Skip to main content
Psychedex
Article

4-HO-MET Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted tryptamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

4-HO-MET (4-hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine) — metocin, methylcybin — is a synthetic psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, producing the visual distortions and altered thinking characteristic of classical psychedelics.[1]

Subjective effects include brightened colors, rippling surfaces, geometric visual patterns, synesthesia, mood elevation, and euphoria. The experience is lighter than psilocybin — visually rich and playful, with less introspective weight — though higher doses can produce ego dissolution and unusual thought patterns.[2]

4-HO-MET does not produce physical dependence,[3] and no human death has been attributed to the compound alone. The primary risks are psychological — panic, confusion, or acute psychosis[4] — and combining it with serotonin-raising drugs can trigger life-threatening overheating and seizures.[5]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 5 mgLight8 – 15 mgCommon15 – 25 mgStrong25 – 40 mgHeavy40+ mg

Starts in 15 – 30 minLasts 4 – 6 hoursAfter-effects 1 – 3 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
7 days
Carries over to
psilocybin; psilocin; LSD; mescaline; DMT; 4-AcO-DMT; 4-HO-DET; 4-HO-DiPT

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Geometry; Color enhancement; Visual drifting; Color alteration; Environmental patterning; Music enhancement; Auditory enhancement; Visual breathing; +29 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual haze / noise
Body
Spontaneous body sensations; Pupil dilation; Body high; Body scan awareness; +27 possible, including Heart rate perception changes, Temperature dysregulation, Muscle tension
Thinking
Novelty enhancement; Thought connectivity; Aesthetic enhancement; +26 possible, including Suggestibility enhancement, Cognitive impairment, Decision impairment
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; +6 possible, including Emotional lability, Anxiety
Self
none likely · 10 possible, including Derealization, Depersonalization
Time
Time alteration; +3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 5 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Long QT syndrome; Concurrent QT-prolonging medications; Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy
Relative
Bipolar disorder; Hepatic impairment; Adolescence

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-met
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]
    ^NCATS (2024) 4-HO-MET Chemical and Pharmacological Data (NCATS Inxight Drugs) Link
  2. [2]
    ^Kjellgren A, Soussan C (2011) Heaven and hell--a phenomenological study of recreational use of 4-HO-MET in Sweden — Journal of Psychoactive Drugs PMID:22111404
  3. [3]
    ^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
  4. [4]
    ^Täljemark J, Johansson BA (2012) Drug-induced acute psychosis in an adolescent first-time user of 4-HO-MET — European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry doi:10.1007/s00787-012-0282-9
  5. [5]
    ^Rached G, Campana A, Fiani D, et al. (2026) Safety and Efficacy of Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors in Patients Who Use Psychoactive Substances — CNS Drugs doi:10.1007/s40263-025-01256-7
Print version
Report an issue