5-MeO-DMT explained

5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) or O-methyl-bufotenin is a psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It is found in a wide variety of plant species, and also is secreted by the glands of at least one toad species, the Colorado River toad. Like its close relatives DMT and bufotenin (5-HO-DMT), it has been used as an entheogen in South America.[1] Slang terms include Five-methoxy, the power, bufo, and toad venom.[2]

Chemistry

5-MeO-DMT was first synthesized in 1936, and in 1959 it was isolated as one of the psychoactive ingredients of Anadenanthera peregrina seeds used in preparing Yopo snuff. It was once believed to be a major component of the psychoactive effects of the snuff, although this has recently been shown to be unlikely, due to the limited or sometimes even non-existent quantity contained within the seeds, which instead achieve their psychoactivity from the O-demethylated metabolite of 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin.[3] It is metabolized mainly by CYP2D6.[4]

Effects

When smoked, the duration of effects can be as little as ten minutes; when insufflated, up to two hours. Effects vary and can range from radical perspective shifting and perception of new insights, euphoria, immersive experiences, dissociation and non-responsiveness, sensual/erotic enhancement, to dysphoria, fear, terror, panic, and ego death.[5]

Uses

It has anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects.[6] [7]

Religious use

The Church of the Tree of Life, founded in California in 1971 by John Mann but now defunct, declared the use of 5-MeO-DMT to be a sacrament. From approximately 1971 to the late 1980s, 5-MeO-DMT was discreetly available to its members.[8] [9] Between 1970 and 1990, smoking of 5-MeO-DMT on parsley was probably one of the two most common forms of ingestion in the United States.[9]

Pharmacology

5-MeO-DMT is a methoxylated derivative of DMT. While most common psychedelics are believed to primarily elicit psychological effects through agonism of serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, 5-MeO-DMT shows 1000-fold greater affinity for 5-HT1A over 5-HT2A;[10] In line with its affinity for 5-HT1A receptors, 5-MeO-DMT is extremely potent at suppressing the firing of dorsal raphe 5-HT neurons.[11] Further, its activity in rats was attenuated with the 5-HT1A selective antagonist WAY-100635 while 5-HT2A selective antagonist volinanserin failed to demonstrate any change.[12] Additional mechanisms of action such as inhibition of monoamine reuptake may be involved.[13] A 2019 European study with 42 volunteers showed that a single inhalation produced sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, and easing of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[14] A 2018 study demonstrated that a single dose of 5-MeO-DMT induced neurogenesis in mice.[15]

Clinical development

5-MeO-DMT is being developed and evaluated for potential therapeutic effects in patients with Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD).[16] Biopharmaceutical company GH Research has sponsored a completed phase 1 study in healthy volunteers[17] and phase 1/2 study in TRD patients where 87.5% of patients with TRD were brought into remission on day 7 in the phase 2 part of the study.[18] GH Research is currently planning a phase 2b study in TRD patients and have received approval for studies in patients with bipolar II disorder and a current depressive episode and patients with postpartum depression.[19]

Beckley Psytech in collaboration with King's College London research the safety and tolerability of intranasal 5-MeO-DMT in healthy subjects, in a phase 1 study.[20] Beckley Psytech CEO Cosmo Feilding-Mellen sees a potential in the short-acting nature of 5-MeO-DMT compared to psilocybin: "Requiring one or two therapists to sit in a room with a single patient for the entire duration of an MDMA or psilocybin experience, which is essentially a whole working day, is probably going to be very resource-intensive and expensive. There is already a global shortage of psychotherapists, and this poses a potential bottleneck to patient access in the future."[21]

Sources

In addition to naturally-occurring sources, 5-MeO-DMT can be produced synthetically.[22] [23]

Plant sources
Family Plants
Dictyoloma incanescens,[24] Limonia acidissima,[25] Melicope leptococca[26]
Anadenanthera peregrina,[27] Acacia auriculiformis, Acacia victoriae, Desmodium gangeticum, Lespedeza bicolor, Mimosa pudica, Mucuna pruriens, Phyllodium pulchellum
Phalaris tuberosa
Diplopterys cabrerana
Echinocereus salm-dyckianus, Echinocereus triglochidiatus
Horsfieldia superba, Iryanthera macrophylla, Osteophloeum platyspermum, Virola theiodora, V. calophylla, V. multinervia, V. peruviana, V. rufula, V. venosa
The Colorado River toad is a noted animal source of 5-MeO-DMT. First described in 1983 by Ken Nelson (writing under the pseudonym of Albert Most), smoking the parotoid secretions of the animal produces a powerful and short-lived psychedelic experience.[29] The smoking of I. alvarius secretions should not be confused with the urban legend of toad licking.[30] Since 1983, the animal has since became a popular source of 5-MeO-DMT for recreational or spiritual purposes.[31] Unfortunately, this increased demand and use of the toads as a source of 5-MeO-DMT has put strain on their populations.[32] Concerned with the ecological impacts of the growing use of I. alvarius secretions as a source of 5-MeO-DMT, Ken Nelson would later advocate for the use of synthetic 5-MeO-DMT and conservation of the Colorado River Toad.[33]

Legal status

Australia

As a structural analog of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), 5-MeO-DMT is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance under the Poisons Standard.[35]

Canada

5-MeO-DMT is legal for personal use and possession in Canada,[36] though sale, distribution, and other activities involving the substance are illegal under Canadian federal law.

China

As of October 2015, 5-MeO-DMT is a controlled substance in China.[37]

Germany

As of 2001 5-MeO-DMT is listed as a controlled substance. Attachement I BtMG. BGBl. I 2001, 1180 - 1186;

Sweden

The Swedish government classified 5-MeO-DMT, listed as 5-metoxi-N,N-dimetyltryptamin (5-MeO-DMT) in their regulation SFS 2004:696, as "health hazard" under the act Lagen om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor (translated Act on the Prohibition of Certain Goods Dangerous to Health) in October 2004, making it illegal to sell or possess.[38]

Turkey

5-MeO-DMT has been controlled in Turkey since December 2013.[39]

United States

5-MeO-DMT was made a Schedule I controlled substance in January 2011.[40]

See also

External links

Notes and References

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  2. Web site: Ultimate Guide to 5-MeO-DMT - Experience, Benefits, & Side Effects. 29 June 2020.
  3. Ott J . Pharmañopo-psychonautics: human intranasal, sublingual, intrarectal, pulmonary and oral pharmacology of bufotenine . Journal of Psychoactive Drugs . 33 . 3 . 273–281 . July–September 2001 . 11718320 . 10.1080/02791072.2001.10400574 . 5877023 .
  4. Shen HW, Jiang XL, Winter JC, Yu AM . Psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: metabolism, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and pharmacological actions . Current Drug Metabolism . 11 . 8 . 659–666 . October 2010 . 20942780 . 3028383 . 10.2174/138920010794233495 .
  5. Web site: 5-MeO-DMT Effects by Erowid. Erowid.org. 2021-07-30.
  6. Davis AK, So S, Lancelotta R, Barsuglia JP, Griffiths RR . 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety . The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse . 45 . 2 . 161–169 . March 2019 . 30822141 . 6430661 . 10.1080/00952990.2018.1545024 .
  7. Davis AK, Barsuglia JP, Lancelotta R, Grant RM, Renn E . The epidemiology of 5-methoxy- N, N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) use: Benefits, consequences, patterns of use, subjective effects, and reasons for consumption . Journal of Psychopharmacology . 32 . 7 . 779–792 . July 2018 . 29708042 . 6248886 . 10.1177/0269881118769063 .
  8. Book: The Book of Sacraments: Ritual Use of Magical Plants . Mann J, Gottlieb A . Ronin Publishing . 2015 . First published 1970. 978-1-57951-210-1. back cover.
  9. Web site: 5-MeO-DMT Timeline . Erowid.
  10. Ray TS . Psychedelics and the human receptorome . PLOS ONE . 5 . 2 . e9019 . February 2010 . 20126400 . 2814854 . 10.1371/journal.pone.0009019 . free . 2010PLoSO...5.9019R .
  11. Rogawski MA, Aghajanian GK . Serotonin autoreceptors on dorsal raphe neurons: structure-activity relationships of tryptamine analogs . J Neurosci . 1 . 10 . 1148–1154 . October 1981 . 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.01-10-01148.1981 . 6793698 . 6564212 .
  12. Krebs-Thomson K, Ruiz EM, Masten V, Buell M, Geyer MA . The roles of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors in the effects of 5-MeO-DMT on locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition in rats . Psychopharmacology . 189 . 3 . 319–329 . December 2006 . 17013638 . 10.1007/s00213-006-0566-1 . 23396616 .
  13. 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 .
  14. Uthaug MV, Lancelotta R, van Oorsouw K, Kuypers KP, Mason N, Rak J, Šuláková A, Jurok R, Maryška M, Kuchař M, Páleníček T, Riba J, Ramaekers JG . 6 . A single inhalation of vapor from dried toad secretion containing 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) in a naturalistic setting is related to sustained enhancement of satisfaction with life, mindfulness-related capacities, and a decrement of psychopathological symptoms . Psychopharmacology . 236 . 9 . 2653–2666 . September 2019 . 30982127 . 6695371 . 10.1007/s00213-019-05236-w . free .
  15. Lima da Cruz RV, Moulin TC, Petiz LL, Leão RN . A Single Dose of 5-MeO-DMT Stimulates Cell Proliferation, Neuronal Survivability, Morphological and Functional Changes in Adult Mice Ventral Dentate Gyrus . Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience . 11 . 312 . 2018 . 30233313 . 6131656 . 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00312 . free .
  16. Web site: Home | GH Research. GH Research Limited.
  17. Reckweg J, Mason NL, van Leeuwen C, Toennes SW, Terwey TH, Ramaekers JG . A Phase 1, Dose-Ranging Study to Assess Safety and Psychoactive Effects of a Vaporized 5-Methoxy-N, N-Dimethyltryptamine Formulation (GH001) in Healthy Volunteers . Frontiers in Pharmacology . 12 . 760671 . 2021 . 34912222 . 8667866 . 10.3389/fphar.2021.760671 . free .
  18. GH Research PLC . 2021-12-06 . GH Research Announces Successful Outcome of the Phase 2 part of its Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial of GH001 in Treatment-Resistant Depression . 2022-10-07 . GlobeNewswire News Room . en.
  19. GH Research PLC. 2022-08-23 . GH Research Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results and Provides Business Updates . 2022-10-07 . GlobeNewswire News Room . en.
  20. Web site: Carpenter DE . 2022-02-16 . More Companies Embrace 5-MeO-DMT to Create Therapies . 2022-03-06 . Lucid News . en-US.
  21. News: Siebert A . Could 5-MeO-DMT Allow For More Affordable Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy? Beckley Psytech Thinks So . 2022-03-06 . Forbes . en.
  22. Sherwood AM, Claveau R, Lancelotta R, Kaylo KW, Lenoch K . Synthesis and Characterization of 5-MeO-DMT Succinate for Clinical Use . ACS Omega . 5 . 49 . 32067–32075 . December 2020 . 33344861 . 7745443 . 10.1021/acsomega.0c05099 .
  23. Web site: Carpenter DE . 2021-02-02 . Psychedelic Toads Pushed To The Limit, Conservationists Urge Synthetic 5-MeO-DMT Option . 2021-02-04 . Forbes . en.
  24. Uthaug MV, Lancelotta R, Szabo A, Davis AK, Riba J, Ramaekers JG . Prospective examination of synthetic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine inhalation: effects on salivary IL-6, cortisol levels, affect, and non-judgment . Psychopharmacology . 237 . 3 . 773–785 . March 2020 . 31822925 . 7036074 . 10.1007/s00213-019-05414-w .
  25. Web site: tryptamines: fungi . bluezoo.org.
  26. Web site: Erowid Psychoactive Vaults: Tryptamine FAQ . www.erowid.org.
  27. Web site: Some simple tryptomines . troutsnotes.com . 2020-07-04.
  28. Web site: 5-MeO-DMT: The 20-Minute Psychoactive Toad Experience That's Transforming Lives . Carpenter DE . Forbes.
  29. Web site: Nelson K . Illustrated by Gail Patterson . Bufo alvarius: The Psychedelic Toad of the Sonoran Desert . October 20, 2023 . Erowid.
  30. Web site: Shulgin A, Shulgin A . Tryptamines I Have Known And Loved: The Continuation . October 20, 2023 . Erowid.
  31. News: Romero S . 2022-03-20 . Demand for This Toad's Psychedelic Toxin Is Booming. Some Warn That's Bad for the Toad. . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-10-20 . 0362-4331.
  32. Web site: 2023-07-12 . The Sonoran Desert toad can get you high. Poachers have taken notice. . https://web.archive.org/web/20230712175204/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/sonoran-desert-toad-dmt-psychedelic-movement . dead . July 12, 2023 . 2023-10-20 . Animals . en.
  33. Book: Morris H . 2021-02-02 . Preface . 2021 . Bufo alvarius: The Psychedelic Toad of the Sonoran Desert . https://www.psychedelictoadofthesonorandesert.com/preface . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210202114012/https://www.psychedelictoadofthesonorandesert.com/preface. 2021-02-02. 2023-10-20 .
  34. Book: Khan JI, Kennedy TJ, Christian JR DR . Basic Principles of Forensic Chemistry . 2011 . Springer Science & Business Media . 978-1-934115-06-0 . 195 .
  35. Web site: Poisons Standard July 2016 . 24 June 2016 . Federal Register of Legislation.
  36. Web site: Is 5-MeO-DMT (Bufo) Legal in Canada? Understanding 5-MeO-DMT Laws and Regulations . 2023-11-28 . PsychedelicLaw.ca . en-US.
  37. 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 . Chinese . 1 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151001222554/http://www.sfda.gov.cn/WS01/CL0056/130753.html . 1 October 2015 . dead .
  38. Web site: Förordning om ändring i förordningen (1999:58) om förbud mot vissa hälsofarliga varor . Svensk författningssamling . 7 September 2004 . sv.
  39. Web site: Turkish Law . Resmi Gazete . 16 December 2013.
  40. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Justice . Schedules of controlled substances: placement of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine into Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. Final rule . Federal Register . 75 . 243 . 79296–79300 . December 2010 . 21171485 .

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