Bromo-DragonFLY
Bromo-DragonFLY is a synthetic psychedelic of the substituted phenethylamine and benzodifuran classes.12 First described in the scientific literature in 1998,1 its name derives from the insect-like appearance of two furan rings fused to a central benzene ring.3 The substance is extremely potent, estimated at roughly one-third the potency of LSD by weight, and produces unusually prolonged effects.4 It is considered highly dose-sensitive and has been associated with numerous hospitalizations and fatalities.25
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Bromo-DragonFLY demonstrates remarkable potency and highly variable batch strength. Material circulating prior to 2006 was considerably more potent than subsequent supplies. Individual sensitivity varies significantly; exercise extreme caution with any unfamiliar batch.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Bromo-DragonFLY produces a long-acting and unpredictable psychedelic experience characterized by profound hallucinations, visual distortions, and states ranging from peace, well-being, and a sense of connection with other realities to severe anxiety, panic, and terrifying hallucinations. The onset is markedly delayed, taking up to six hours to fully manifest, and the experience is exceptionally protracted, commonly lasting one to three days. At very high doses, reports describe multi-day durations accompanied by ego loss, dissociation, and overwhelmingly negative experiences; one survivor's account described the trip as an eternity of being dragged to hell and back.
Physical
The body experience is stimulating and restless, with pupil dilation, appetite suppression, sweating and chills, and muscle tension. Adverse physical effects include nausea and vomiting, headache, elevated heart rate and blood pressure, vasoconstriction, and, in severe cases, seizures.
Autonomic
Cardiovascular
Stimulation
Uncomfortable
Cognitive
The headspace combines euphoria, empathy, insight, and ego softening with emotional intensification, but readily shifts toward confusion, short-term memory disruption, anxiety, and panic. A sense of connection or belonging with other realities is a recurring feature.
Visual
Visuals span typical psychedelic enhancements and distortions at lower intensities, progressing to profound hallucinatory states at stronger ones.
Distortions
Hallucinatory States
Auditory
Tactile
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
Bromo-DragonFLY is a potent full agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, and 5-HT2B receptors, with sub-nanomolar binding affinities across all three subtypes.1 Rather than being selective for 5-HT2A, it is best characterized as a non-subtype-selective 5-HT2 agonist, displaying roughly twice the potency at 5-HT2C compared to 5-HT2A.1 Bromo-DragonFLY is also a potent inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A).4 The (R)-enantiomer possesses greater binding affinity at the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors than the (S)-enantiomer.6
Pharmacokinetics
Bromo-DragonFLY's potent inhibition of MAO-A has been suggested to impair its own metabolic degradation, which may contribute to its unusually prolonged duration of action.4
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Tolerance
Serotonergic psychedelics
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowBromo-DragonFLY is generally not associated with compulsive reuse. Motivation to take it again may decline with repeated use, and use is usually self-limiting.
Toxicity
Severe overdose causes extreme, prolonged vasoconstriction that can lead to dangerous hypertension, tissue necrosis of extremities, gangrene, and potentially limb amputation; elevated heart rate and blood pressure occur during typical intoxication but serious vascular damage is associated with massive overdoses.7
Psychosis Risk
Overdose effects include bizarre, delusional, and sometimes violent behavior, along with terrifying hallucinations, severe confusion, and amnesia. The extremely long duration of effects and the substance's abnormally prolonged presence in the body may increase psychological distress. Users may become severely agitated and unable to communicate.8
Seizure Risk
Seizures and convulsions have been reported as side effects, particularly in overdose situations.8 Multiple fatalities involved seizures as part of the clinical presentation, including cases where individuals experienced seizures, vomited blood, and suffered terrifying hallucinations before death.
History & Culture
Discovery and Synthesis
Bromo-DragonFLY emerged from academic research conducted at Purdue University during the mid-1990s, where it was initially developed as a novel chemical tool for studying serotonin receptor binding in rat brain tissue. The compound was formally synthesized and characterized in 1998 by Matthew…
Legality
International
Not scheduled under the UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
- (n.d.). |} Bromo-DragonFLY has very high [[affinity (pharmacology)|affinity]] for the [[serotonin]] [[5-HT2 receptor|5-HT<sub>2</sub> receptor]]s, including for the serotonin [[5-HT2A rece. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm980352512345
- (n.d.). | excretion = <!-- Identifiers --> | CAS_number = 219986-94-4 | CAS_supplemental = | PubChem = 9839057 | PubChemSubstance = | IUPHAR_ligand = | DrugBank = | ChemSpiderID = 8014776. https://doi.org/10.2174/157488411796151129123
- Halberstadt AL, Chatha M, Stratford A, Grill M, & Brandt SD. (2019). Comparison of the behavioral responses induced by phenylalkylamine hallucinogens and their tetrahydrobenzodifuran ("FLY") and benzodifuran ("DragonFLY") analogs. Neuropharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.0371
- (October 2018). Bromo-dragonfly, a psychoactive benzodifuran, is resistant to hepatic metabolism and potently inhibits monoamine oxidase A. Toxicology Letters, 295, 397–407. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.07.0181234
- (10 January 2009). A fatal poisoning involving Bromo-Dragonfly. Forensic Science International, 183(1), 91–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.11.0011
- Chambers JJ, Kurrasch-Orbaugh DM, Parker MA, & Nichols DE. (2001). Enantiospecific synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of a series of super-potent, conformationally restricted 5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists. Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 44(6), 1003–1010. https://doi.org/10.1021/jm000491y1
- (2008). [Bromo-dragon fly--life-threatening drug. Can cause tissue necrosis as demonstrated by the first described case]. Läkartidningen, 105(16), 1199–1200. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18522262/12
- (December 2009). Delayed onset of seizures and toxicity associated with recreational use of Bromo-dragonFLY. Journal of Medical Toxicology, 5(4), 226–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf0317827312
- (n.d.). Konawa Party Death Drug Not 2CE3, Prosecutor Says. newson6.com. https://www.newson6.com/story/5e365cc62f69d76f62070bde/konawa-party-death-drug-not-2ce3-prosecutor-says1
- (n.d.). Drugs Misuse Regulation 1987 (Qld) — Schedule 2. https://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/qld/consol_reg/dmr1987256/sch2.html1
- (n.d.). Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (SC 1996, c. 19) — Schedule III, Item 35. https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/c-38.8/page-11.html1
- (2012-03-01). Muuntohuumeita nyt ensi kertaa huumausaineluetteloon. Yle Uutiset. https://yle.fi/a/3-50674401
- (n.d.). Forskrift om narkotika (narkotikaforskriften) — Narkotikalisten — Lovdata. https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2013-02-14-199/KAPITTEL_112
- (n.d.). Psychoactive Substances Act 2016, Section 2 — legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2016/2/section/21
Further Reading
Automated synthesisInformation aggregated and synthesized using an autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins.
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