25I-NBOMe (N-bomb) is a potent, illicit synthetic hallucinogen that acts as a powerful agonist of the brain’s 5-HT2A serotonin receptors. It is a derivative of the 2C-I phenethylamine and is widely known for its high potential for toxicity and overdose, often having been misrepresented and sold as “legal LSD”.
Overview
- Drug Class: Synthetic hallucinogen, part of a class of drugs called N-benzylphenethylamines (NBOMes).
- Street Names: N-bomb, Smiles, Solaris, 25I, Legal Acid, Cimbi, C-Boom, Pandora, Dime, and Holland Film.
- Forms: Commonly found as a liquid or a white powder, which is often soaked onto blotter paper (similar to LSD tabs). It can also be found in capsules, tablets, or sprays.
- Administration: Typically administered sublingually (under the tongue) or buccally (in the cheek) to be absorbed through the mucous membranes, as it is reportedly inactive if swallowed and digested. It can also be insufflated (snorted), injected, or vaporized.
Effects and Dangers
25I-NBOMe is extremely potent, active in microgram doses (50-250 µg is a common threshold dose). Because typical street-purchased powders or blotters lack quality control and can contain “hotspots” of the drug, accurately measuring a safe dose without an analytical balance is nearly impossible, leading to a high risk of accidental overdose.
Physical and Psychological Effects
Users may experience effects similar to classic hallucinogens, but often with more negative outcomes. These can include:
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Agitation and aggressive behavior
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia) and blood pressure (hypertension)
- Dilated pupils and sweating (diaphoresis)
- Hyperthermia (dangerously high body temperature)
- Seizures and muscle rigidity
- Nausea and vomiting
- Paranoia and anxiety
Toxicity and Fatalities
Intoxication can lead to severe medical complications, including rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown with subsequent renal failure), metabolic acidosis, and multi-organ failure. Multiple deaths have been linked to the use of NBOMe compounds worldwide, resulting from both acute pharmacological toxicity and unpredictable, violent behavior while intoxicated.
Legal Status
In the United States, 25I-NBOMe (along with 25B- and 25C-NBOMe) was placed into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in November 2013, due to its high potential for abuse and lack of accepted medical use. It is also a controlled substance in many other countries, including Canada, the UK, Australia, and throughout the European Union.
Is NBOMe active orally?
NBOMes are only active when taken through a sublingual route (under the tongue) or insufflated route (snorted).
Is NBOMe toxic?
These compounds are used in very low doses (in the range between 50 and 1000 μg) due to their high pharmacological activity. NBOMe drugs are highly toxic and their intake has been associated with severe adverse reactions including deaths.
25I-NBOMe
Drug
25I-NBOMe, also known as 2C-I-NBOMe, Cimbi-5, and shortened to “25I”, is a psychedelic drug of the phenethylamine, 2C, and NBOMe families. Since 2010, it has circulated in the recreational drug scene, often misrepresented as LSD. Bioavailability: Very low
Duration of action: Insufflation: 4–6 h; Sublingual: 6–10 h; Buccal: 6–10 h
Metabolism: Extensive first-pass metabolism in the liver
Onset of action: 15–120 min (0.25–2 hours)
Routes of administration: Mainly sublingual, buccal, and insufflation
