5-MeO-DMT (5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine)
A powerful, short-acting psychedelic found in some plants and toad secretions, studied for depression and anxiety. Often described as producing a brief but overwhelming experience.
How it works
Strongly activates serotonin 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors, producing rapid and intense changes in consciousness.
Key facts
- Molecular weight: 218.30 g/mol
- Half-life: Short (minutes)
- Bioavailability: Inhaled/injected
- Storage: Research/clinical settings only.
Dosing overview
- Typical dose: Low milligram range in clinical studies
- Frequency: One to a few supervised sessions
- Duration: Acute effects last 15-45 minutes
- Route: Inhalation or injection in research settings
Protocol notes
- Vaporized or insufflated for a brief but overwhelming experience, usually with a sitter present.
- In clinics it is given in carefully measured doses with support before and after.
- People lie down because effects come on within seconds and peak fast.
- Far less visual than other psychedelics; often described as a total loss of the sense of self.
Reported benefits
- Studied for treatment-resistant depression
- Short duration suits clinical use
- Explored for anxiety
- Rapid onset of effects
Possible side effects
- Very intense experiences
- Anxiety or fear
- Raised heart rate and blood pressure
- Risk of distress without support
Research
- 5-MeO-DMT for treatment-resistant depression (Phase 2) (2024): Reported rapid antidepressant effects after a single supervised dose in early trials.
Community reviews of 5-MeO-DMT
- sleep_nerdy rated it 4/5 - Fast reset, but it rattled me a little at first: I’m in my 40s, work as a PA, and I got curious about 5-MeO-DMT after a rough patch with burnout and that heavy, stuck feeling that can creep in when you’re juggling patients, home, and just life in the South. Over about 6 weeks, it seemed to give me a weirdly clear reset after the session. The one caveat, ngl, was how intense and body-heavy it felt up front, so I had to respect it and keep things very intentional.
- rational_coldplunge758 rated it 1/5 - Brief surge of anxiety, no lasting benefit: I tried 5‑MeO‑DMT once, hoping it would clear mental fog for my coaching work, but the only noticeable effect was a sudden, intense anxiety that lasted an hour and left me jittery for the rest of the day, so I stopped after that session.
- coastal_paddles rated it 3/5 - Tiny reset, not a big one: For me, the only real change was a brief feeling of mental quiet that stuck around a little after a few sessions. I’m a sales rep in the Midwest, juggling work and training, so I was hoping for more. After about 4 weeks, it felt useful but pretty modest.
Compare 5-MeO-DMT
Research and educational reference only. Not medical advice.