5-MeO-DMT: general

5-MeO-DMT (short for 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) [1] is a naturally occurring tryptamine [2] and short-acting serotonergic psychedelic [3], classed as an atypical psychedelic, entheogen, and alkaloid [4]. It acts primarily as an agonist at the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors [2]. It's found in plants such as Virola and Anadenanthera [2], and in the venom of the Sonoran Desert toad (Bufo alvarius, also called Incilius alvarius) [2][4][1]. It may also be produced by the human body — it has been detected in human blood and urine [1]. It was first synthesised in 1936 [3] and isolated from the plant Dictyoloma incanescens in 1959 [3]; indigenous peoples in South America are reported to have used it for thousands of years in ritual and spiritual contexts [3].

The thing to know before anything else is that it is short-acting and reported to produce profound alterations in consciousness [3]. As with psychedelics generally, taking a very high dose raises the chance of a distressing experience, and set, setting, and having a sober sitter present are critical for safety [5].

The other thing to know is about interactions. As with serotonergic psychedelics generally, true serotonin toxicity is mainly a risk with overdose of a serotonergic drug or when combined with an MAOI [6]. As with psychedelics generally, drug interactions — especially with serotonergic medications — require careful screening [7].

On safety data: clinical trials involving 78 participants found a good short-term safety and tolerability profile, with no serious adverse events and no drop-outs [8], and a trial has demonstrated safety of vaporized dosing up to 18 mg [2]. Separately, it's being studied as a possible rapid-acting antidepressant, with observational studies reporting rapid, sustained reductions in depression, anxiety, and stress after a single exposure [8][2].

References

1. 5-MeO-DMT Therapy Information — UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics
2. The clinical pharmacology and potential therapeutic applications of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) — Wiley (Journal of Neurochemistry)
3. A narrative synthesis of research with 5-MeO-DMT — SAGE Journals
4. 5-MeO-DMT — Wikipedia
5. Understanding Risk in the use of Psychedelics — UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics
6. Serotonin toxicity of serotonergic psychedelics — PubMed
7. Pharmacological Properties of Psychedelics with a Special Focus on Potential Harms — PubMed
8. Short-term safety and tolerability profile of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in human subjects: a systematic review of clinical trials — Frontiers in Psychiatry