Three “N-Bomb” Compounds Banned by DEA

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has made three synthetic drugs, known as NBOMe compounds, illegal for the next two years. The compounds, also known as “N-Bomb,” have been responsible for the deaths of at least 19 people in the United States in the past year.

The compounds can be harmful to kidneys, and can trigger mental health issues.

The DEA made the synthetic compounds 25I-NBOMe, 25C-NBOMe, and 25B-NBOMe Schedule I, illegal drugs under the Controlled Substances Act for the next two years, UPI reports. These drugs are marketed online and through illegal channels as illicit hallucinogens such as LSD, according to a DEA news release. They are sold as powders, liquid solutions, soaked onto blotter paper, and laced on edible items.

“There is no approved medical use for these particular synthetic drugs, nor has the Food and Drug Administration approved them for human consumption,” the DEA notes, adding “data suggest that extremely small amounts of these drugs can cause seizures, cardiac and respiratory arrest, and death.”

The DEA warns synthetic drugs such as the NBOMe compounds have no consistent manufacturing and packaging processes and may contain drastically differing dosage amounts, a mix of several drugs, and unknown adulterants. “Users are playing Russian roulette when they abuse them,” the agency states.

During the next two years, the DEA will work with the Department of Health and Human Services to determine if these compounds should be made permanently illegal.