DOI
DOI is a psychedelic amphetamine of the DOx family. First described in the scientific literature in 1973, it was later documented in detail by Alexander Shulgin in PiHKAL (1991). DOI is among the most potent phenethylamine psychedelics and is notable for its exceptionally long duration, which can prevent sleep for 24 hours or more. It is widely used in scientific research as a radioligand for mapping serotonin 5-HT2A receptors in the brain.12
Contents
Dosage & Duration
Dosage
Residual stimulation and insomnia are frequently reported effects that may extend well beyond the primary experience, sometimes lasting into the following day or longer depending on the dose taken and when it was administered.
Duration
Subjective Effects
Effects vary widely by individual, dose, and context.
Physical
Cognitive
Visual
Hallucinatory States
Auditory
Reagent Testing
Loading reagent data
Pharmacology
Pharmacodynamics
DOI acts as a potent agonist at serotonin 5-HT2A, 5-HT2B, and 5-HT2C receptors1, with approximately 5- to 12-fold selectivity for 5-HT2A over 5-HT2C3 and biased agonism at 5-HT2C3. Despite its amphetamine backbone, DOI does not function as a monoamine releasing agent of serotonin or dopamine4. It is also an agonist at the rat trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1)5, and the R-(−) enantiomer is the more pharmacologically active stereoisomer1. DOI has additionally been found to potently inhibit tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-induced inflammation at picomolar concentrations6 and to promote neuroplasticity through rapid dendritic spine growth and reorganization78, classifying it as a psychoplastogen8.
Pharmacokinetics
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.
Tolerance
Psychedelics (all serotonergic psychedelics will have reduced effect following DOI consumption)
Harm Potential
Addiction & Dependence
Psychological
Extremely LowDOI is not habit-forming, and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.
Physical
No documented physical dependence or withdrawal symptoms have been reported.
Toxicity
Cardiovascular effects including elevated blood pressure, increased heart rate, and vasoconstriction have been reported, particularly at higher doses; severe vasoconstriction may develop several hours into intoxication and in extreme overdose cases may require medical intervention to prevent hypertensive emergency.9
Psychosis Risk
At high doses, psychosis, bizarre delusional behavior, and paranoia may occur. Frequent use carries risk of reality distortion which may manifest as anxiety states or schizophrenic traits. DOI can trigger latent psychoses. The extended duration contributes to sleep deprivation, and stimulant psychosis symptoms may surface during the comedown, particularly around the 16-24 hour mark.
Seizure Risk
Seizures are rarely observed but may occur in those predisposed to them, especially in physically taxing conditions such as dehydration, undernourishment, overheating, or fatigue. At appropriately high doses, seizure risk increases.
History & Culture
Discovery and Synthesis
DOI was first synthesized and described in the scientific literature by Ronald Coutts and Jerry Malicky in 1973.10 The compound later received more detailed documentation, including its psychoactive effects in humans, when Alexander Shulgin included it in his 1991…
Legality
International
DOI is not listed under the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, or the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.
By Country
References
Source Pages
Citations
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- Nazarali, A. J., Gutkind, J. S., & Saavedra, J. M.. (1989). Common receptors for hallucinogens in rat brain: a comparative autoradiographic study using [125I]LSD and [125I]DOI, a new psychotomimetic radioligand. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2536576/1
- Strachan, R. T., Sheffler, D. J., Willard, B., Kabb, K. L., & Roth, B. L.. (2010). Support for 5-HT2C receptor functional selectivity in vivo utilizing structurally diverse, selective 5-HT2C receptor ligands and the 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine elicited head-twitch response model.12
- (2022). An ontogenic study of receptor mechanisms by which acute administration of low-doses of methamphetamine suppresses DOI-induced 5-HT2A-receptor mediated head-twitch response in mice.1
- Bunzow, J. R., Sonders, M. S., Arttamangkul, S., Harrison, L. M., Zhang, G., Quigley, D. I., Darland, T., Suchland, K. L., Pasumamula, S., Kennedy, J. L., Olson, S. B., Magenis, R. E., Amara, S. G., & Grandy, D. K.. (2001). Amphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, lysergic acid diethylamide, and metabolites of the catecholamine neurotransmitters are agonists of a rat trace amine receptor. 60(6), 1181-1188. https://doi.org/10.1124/mol.60.6.11811
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- (2024). 1-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI): From an Obscure to Pivotal Member of the DOX Family of Serotonergic Psychedelic Agents – A Review. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsptsci.4c00157123
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