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Bufotenin Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted tryptamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Smoked(mg)
Threshold< 2 mgLight5 – 20 mgCommon20 – 40 mgStrong40 – 60 mgHeavy60+ mg

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

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Cardiovascular disease; Hypertension; Cardiac arrhythmia; Pregnancy and breastfeeding; MAOI use; Tramadol use
Relative
Psychotic disorders

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (19)
MDMA, MDA; Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NRIs; Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids
Caution (37)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/bufotenin
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

psychedex.org/substances/bufotenin · Version r1 · Not medical adviceValues as of
On the printout