A qualitative descriptive analysis of effects of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamine

This qualitative interview study (n=39) found that within this group about 2/3rds had used 2C drugs (38,5% 2C-B) and compared 2C-B to LSD and MDMA effects, it also compared favorably to other 2C drugs. 4-Aco-DMT was described as mimicking psilocybin.

Abstract

“Objective The number of novel psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines has continued to increase, but little academic research has focused on the effects of these substances. We sought to determine and compare the subjective effects of various substances.

Methods We conducted in‐depth interviews with 39 adults (75.4% male and 87.2% White) who reported experience using psychedelic phenethylamines and/or tryptamines. Participants described the effects of compounds they have used. We examined the subjective drug effects in a qualitative descriptive manner.

Results Participants reported on the use of 36 compounds. The majority (64.1%) reported the use of 2C series drugs, with 2C‐B use being most prevalent; 38.5% reported the use of NBOMe, and 25.6% reported the use of DOx. With regard to tryptamines, 46.2% reported use, and 4‐AcO‐DMT was the most prevalent drug used in this class. 2C‐B was often described as being more favorable than other 2C series compounds with the effects described as being comparable with MDMA and LSD. NBOMe effects were generally described in an unfavorable manner, and the effects of DOx were often described as lasting too long (12–36 hr). The effects of 4‐AcO‐DMT were often described as mimicking psilocybin.

Conclusion Knowing the effects of various compounds can inform education, prevention, and harm reduction efforts regarding the use of these drugs.

Authors: Joseph J. Palamar & Patricia Acosta

Summary

We sought to determine the subjective effects of various psychedelic substances.

1 | Introduction

Over the past decade, the drug landscape has drastically changed due to the continued emergence of new psychoactive substances. Although psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines have received little attention from researchers, their use is growing and they are associated with far fewer poisonings and deaths than more common drugs.

Psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines appear to be most prevalent among uncommon drugs and NPS, although it is difficult to estimate the prevalence of the use of these drug classes because most drug surveys do not query use.

There is very little focus on the epidemiology of the use of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines, and few academic articles discuss effects of such compounds in detail. However, rich descriptions can often be located on online message forums and in seminal works authored by Dr. Alexander Shulgin and Ann Shulgin.

2 | Methods

2.1 | Study design

39 adults were recruited from social media and online drug forums frequented by psychonauts. They were also recruited from other participants. To be eligible for this study, individuals must have been age 18, speak English, and self-identify as being highly experienced with the use of various NPS or other uncommon drugs. Interviews were largely unstructured and open-ended, with the only structured portion being about perceptions of drug use in the nightclub scene.

2.2 | Analysis

Interviews were transcribed and coded using Atlas.ti version 8 software. Results are presented in a qualitative descriptive manner, and do not include results for phenethylamines that do not commonly have psychedelic effects.

3 | Results

3.1 | Participant characteristics

Participants were mostly male, White, and in the United States, and used psychedelic phenethylamines (i.e., 2C, NBOMe, and DOx). 2C-B was the most common 2C compound, and the effects were described as non-ego-threatening, not “mentally challenging” or confusing, and not leading to “an extreme headspace”.

2C-B’s visuals are light and pastelized, and its effects are kind of dreamy and melty. Users described the drug as being easy to handle.

2C-B is like acid without the intense thought process, but without the headspace change that LSD and mushrooms produce. It has a steep dose curve and the visuals are not very strong unless larger doses are used.

2C-B effects were compared to those of MDMA and LSD, and were described as being entactogenic, euphoric and/or erotic, with increased sensitivity to touch.

2C-B felt like a cross between LSD and MDMA, but had its own distinct character. It had a clear-headed candy flip, but didn’t have the same forceful positive mood push that MDMA has.

2C-E and 2C-I were used by about half of those reporting 2C use, and were described as being more visual and trippy than other 2C series compounds.

Users of 2C-E and 2C-I noted unique physical effects such as jittery eyes (nystagmus) and nausea, and some even mentioned the effects lasting too long.

2C-E and 2C-I are incredibly nausea-inducing, so you’re trying to have a really fun time and not move at the same time.

3.2.3 | Other 2C compounds

2C-B-Fly was described as feeling like a cross between LSD and MDMA, and 2C-C was described as being emotionally stimulating with mild visuals and no auditory hallucinations.

2C-D was described as increasing mental clarity, a sense of alertness, and a carefree attitude, while 2C-P was described as being longer acting than other 2C drugs and being the most valuable 2C compound for working out emotional baggage and interpersonal relationships.

2C-T-7 was used by three participants and was described in a positive manner. It was compared to LSD and mescaline and was described as being a safe and reputable substance.

3.3 | NBOMe series drugs

Over a third of participants reported using NBOMe, and over two thirds of NBOMe users specifically reported using 25I-NBOMe. Only a few participants specifically reported using 25B- and 25C-NBOMe.

Participants described negative experiences resulting from NBOMe use, including bitter, metallic, or caustic taste, fast “come up”, and immediate psychosis.

This felt too much like a bad ecstasy high mixed together with a psychedelic that didn’t mesh well with me.

One participant stressed the importance of setting/environment when using a drug like NBOMe, at least regarding the potential for experiencing paranoia.

I’ve had some good experiences on NBOMe, but the more I did it, the more negative effects I noticed. It causes much more hypertension than any other psychedelic I’ve done.

Participants compared NBOMe to LSD, but found the effects less pleasurable. One user even stated that 25C felt more empathogenic than 25I and more like MDMA than being like LSD.

NBOMe is psychedelic, but it’s not like LSD. It’s like a tea that you cannot see the bottom of.

Users stressed the importance of dose size, with some implying that people often use too large doses. They also mentioned that a properly dosed NBOMe doesn’t feel dangerous.

3.4 | DOx series drugs

Participants reported using DOx compounds in small amounts, and some specified which compound was used.

Participants described the length of their DOx high as being adverse effects, and lingering even after a night’s sleep.

I didn’t like how long DOB lasted, and I didn’t like the vasoconstriction and related sensations resulting from use. I’ve tried DOM one time, and it wasn’t a very good experience for sure.

This participant compared the effects of DOB with LSD. DOB lasted 25 hours and had a slow come-up and come-down, but was still intense and emotional.

3.5 | Tryptamines

3.5.1 | 4-AcO-DMT

We asked participants about their use of tryptamines. Most participants compared various tryptamines with DMT, and 30.8% of participants reported use of 4-AcO-DMT.

4-AcO-DMT, often pronounced as “4-akko-DMT”, was reported by most users as producing similar effects as psilocybin mushrooms with less nausea. It was preferred over natural mushrooms due to the lack of adverse side effects.

4-AcO-DMT feels very similar to mushrooms, and it lasts for four to six hours. The experience is shorter but positive, and it doesn’t get you as far out there as LSD or mushrooms do.

Participants felt that 4-AcO-DMT was different from DMT in that it was longer lasting and had a stronger effect. However, at high doses, 4-AcO-DMT can be comparable to DMT.

The visuals are almost the same as DMT. If you like warmness, you can feel it in the face.

3.5.2 | 4-HO-MET

4-HO-MET is a light substance that makes you laugh. It’s cheap to use and doesn’t give you as much confusion as 4-AcO-DMT.

The effects of 4-AcO-DMT were relatively clear-headed, and the visual display was stunning beyond belief.

3.5.3 | 5-MeO-DMT

Three participants used 5-MeO-DMT and discussed its effects. They noted that the trip was less visual than DMT and that respiration was difficult.

Traditional DMT is sort of one experience and 5-MeO-DMT is similar, but less visual. It makes you feel distant and spacey, almost dissociative, and has mild visuals, like closed-eye visuals before going to sleep.

5-MeO compounds were less prevalent in this sample of experienced tryptamine users, and were tended to be described as more sexual than other compounds.

5-Meo-DIPT, Foxy, or Moxy (5-Meo-MIPT) are tryptamines that are distinct. They have been described as being shorter lasting than other tryptamines, and as being more aphrodisiac and more stimulant than a party drug.

4. Discussion

In this paper, we documented and compared the self-reported subjective effects of various psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines.

In this sample, 2C series drugs were the most commonly used drugs. Although adverse effects were rarely mentioned, published literature suggests that some individuals do experience agitation, aggression, dysphoria, hypertension, hyperthermia, and/or seizures after using 2C series drugs. 2C-B was the most prevalent 2C series compound used in this sample, and participants described it as being a “light” drug with effects similar to MDMA and LSD. Other 2C series compounds were less common, and their effects have not been described in great detail in the published literature.

NBOMe is the newest subclass of psychedelic phenethylamines and is extremely potent and active at sub-milligram doses, which makes doses difficult to measure. It has been associated with many poisonings and deaths and can cause unpleasant hallucinations, panic, agitation, hypertension, seizures, acute psychosis, and/or excited delirium that can result in cardiac arrest.

DOx series compounds were the least prevalent among participants interviewed, and had the longest history out of the psychedelic phenethylamines. Some users complained of vasoconstriction after DOx use, and previous literature suggests that the use of DOB can lead to cramps, depersonalization, convulsions, coma, and death.

Tryptamines are another major psychedelic class, and were first discovered or synthesized as early as the 1930s, 1950s, or 1970s. However, use does not appear to be very prevalent.

4-AcO-DMT was the most commonly used tryptamine by participants, and it was also the most prevalent novel tryptamine in recent years. Its effects were often compared to those of psilocybin, and it allowed participants to avoid the nausea commonly associated mushroom ingestion.

4-HO-MET was described as a mild high with visual effects similar to psilocin, although few academic studies have examined subjective effects of 4-HO-MET.

5-MeO-DMT has been more widely researched than most other tryptamines, but few reports focus on subjective effects. Some participants have noted sexual effects of 5-MeO-DMT, although academic literature does not seem to describe sexual effects of the drug.

This study has several limitations, including that it was based on a small sample and that many compounds used were of low prevalence in the sample. Additionally, participants rarely stated the dose or route of administration when describing positive or negative effects.

In this paper we explored the effects of psychedelic phenethylamines and tryptamines on user reports. We believe that qualitative research into these drugs needs to continue.

We intend for this report to help educate users and potential users about uncommon psychedelic drugs, and to inform both prevention and harm reduction efforts. Clinicians and harm reduction workers may be most likely to acquire and disseminate information on these drugs to potential users.