Α-Methyltryptamine Explained

Watchedfields:changed
Verifiedrevid:443378813
Iupac Name:1-(1H-Indol-3-yl)propan-2-amine
Width:220px
Width2:220px
Drug Name:α-Methyltryptamine
Legal Au:Schedule 8
Legal Br:F2
Legal Br Comment:[1]
Legal Ca:Unscheduled
Legal Uk:Class A
Legal Us:Schedule I
Legal De:Anlage I
Routes Of Administration:Oral, Insufflation, Rectal, Smoked, IM, IV
Cas Number:299-26-3
Unii:BIK35ACJ0Q
Atc Prefix:none
Pubchem:9287
Drugbank:DB01446
Kegg:C20127
Chemspiderid:8930
Chebi:59020
Chembl:30713
C:11
H:14
N:2
Smiles:NC(CC1=CNC2=C1C=CC=C2)C
Stdinchi:1S/C11H14N2/c1-8(12)6-9-7-13-11-5-3-2-4-10(9)11/h2-5,7-8,13H,6,12H2,1H3
Stdinchikey:QSQQQURBVYWZKJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Synonyms:Indopan; α-Methyl-3-indoleethanamine; 3-(2-Aminopropyl)indole; IT-290, IT-403, U-14,164E, 3-IT[2]

α-Methyltryptamine (abbreviated as αMT, AMT) is a psychedelic, stimulant, and entactogen drug of the tryptamine class.[3] [4] It was originally developed as an antidepressant by chemists at Upjohn in the 1960s,[5] and was used briefly as an antidepressant in Russia under the trade name Indopan before being discontinued.[6] [7] [8]

Chemistry

αMT is a tryptamine with a methyl substituent at the alpha carbon. This alpha substitution makes it a relatively poor substrate for monoamine oxidase A, thereby prolonging αMT's half-life, allowing it to reach the brain and enter the central nervous system. Its chemical relation to tryptamine is analogous to that of amphetamine to phenethylamine, amphetamine being α-methylphenethylamine. αMT is closely related to the neurotransmitter serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) which partially explains its mechanism of action.

Synthesis

The synthesis of αMT can be accomplished through several different routes, the two most widely known being the Nitroaldol Condensation between Indole-3-carboxaldehyde and nitroethane under ammonium acetate catalysis which produces 1-(3-indolyl)-2-nitropropene-1, the product can subsequently be reduced using a reducing agent like lithium aluminum hydride[9] It's also hypothesized that it can be reduced using Copper(II) chloride and Sodium borohydride. The alternative synthesis is the condensation between indole-3-acetone and Hydroxylamine, followed by reduction of the obtained ketoxime with lithium aluminum hydride.[10]

Pharmacology

αMT acts as a relatively balanced reuptake inhibitor and releasing agent of the main three monoamines; serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine,[11] and as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist.[12]

MAOI activity

αMT has been shown as a reversible inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) in-vitro[13] and in-vivo.[14]

In rats the potency of αMT as an MAO-A inhibitor in the brain was approximately equal to that of harmaline at equimolar doses. Dextroamphetamine did not enhance the 5-hydroxytryptophan-induced rise of serotonin at any level.

Metabolism

2-Oxo-αMT, 6-hydroxy-αMT,[15] 7-hydroxy-αMT and 1′-hydroxy-αMT were detected as metabolites of αMT in male Wistar rats.[16]

Dosage and effects

Under the trade name Indopan, 5-10 milligrams were used for an antidepressant effect.

With 20–30 milligrams, euphoria, empathy, and psychedelic effects become apparent and can last as long as 12 hours.[17] A dose exceeding 40 mg is generally considered strong. In rare cases or extreme doses, the duration of effects might exceed 24 hours. Users report that αMT in freebase form is smoked, with doses between and 2 and 5 milligrams.[2] [3]

Neurologic side effects of αMT include agitation, restlessness, confusion, and lethargy. Physical manifestations including vomiting, mydriasis (pupillary dilation), jaw clenching, tachycardia, salivation, diaphoresis (sweating), and elevations in blood pressure, temperature, and respiratory rate.[18]

Side effects self-reported by recreational users include anxiety, muscle tension, jaw tightness, pupil dilation, tachycardia, headaches, nausea, and vomiting, as well as psychedelic effects including visual hallucinations and an altered state of mind.[19]

Legality

Australia

The 5-Methoxy analogue, 5-MeO-αMT is schedule 9 in Australia and αMT would be controlled as an analogue of this.[20]

China

As of October 2015 αMT is a controlled substance in China.[21]

Denmark

In Denmark (2010), the Danish Minister for the Interior and Health placed αMT to their lists of controlled substances (List B).[22]

Canada

Canada has no mention of αMT in the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.[23]

Germany

αMT is listed under the Narcotics Act in schedule 1 (narcotics not eligible for trade and medical prescriptions) in Germany.[22]

Austria

αMT is placed under Austrian law (NPSG) Group 6.[22]

Hungary

αMT was controlled on the Schedule C list in Hungary in 2013.[22]

Slovakia

αMT was placed in 2013 on the List of Hazardous Substances in Annex, § 2 in Slovakia.[22]

Slovenia

αMT appeared on the Decree on Classification of Illicit Drugs in Slovenia (2013).[22]

Lithuania

In Lithuania (2012), αMT is controlled as a tryptamine derivative put under control in the 1st list of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances which use is prohibited for medical purposes.[22]

Spain

αMT is legal in Spain.[24]

Sweden

Sveriges riksdags health ministry Statens folkhälsoinstitut classified αMT as "health hazard" under the act Lagen om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor (translated Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health) as of Mar 1, 2005, in their regulation SFS 2005:26 listed as alfa-metyltryptamin (AMT), making it illegal to sell or possess.

United Kingdom

αMT was made illegal in the United Kingdom as of 7 January 2015, along with 5-MeO-DALT.[25] This was following the events of 10 June 2014 when the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs recommended that αMT be scheduled as a class A drug by updating the blanket ban clause on tryptamines.[26]

United States

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) placed αMT temporarily in schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) on April 4, 2003, pursuant to the temporary scheduling provisions of the CSA (68 FR16427). On September 29, 2004, αMT was permanently controlled as a schedule I substance under the CSA (69FR 58050).[27]

Finland

AMT, alfa-methyltryptamine is a controlled drug in Finland[28]

Reported deaths

αMT is capable of causing life-threatening side-effects including hyperthermia, hypertension, and tachycardia.[29] Fatalities have been reported in association with high doses or concomitant use of other drugs.[30] Fatalities verified with toxicology and autopsy include those of a 22-year-old man in Miami-Dade county and a British teenager, both of whom died after consuming 1g of αMT.[31]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Anvisa . Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency . 2023-07-24 . RDC Nº 804 - Listas de Substâncias Entorpecentes, Psicotrópicas, Precursoras e Outras sob Controle Especial . Collegiate Board Resolution No. 804 - Lists of Narcotic, Psychotropic, Precursor, and Other Substances under Special Control. live . https://web.archive.org/web/20230827163149/https://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-rdc-n-804-de-24-de-julho-de-2023-498447451 . 2023-08-27 . 2023-08-27 . . pt-BR . 2023-07-25.
  2. Web site: Erowid AMT Vault : FAQ by Dialtonez .
  3. Web site: Erowid Online Books : "TIHKAL" - #48 a-MT .
  4. Web site: Erowid AMT (alpha-methyltryptamine) Vault .
  5. US . 3296072 . Patent . Method of Treating Mental Depression . 1967-01-03 . 1964-01-29 . 1962-06-11 . Szmuszkovicz Jacob . Upjohn Co .
  6. Book: Barceloux DG . Medical Toxicology of Drug Abuse: Synthesized Chemicals and Psychoactive Plants. 20 March 2012. John Wiley & Sons. 978-0-471-72760-6. 196–.
  7. Book: Iversen L . Handbook of Psychopharmacology: Volume 14 Affective Disorders: Drug Actions in Animals and Man. 11 November 2013. Springer Science & Business Media. 978-1-4613-4045-4. 132–.
  8. Book: Biological Research on Addiction: Comprehensive Addictive Behaviors and Disorders. 17 May 2013. Academic Press. 978-0-12-398360-2. 632–.
  9. Web site: Anonymous . TheHive. 7 June 2023.
  10. Web site: Shulgin A . TIHKAL. 18 May 2018.
  11. Nagai F, Nonaka R, Satoh Hisashi Kamimura K . The effects of non-medically used psychoactive drugs on monoamine neurotransmission in rat brain . European Journal of Pharmacology . 559 . 2–3 . 132–137 . March 2007 . 17223101 . 10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.11.075 .
  12. Nonaka R, Nagai F, Ogata A, Satoh K . In vitro screening of psychoactive drugs by [(35)S]GTPgammaS binding in rat brain membranes . Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin . 30 . 12 . 2328–2333 . December 2007 . 18057721 . 10.1248/bpb.30.2328 . free .
  13. Arai Y, Toyoshima Y, Kinemuchi H . Studies of monoamine oxidase and semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase. II. Inhibition by alpha-methylated substrate-analogue monoamines, alpha-methyltryptamine, alpha-methylbenzylamine and two enantiomers of alpha-methylbenzylamine . Japanese Journal of Pharmacology . 41 . 2 . 191–197 . June 1986 . 3747266 . 10.1254/jjp.41.191 . free .
  14. Greig ME, Walk RA, Gibbons AJ . The effect of three tryptamine derivatives on serotonin metabolism in vitro and in vivo . The Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics . 127 . 110–115 . October 1959 . 13851725 .
  15. Szara S . 6-Hydroxylation: an important metabolic route for alpha-methyltryptamine . Experientia . 17 . 2 . 76–77 . February 1961 . 13774483 . 10.1007/BF02171429 . 27030395 . free .
  16. Kanamori T, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Miyaguchi H, Iwata YT, Inoue H . In vivo metabolism of alpha-methyltryptamine in rats: identification of urinary metabolites . Xenobiotica; the Fate of Foreign Compounds in Biological Systems . 38 . 12 . 1476–1486 . December 2008 . 18982537 . 10.1080/00498250802491654 . 20637936 .
  17. Wilcox J . Psychoactive properties of alpha-methyltryptamine: analysis from self reports of users . Journal of Psychoactive Drugs . 44 . 3 . 274–276 . 2012 . 23061328 . 10.1080/02791072.2012.704592 . 38340985 .
  18. Boland DM, Andollo W, Hime GW, Hearn WL . Fatality due to acute alpha-methyltryptamine intoxication . Journal of Analytical Toxicology . 29 . 5 . 394–397 . July–August 2005 . 16105268 . 10.1093/jat/29.5.394 . free .
  19. Web site: Erowid AMT Vault : Effects .
  20. Web site: Erowid 5-MeO-AMT Vault : Legal Status .
  21. Web site: 关于印发《非药用类麻醉药品和精神药品列管办法》的通知 . China Food and Drug Administration . 27 September 2015 . zh . 1 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151001222554/http://www.sfda.gov.cn/WS01/CL0056/130753.html . 1 October 2015 . dead .
  22. Web site: Reference at www.who.int.
  23. Web site: CSDA . 2011-06-05 . 2011-09-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110928152752/http://isomerdesign.com/Cdsa/schedule.php?structure=C . dead .
  24. Web site: Medicamentos de Uso Humano - Estupefacientes y Psicótropos. Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios. 2019-01-01. 2019-01-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20190102002336/https://www.aemps.gob.es/medicamentosUsoHumano/estupefacientesPsicotropos/home.htm. dead.
  25. Web site: The Misuse of Drugs (Amendment No. 3) (England, Wales and Scotland) Regulations 2014. www.legislation.gov.uk.
  26. Web site: Update of the Generic Definition for Tryptamines . UK Home Office . 10 June 2014 . 10 June 2014 . ACMD. 12.
  27. News: Alpha-methyltryptamine . April 2013 . DEA Office of Diversion Control . 2013-10-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131017084419/http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/amt.pdf . 2013-10-17 . live .
  28. Web site: Reference at www.finlex.fi.
  29. Gillman PK . Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, opioid analgesics and serotonin toxicity . British Journal of Anaesthesia . 95 . 4 . 434–441 . October 2005 . 16051647 . 10.1093/bja/aei210 . free . "drugs such as MDMA, ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), if combined with MAOIs (including moclobemide) do also cause fatalities because they act as serotonin releasers"
  30. News: Call for ban on drug after reveller's death . October 1, 2013 . Western Gazette . March 22, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131016101947/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Torch-carriers-miles-home/story-15588409-detail/story.html . 2013-10-16 . live .
  31. News: Southampton 'legal high' death deemed 'accidental' . 2013-11-12 . BBC News . 2013-11-19.