Abstract
PurposeN-Methoxybenzyls, a group of toxic phenylethylamine derivatives of the 2C family compounds, are a new class of potent serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist hallucinogens with potential harmful effects. This study summarizes current state of knowledge of one of the most dangerous representative of this group—N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-chlorophenethylamine (25C-NBOMe). Due to hallucinogenic properties similar to those observe after lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) usage (altered thoughts, feelings, and awareness of one’s surroundings), this compound is very attractive to hallucinogenic substances users.MethodsAn exhaustive literature search was carried out in PubMed, Google Scholar and other biomedical data bases without limiting period, to identify relevant articles.ResultsDespite frequent recreational use, knowledge about the 25C-NBOMe action and toxic and fatal consequences is still very limited. Most data on this drug come from clinical reports, from cases of acute fatal and non-fatal intoxications. Some animal and in vitro studies indicated a route of metabolism of the drug in the body. The drug and its metabolites were also detected in human blood and urine using combinations of chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry detection.ConclusionsOverall, findings show that 25C-NBOMe is a powerful hallucinogen. Easy online availability, low prize and the lack of knowledge of 25C-NBOMe makes this substance potentially very dangerous to its users. Thus, further investigation on the mechanism of action, chemical, pharmacological and toxicological properties is needed to evaluate 25C-NBOMe potential harmful effects.
Highlights
According to the European Drug Reports from last years, the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) popularly known as legal highs, designer drugs or research chemicals, rapidly increased among young people [1]
N-Methoxybenzyls (NBOMes) are a new group of toxic phenylethylamine derivatives of the 2C family compounds with N-2-methoxy-benzyl substituted by the methoxy group at the 2- and 5-positions and a halogen atom attached to C4 of the phenyl ring
The present study provides a brief review on available data about 25C-NBOMe chemical structure and properties, widely understood biological effects of its intake and analytical methods used for identification of this compounds in humans
Summary
According to the European Drug Reports from last years, the use of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) popularly known as legal highs, designer drugs or research chemicals, rapidly increased among young people [1]. Non-fatal case studies have reported various psychiatric and physiological effects of 25C-NBOMe intake, like hallucination [7], violent agitation, euphoria, insomnia, rhabdomyolysis and kidney injury, tachycardia, hypertension, seizures, hyperpyrexia [24]. An accidental death of a 23-year-old male has been reported by Kristofic et al A fast liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-QTOF-MS) with a basic solid-phase extraction was employed to isolate 25C-NBOMe, 25C-NBOH and 2C–C from blood and urine specimens. An LC–MS/MS analysis exhibited the presence of 25C-NBOMe and 2C–C in blood and urine samples The QTOF mass spectrometer was operated in positive electrospray ionization mode utilizing MSE acquisition, which permits simultaneous acquisition under low collision energy and high collision energy functions [29].
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