What Are Research Chemicals?

In the realm of medical and scientific research, as described by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), certain chemicals serve as tools for developing new pharmaceutical treatments or studying molecular effects. However, research chemicals used for recreational purposes are an entirely different category. These substances are synthetically developed to mimic the effects of other commonly abused drugs, such as marijuana, opioids, or cocaine. They are then distributed to consumers who may have little knowledge of their chemical composition or true effects. Although some research chemicals may originate from legitimate studies, the term itself is misleading and downplays their potential dangers.

In their legitimate scientific applications, research chemicals remain in the experimental phase, meaning their uses are theoretical, and their risks are largely unknown. Manufacturers often replicate chemical structures based on publicly available research, mass-produce them, and sell them—typically through online vendors. Some sellers even distribute research chemicals through online.

Research Chemical Laws

For legal and regulatory purposes, research chemicals are often classified as synthetic drugs. This category includes substances like MDMA (ecstasy), ketamine, synthetic cathinones (bath salts), and synthetic cannabinoids (Spice, K2). Many regulatory agencies refer to these substances as new psychoactive substances (NPS), as they are lab-manufactured and frequently altered to circumvent drug enforcement laws.1 Often, these products are sold with packaging that states "not for human consumption" to bypass legal scrutiny.

In the United States, state and federal drug laws prohibit specific molecules or chemical structures. However, research chemical manufacturers continuously modify the molecular composition to evade newly enacted laws. This practice makes research chemicals particularly unpredictable and dangerous—while one batch may produce a stimulant-like high, another could have entirely different and unforeseen effects. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, as of 2018, most NPS found worldwide were either combinations of previously known substances or slightly altered versions of existing chemicals. By 2017, a total of 478 distinct NPS had been identified on the global drug market.

Types of Research Chemicals

The list of research chemicals is constantly evolving as new variants emerge. Below are some of the most dangerous research chemicals (RCs) that have been identified and linked to substance abuse and overdoses:

• 25I-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe: Designer hallucinogens often mistaken for LSD. Known as N-bomb or Smiles, they have been linked to severe toxicity and deaths.
• 2C Series: Synthetic hallucinogens containing 2,5-dimethyoxyphenethylamine. Drugs like 2C-E (Europa) mimic LSD effects but pose risks such as psychotic hallucinations and breathing difficulties.8
• Acetyl fentanyl: A potent opioid related to fentanyl, which is 100 times more potent than heroin. It has been associated with numerous fatalities.
• Arylcyclohexylamine: A group of chemicals similar to ketamine, with dissociative, anesthetic, and hallucinogenic effects.
• Bromo-DragonFLY: A psychedelic amphetamine derivative reported to cause severe toxic reactions, agitation, and seizures.
• Etizolam: A benzodiazepine analog that is significantly more potent than Valium. It is legally prescribed in some countries but often illicitly sold online, leading to abuse and dangerous side effects.
• Methoxamine (MXE): A dissociative drug similar to ketamine but with effects more akin to PCP. It has been linked to overdose deaths.
• Methylhexanamine (DMAA): A stimulant marketed as a synthetic cathinone replacement and sometimes found in dietary supplements due to regulatory loopholes.
• Other phenethylamines: Stimulants structurally related to MDMA and amphetamines, sometimes mixed into research chemicals to mimic the effects of ecstasy or crystal meth.
• Piperazines: Stimulants and hallucinogens often sold in tablet form, potentially confused with MDMA. Common examples include BZP, TFMPP, mCPP, and MeOPP.
• Tryptamines: Hallucinogens that distort perception more intensely than other hallucinogens. These substances are found in various forms, including tablets, powders, and blotter paper.