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4-HO-EPT Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted tryptamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

4-HO-EPT (4-hydroxy-N-ethyl-N-propyltryptamine) — also known as Eprocin — is a synthetic psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, producing the visual and cognitive shifts characteristic of classical psychedelics.[1]

Subjective effects include geometric visual patterns, emotional warmth, mood elevation, sedation, and transpersonal states. The experience is gentler and more body-oriented than psilocin — a sedative warmth and anxiolytic quality run through it, less visually sharp than comparable tryptamines.[1]

4-HO-EPT produces no physical dependence, and the lethal dose in humans is unknown.[2] The primary acute risk is psychological distress scaling with dose; a theoretical long-term concern comes from strong binding to a receptor associated with heart valve damage from sustained daily use.[3]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 10 mgLight15 – 20 mgCommon30 – 40 mgStrong40 – 60 mgHeavy60+ mg

Starts in 30 – 60 minLasts 3 – 7 hoursAfter-effects 1 – 6 hours

Body and dependence

Acute toxicity
Low
Chronic toxicity
Moderate
Physical dependence
None
Psychological dependence
Negligible
Withdrawal
None recorded
Compulsive redosing
Negligible

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
7 days
Carries over to
psilocin; psilocybin; LSD; DMT; mescaline; DOI

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Visual drifting; Color alteration; Music enhancement; Color enhancement; Geometry; Visual breathing; +29 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Visual haze / noise, Vestibular distortion
Body
Pupil dilation; Body high; +28 possible, including Nausea, Dizziness, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Novelty enhancement; Aesthetic enhancement; +31 possible, including Cognitive impairment, Decision impairment, Memory suppression
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; +7 possible, including Emotional lability, Anxiety
Self
none likely · 9 possible, including Derealization, Depersonalization
Time
Time alteration; +4 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 5 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders; Lithium use; MAOI use; Tramadol use
Relative
Cardiovascular disease; HPPD history; Bipolar disorder; Pregnancy or breastfeeding; SSRI/SNRI use

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (17)
Dopamine agonists; Lithium; MDMA, MDA; NRIs; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids
Caution (37)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/4-ho-ept
Not graded (6)
Not listed never means safe.

Seek help immediately if

Most difficulty is psychological (intense fear, panic, confusion) and passes with calm support — the signs below mean seek emergency help:

  • Very high body temperature; hot, dry skin
  • Seizures
  • Chest pain; fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Severe muscle rigidity, tremor, or twitching (possible serotonin syndrome)
  • Cold, pale, or blue fingers/toes — severe vasoconstriction (notably NBOMe / DOx)
  • Persistent vomiting; unconsciousness; uncontrollable agitation or risk of self-harm

What to do

  1. Stay calm and reassure — remind them they took a drug and the effect will pass
  2. Move to a calm, quiet, safe space with low light; reduce noise and sensory input
  3. Keep them from harm — they may act on fear or confusion; stay with them, don't leave them alone
  4. Talk them down gently; don't grab or restrain unless they're in danger
  5. For the medical signs above (overheating, seizure, chest pain, vasoconstriction, unresponsive) call emergency services
  6. If overheating, cool the body; be ready to give rescue breaths / CPR

The experience is time-limited and usually resolves with calm reassurance in a safe setting — psychological first aid, not medication. Serious physical harm is uncommon for classic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) but real for some potent phenethylamines (NBOMe, DOx), where hyperthermia, seizures, and vasoconstriction warrant emergency care.

988 Suicide & Crisis LifelineFireside Project: 62-FIRESIDE

Version r1 · Not medical advice

References

  1. [1]
    ^abHalberstadt AL, Koedood L, Powell SB, Geyer MA (2011) Differential contributions of serotonin receptors to the behavioral effects of indoleamine hallucinogens in mice — Journal of Psychopharmacology doi:10.1177/0269881110388326
  2. [2]
    ^de la Fuente Revenga M, Jaster AM, McGinn J, Silva G, Saha S, Gonzalez-Maeso J (2022) Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance among Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists in Mice — ACS Chemical Neuroscience doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00170
  3. [3]
    ^Glatfelter GC, Naeem M, Pham DNK, Golen JA, Chadeayne AR, Manke DR, Baumann MH (2023) Receptor Binding Profiles for Tryptamine Psychedelics and Effects of 4-Propionoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in Mice — ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science doi:10.1021/acsptsci.2c00222
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