious or down before taking a psychedelic, and taking it in an environment that feels overstimulating or unsafe, can increase the risk of a ‘bad trip’.
• Start low, go slow: Take a small amount and wait until you can feel the effects before taking more/anything else.
• Try not to use alone: If something goes wrong, someone is there to get help
• Be careful mixing: Mixing drugs can have unpredictable effects and may increase risks including overdose – avoid if you can, otherwise take less of each. Mixing NBOMes with MAOIs can lead to an overdose.
• Test your stuff: You can’t see by eye whether your blotter, pill or powder contains NBOMes or another drug. Find out how to send a sample to WEDINOS for testing here: https://www.wedinos.wales or pick up some test strips at our Harm Reduction Hub. Ehrlich reagent is particularly important when distinguishing between LSD and NBOMes, which can be further narrowed down with Froehde and Marquis Reagent.
• It’s possible to become psychologically dependent on psychedelics (feeling like you need them all the time). If you think this is happening, see your doctor as soon as possible.

History

Chemist Richard Glennon and colleagues synthesised 25B-NB (N-benzyl-2C-B) and other derivatives in 1994, and observed that they had a slightly higher affinity for the 5HT2A receptor than 2C-B, while further substitutions on the N-benzyl ring showed very high potency. Following this, Heim, Pertz and Elz first described NBOMe-mescaline and NBOMe-escaline in 1999. The more well-known NBOMes including 25I-NBOMe were published by Ralf Heim as part of his 2003 PhD thesis at the Free University of Berlin.

There was virtually no recorded history of human use prior to 2010, when it first became popular due its ease of purchase from online research chemical vendors.

Law

• Class A
• Schedule 1

Possible offences

• Possession
  • Maximum sentence – 7 years/fine/both
• Possession With Intent To Supply
  • Maximum sentence – life imprisonment, a fine, or both
• Supply (including being concerned in supply, conspiracy to supply, aggravated supply and offer to supply)
  • Maximum sentence – life imprisonment, a fine, or both
• Production
  • Maximum sentence – life imprisonment, a fine, or both

In practice maximum sentences are rarely used, for more detailed and accurate information go to our sentencing page.