5-MeO-AMT

5-MeO-AMT (5-methoxy-α-methyltryptamine) is a psychedelic drug. It is soluble in alcohol. It is one of the most potent tryptamines; that is, a very small amount is needed to achieve intense effects.

Pharmacology
The sympathomimetic effects may in turn be caused by 5-MeO-AMT's structural similarity to the amphetamines. As noted by Alexander Shulgin, the alpha-methylated tryptamines can be looked at as the tryptamine homologues of the amphetamines (alpha-methylated phenethylamines).

Recreational usage
It is supposedly sold in 4mg tablets by the street name Alpha-O and taken as a recreational drug. Since the DEA arrests of the makers of a huge percentage of the United States' LSD in 2000, 5-MeO-AMT may have occasionally been sold under the guise of LSD in liquid, sugar cube, or blotter form. Although this idea may be because the DEA has released reports of finding it on sugar cubes, and blotters, "LSD Style".

The most common route of administration for 5-MeO-AMT is orally, however anecdotal reports have stated less common methods such as snorting or smoking. Intravenous (IV) and intramuscular (IM) routes are rarely, if ever, used outside research settings due to the high potency, powerful effects and quicker onset.

Effects


The effects of 5-MeO-AMT occur at very low oral dosages, in the 4-7mg range for most users. Inexperienced hallucinogen users should take caution and begin with a light dose, 2-7mg. Erowid lists the following effects:

Positive

 * Increased energy
 * Improved mood heading into euphoria at higher doses
 * Increased sociability, gregariousness
 * Increased giggling and laughing
 * Increased sense of creative thinking
 * Increased pleasure from sense of touch
 * Intensification in sexual / erotic experiences for some users

Neutral

 * Light headedness
 * Brightening of colors
 * Visuals including motion, waves, breathing walls, etc (usually at doses over 4-5mg)
 * Increased attention on details
 * Auditory distortions or hallucinations (usually at higher doses)

Negative

 * Headache
 * Body fatigue
 * Stress and extreme fatigue from long duration of effects.
 * Nausea, diarrhea
 * Vomiting at high doses
 * Difficulty sleeping or resting for 12-24 hours after ingestion.
 * Paranoia, irritability, anxiety (increasing with dose).
 * Delusional, aggressive, or dissociated behaviour at very high doses (20+mg)

Dangers
When users take more "hits" of 5-MeO-AMT than is normal, possibly thinking it is the relatively safer LSD, they may overdose. Overdosing can also occur at dosages in the normal (for most users) range, as low as 8 mg. This has led to at least a few hospitalizations and possibly more than one death. It is likely that the overdose potential of the compound is due to its sympathomimetic effects, as the side effects noted in overdose cases include cardiac arrhythmia and seizure. It also seems that oral consumption is safer than insufflation.

Legality
According to the US Department of Justice, 5-MeO-AMT is illegal for human consumption. It is an analog of 5-MeO-DIPT and alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), which are Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act. According to 21 U.S.C. § 813, “a controlled substance analog(ue) shall, to the extent intended for human consumption, be treated, for the purposes of any Federal law as a controlled substance in Schedule I.” Thus, authorities can prosecute drug offenses involving 5-MeO-AMT in the same manner as offenses involving 5-MeO-DIPT and AMT. (See 21 U.S.C.§ 802(32) for the definition of a controlled substance analog(ue).)