N-Bomb: A Different Kind of LSD

The drug 25I-NBOMe or “N-bomb” has emerged in the mid-2010s after it was linked to 17 deaths in the United States between 2010 and 2015. When it first became available on the internet, it was marketed as “legal” or “natural” LSD. The recreational use of hallucinogenic drugs like LSD has risen over the years because of their euphoric side effects, despite there also being rising cases of overdoses and emergency room visits. Today we’re looking into this LSD bomb wannabe to find out how it works and the danger it poses.

What Is N-Bomb?

Also known as 25I-NBOMe, N-bomb is a synthetic hallucinogen that’s used in biochemistry research for mapping brain function, specifically its usage of the 2A serotonin receptor. However, N-bomb is the street name for the drug when used recreationally. The N-bomb drug is similar to LSD, another synthetic hallucinogen that’s used recreationally, most often in clubs, raves, music festivals, and other similar settings.

There are a variety of street names for N-bomb, including 251 NBOMe, 25i drug, 25i acid, and 25i NBOMe. N-bomb is part of the NBOMe class of drugs, which was developed specifically for mapping serotonin receptors in the brain to aid in the development of medications and other treatments. However, in recent years, the 25i synthetic drug has become a popular recreational drug.

N-bomb is sold as blotter paper that’s been sprayed or wet with the drug, powder (loose or within capsules), and liquids. Due to reports of the ineffectiveness of oral use and the drug’s various formulations, N-bomb uses include ingestion, snorting, or insertion into the body rectally via booty bump method or vaginally.

N-bombs are extremely potent, and only a small dose of the drug is needed to experience a high. However, the quality control on these drugs is nonexistent when purchased on the streets, and misjudging a dose can be life-threatening.

N-Bomb (NBOMe) Drug Effects

N-bombs, or members of the NBOMe drug class, produce similar side effects as LSD. As hallucinogens, they change one’s perception of their surroundings, including light, sound, colors, and more. An N-bomb high may cause the user to see and hear things that aren’t real (hallucinations). This experience is often referred to as a “trip.”

As with LSD or acid, N-bomb trips can either be good or bad. However, because there’s no way to know how one will react to the drug, many users figure the risks outweigh the benefits, though this is not so. The nature of an N-bomb trip or high is dependent not only on the person’s physical reaction to the drug but also on their imagination. Trips can feed off of the person’s emotions and thoughts, so people with mental health disorders, stress, anxiety, or other similar issues are more likely to experience a bad trip.

Common N-bomb (NBOMe) effects include:

• Distorted perception of time and movement
• Impaired judgment
• Confusion
• Anxiety and panic
• Paranoia
• Distorted colors, sounds, and objects
• Double or blurred vision
• Euphoria and love/empathy
• Unusual physical sensations
• Insomnia or difficulty sleeping
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Body tremors and shaking

Usually, 25b drug effects last anywhere between 6 and 10 hours, depending on the dose taken. The higher the dose, the longer-lasting and the more intense side effects may be. Considering the potency of this drug, taking high doses or mixing it with other substances (which is common practice in clubs and similar settings) increases the risk of intoxication and overdose.

In addition to the problems mentioned above, other risks of N-bomb use include increased heart rate and blood pressure to the point where your heart and circulatory system can fail. Some people also experience seizures and fever under the influence of an N-bomb. What’s more, people with underlying mental health disorders like anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression may experience worsening symptoms as a result of NBOMe drug use.

Help for Synthetic Drug Use

The illegal status of hard drugs like ecstasy and cannabis has encouraged users to seek other alternatives to evade current drug legislation and get high. Although NBOMe has a medical purpose and is abused when sold illegally, other synthetic drugs that are sold on the streets – such as bath salts – are just recycled versions of each other that manufacturers change and adjust to avoid legal detection.

As with other street drugs, N-bomb also has a potential for abuse and addiction. If you or someone you know has shown signs of drug use, our inpatient drug treatment in Pennsylvania provides clients with medication-assisted care and psychotherapy to help them recover from the physical and psychological hold of addiction.

From medically monitored detox to manage withdrawals to individual therapy sessions with our counselors to develop social and relapse prevention skills, our specialists are ready to help you with any substance use disorder you’re facing.

For more information about our drug and alcohol treatment in PA, call Clearbrook Treatment Center today at 570-536-9621.

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