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5-MeO-AMT Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted tryptamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

5-MeO-AMT (5-methoxy-α-methyltryptamine) — also known as Alpha-O — is a synthetic psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It activates serotonin receptors and drives monoamine release, producing a combined psychedelic and stimulant effect.[1][2]

Subjective effects include geometric visual patterns, physical stimulation, mood elevation, cognitive enhancement, and pronounced nausea.[3] The experience layers psychedelic perceptual shifts onto a persistent stimulant undercurrent — physically demanding, with a somatically heavy arc shaped substantially by dose and psychological context.

5-MeO-AMT does not produce physical dependence, but the margin between active and dangerous doses is narrow.[4][5] Its serotonin activation and monoamine release create a dangerous overdose pattern — rapid heart rate, seizures, and dangerously elevated body temperature — and fatalities in polydrug contexts are documented.[4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 0.5 mgLight0.5 – 2 mgCommon2 – 4.5 mgStrong4.5 – 8 mgHeavy8+ mg

Starts in 30 – 90 minLasts 12 – 18 hoursAfter-effects 4 – 6 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
14 days
Carries over to
LSD; psilocybin; mescaline; DMT

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
none likely · 35 possible, including Visual haze / noise, Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion
Body
Stimulation; Wakefulness; Pupil dilation; Nausea; Muscle tension; Insomnia; Restlessness; Body high; Body scan awareness; +27 possible, including Trembling, Excessive sweating, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Thought acceleration; +35 possible, including Confusion, Cognitive impairment, Decision impairment
Feeling
Euphoria; Anxiety; +10 possible, including Emotional lability, Paranoia, Dysphoria
Self
none likely · 10 possible, including Derealization, Depersonalization, Craving
Time
Time alteration; +3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 4 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiac arrhythmia or structural heart disease; Seizure disorders; Concurrent MAOI use
Relative
Concurrent lithium use; Personal or family history of psychotic spectrum disorders; Hepatic impairment; Pregnancy and lactation; Concurrent SSRI or SNRI use

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (26)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Amphetamines; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; GHB, GBL; Lithium; Local anesthetics; MDMA, MDA; NRIs; Opioids; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NSAIDs; Psychedelics; and 2 more, see full page
Caution (29)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/5-meo-amt
Not graded (4)
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]
    ^Untitled doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.11.075
  2. [2]
    ^Rickli A, Moning OD, Hoener MC, Liechti ME (2016) Receptor interaction profiles of novel psychoactive tryptamines compared with classic hallucinogens — European Neuropsychopharmacology doi:10.1016/j.euroneuro.2016.05.001
  3. [3]
    ^Erowid (2004) 5-MeO-AMT Basics (Erowid Vault) Link
  4. [4]
    ^abResearchChem.net (2024) 5-MeO-AMT: Comprehensive Profile Link
  5. [5]
    ^Abiero A, Botanas CJ, Sayson LV, Custodio RJ, de la Pena JB, Kim M, Lee HJ, Seo JW, Ryu IS, Chang CM, Yang JS, Lee YS, Jang CG, Kim HJ, Cheong JH (2019) 5-Methoxy-alpha-methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT), a tryptamine derivative, induces head-twitch responses in mice through the activation of serotonin receptor 2a in the prefrontal cortex. — Behavioural brain research doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2018.07.020
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