Bufotenin Facts
Psychedelic;
Description
Bufotenin (5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) is a naturally-occurring psychedelic of the tryptamine class. It activates serotonin receptors but barely triggers the one responsible for classic psychedelic effects, producing a body-heavy altered state rather than vivid visuals.
Subjective effects include visual distortions, euphoria, bodily heaviness, facial flushing, and brief altered states of consciousness.[1] The experience is more body-dominated than any classic psychedelic — cardiovascular pressure and physical weight come first, with genuine psychedelic content emerging only at higher doses.
Bufotenin produces no physical dependence, but the cardiovascular risk is real — it directly raises heart rate and the force of heart contractions.[2] The greatest additional danger comes from monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which block the enzyme that clears bufotenin and dramatically amplify cardiac exposure.
Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies
Starts in 0.25 – 0.5 minLasts 15 – 90 minAfter-effects 30 – 120 min
Body and dependence
- Acute toxicity
- Moderate
- Chronic toxicity
- Low
- Physical dependence
- None
- Psychological dependence
- Negligible
- Withdrawal
- None recorded
- Compulsive redosing
- Negligible
Tolerance
- Builds
- Rapid
- Fully resets after
- 2 hours
- Carries over to
- DMT;
5-MeO-DMT; psilocybin; psilocin; LSD
Effectslikely at a common dose
- Perception
- Holotropic state;
+32 possible, including Vestibular distortion, Spatial disorientation, Visual haze / noise - Body
- Body scan awareness;
+27 possible, including Nausea, Vasoconstriction, Motor control impairment - Thinking
- none likely · 34 possible, including Memory suppression, Cognitive impairment, Confusion
- Feeling
- none likely · 9 possible, including Anxiety, Emotional lability, Dysphoria
- Self
- none likely · 9 possible, including Derealization, Communication suppression, Depersonalization
- Time
- Time alteration;
+2 possible, including Temporal disorientation - Transpersonal
- none likely · 1 possible
- Awareness
- none likely · 4 possible
Who shouldn't take it
Combinations61 recorded
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
- Stay calm and reassure — remind them they took a drug and the effect will pass
- Move to a calm, quiet, safe space with low light; reduce noise and sensory input
- Keep them from harm — they may act on fear or confusion; stay with them, don't leave them alone
- Talk them down gently; don't grab or restrain unless they're in danger
- For the medical signs above (overheating, seizure, chest pain, vasoconstriction, unresponsive) call emergency services
- 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
References
- [1]^Chamakura RP (1994) Bufotenine - A Hallucinogen in Ancient Snuff Powders of South America and a Drug of Abuse on the Streets of New York City. — Forensic Science Review PMID:26270149
- [2]^Neumann J, Schulz N, Fehse C, Azatsian K, et al. (2023) Cardiovascular effects of bufotenin on human 5-HT4 serotonin receptors in cardiac preparations of transgenic mice and in human atrial preparations. — Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology doi:10.1007/s00210-023-02414-8