What is 5-MeO-DMT?
5-MeO-DMT is a psychedelic of the tryptamine family and is a research chemical found to be 4-6 times more potent than DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) and bufotenine Multiple plant species along with one toad species (Sonora Desert Toad) produce this legal high. It is famous for its use as a psychoactive drug and an entheogen. It is also being studied for its promising medical benefits.
The users of this street drug consume it orally, by smoking its powder form or by insufflation.
The drug was first synthesized in the mid-1930s. However, it was first isolated in 1959 from nadenanthera peregrina seeds for its psychoactive properties to make jopo snuff. From 1970-1980, the members of the church of the tree of life had individual access to this drug because it was considered as a sacrament of the Church. Friar Ramón Pané was recorded to be the first person to sniff 5-MeO-DMTin 1946.
Kenya Shimodaira and Toshio Hoshino were the first scientists to synthesize this legal high in 1936. However, it was officially identified as a psychoactive compound in 1959.
The drug became available on online markets in the 1990s.
Mechanism of action
Since it is a psychoactive drug, 5-Meo-DMT exerts its effects mainly through the serotonergic transmission.
This research chemical has a special affinity for the 5HT1A receptor subtype which activates G-protein coupled pathway and is responsible for the drug’s antidepressant and anxiolytic effects.
Through 5HT2A receptors, 5-MeO-MT partly exerts its psychedelic effects.
5-MeO-DMT acts on amine receptors and inhibits the uptake of monoamine reuptake. It exerts its hallucinogenic effects mainly through this pathway.
Substance users buy 5-MeO-DMT by different names as follows:
- The Power
- Toad Venom
The onset of effects within 30 seconds, peak after 1-15 minutes.
The onset of effects within 5 minutes, peak after 10-30 minutes.
Higher doses are required to achieve a quick response.
The users of this research chemical experience loss of coordination and control. Their sense of touch is enhanced excessively such that a point of sensory overload is reached. The user feels difficult to carry the weight of his own body.
The users experience a range of intense emotions including:
- Intense fear
- Loss of ego
The drug also exerts its cognitive effects making its user experience the following:
- Auditory hallucinations
- Memory loss
- Distortion of time and space
- Loss of ego
Although 5-MeO-DMT is not known for its visual effects, it does, to some extent, cause increase perception of color brightness, moving of environment, and more technically environmental orbism.
If taken at very high doses or with drugs interfering with its metabolism, 5-MeO-DMT can produce a range of toxic and life-threatening effects including:
- Serotonin Syndrome
- Increased Blood Pressure
- Increased Heart Rate
- Respiratory Depression
- Long-term kidney damage
- Temporary unconsciousness
- If uncontrolled can even cause death
5-MeO-DMT should be taken with caution with the following drugs due to the likelihood of interactions.
- Monoamine Oxidase inhibitors