You may have heard of DMT, known as one of the world’s most powerful plant-derived psychedelics, but what is 5-Me-O DMT and is it the same as DMT?

DMT

DMT, or N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, is a hallucinogenic substance that is used in religious ceremonies, particularly shaman ceremonies in South America, in order to invoke a state of spiritual enlightenment with visual hallucinations. DMT is the main hallucinogen in the drug Ayahausca. DMT is known for the brief but intense psychedelic high that comes from consuming it.

Possession of DMT is illegal in the United States. Although illegal, DMT is used in the US as a hallucinogenic drug, with its most common form being in powder form. DMT has also been investigated for its therapeutic effects on psychiatric disorders and has shown some promise as a potential treatment for anxiety and depression. DMT is found in many plants and is often extracted from plants in the Phalaris, Virola, Acacia, and Delosperma genera. 

How DMT Works 

Since 1972, research has proven that DMT is naturally occurring in the brain. One study found that DMT is naturally formed in the brains of rats and that an enzyme that catalyzes the creation of DMT was also found in both rat and human brain tissue. The natural production of DMT may also increase to help deal with stressful situations as one study found that naturally occurring DMT levels increased in rodent brains when placed under stress. 

One method of action for DMT is trace amine-associated receptors (TAAR), which are activated by DMT. Another is through other receptor types as DMT can be stored in neurotransmitter storage vesicles where it can then act on other receptors such as serotonin receptors to induce its effects. In fact, DMT’s activation of the serotonin system is thought to be the primary way that it induces its psychedelic effects. 

5-Me-O DMT

5-Me-O DMT, or 5-methoxy-N N-Dimethyltryptamine, is a hallucinogenic substance structurally similar to DMT. 5-Me-O is also traditionally used in ceremonies and is naturally found in the venom of the colorado river toad and plants such as Anandenanthera peregrina.

Much like DMT, 5-ME-O DMT produces a high, however, the two differ in how this high is experienced and it is reported that unlike DMT, 5-Me-O DMT doesn’t produce visual hallucinations. 

There is also significant research into 5-Me-O DMT’s potential as a treatment for psychiatric disorders and this compound has received much more focus in this area than DMT. Research has demonstrated 5-Me-O DMT’s ability to improve neural cell health, improve life satisfaction and reduce rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. 5-Me-O DMT has also shown a low risk for addiction.

How 5-Me-O DMT Works 

Studies have shown the 5-Me-O DMT may also induce its effects through serotonin receptors and the 5-HT1A serotonin receptor is specifically thought to be responsible for the hallucinogenic effects of 5-Me-O DMT. The 5-HT1A receptor has been shown to increase serotonin levels in the brain and is thought to play a key role in regulating mood disorder behaviors such as anxiety and other depressive-like behaviors.