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AMT

AMT molecule structureAMT molecule structure
alpha-Methyltryptamine
Indopan, IT-290, Spirals, IT-403, U-14,164E
Chemical Class
Tryptamine

AMT is a synthetic psychedelic, stimulant, and entactogen of the tryptamine class.citation needed Originally developed by Upjohn in the 1960s, it was briefly prescribed as an antidepressant in the Soviet Union before being discontinued. Its effects are often described as a cross between classical psychedelics and MDMA, combining perceptual alterations with empathogenic and stimulant qualities. It also possesses weak, reversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) activity.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold5 mg
Light10-25 mg
Moderate25-40 mg
Strong40-60 mg
Heavy60-80 mg

Moderate to severe nausea and vomiting are commonly reported at all doses. Effects can take a long time to appear, and redosing before onset is a common error that produces stronger effects than intended. Unverifiable reports of hospitalization exist after oral doses above 60 mg, and danger is reported to rise sharply as doses approach 150 mg due to increased monoamine release and MAO inhibition.

Duration

Onset1-3 hours
Come Up30-90 minutes
Peak3-7 hours
Offset3-5 hours
After Effects2-8 hours
Total7-13 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.

Physical

The physical effects of AMT can be broken down into six components all of which progressively intensify proportional to dosage.

Loss of temperature regulation

Cognitive

In comparison to more traditional psychedelics such as LSD, DMT and Psilocin, the AMT head space is described as not nearly as deep, insightful or profound.

Visual

Distortions

TracersAfter imagesColour shiftingScenery slicing

Geometry

The visual geometry that is present throughout this trip can be described as more similar in appearance to that of psilocin and 2C-E than LSD. At lower levels, they appear to be bland and simplistic but become equal in terms of intricacy and depth to that of any of the classical psychedelics. They can be comprehensively described as structured in their organization, organic in geometric style, intricate in complexity, large in size, fast and smooth in motion, colourful in scheme, glossy in colour, blurred in their edges and rounded in their corners. They have a '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

At high dosages AMT can 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.

External hallucinations

Auditory

The auditory effects of AMT are common in their occurrence and exhibit a full range of effects.

Forked from Subjective Effect Documentation byJosie Kins November 2012.

See also: Psychedelic Intensity Scale, Effects of psychedelics (visual, cognitive, miscellaneous)

Reagent Testing

Expected colorimetric results for common reagent tests. Colors show reaction change over 1–2 minutes.

Marquis(MQ)
white → yellow2 → brown2
Mecke(ME)
white → yellow2 → black3
Mandelin(MD)
yellow2 → orange2
Liebermann(LB)
white → brown2 → black3
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Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

AMT acts as a non-selective serotonin receptor agonist, with its psychedelic effects primarily attributed to partial agonism at the 5-HT2A receptor.citation needed It also functions as a relatively balanced releasing agent and reuptake inhibitor of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Additionally, AMT is a weak, non-selective, and reversible inhibitor of the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO).

Pharmacokinetics

The alpha-methyl substituent on AMT's tryptamine backbone renders it a relatively poor substrate for monoamine oxidase A, protecting the amine group from metabolic deamination and prolonging its half-life sufficiently to reach the central nervous system.citation needed Hydroxylation and oxidation appear to be the primary metabolic pathways, as indicated by metabolites identified in rat studies.

Interactions

Dangerous

Highest risk

These 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.

2C-T-x compounds2C-x compounds5-MeO-xxT tryptaminesAmphetaminesCocaineDOx compoundsDXMMAOIsMDMAMescalineMXENBOMe compoundsPCPSSRIsTramadol

Caution

Use caution

These 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.

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Tolerance

Tolerance timelines are rules of thumb, not exact schedules, and vary widely between individuals and use patterns.

Full Tolerance
Tolerance to the effects of AMT develops almost immediately after ingestion. Using the substance on consecutive days typically results in a significantly diminished experience on the second day.
Baseline Reset
Approximately 1 month to return to baseline tolerance. Some sources suggest that spacing use 3-4 or more days apart minimizes tolerance effects, while others recommend waiting 4-7 days between uses to experience full effects.
Half Tolerance
Approximately 14 days for tolerance to reduce to half in the absence of further consumption.
Cross Tolerance

Serotonergic psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin, and other tryptamines)

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Low

AMT is generally considered to have low psychological addiction potential and is not habit-formingcitation needed, with the desire to use typically decreasing with repeated experiences. Compulsive use is rarely reported, and users tend to be self-regulating.

Physical

Extremely Low

AMT is not considered physically addicting.citation needed Withdrawal effects following discontinuation have not been reported.

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

Acute cardiovascular effects including elevated heart rate, increased blood pressure, and abnormal heartbeat occur during intoxication;citation needed these effects become more pronounced at higher doses and can be life-threatening in cases of overdose.

Central Nervous System

Potential for serotonergic neurotoxicity has been suggested based on the structurally related compound alpha-ethyltryptamine (aET), which is a known serotonergic neurotoxin;citation needed direct evidence for aMT neurotoxicity in humans has not been established, but caution is warranted at high dosages or with repeated long-term use.

Thermoregulatory

Temperature regulation suppression occurs during intoxication, with hyperthermia being a potentially life-threatening side effect at higher doses.

Psychosis Risk

Extreme confusion and depersonalization have been reported at high doses. Neurologic side effects include agitation, restlessness, and confusion.citation needed True psychotic episodes are not commonly documented, but high doses can produce significantly disorienting mental states.

History & Culture

Discovery and Pharmaceutical Development

Alpha-methyltryptamine appears to have first been described in the scientific literature around 1929, though it remained relatively unstudied until the late 1950s. More intensive research on AMT began in the late 1950s and early 1960s, conducted alongside its close structural relative

Trip Reports

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Legality

International

1961 Single Convention: AMT is not individually scheduled.

1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances: AMT is not individually scheduled; etryptamine is a distinct substance.

1988 Convention: AMT is not listed in precursor Tables I or II.

By Country

Illegal13
United States flagUnited StatesIllegal
Austria flagAustriaIllegal
China flagChinaIllegal
Denmark flagDenmarkIllegal
Finland flagFinlandIllegal
Greece flagGreeceIllegal
Hungary flagHungaryIllegal
Japan flagJapanIllegal
Latvia flagLatviaIllegal
Lithuania flagLithuaniaIllegal
Russia flagRussiaIllegal
Slovenia flagSloveniaIllegal
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomIllegal
Controlled / restricted5
Australia flagAustraliaControlled (analogue)
Canada flagCanadaRestricted
Germany flagGermanyAnlage I BtMG
Sweden flagSwedenControlled
Switzerland flagSwitzerlandRestricted
Not scheduled2
Slovakia flagSlovakiaNot scheduled
Spain flagSpainNot scheduled

References

Source Pages

  1. Bluelight: AMT Discussion
  2. Disregard Everything I Say
  3. Drug Users Bible by Dominic Milton Trott
  4. Drug Users Bible: Index
  5. DrugBank: Indopan (AMT)
  6. Erowid
  7. Erowid: AMT Vault
  8. Isomer Design (TiHKAL/PiHKAL)
  9. PsychonautWiki
  10. PsychonautWiki: αMT
  11. TripSit Factsheet: AMT
  12. TripSit Wiki
  13. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. (June 2014). Alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT): Critical Review Report, Agenda item 4.20. World Health Organization. https://ecddrepository.org/sites/default/files/4_20_review.pdf12
  2. Fumiko Nagai, Ryouichi Nonaka, & Kanako Satoh Hisashi Kamimura. (2007). The effects of non-medically used psychoactive drugs on monoamine neurotransmission in rat brain. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2006.11.075123
  3. Studies of Monoamine Oxidase and Semicarbazide-Sensitive Amine Oxidase II. Inhibition by a-Methylated Substrate-Analogue Monoamines, a-Methyltryptamine, a-Methylbenzylamine and Two Enantiomers of a-Methylbenzylamine. (1986). https://doi.org/10.1254/jjp.41.1911
  4. Kanamori T, Kuwayama K, Tsujikawa K, Miyaguchi H, Iwata YT, & Inoue H. (December 2008). In vivo metabolism of alpha-methyltryptamine in rats: identification of urinary metabolites. Xenobiotica, 38(12), 1476-1486. https://doi.org/10.1080/004982508024916541
  5. Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of Alpha-Methyltryptamine and 5-Methoxy-N,N-Diisopropyltryptamine Into Schedule I — 69 FR 58050. Drug Enforcement Administration, Department of Justice (2004-09-29). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2004-09-29/html/04-21755.htm1
  6. WHO Expert Committee on Drug Dependence. (2014). Expert peer review No.1: Alpha-methyltryptamine (AMT), Agenda item 4.20. World Health Organization. https://ecddrepository.org/sites/default/files/2023-01/4_20_epr_1.pdf1
  7. Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung (NPSV), consolidated Austrian text, version 27 August 2026. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://ris.bka.gv.at/geltendefassung/bundesnormen/20007642/npsv%2C%20fassung%20vom%2027.08.2026.pdf1
  8. Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Verordnung, Anlage II (BGBl. II Nr. 106/2024). ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://www.ris.bka.gv.at/Dokumente/Bundesnormen/NOR40261441/II_106_2024_Anlage_II.pdf1
  9. Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz (NPSG), consolidated Austrian text, version 27 August 2026. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://ris.bka.gv.at/geltendefassung/bundesnormen/20007605/npsg%2C%20fassung%20vom%2027.08.2026.pdf1
  10. Suchtgiftverordnung (SV), consolidated Austrian text, version 27 August 2026. ris.bka.gv.at (n.d.). https://ris.bka.gv.at/geltendefassung/bundesnormen/10011053/suchtgiftverordnung%2C%20fassung%20vom%2027.08.2026.pdf1

Further Reading

  1. Barceloux 2012 - Medical Toxicology of Drug Abuse
  2. DrugWise: AMT
  3. FRANK: aMT
  4. Greig et al. 1959 - Tryptamine derivatives on serotonin metabolism
  5. Nonaka et al. 2007 - In vitro screening by GTPγS binding
  6. WHO Critical Review Report - AMT

Article Status

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