4-AcO-DMT
4-AcO-DMT is a synthetic psychedelic of the tryptamine class, first synthesized by Albert Hofmann and Franz Troxler in 1963 during a chemical investigation into psilocin analogs.1 It is the acetylated form of psilocin and is widely believed to act as a prodrug for it, much like psilocybin.2 Its effects are frequently described as nearly indistinguishable from those of psilocybin mushrooms3, though sometimes characterized as warmer or more euphoric. It has a limited history of human use.
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Duration
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
The physical effects of 4-AcO-DMT can be broken down into two components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.
Cognitive
The head space of 4-AcO-DMT is described by many as extremely relaxing, profound and stoning in its style when compared to other commonly used psychedelics such as LSD or 2C-B which tend to be energetic and stimulating. It contains a large number of psychedelic typical and unique cognitive effects.
Visual
Enhancements
4-AcO-DMT presents a full and complete array of possible visual enhancements.
Geometry
The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of ayahuasca and 2C-E than LSD. It can be comprehensively described as structured in its organization, organic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, large in size, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, blurred in its edges and rounded in its corners. They have a very 'natural' feel to them and at higher dosages are significantly more likely to result in states of Level 7B visual geometry over Level 7A.
Hallucinatory States
4-AcO-DMT and its various other forms produce a full range of high level hallucinatory states in a fashion that is more consistent and reproducible than that of many other commonly used psychedelics.
Auditory
The auditory effects of 4-AcO-DMT are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects.
Reagent Testing
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Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
4-AcO-DMT functions primarily as a prodrug of psilocin.4 Through psilocin, it acts as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, with its psychedelic effects specifically mediated by activation of the 5-HT2A receptor, at which psilocin acts as a partial agonist.2 Whether 4-AcO-DMT possesses any intrinsic pharmacological activity independent of its conversion to psilocin remains an open question, as no controlled studies have directly examined this.
Pharmacokinetics
4-AcO-DMT is deacetylated to psilocin by esterase enzymes5, a process that occurs during first-pass hepatic metabolism as well as in systemic circulation. The compound is active via both oral and parenteral routes, indicating that conversion is not solely dependent on hepatic processing. An in-vitro study using human plasma found that over 99.9% of the prodrug was converted to psilocin within 5 minutes, supporting rapid and near-complete hydrolysis prior to systemic distribution. In rodent studies, intraperitoneal 4-AcO-DMT at equimolar doses produced approximately 70% of the total psilocin exposure compared to psilocybin,4 with psilocin concentrations at 15 minutes reaching 75 to 90% of those from an equivalent psilocybin dose.4 The elimination half-life of psilocin was approximately 30 minutes in these rodent studies and did not differ between the two prodrugs.4 No clinical pharmacokinetic studies in humans have been conducted.
Dangerous
Highest riskThese combinations are considered extremely harmful and should always be avoided. Reactions to these drugs taken in combination are highly unpredictable and have a potential to cause death.
Unsafe
AvoidThere is considerable risk of physical harm when taking these combinations, they should be avoided where possible.
Caution
Use cautionThese combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely Low4-AcO-DMT is considered non-addictive with low potential for abuse. It is not associated with compulsive use, and users commonly report a self-regulating quality where the desire for subsequent use is naturally limited.8
Physical
Extremely LowPhysical dependence is extremely unlikely due to its pharmacological similarity to psilocybin.8
Psychosis Risk
As a psychedelic, 4-AcO-DMT may trigger underlying psychological and mental problems in people predisposed by familial schizophrenia or early-developing mental illness. This risk is mainly associated with predisposed individuals rather than users in general.
Seizure Risk
Seizures are rarely observed and are thought to primarily affect those already predisposed to them9, particularly in physically taxing conditions such as being overheated, dehydrated, undernourished, or fatigued.
History & Culture
Discovery and Initial Research
4-AcO-DMT was first synthesized in 1963 by the Swiss chemists Albert Hofmann and Franz Troxler during systematic investigations into psilocin analogs conducted at Sandoz Laboratories.1 The compound, along with several other psilocin esters, was patented by Sandoz Ltd on…
Trip Reports
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Legality
International
1961 Single Convention: 4-AcO-DMT is not individually scheduled.
1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances: 4-AcO-DMT is not individually scheduled.
1988 Convention: 4-AcO-DMT is not listed in precursor Tables I or II.
By Country
References
Source Pages
Disregard Everything I Say
Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
Drug Users Bible: 4-AcO-DMT
Erowid
Erowid: 4-AcO-DMT Basics
Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
PsychonautWiki
TripSit Factsheet: 4-AcO-DMT
TripSit Factsheet: 4-AcO-DMT
TripSit Factsheets
TripSit Wiki
TripSit Wiki: 4-AcO-DMT
Wikipedia
Wikipedia: 4-AcO-DMT
Citations
- Hofmann, Albert, & Troxler, Franz. (1963). Esters of indoles. Sandoz AG. https://patents.google.com/patent/US3075992A/en12
- (n.d.). | class = Binding selectivity|Non-selective serotonin receptor agonist ; Serotonin 5-HT2A receptor agonist|Serotonin 5-HT<sub>2A</sub> receptor agonist ; Serotonergic p. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00186123
- (January 2020). A qualitative descriptive analysis of effects of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines. Human Psychopharmacology, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2719123
- (2024). In vivo validation of psilacetin as a prodrug yielding modestly lower peripheral psilocin exposure than psilocybin. Front Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.130336512345
- (March 2025). Synthesis and In Vitro Profiling of Psilocin Derivatives: Improved Stability and Synthetic Properties. J Med Chem, 68(7), 7153–7165. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c026121
- Nichols DE. (2016). Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 68(2), 264-355. https://doi.org/10.1124/pr.115.01147812
- Halberstadt AL, & Geyer MA. (2011). Multiple receptors contribute to the behavioral effects of indoleamine hallucinogens. Neuropharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.01.0171
- Johnson MW, Griffiths RR, Hendricks PS, & Henningfield JE. (2018). The Abuse Potential of Medical Psilocybin According to the 8 Factors of the Controlled Substances Act. Neuropharmacology, 142, 143-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.05.01212
- Simonsson O, Goldberg SB, Chambers R, Osika W, Long DM, & Hendricks PS. (2022). Prevalence and associations of classic psychedelic-related seizures in a population-based sample. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 239, Article 109586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.1095861
- (1999). Improvements to the Synthesis of Psilocybin and a Facile Method for Preparing the O-Acetyl Prodrug of Psilocin. Synthesis, 1999(6), 935–938. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-1999-3490123
- (24 June 2024). 4-AcO-DMT Is the Most Accessible (and Mysterious) Drug on the Market Right Now. DoubleBlind Mag. https://doubleblindmag.com/4-aco-dmt/12
- (n.d.). However, it is said to produce less nausea and body load than psilocybin-containing mushrooms.<ref name="JonesWagnerHa. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.0c001761
- (9 August 2024). Magic mushroom chocolates are having a moment. But do they even contain mushrooms?. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-09/magic-mushroom-chocolates-are-having-a-moment-but-do-they-even-contain-mushrooms1234
- (18 July 2024). Mushroom edibles are rising in popularity. It's hard to say what's in them.. NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/mushroom-edibles-are-rising-popularity-s-hard-say-s-rcna1624081
- Janikian, Michelle. (26 May 2020 (updated 11 July 2024)). The Complete Guide to 4-AcO-DMT: Synthetic Shrooms or in a Class of Its Own?. DoubleBlind Mag. https://doubleblindmag.com/4-aco-dmt-or-synthetic-shrooms/1
- (2015-09-30). Poisons Standard October 2015 (F2015L01534). Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government / Therapeutic Goods Administration. https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2015L01534/asmade/2015-09-30/text/original/pdf12
- (n.d.). Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz, Anlage. gesetze-im-internet.de. https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage_1.html1
- (2021-08-06). Decreto del Ministero della Salute, 6 agosto 2021 (aggiornamento Tabella I, DPR 9 ottobre 1990 n. 309). Ministero della Salute (Italy). https://www.medicoeleggi.com/argomenti000/italia2021/413541-1.htm1
- (2022). 危険ドラッグの成分4物質を新たに指定薬物に指定. https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/0000092698.html1
- (n.d.). Föreskrifter om ändring i Läkemedelsverkets föreskrifter (LVFS 2011:10) om förteckningar över narkotika. https://lakemedelsverket.se/upload/lvfs/HSLF-FS_2017_1.pdf1
- (2011-05-30). Verordnung des EDI über die Verzeichnisse der Betäubungsmittel, psychotropen Stoffe, Vorläuferstoffe und Hilfschemikalien (Betäubungsmittelverzeichnisverordnung, BetmVV-EDI, SR 812.121.11). Eidgenössisches Departement des Innern (EDI) / Fedlex. https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/de1
- (n.d.). Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 Part I generic ester control. legislation.gov.uk. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/21
- (n.d.). 21 CFR 1308.11 - Schedule I. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1308/subject-group-ECFR3ac9a628f2b3a17/section-1308.111
- (1986). 21 U.S.C. § 813 - Treatment of controlled substance analogues. United States Code, Title 21. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/8131
- (2018-02-21). Controlled Substances List (Adopted by Alabama State Board of Health, effective February 21, 2018). Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. https://adfs.alabama.gov/Content/pdfs/drug-chemistry/2018%20Controlled%20Substance%20List.pdf1
Further Reading
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