spec sheet10 rows
25I-NBOH is the N-(2-hydroxybenzyl) derivative of 2C-I and one of the most studied members of the NBOH family. Its high potency combined with comparatively strong 5-HT2A selectivity has made it a useful pharmacological tool: in mice, selective 5-HT2A activation by 25I-NBOH produces episodes of behavioral arrest and a characteristic slow electroencephalographic waveform that reliably precede the head-twitch response, offering a window onto the neural signature of hallucinogen action. Metabolism proceeds mainly through CYP2D6 alongside direct glucuronidation, and the molecule is thermolabile, degrading to 2C-I under gas chromatography, which has driven the development of dedicated electroanalytical and chromatographic detection methods. It is active at low doses, is used sublingually, is frequently mis-sold as LSD, and has been shown to exert direct adverse cardiovascular effects.
- Potent 5-HT2A agonist derived from 2C-I
- Slightly gentler reputation than 25I-NBOMe
- Highly selective 5-HT2A agonist and neuroscience probe
- Vasoconstriction and high blood pressure
- Seizures and severe agitation
Mechanism
25I-NBOH is 2C-I (the 4-iodo phenethylamine) with a 2-hydroxybenzyl group added to the nitrogen, sharply increasing affinity and potency at the receptor that drives the psychedelic state. It is often described as the NBOH counterpart to the well-known 25I-NBOMe, somewhat less stable and generally regarded as marginally less potent, but still a strong agonist with secondary 5-HT2C activity. It is broken down in the gut and is therefore inactive orally.
receptor fingerprint
receptoragonist
5-HT2C receptoragonist
Safetyrisks and cautions, not medical advice
25I-NBOH is active at small amounts, so the margin between a common and a hazardous quantity is narrow and careful measurement matters. The N-benzyl phenethylamines can cause dangerous vasoconstriction, high blood pressure, seizures, severe agitation, and heart problems, and the family has caused deaths. It must never be combined with stimulants, vasoconstrictors, or serotonergic drugs, and because it is often mis-sold as LSD a blotter is not proof of its identity; people with heart problems or a psychosis history should avoid it. Not medical advice.
Subjective profileweighing the evidence above
Valuable as a laboratory probe for 5-HT2A, genuinely dangerous as a drug. The N-benzyl family has killed people through vasoconstriction, seizures and severe agitation, and this is active at amounts too small to measure by eye. Not worth it recreationally.
Resources
This entry is here for reference.
Research
- 2017first citedCharacterization of the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of 25I-NBOMe…
- 2025most recentLocomotor and discriminative stimulus effects of NBOH hallucinogens in rodents.
- 1.Severe 25E-NBOH intoxication associated with MDPHP intake: a case report, metabolism study, and literature review
- 2.Neurochemical pharmacology of psychoactive substituted N-benzylphenethylamines: High potency agonists at 5-HT2A receptors
- 3.Behavioral arrest and a characteristic slow waveform are hallmark responses to selective 5-HT2A receptor activation.
- 4.2-((2-(4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamino)methyl)phenol (25I-NBOH) and 2-(((2-(4-chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethyl)amino)methyl)phenol (25C-NBOH) induce adverse effects on the cardiovascular system.
- 5.Locomotor and discriminative stimulus effects of NBOH hallucinogens in rodents.
- 6.Characterization of the hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in the metabolism of 25I-NBOMe and 25I-NBOH.
- 7.Challenges in the identification of new thermolabile psychoactive substances: The 25I-NBOH case.
- 8.Electroanalytical identification of 25I-NBOH and 2C-I via differential pulse voltammetry: a rapid and sensitive screening method to avoid misidentification.
- 9.Pharmacology and Toxicology of N-Benzylphenethylamine ("NBOMe") Hallucinogens.
9 listed here; entry last updated August 2026
Reviews
My notesprivate to this device
FAQ
How is 25I-NBOH different from 25I-NBOMe?
It carries a hydroxyl instead of a methoxy on the benzyl group; it is somewhat less stable and generally seen as slightly less potent, but still very strong.
Can you swallow it?
No, it is broken down in the gut and is inactive orally; it is used sublingually.
Why is it dangerous?
It is active at small amounts, can cause vasoconstriction, seizures, and heart problems, and is often mis-sold as LSD.
Adverse effects
- Vasoconstriction and high blood pressure
- Seizures and severe agitation
Notes and cautions
- Narrow safety margin
- Often mis-sold as LSD