Comparative Insights: Top 8 RC Benzos in the Current US Market

[I_Main_Soraka]

Hiya DBG Fam~

For those navigating the landscape of research chemical (RC) benzodiazepines in the United States, informed selection requires a nuanced appreciation for both structural pharmacology and practical considerations surrounding procurement.

Below, I detail eight RC benzos, with a focus on their molecular distinctions, receptor interactions, metabolism, subjective profiles, and pragmatic use-case optimization. While this post is not a substitute for clinical advice, it is intended for seasoned and beginning community members already familiar with the technical and legal considerations of RC acquisition in the US.

1. Ethylbromazolam​

A triazolobenzodiazepine featuring an ethyl substitution and a para-bromine atom, Ethylbromazolam emulates alprazolam’s core with significant modifications to its potency and pharmacokinetics.

• Receptor Affinity: Exceptionally high alpha-1 GABA-A subunit binding; expect marked hypnotic and sedative action.
• Metabolic Pathway: CYP3A4-driven hepatic metabolism; risk of significant cumulative toxicity with repeated dosing.
• Subjective Profile: Rapid onset, extended duration; potent anxiolysis sometimes paired with profound motor inhibition even at moderate doses.
• Risks: Narrow therapeutic index, significant for respiratory depression and loss of motor control—dose with precision, minimize re-dose temptation.

Optimal Context: Ethylbromazolam is most appropriate for situations demanding rapid, robust anxiolysis or sedation—such as acute panic episodes, profound situational insomnia, or scenarios where immediate mitigation of stress-related symptoms is critical. Its high potency and swift onset lend themselves well to controlled clinical simulations, crisis intervention, or late-night restlessness that resists standard hypnotics. This compound is particularly valuable for users familiar with volumetric dosing techniques and those equipped to closely monitor their response. It is not generally recommended for continuous daily management due to the risk of cumulative effects, but for isolated episodes or occasional bridging during high-stress transitions, its impact is both decisive and reliable. Absolute caution is warranted for individuals without extensive experience in handling potent triazolobenzodiazepines, as minor dosing errors can rapidly escalate to unwanted over-sedation.

2. Clobromazolam​

A heavy hitter in the class, Clobromazolam’s microgram-active potency and steep dose response curve demand meticulous handling.

• Pharmacology: Potent GABA-A receptor PAM with rapid onset and long tail; especially sedating.
• Metabolism: Variable hepatic metabolism, some active metabolites reported; effects can be surprisingly persistent.
• Subjective Notes: Reports underscore the extreme amnestic potential and incapacitating sedation, even with slight miscalculations.
• Risks: Inexperienced users have documented life-disrupting blackouts—never eyeball doses.

Optimal Context: Reserved for situations where profound sedation and anxiety suppression are needed immediately, such as severe, acute psychological distress or for pre-procedural calming in tightly controlled settings. Its ultra-high potency necessitates precise, laboratory-level measuring tools. Not for casual or unsupervised use—best left to those who have robust experience with high-potency RCs and a deep respect for dose-response volatility.

3. Flubrotizolam​

Another triazolo compound, Flubrotizolam stands out for its hypnotic efficacy and affinity for sleep induction.

• Binding Profile: Near-maximal alpha-1 subunit selectivity, rendering it especially efficient for sleep onset.
• Metabolic Considerations: Extensive first-pass metabolism, prominent liver enzyme involvement.
• Subjective Effects: Rapid, sometimes overwhelming sedation; strong amnesia is common at the upper end.
• Risks: Blackout risk is pronounced; easy to surpass functional dosing by accident.

Optimal Context: Ideal as a sleep initiator in cases resistant to traditional hypnotics, particularly when rapid onset and deep sedation are required. May serve a role in short, tightly managed interventions for severe insomnia where precise titration can be guaranteed. It’s effective for those whose insomnia has proven refractory to other interventions, but only in scenarios where the risk of profound sedation and memory impairment is acceptable and can be anticipated.

4. Bromonordiazepam​

Structurally similar to nordazepam but with a bromine substitution yielding extended potency and a distinct metabolic pathway.

• Pharmacological Activity: Moderate GABA-A receptor efficacy, translating to prolonged anxiolysis and muscle relaxation with less risk of sudden heavy sedation.
• Metabolism: Biotransformed to nordazepam; protracted half-life contributes to sustained effects.
• Reported Experiences: Gradual simmer of relaxation, background anxiolysis with less cognitive impairment.
• Risks: Accumulation risk with repeated use, requiring careful scheduling.

Optimal Context: Best positioned for long-term anxiety management and muscle relaxant needs over an extended period when abrupt sedation is undesired. Its slower onset and long tail make it suitable for individuals seeking to manage chronic baseline anxiety or muscle tension throughout the day, without the risk of sudden incapacitation.

5. Nifoxipam​

A desalkylflurazepam derivative, Nifoxipam brings a measured balance between anxiolysis and duration.

• Affinity: Preferential alpha-2/3 subunit targeting; moderate hypnotic qualities, strong anxiolysis and anticonvulsant potential.
• Metabolic Course: Slower elimination, leading to round-the-clock coverage with once-daily dosing possible.
• Subjective Impact: Promotes clarity and calm; avoids excessive sleepiness.
• Risks: Accumulation, especially in older or metabolically compromised users, potentially yielding next-day grogginess.

Optimal Context: Suited for daily management of anxiety or mild sleep initiation, perfect for those who value steady, functional relief over dramatic interventions. Its profile fits individuals seeking to stave off persistent anxiety, especially during times demanding sustained alertness or performance.

6. 3-hydroxyphenazepam​

A hydroxylated phenazepam analog delivering a gentler, albeit long-lasting, experience.

• Mechanism: Does not require biotransformation for activity; rapid and efficient absorption.
• Effects: Potent anxiolytic with relatively mild sedative factors; prolonged elimination half-life.
• Subjective Reports: Clear-headed calm, low amnesia, but with persistent background effects.
• Risks: Overlap and stacking when co-administered or with frequent re-dosing; withdrawal can be protracted.

Optimal Context: Well-suited for individuals transitioning off higher-dose benzodiazepines or seeking to avoid sharp peaks and valleys in symptom control. Also beneficial for those managing chronic or generalized anxiety, especially when consistent, non-sedating baseline support is most desired. Its extended effect window means less frequent dosing, which appeals to those requiring discreet or sustained therapeutic action.

7. Avizafone​

A prodrug of diazepam designed for unique delivery and utility.

• Pharmacological Rationale: Water solubility unlocks injectable routes, breaking ground for paramedical or hospital contexts.
• Metabolism: Rapid conversion to diazepam after administration.
• Subjective Effects: Closely approximates diazepam; tranquil, stabilizing, with less peaking and crashing.
• Risks: Limited oral bioavailability compared to other RCs; niche profile.

Optimal Context: Most valuable in emergency or clinical intervention settings where IV or rapid acting benzodiazepine is required—especially as an antidote for acute convulsions or severe anxiety scenarios. Its use among research-focused forums is generally confined to those with advanced technical capacity and access to parenteral setups or solvent systems.

8. Rilmazafone​

An outlier with its unique pathway—prodrug benzodiazepine requiring enzymatic activation in the GI tract.

• Mechanism: Only becomes pharmacologically active post-ingestion, bypassing certain first-pass effects.
• Metabolism: Intestinal conversion yields desalkylrimazolam; rapid onset on empty stomach.
• Effects: Gentle, sleep-promoting sedation; some report vivid, memorable dreams and mild anxiolysis.
• Risks: High interindividual variability in conversion rates and bioavailability.

Optimal Context: Especially practical for on-demand sleep support or winding down after periods of acute insomnia. Well suited for those who have difficulty with the abrupt knock-out of more potent hypnotics, instead preferring a smoother segue into restfulness. Its oral-only activity and less abrupt hypnotic action make it attractive for those seeking a controlled, predictable sleep aid with a favorable side effect profile.

Conclusion:

This overview is designed to inform analytically driven members who seek to optimize choices in an evolving and often opaque domestic market. Always rely on precision in both sourcing and dosing, and please feel free to share findings with the community to enrich collective understanding.

Be safe & have fun~ ^_^

Cheers!

I_Main_Soraka

 

[Mammasboi123]

This is awesome well done @I_Main_Soraka!

I see so many posts on vendor threads where members ask a variety of the question, “What’s the difference in ‘A’ vs. ‘B’?”. This thread can answer many of those questions. Having a resource like this is invaluable, and we could use more content like it on this forum! Informative, detailed, with a focus on harm-reduction.

A couple of areas I could potentially see being added to future iterations of this thread, or threads like it:

• Some sort of common dose chart - I.e. ‘Low’, ‘Medium’, and ‘High’ dose ranges (akin to what can be found on psychonautwiki).
• An example or two of common ‘dose conversions’ between the listed RCs and a well known reference drug/RC (ex: 15mg “RC A” = 10mg “RC B”)

Either way, thank you for putting so much detail and thought into this @I_Main_Soraka! You’ve taught me a few things I didn’t know before reading this .

 

[I_Main_Soraka]

This is awesome well done @I_Main_Soraka!

I see so many posts on vendor threads where members ask a variety of the question, “What’s the difference in ‘A’ vs. ‘B’?”. This thread can answer many of those questions. Having a resource like this is invaluable, and we could use more content like it on this forum! Informative, detailed, with a focus on harm-reduction.

A couple of areas I could potentially see being added to future iterations of this thread, or threads like it:

• Some sort of common dose chart - I.e. ‘Low’, ‘Medium’, and ‘High’ dose ranges (akin to what can be found on psychonautwiki).
• An example or two of common ‘dose conversions’ between the listed RCs and a well known reference drug/RC (ex: 15mg “RC A” = 10mg “RC B”)

Either way, thank you for putting so much detail and thought into this @I_Main_Soraka! You’ve taught me a few things I didn’t know before reading this .

Ask and you shall receive! I've done a comparative dosing analysis from aggregated reference data & anecdotal reports.

Comparative Dosage Chart for RC Benzodiazepines​

Here’s a table that breaks down the estimated oral dosages for each compound, categorized for clarity. Due to the nature of RCs, these are based on user reports and should be approached with extreme caution. I tried copy-pasting the table into this post, but the formatting was a nightmare so this screenshot will have to do for now - let me know if there are any issues with visibility.

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Dose Equivalency Compared to Diazepam​

To provide a more familiar point of reference, here is an estimated dose conversion for each compound, using 10mg of Diazepam (Valium) as the control. These are approximations and should not be considered exact conversions.

• 10mg Diazepam is approximately equivalent to:
  
  • Ethylbromazolam: ~0.5mg - 0.75mg
  • Clobromazolam: ~100µg - 150µg (0.1mg - 0.15mg)
  • Flubrotizolam: ~100µg - 150µg (0.1mg - 0.15mg)
  • Bromonordiazepam: ~5mg - 10mg
  • Nifoxipam: ~1mg - 2mg
  • 3-Hydroxyphenazepam: ~0.5mg - 1mg
  • Avizafone:~15mg
    
    • Note on Avizafone: Since it's a prodrug of Diazepam, the conversion is based on molar mass. The molecular weight of Avizafone (~431 g/mol) is roughly 1.5 times that of Diazepam (~285 g/mol). Therefore, you need about 1.5mg of Avizafone to produce 1mg of Diazepam in the body.
  • Rilmazafone:~2mg - 4mg
    
    • Note on Rilmazafone: As a prodrug with multiple active metabolites, direct equivalency is complex and can vary as the metabolites are processed over time.

---

I hope this information is helpful and contributes to a safer environment for everyone. The key with these compounds is to assume they are extremely potent, start with volumetric dosing at the microgram or low milligram level, and give plenty of time to evaluate the effects before considering a redose.

Stay safe, DBG Fam~

I_Main_Soraka

 

[Jernigan89]

Ask and you shall receive! I've done a comparative dosing analysis from aggregated reference data & anecdotal reports.

Comparative Dosage Chart for RC Benzodiazepines​

Here’s a table that breaks down the estimated oral dosages for each compound, categorized for clarity. Due to the nature of RCs, these are based on user reports and should be approached with extreme caution. I tried copy-pasting the table into this post, but the formatting was a nightmare so this screenshot will have to do for now - let me know if there are any issues with visibility.

View attachment 7056

---

Dose Equivalency Compared to Diazepam​

To provide a more familiar point of reference, here is an estimated dose conversion for each compound, using 10mg of Diazepam (Valium) as the control. These are approximations and should not be considered exact conversions.

• 10mg Diazepam is approximately equivalent to:
  
  • Ethylbromazolam: ~0.5mg - 0.75mg
  • Clobromazolam: ~100µg - 150µg (0.1mg - 0.15mg)
  • Flubrotizolam: ~100µg - 150µg (0.1mg - 0.15mg)
  • Bromonordiazepam: ~5mg - 10mg
  • Nifoxipam: ~1mg - 2mg
  • 3-Hydroxyphenazepam: ~0.5mg - 1mg
    • Note on Avizafone: Since it's a prodrug of Diazepam, the conversion is based on molar mass. The molecular weight of Avizafone (~431 g/mol) is roughly 1.5 times that of Diazepam (~285 g/mol). Therefore, you need about 1.5mg of Avizafone to produce 1mg of Diazepam in the body.

---

I hope this information is helpful and contributes to a safer environment for everyone. The key with these compounds is to assume they are extremely potent, start with volumetric dosing at the microgram or low milligram level, and give plenty of time to evaluate the effects before considering a redose.

Stay safe, DBG Fam~

I_Main_Soraka

This is an excellent post. Thank you for putting in the legwork.

 

[I_Main_Soraka]

This is an excellent post. Thank you for putting in the legwork.

@Jernigan89 Thanks for the positive feedback! My legs have certainly been worked lol.

I truly enjoy writing up these guides & "cheat sheets," especially when it can be beneficial for people's safety and overall wellbeing.

If there is enough demand for in-depth guides on any particular topics, I'd love to roll out more of these informative posts exploring the deep depths of the current RC scene!

Thanks for the positive vibes, and stay safe~

 

[Greenbeans448]

Can anyone give me a good idea on how the ethylbromaolam compares to bromazolam?

 

[F33n]

Can anyone give me a good idea on how the ethylbromaolam compares to bromazolam?

Less potent, less sedation, less duration, shorter half-life, more “euphoric” in my experience at least. I’m not a fan of brom though.

Overall more similar to alp than brom but not exactly the same. Some people like it some (usually people with a high brom tolerance) don’t like it.