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DARK Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: NBOMes
ACS Chemical Neuroscience
|October 29, 2019
Summary
N-Benzylphenethylamines (NBOMes) are synthetic psychedelics impacting serotonin receptors. While causing toxicity and legal issues, they also provide valuable research tools for brain imaging and receptor studies.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Medicinal Chemistry
- Neuroscience
Background:
- N-Benzylphenethylamines (NBOMes) are synthetic psychedelic compounds derived from phenethylamines.
- NBOMes are believed to activate serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptors, similar to classical psychedelics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history, chemistry, structure-activity relationships, ADME properties, and safety profiles of NBOMes.
- To highlight the dual nature of NBOMes as recreational substances and valuable biochemical tools.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of NBOMe compounds.
- Analysis of pharmacological data and clinical reports.
- Discussion of chemical structure and biological activity.
Main Results:
- NBOMes emerged as New Psychoactive Substances (NPSs) in 2010, leading to widespread recreational use and toxicity.
- Several NBOMes are now Schedule I controlled substances.
- NBOMe derivatives like [11C]Cimbi-36 are used in PET imaging, and 25CN-NBOH is a selective 5-HT2A agonist.
Conclusions:
- NBOMes possess significant pharmacological activity, primarily through 5-HT2A receptor agonism.
- Their recreational use poses public health risks due to acute toxicity.
- The NBOMe scaffold has proven useful for developing neurochemical research tools.
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