Tryptamines
PSILOCYBIN/PSILOCYN (MAGIC
MUSHROOMS): A number of Schedule I hallucinogenic
substances are
classified chemically as tryptamines. Most of these are found in nature
but
many, if not all, can be produced synthetically. Psilocybin
(O-phosphoryl-4-hydroxy-N, N-ethyltryptamine) and psilocyn (4-hydroxy-N,
N-dimethyltryptamine)
are obtained from certain mushrooms indigenous to tropical and
subtropical
regions of South America, Mexico, and the United States. As pure
chemicals at
doses of 10 to 20 mg, these hallucinogens produce muscle relaxation,
dilation of
pupils, vivid visual and auditory distortions, and emotional
disturbances.
However, the effects produced by consuming preparations of dried or
brewed
mushrooms are far less predictable and largely depend on the particular
mushrooms used and the age and preservation of the extract. There are
many
species of "magic" mushrooms that contain varying amounts of these
tryptamines,
as well as uncertain amounts of other chemicals. As a consequence, the
hallucinogenic activity, as well as the extent of toxicity produced by
various
plant samples, are often unknown.
DIMETHYLTRYPTAMIN (DMT)
has
a long history of use and is found in a variety of plants and seeds. It
can also
be produced synthetically. It is ineffective when taken orally, unless
combined
with another drug that inhibits its metabolism. Generally it is sniffed,
smoked,
or injected. The effective hallucinogenic dose in humans is about 50 to
100 mg
and lasts for about 45 to 60 minutes. Because the effects last only
about an
hour; the experience has been referred to as a "businessman’s trip."
A number of other hallucinogens have very similar structures and properties to those of DMT. Diethyltryptamine (DET), for example, is an analogue of DMT and produces the same pharmacological effects but is somewhat less potent than DMT. Alpha-ethyltryptamine (AET) is another tryptamine hallucinogen added to the list of Schedule I hallucinogens in 1994. Bufotenine (5-hydroxy-N-N-dimethyltryptamine) is a Schedule I substance found in certain mushrooms, seeds, and skin glands of Bufo toads. In general, most bufotenine preparations from natural sources are extremely toxic. N,N-Diisopropyl-5-methoxytryptamine (referred to as Foxy-Methoxy) is an orally active tryptamine recently encountered in the United States. (Source: DEA)
Alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), known as "spirals," was designated a Schedule I drug by the DEA in April of 2003. 5-methoxy-alpha-methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT) is also a tryptamine. Other common names for 5-MeO-AMT are "alpha-O", "alpha" and "O-DMS."
EFFECTS:
Users of tryptamines typically experience a multitude of effects. These effects include hallucinations, euphoria, dilated pupils, empathy, visual and auditory disturbances/distortions, “feelings of love,” and emotional distress. Some users may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Tryptamines, like Foxy and AMT, are very dose dependent, which means that the doubling of a moderate dose could result in effects similar to LSD. The duration of effects from 20 mg of AMT usually last between 12 and 24 hours, while the effects from 6 to 10 mg of Foxy reportedly last from 3 to 6 hours. (Source: DEA)