Skip to main content
Psychedex
Article

5-MeO-DMT Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted tryptamine; Serotonin 1A receptor agonist

Description

5-MeO-DMT (5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) — known as "the toad" — is a short-acting psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain,[1] producing an almost instantaneous dissolution of self and identity.

Subjective effects include rapid ego dissolution, mystical states, intense emotional enhancement, and somatic overwhelm.[2] The experience is defined less by what is seen than by what disappears — self-boundaries collapse into undifferentiated unity, with far less visual complexity than DMT or psilocybin.[2]

5-MeO-DMT produces no physical dependence and has no confirmed lethal dose in humans.[2] The principal danger is pharmacokinetic: blood levels rise disproportionately with dose increases,[3] and combining it with monoamine oxidase inhibitors multiplies exposure several times over, producing dangerous overheating and seizures.[4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Vaporized(mg)
Threshold< 1 mgLight2 – 5 mgCommon5 – 12 mgStrong12 – 18 mgHeavy20+ mg

Starts in 0.08 – 1 minLasts 20 – 40 minAfter-effects 30 – 120 min

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
2 hours
Carries over to
DMT; psilocybin; LSD; mescaline

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Vestibular distortion; Spatial disorientation; Ganzfeld effect; Holotropic state; Proprioceptive distortion; Sensory deprivation; Brightness alteration; +21 possible, including Visual haze / noise, Visual acuity suppression, Tinnitus
Body
Spontaneous body sensations; Body schema distortion; Motor control impairment; Pupil dilation; Vibrations / buzzing; Tingling / electric sensations; Body scan awareness; +33 possible, including Dizziness, Temperature dysregulation, Excessive sweating
Thinking
Memory suppression; Cognitive impairment; Thought disorganization; Analysis suppression; Decision impairment; Information processing suppression; Immersion enhancement; Language suppression; Focus suppression; +24 possible, including Suggestibility enhancement, Confusion, Cognitive dysphoria
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; Emotional lability; +8 possible, including Anxiety, Dysphoria, Paranoia
Self
Depersonalization; Derealization; Social disconnection; Emotional susceptibility; Communication suppression; Sociability suppression; +6 possible
Time
Time alteration; Temporal disorientation; Present-moment absorption; +2 possible
Transpersonal
Unity and interconnectedness
Awareness
Personal insight; Absorption (jhana); +3 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy and lactation; MAOI use (concurrent or recent)
Relative
Uncontrolled hypertension; Respiratory compromise; Epilepsy; Bipolar disorder

Combinations62 recorded

Lethal (2)
MAOIs; PCP
Dangerous (21)
Antihistamines; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Clonidine, Guanfacine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; MDMA, MDA; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids
Caution (35)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/5-meo-dmt
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]
    ^Glatfelter GC, Clark AA, Cavalco NG, et al. (2024) Serotonin 1A Receptors Modulate Serotonin 2A Receptor-Mediated Behavioral Effects of 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine Analogs in Mice — ACS Chemical Neuroscience doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00513
  2. [2]
    ^abcErmakova AO, Dunbar F, Rucker J, Johnson MW (2022) A narrative synthesis of research with 5-MeO-DMT — Journal of Psychopharmacology doi:10.1177/02698811211050543
  3. [3]
    ^Shen HW, Jiang XL, Yu AM (2011) Nonlinear pharmacokinetics of 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in mice — Drug Metabolism and Disposition doi:10.1124/dmd.111.039107
  4. [4]
    ^Shen HW, Wu C, Jiang XL, Yu AM (2010) Effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitor and cytochrome P450 2D6 status on 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine metabolism and pharmacokinetics — Biochemical Pharmacology doi:10.1016/j.bcp.2010.02.020
Print version
Report an issue