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Proscaline Facts

Psychedelic; Substituted phenethylamine; Serotonin 2A receptor agonist

Description

Proscaline (3,5-dimethoxy-4-propoxyphenethylamine) is a synthetic psychedelic of the phenethylamine class. It activates serotonin receptors in the brain, producing the altered perception and emotional shifts characteristic of classical psychedelics.[1]

Subjective effects include physical warmth, deep bodily relaxation, euphoria, and emotional contentment. The experience is defined by its somatic quality — sustained bodily ease and emotional equanimity with little visual activity at common doses.[2]

Proscaline does not cause physical dependence; tolerance builds rapidly through serotonin downregulation, making compulsive use self-limiting.[3] The primary risks are psychological — panic, anxiety, and psychosis-like states — amplified by high doses and by combining with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, which can trigger dangerous serotonin overload.[4]

Dose and durationby route · individual sensitivity varies

Oral(mg)
Threshold< 10 mgLight15 – 30 mgCommon30 – 40 mgStrong40 – 60 mgHeavy60+ mg

Starts in 30 – 60 minLasts 8 – 12 hoursAfter-effects 3 – 5 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
7 days
Carries over to
LSD; psilocybin; mescaline; DMT; DOx series; escaline

Effectslikely at a common dose

Perception
Color enhancement; Visual drifting; Color alteration; Symmetrical texture repetition; Brightness alteration; Visual breathing; Music enhancement; Geometry; Environmental patterning; +22 possible, including Spatial disorientation, Vestibular distortion, Visual haze / noise
Body
Pupil dilation; Body high; Wakefulness; +28 possible, including Nausea, Dizziness, Insomnia
Thinking
Novelty enhancement; Pattern recognition enhancement; Conceptual thinking; Aesthetic enhancement; Introspection enhancement; Openness enhancement; Thought connectivity; +20 possible, including Memory suppression, Thought loops, Cognitive impairment
Feeling
Emotional enhancement; +8 possible, including Emotional lability, Anxiety, Dysphoria
Self
none likely · 8 possible, including Depersonalization, Derealization
Time
Time alteration; +3 possible, including Temporal disorientation
Transpersonal
none likely · 1 possible
Awareness
none likely · 4 possible

Who shouldn't take it

Absolute
Bipolar disorder; Psychotic disorders; Pregnancy; Concurrent MAOI use; Concurrent lithium use
Relative
Uncontrolled hypertension

Combinations61 recorded

Lethal (1)
MAOIs
Dangerous (17)
Dopamine agonists; Lithium; MDMA, MDA; NRIs; GHB, Baclofen; GHB, GBL; Ibogaine; Ketamine, DXM, PCP; Local anesthetics; MDMA, Amphetamines; NDRIs (Wellbutrin); Psychedelics; Salvia, Ibogaine; SNRIs; SSRIs; Stimulants; Synthetic cannabinoids
Caution (37)
See full page: psychedex.org/substances/proscaline
Not graded (6)
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]
    ^Nichols DE (2018) Chemistry and Structure-Activity Relationships of Psychedelics. — Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences doi:10.1007/7854_2017_475
  2. [2]
    ^Shulgin A, Shulgin A (1991) PiHKAL Entry #140: Proscaline Link
  3. [3]
    ^de la Fuente Revenga M, Jaster AM, McGinn J, Silva G, Saha S, Gonzalez-Maeso J (2022) Tolerance and Cross-Tolerance among Psychedelic and Nonpsychedelic 5-HT2A Receptor Agonists in Mice — ACS Chemical Neuroscience doi:10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00170
  4. [4]
    ^Klaiber A, Schmid Y, Becker AM, Straumann I, Erne L, Jelusic A, Thomann J, Luethi D, Liechti ME (2024) Acute dose-dependent effects of mescaline in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects — Translational Psychiatry doi:10.1038/s41398-024-03116-2
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