5-MeO-DMT
Angelica Ukaigwe, Abhishek Chauhan, S. Vinod Kumar
May 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1093/med/9780197760864.003.0007 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstractAbstract
Abstract 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychoactive compound found in the parotid gland venom of the Sonoran Desert toad, Incilius alvarius, and certain seeds, leaves, and barks within the Amazonian rainforest. Similar to DMT containing ayahuasca, 5-MeO-DMT has become newly integrated as a spiritual sacrament in certain churches, offering a psychedelic experience to process feelings and symptoms associated with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, drug use disorder, and existential crisis. Its ability to improve quality of life and/or attitudes toward end of life has garnered interest from the field of palliative care. Its potential to assist individuals with processing life-changing diagnoses supports further research on its therapeutic scope. Side effects include adrenergic responses and “reactivation phenomenon,” in which the individual re-experiences moments of the drug-induced state weeks to months post administration. The synthetic form of the venom offers the opportunity for standardized production and dosing while still maintaining its therapeutic potential. 5-MeO-DMT’s legal status has not been specifically addressed by U.S. nor European laws, but if likened to a derivative of DMT, it would be illegal under U.S. law, with possible religious exemptions and potential for decriminalization. Although not yet listed as a “threatened species,” there is concern that with demand for 5-MeO-DMT, the toad population and the ecological equilibrium will become disrupted. Most important, the creation of synthetic 5-MeO-DMT to combat extinction of the Sonoran Desert toad remains imperative.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on 5-MeO-DMT, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropharmacology of N,N-dimethyltryptamine | 2016 | Review | |
| N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function Humans and animals (general) | 2018 | Review | |
| Psychedelic 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: metabolism, pharmacokinetics, drug interactions, and pharmacological actions. Humans (pharmacokinetics) | 2010 | Review | |
| Dark Classics in Chemical Neuroscience:N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) | 2018 | Review | |
| A possibly sigma-1 receptor mediated role of dimethyltryptamine in tissue protection, regeneration, and immunity. | 2013 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid antidepressant effects of the psychedelic ayahuasca in treatment-resistant depression: a randomized placebo-controlled trial Psychological Medicine June 15, 2018
- Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Frontiers in Pharmacology January 17, 2018
- A narrative synthesis of research with 5-MeO-DMT. Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2022
- Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans Chronic Stress August 12, 2020
and 2 more in the library