What is 25i?

Commonly referred to as the “N-bomb of smiles,” 25I-NBOMe is a ranked as a Schedule 1 controlled substance that can easily be mistaken for LSD due to its similarities in form and effect. 

Originally used for testing the central nervous system of animals, this highly toxic synthetic drug targets the serotonin receptors. The substitute phenethylamine, specifically mescaline (found in the peyote cactus), can appear in the form of powder, liquid, edibles, and blotter papers.

Once ingested, 25I elicits a psychedelic and hallucinogenic experience for the user. This is comparable to the high that a person would feel while on LSD. However, 25I is a much more potent substance, even in tiny doses. The possible side effects are severe and can include seizures, cardiac and respiratory issues, organ failure, and death.

The total duration of the experience can range anywhere between 4 to 10 hours from the onset of the high through the come down. That said, the effects of 25I can linger long after the high ends; users have even reported that they felt depressed and foggy a month later. 

Another factor that adds to the danger of the drug is the fact that its formula is easily reproduced and much of the sales occur online, where it is listed as a “research chemical.” This designer drug is tremendously dangerous, stems from a substance that was never intended for human intake, and should be avoided at all costs.

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration; World Health Organization