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DOI Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted amphetamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

DOI (2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine) is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, producing the visual distortions and altered cognition characteristic of classical psychedelics.[1]

Subjective effects include geometric visual patterns, color enhancement, physical stimulation, emotional warmth, and profound time alteration. The experience is defined by endurance — it unfolds across an entire waking cycle, passing through multiple moods and energy levels, more physically activating than tryptamine psychedelics like psilocybin.[2]

DOI produces no physical dependence, and no confirmed human fatality from pure DOI has been published.[3] The main risks are sustained cardiovascular stress from vasoconstriction, psychological crises that cannot be shortened, and misidentification — DOx compounds have been sold as LSD on blotter paper.[4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 0.5 mgLight0.5 – 1.5 mgCommon1.5 – 2.5 mgStrong2.5 – 3.5 mgHeavy3.5+ mg

Starts in 1 – 2 hoursLasts 16 – 24 hoursAfter-effects 8 – 24 hours

Body and dependence

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

Tolerance

Builds
Rapid
Fully resets after
12 days
Carries over to
LSD; psilocybin; mescaline; DMT; DOB; DOC

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Brightness alteration; Color enhancement; Visual drifting; Color alteration; Music enhancement; Geometry; Visual breathing; +30 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual haze / noise
Body
Stimulation; Spontaneous body sensations; Vasoconstriction; Appetite suppression; Pupil dilation; Wakefulness; Body high; Body scan awareness; Insomnia; +27 possible, including Muscle tension, Dehydration sensation, Heart rate perception changes
Thinking
Novelty enhancement; +34 possible, including Memory suppression, Cognitive impairment, Decision impairment
Feeling
none likely · 10 possible, including Emotional lability, Anxiety, Paranoia
Self
none likely · 9 possible, including Derealization, Depersonalization, Communication suppression
Time
Time alteration; +2 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 4 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Hypertension; Coronary artery disease; Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy; Concurrent serotonergic medication
Relative
Epilepsy; Bipolar disorder

Combinations60 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (26)
Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist; Amphetamines; Ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine; GHB, GBL; Local anesthetics; MDMA, MDA; NRIs; Opioids; SSRIs; Stimulants; 5-HTP, Tryptophan; Antipsychotics; Buspirone; Caffeine; Dopamine agonists; DXM; GHB, Baclofen; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Lithium; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); NSAIDs; Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; and 2 more, see full page
Caution (29)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/doi
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]
    ^Xu Z, Wang H, Yu J et al. (2026) Psychedelics elicit their effects by 5-HT2A receptor-mediated Gi signalling — Nature doi:10.1038/s41586-025-10061-7
  2. [2]
    ^Shulgin (1991) PiHKAL: A Chemical Love Story
  3. [3]
    ^Canal CE, Morgan D (2012) Head-twitch response in rodents induced by the hallucinogen 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine: a comprehensive history, a re-evaluation of mechanisms, and its utility as a model — Drug Testing and Analysis doi:10.1002/dta.1333
  4. [4]
    ^Martins D, Barratt MJ, Pires CV et al. (2017) The detection and prevention of unintentional consumption of DOx and 25x-NBOMe at Portugal's Boom Festival — Human Psychopharmacology doi:10.1002/hup.2608
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