4-HO-MET explained

Width:200px
Width2:200px
Legal Us:UnscheduledSchedule I controlled substance in Virginia[1]
Cas Number:77872-41-4
Pubchem:21786582
Chemspiderid:10513072
Unii:6RN01B78NY
Synonyms:3-(2-(ethyl(methyl)amino)ethyl)-1H-indol-4-ol; 4-Hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine
Iupac Name:3--1H-indol-4-ol
C:13
H:18
N:2
O:1
Smiles:CCN(C)CCc2c[nH]c1cccc(O)c12
Stdinchi:1S/C13H18N2O/c1-3-15(2)8-7-10-9-14-11-5-4-6-12(16)13(10)11/h4-6,9,14,16H,3,7-8H2,1-2H3
Stdinchikey:ORWQBKPSGDRPPA-UHFFFAOYSA-N

4-HO-MET (4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine, metocin, or methylcybin) is a lesser-known psychedelic drug. It is a structural and functional analog of psilocin as well as the 4-hydroxyl analog of methylethyltryptamine (MET). 4-HO-MET was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin. In his book TiHKAL (Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved), the dosage is listed as 10-20 mg.[2] 4-HO-MET produces psilocin-like distortion of color, sound, and form. Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 4-HO-MET. There have been no reports of deaths from 4-HO-MET, even though there exist anecdotal reports of the ingestion of up to 150 mg, more than an order of magnitude above the effective dose.

Effects

Users report similar effects to psilocin, including mydriasis, closed and open eye visuals, euphoria, time dilation and general change in thought processes.[3] These effects occur in a wavelike pattern such as that of psilocybin with near-normal perception and high effect varying rapidly. The effects last for about 4–6 hours after oral administration.[4]

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Binding sitesBinding affinity Ki (μM)[5]
5-HT1A0.228
5-HT2A0.057
5-HT2C0.141
D1>25
D24
D36.7
α1A9.7
α2A2.4
TAAR13.1
H10.82
SERT0.2
DAT>26
NET13

Drug prohibition laws

Sweden

The Swedish Riksdag added 4-HO-MET to Schedule I ("substances, plant materials and fungi which normally do not have medical use") as narcotics in Sweden as of May 1, 2012, published by Medical Products Agency in their regulation LVFS 2012:6.[6]

United Kingdom

4-HO-MET is a class A drug in the UK, as a result of the tryptamine catch-all clause.

United States

4-HO-MET is not scheduled at the federal level in the United States, but it is possible that it could be considered an analogue of psilocin, in which case purchase, sale, or possession could be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act.[7]

It is a schedule I substance in some states, such as South Dakota[8] and West Virginia.[9]

Germany

4-HO-MET is ruled under the Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz (NpSG) since July 18, 2019. Production and Import with intent to distribute is punishable. Possession is forbidden but not punishable, although ordering it in small quantities can still be seen as an intent to distribute it and be punished.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: § 54.1-3446. Schedule I. . Virginia Law . 29 October 2023.
  2. Web site: #47 MIPT . Shulgin A, Shulgin A . Transform Press . September 1997 . Isomer Design . 28 November 2023.
  3. Palamar JJ, Acosta P . A qualitative descriptive analysis of effects of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines . Human Psychopharmacology . 35 . 1 . e2719 . January 2020 . 31909513 . 6995261 . 10.1002/hup.2719 .
  4. Kjellgren A, Soussan C . Heaven and hell--a phenomenological study of recreational use of 4-HO-MET in Sweden . Journal of Psychoactive Drugs . 43 . 3 . 211–219 . 2011 . 22111404 . 10.1080/02791072.2011.605699 . . 25483726 .
  5. Rickli A, Moning OD, Hoener MC, Liechti ME . Receptor interaction profiles of novel psychoactive tryptamines compared with classic hallucinogens . European Neuropsychopharmacology . 26 . 8 . 1327–1337 . August 2016 . 27216487 . 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.05.001 . 6685927 .
  6. Web site: Föreskrifter om ändring i Läkemedelsverkets föreskrifter (LVFS 2011:10) om förteckningar över narkotika . Regulations on changes in the Swedish Medicines Agency's regulations (LVFS 2011:10) on lists of narcotics . 2014-02-25 . 2012-04-20 . Elanders Sverige AB . sv . https://web.archive.org/web/20130928024107/http://www.lakemedelsverket.se/upload/lvfs/LVFS_2012_6.pdf . 2013-09-28 . dead .
  7. Web site: 21 U.S. Code § 841 - Prohibited acts A . 2016-08-02 . LII / Legal Information Institute . cs2.
  8. Web site: Chapter 34-20B Drugs and Substances Control . 2023-10-09 . South Dakota Legislature . en.
  9. Web site: Chapter 60A. Uniform Controlled Substances Act . 2023-10-09 . West Dakota Legislature.