white → yellow2 → brown2
4-AcO-DMT
4-Acetoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine
Psilacetin, O-Acetylpsilocin, Synthetic mushrooms
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.
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Threshold~5 mg
Light5-15 mg
Moderate15-25 mg
Strong25-40 mg
Heavy40+ mg
Duration
Onset20-40 minutes
Come Up30-75 minutes
Peak2-3.5 hours
Offset1-2 hours
After Effects2-4 hours
Total4-7 hours
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.
Enhancement of current mind stateConnectivity of thoughtFeelings of fascination, importance and aweTime distortionOutrospectionDeja-VuRemoval of cultural filterFeelings of predeterminismConceptual thinkingDirect communication with the subconsciousEgo suppression, loss and deathFeelings of interdependent oppositesDelusionsStates of unity and interconnectedness
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.
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
4-AcO-DMT directly activates human 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors in a Gq-mediated calcium-flux assay; at 5-HT2A it is less potent than psilocin and produces 79.2% of the serotonin maximum.4
Its mouse head-twitch potency is similar to that of psilocin despite this weaker receptor-level potency, which is consistent with deacetylation to psilocin in vivo, but those experiments do not determine how much intact 4-AcO-DMT contributes to effects in humans.4
Pharmacokinetics
After intraperitoneal administration to mice, 4-AcO-DMT fumarate produced about 70% of the total peripheral psilocin exposure produced by an equimolar psilocybin dose; psilocin concentrations were 10–25% lower at 15 minutes, and the approximately 30-minute psilocin half-life did not differ by precursor.5 In an ex-vivo human-plasma stability assay, almost no acetyl ester remained at the first five-minute sample.6 A separate simulated gastrointestinal experiment predicted less than 0.1% of the prodrug remaining after five minutes, but only after extrapolation to an assumed physiological esterase activity; it was not a direct measurement in a dosed human.6 Taken together, these studies support rapid conversion to psilocin but do not provide clinical human pharmacokinetic parameters for 4-AcO-DMT.56
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.10
Physical
Extremely LowPhysical dependence is extremely unlikely due to its pharmacological similarity to psilocybin.10
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 them11, 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
United StatesUnscheduled (Federal Analogue Act applies)Citation needed
Not explicitly scheduled under federal law, but possession or sale for human consumption may be prosecuted under the Federal Analogue Act of 1986, as it is considered an analog of the Schedule I substance psilocin.2526 Can be legally possessed for research purposes when labeled 'not for human consumption.' Additionally, 4-AcO-DMT is listed as a Schedule I controlled substance at the state level in several states, including Alabama (since March 18, 2014).27
BelgiumImport prohibitedCitation needed
Importation of 4-AcO-DMT is illegal in Belgium under national drug control legislation.
Czech RepublicProhibitedCitation needed
Banned under national drug legislation except for strictly limited research and therapeutic purposes with appropriate authorization.
IsraelIllegalCitation needed
Classified as a controlled substance by virtue of being a derivative of DMT under national drug control legislation.
JapanControlled substanceCitation needed
Designated as a controlled substance effective July 29, 2015, under national drug control legislation.21
SwitzerlandPotentially illegalCitation needed
May be considered illegal under Buchstabe B of Swiss narcotics legislation as an ester analog of psilocin. Legal status is interpreted rather than explicitly scheduled.23
United KingdomIllegalClass A controlled ester
Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 Part I generic ester control24
The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Class A definition covers esters of psilocin; 4-AcO-DMT is controlled through that generic ester provision.
AustraliaSchedule 9Citation needed
BrazilIllegalCitation needed
Listed as a controlled substance under Portaria SVS/MS nº 344. Possession, production, and sale are prohibited.
GermanyRestrictedNpSG tryptamine-group control
Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz, Anlage19
The current NpSG Annex uses a group definition for tryptamine-derived compounds whose structural scope covers 4-AcO-DMT.
ItalyIllegalCitation needed
Prohibited under Italian drug law as an ester of a controlled substance (psilocin). Possession, production, and distribution are criminal offenses.20
SwedenSchedule ICitation needed
Added to the Narcotic Drugs Punishments Act as a Schedule I substance (classified as substances without accepted medical use) on January 25, 2017. Listed as '4-acetoxi-N,N-dimetyltryptamin' in Medical Products Agency regulation HSLF-FS 2017:1.22
TurkeyIllegalCitation needed
Classified as a controlled drug. Possession, production, supply, and importation are prohibited under national drug legislation.
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
- Haden A. Geiger, Madeline G. Wurst, & R. Nathan Daniels. (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.8b001861
- Joseph J. Palamar, & Patricia Acosta. (January 2020). A qualitative descriptive analysis of effects of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines. Human Psychopharmacology, 35(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/hup.2719123
- Adam K. Klein, Muhammad Chatha, Lauren J. Laskowski, Emilie I. Anderson, Simon D. Brandt, Stephen J. Chapman, John D. McCorvy, & Adam L. Halberstadt. (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.0c00176123456789
- Nathan T. Jones, Laura Wagner, Molly C. Pellitteri Hahn, Cameron O. Scarlett, & Cody J. Wenthur. (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.2023.130336512
- Julia Eklund, Ulf Bremberg, Jessica Larsson, Edvard Torkelsson, Johan Wennerberg, Symantha Zandelin, & Luke R. Odell. (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.4c02612123
- Tentative identification of in vitro metabolites of O-acetylpsilocin (psilacetin, 4-AcO-DMT) by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap MS. doi.org (n.d.). https://doi.org/10.1002/dta.325512
- 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
- David E. Nichols. (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
- 4-AcO-DMT Is the Most Accessible (and Mysterious) Drug on the Market Right Now. DoubleBlind Mag (24 June 2024). https://doubleblindmag.com/4-aco-dmt/12
- Magic mushroom chocolates are having a moment. But do they even contain mushrooms?. Los Angeles Times (9 August 2024). https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-08-09/magic-mushroom-chocolates-are-having-a-moment-but-do-they-even-contain-mushrooms1234
- Mushroom edibles are rising in popularity. It's hard to say what's in them.. NBC News (18 July 2024). 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
- Poisons Standard October 2015 (F2015L01534). Federal Register of Legislation, Australian Government / Therapeutic Goods Administration (2015-09-30). https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2015L01534/asmade/2015-09-30/text/original/pdf12
- Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz, Anlage. gesetze-im-internet.de (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage_1.html1
- Decreto del Ministero della Salute, 6 agosto 2021 (aggiornamento Tabella I, DPR 9 ottobre 1990 n. 309). Ministero della Salute (Italy) (2021-08-06). https://www.medicoeleggi.com/argomenti000/italia2021/413541-1.htm1
- 危険ドラッグの成分４物質を新たに指定薬物に指定. (2022). https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/houdou/0000092698.html1
- Föreskrifter om ändring i Läkemedelsverkets föreskrifter (LVFS 2011:10) om förteckningar över narkotika. (n.d.). https://lakemedelsverket.se/upload/lvfs/HSLF-FS_2017_1.pdf1
- 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 (2011-05-30). https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/2011/363/de1
- Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, Schedule 2 Part I generic ester control. legislation.gov.uk (n.d.). https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/21
- 21 CFR 1308.11 - Schedule I. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (n.d.). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-II/part-1308/subject-group-ECFR3ac9a628f2b3a17/section-1308.111
- 21 U.S.C. § 813 - Treatment of controlled substance analogues. United States Code, Title 21 (1986). https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/21/8131
- Controlled Substances List (Adopted by Alabama State Board of Health, effective February 21, 2018). Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences (2018-02-21). https://adfs.alabama.gov/Content/pdfs/drug-chemistry/2018%20Controlled%20Substance%20List.pdf1
Further Reading
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