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DOB

DOB molecule structureDOB molecule structure
4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyamphetamine
Brolamfetamine, Bromo-DMA, Dimethoxybromoamphetamine

DOB is a psychedelic amphetamine of the DOx family, first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 1967 and later documented in depth in his 1991 book PiHKAL. It was for many years considered the most potent known phenethylamine psychedelic.citation needed DOB is characterized by its unusually long duration of action and notably slow onset, which can take up to three hours — a property that increases the risk of accidental redosing.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~0.2 mg
Light0.2-0.75 mg
Moderate0.75-1.75 mg
Strong1.75-2.5 mg
Heavy2.5+ mg

The onset of DOB is characteristically slow, with full effects often not manifesting until one to two hours after ingestion. Attempting to redose before this onset period has concluded substantially elevates the risk of overdose. Physical stimulation and difficulty sleeping frequently outlast the main psychedelic effects and can continue for an extended period, sometimes reaching 36 hours following larger doses.

Duration

Onset30-90 minutes
Come Up2-4 hours
Peak6-10 hours
Offset4-8 hours
After Effects4-16 hours
Total14-24 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of DOB can be broken down into five components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

Cognitive

The head space of DOB is described by many as one of mental stimulation and a powerful enhancement of a person's current mental state. Many users report that it may not be as deep as other traditional psychedelics such as LSD or Psilocin and that it is comparatively empty in terms of its insightfulness.

Visual

Distortions

DOB presents a full and complete array of possible visual distortions.

Enhancements

DOB presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements.

Geometry

The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of LSD, 25I-NBOMe or 2C-B than that of Ayahuasca, Psilocin or 2C-E. They can be comprehensively described as unstructured in their organization, algorithmic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, small in size, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, sharp in their edges and equally rounded and angular in their corners. They give off a synthetic feel to them that at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of Level 7A visual geometry over Level 7B.

Hallucinatory States

DOB is capable of producing a full range of low and high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is significantly less consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics.

External hallucinations

Auditory

The auditory effects of DOB are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects.

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins April 2014.

See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
white → green2 → green3
Mecke(ME)
white → orange2 → green2
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → green2
Liebermann(LB)
white → yellow2 → black3
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Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

DOB acts as a partial agonist at the serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors, with its psychedelic effects primarily mediated through 5-HT2A activation.citation needed It displays notable selectivity for the 5-HT2 receptor subfamily and demonstrates high efficacy in triggering downstream 5-HT2 receptor-mediated signaling. DOB is also a very weak agonist at the human trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1). The compound is typically encountered as a racemate, with R-(−)-DOB serving as the more pharmacologically active enantiomer.

Pharmacokinetics

DOB is extensively metabolized, with only a small amount of unchanged drug excreted. Metabolism proceeds through O-demethylation (at least partly catalyzed by CYP2D6),1 oxidative deamination, and reduction to corresponding alcohols.2 DOB has been reported to weakly inhibit CYP2D6, though likely not to a degree sufficient to cause significant drug interactions.1 Following intravenous administration, the drug initially accumulates in the lungs before distributing to the liver and brain;citation needed after oral administration, a similar distribution pattern is observed without the initial pulmonary concentration. It has been suggested that DOB may function as a prodrug that undergoes metabolism in the lungs.3

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These 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.

Unsafe

Avoid

There is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.

AmphetaminesCocaineDXMPCPTramadol

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

2C-T-x compounds2C-x compounds5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesCaffeineCannabisDiphenhydramineMAOIsMDMAMephedroneMescalineMXENBOMe compoundsPregabalin
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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to the effects of DOB develops almost immediately after ingestion. The substance appears to have a self-regulating quality, with many users naturally spacing out their experiences.
Baseline Reset
7-10 days
Half Tolerance
4-7 days
Cross Tolerance

Serotonergic psychedelics, 5-HT2A agonists

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

DOB is not habit-forming and the desire to use it typically decreases with use. It is most often self-regulating, with many users experiencing a naturally limiting quality to the substance.

Physical

Extremely Low

DOB is not physically addictive and does not produce physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms.

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

Severe vasoconstriction is the primary toxicity concern, developing progressively and peaking several hours into intoxication; at overdose levels this has resulted in diffuse arterial spasm, peripheral vasospasm, and in extreme cases gangrene requiring amputation of extremities.citation needed

Central Nervous System

Overdose can produce convulsions and seizure activity, typically occurring alongside other severe symptoms such as coma, metabolic acidosis, and cerebral edema; at typical recreational doses, the primary concerns are confusion, attention lapses, and sleep disturbances.citation needed

Psychosis Risk

The long duration and stimulating nature of DOB increase the risk of psychological disturbance. Use can trigger latent psychoses, and frequent use carries risk of loss of reality that may manifest as anxiety states or schizophrenic traits. As sleep deprivation accumulates during extended experiences, stimulant psychosis may emerge with external hallucinations blending into psychedelic visuals around the 16-24 hour mark. Overdose can produce bizarre, delusional, and sometimes violent behavior.

Seizure Risk

Seizures are primarily a concern at overdose levels rather than at typical recreational doses. Convulsive activity has been documented in multiple overdose case reports, sometimes contributing to fatal outcomes.citation needed The seizure threshold may be lowered when combined with other substances such as tramadol.

History & Culture

Discovery and Early Research

DOB was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin in 1967 as part of research examining how 4-position substitutions affect metabolic stability in phenethylamine compounds. The first published scientific report appeared in 1971, documenting toxicology findings and initial pharmacological

Trip Reports

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Legality

International

1961 Single Convention: DOB is not individually scheduled.

1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances: DOB is scheduled in Schedule I.

1988 Convention: DOB is not listed in precursor Tables I or II.

By Country

Illegal36
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Argentina flagArgentinaIllegal
Australia flagAustraliaIllegal
Austria flagAustriaIllegal
Belgium flagBelgiumIllegal
Brazil flagBrazilIllegal
Canada flagCanadaIllegal
Chile flagChileIllegal
China flagChinaIllegal
Colombia flagColombiaIllegal
Czech Republic flagCzech RepublicIllegal
Denmark flagDenmarkIllegal
Finland flagFinlandIllegal
France flagFranceIllegal
Germany flagGermanyIllegal
India flagIndiaIllegal
Indonesia flagIndonesiaIllegal
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Latvia flagLatviaIllegal
Mexico flagMexicoIllegal
Netherlands flagNetherlandsIllegal
New Zealand flagNew ZealandIllegal
Norway flagNorwayIllegal
Philippines flagPhilippinesIllegal
Poland flagPolandIllegal
Russia flagRussiaIllegal
Singapore flagSingaporeIllegal
South Africa flagSouth AfricaIllegal
South Korea flagSouth KoreaIllegal
Spain flagSpainIllegal
Sweden flagSwedenIllegal
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandIllegal
Thailand flagThailandIllegal
Ukraine flagUkraineIllegal
United Arab Emirates flagUnited Arab EmiratesIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Controlled / restricted1
Romania flagRomaniaControlled (high-risk)

References

Source Pages

  1. Disregard Everything I Say
  2. Erowid
  3. Erowid Reference: Effective Dose
  4. Erowid: 2C-B FAQ (DOB section)
  5. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  6. IsomerDesign: PiHKAL entry for DOB
  7. PsychonautWiki
  8. The Drug Classroom
  9. TripSit Factsheets
  10. TripSit: Drug Combinations Chart

Citations

  1. Dinger, J., Meyer, M. R., & Maurer, H. H.. (2008). 2,5-Dimethoxyamphetamine-derived designer drugs: studies on the identification of cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoenzymes involved in formation of their main metabolites and on their capability to inhibit CYP2D6. Toxicology Letters, 183(1-3), 52-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2008.09.01412
  2. Ewald, A. H., Fritschi, G., Bork, W. R., & Maurer, H. H.. (2006). Designer drugs 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromo-amphetamine (DOB) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-bromo-methamphetamine (MDOB): studies on their metabolism and toxicological detection in rat urine using gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric techniques. Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 41(4), 487-498. https://doi.org/10.1002/jms.10071
  3. Shulgin, Alexander. (2005-05-03). DOB and Other Possible Prodrugs. Ask Dr. Shulgin Online. http://www.cognitiveliberty.org/shulgin/blg/2005/05/dob-and-other-possible-prodrugs.html1
  4. Decreto No. 772/2015, Anexo I (Listado de Sustancias Controladas); Ley No. 23.737, arts. 5, 14 and 40. argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/sites/default/files/decreto_772-15.pdf1
  5. Decreto No. 772/2015, Anexo I (Listado de Sustancias Controladas); Ley No. 23.737, arts. 5, 14 and 40. argentina.gob.ar (n.d.). https://www.argentina.gob.ar/normativa/nacional/ley-23737-138/actualizacion1
  6. Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. legislation.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2026L00633/latest/text1
  7. Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026. tga.gov.au (n.d.). https://www.tga.gov.au/resources/publication/publications/poisons-standard-susmp1
  8. Suchtgiftverordnung, Anhang V; Suchtmittelgesetz. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/eli/bgbl/ii/1997/374/ANL5/NOR400717871
  9. Suchtmittelgesetz (SMG) – Anlage / controlled substances list. Austrian Federal Chancellery (RIS) (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/GeltendeFassung.wxe?Abfrage=Bundesnormen&Gesetzesnummer=100118001
  10. Royal Decree of 6 September 2017 regulating narcotic and psychotropic substances, Annexe IIA. ejustice.just.fgov.be (n.d.). https://www.ejustice.just.fgov.be/eli/arrete/2017/09/06/2017031231/justel1

Further Reading

  1. PiHKAL Mirror: Pihkal

Article Status

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Recent changes8 human edits · latest

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31 July 2026

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24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

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