4-HO-MET

Summary sheet: 4-HO-MET

4-HO-MET
Chemical Nomenclature
Common names	4-HO-MET, Metocin, Methylcybin, "Colour"
Substitutive name	4-Hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine
Systematic name	3-{2-[Ethyl(methyl)amino]ethyl}-1H-indol-4-ol
Class Membership
Psychoactive class	Psychedelic
Chemical class	Tryptamine
Routes of Administration
WARNING: Always start with lower doses due to differences between individual body weight, tolerance, metabolism, and personal sensitivity. See responsible use section. Smoked Dosage Threshold 5 - 10 mg Light 10 - 25 mg Common 25 - 35 mg Strong 35 - 60 mg Heavy 60 mg + Duration Total 25 - 45 minutes Onset 15 - 120 seconds Oral Dosage Threshold 5 mg Light 5 - 15 mg Common 15 - 25 mg Strong 25 - 45 mg Heavy 45 mg + Duration Total 4 - 6 hours Onset 15 - 40 minutes Come up 30 - 60 minutes Peak 2 - 3 hours Offset 1 - 1.5 hours After effects 2 - 12 hours DISCLAIMER: PW's dosage information is gathered from users and resources for educational purposes only. It is not a recommendation and should be verified with other sources for accuracy.

4-Hydroxy-N-methyl-N-ethyltryptamine (also known as "colour",^[1] methylcybin,^[1] metocin,^[1] and 4-HO-MET) is a lesser-known novel psychedelic substance of the tryptamine class. 4-HO-MET is chemically similar to Psilocin, the active ingredient in psilocybin mushrooms ("magic mushrooms"). Like other substituted tryptamines, it produces its psychedelic effects by acting on serotonin receptors in the brain.

4-HO-MET was first synthesized by Alexander Shulgin and reported in his 1997 book TiHKAL ("Tryptamines I Have Known and Loved"). Reports of human use began to surface in the late 2000s following its appearance on the online research chemicals market. It has been sold alongside other psilocybin analogues such as 4-AcO-DMT and 4-HO-MiPT.

User reports typically describe 4-HO-MET as a more recreational version of psilocybin mushrooms or psilocin (4-HO-DMT) due to its less serious headspace and greater emphasis on visual effects. Notable effects include geometric visual hallucinations, time distortion, enhanced introspection, and ego loss.

Very little data exists about the pharmacological properties, metabolism, and toxicity of 4-HO-MET. It is assumed to have a similar risk and toxicity profile as psilocybin but there is no data to support this. It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance.

Chemistry

4-HO-MET, or 4-hydroxy-N-ethyl-N-methyltryptamine, is a synthetic indole alkaloid molecule of the tryptamine chemical class. Tryptamines share a core structure comprised of a bicyclic indole heterocycle attached at R₃ to an amino group via an ethyl side chain. 4-HO-MET is substituted at R₄ of its indole heterocycle with a hydroxyl functional group OH−. It also contains a methyl group and an ethyl chain bound to the terminal amine R_N of its tryptamine backbone (MET).

4-HO-MET is a 4-hydroxy homolog of 4-AcO-MET and the N-substituted ethyl homolog of psilocin (4-HO-DMT).^[2] It is also the 4-hydroxyl analog of the base tryptamine MET.

Pharmacology

4-HO-MET's psychedelic effects are believed to come from its activity at the 5-HT_2A receptor as a partial agonist. However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the psychedelic experience remains subject to on-going scientific investigation.

Binding Sites	Binding Affinity Ki (µM)[3]
5-HT1A	0.228
5-HT2A	0.057
5-HT2C	0.141
D1	>25
D2	4
D3	6.7
α1A	9.7
α2A	2.4
TAAR1	3.1
H1	0.82
SERT	0.2
DAT	>26
NET	13

Subjective effects

A large body of anecdotal reports suggests that the active dose can vary greatly. Some users report very heavy experiences with doses as low as 17mg, while others report light experiences with doses as high as 30 mg.^[4] Possible causes for this observed effect may be attributed to individual differences in neurochemistry and metabolism as well as large variations in the quality of different batches and physical forms (e.g. the HCl vs. fumarate salt) that it has appeared in.

The effects listed below are based upon the subjective effects index and personal experiences of PsychonautWiki contributors. These effects should be taken with a grain of salt and will rarely (if ever) occur all at once, but heavier doses will increase the chances of inducing a full range of effects. Likewise, adverse effects become much more likely on higher doses and may include serious injury or death.

Combination effects

• Cannabis - When used in conjunction with cannabis, both the visual and cognitive effects of 4-HO-MET can be intensified and extended with extreme efficacy. This should be used with extreme caution, however, especially if one is not experienced with psychedelics as this can also amplify the anxiety, confusion and psychosis producing aspects of cannabis significantly.
• Dissociatives - When used in combination with dissociatives, the geometry, euphoria, dissociation and hallucinatory effects are often greatly enhanced. Dissociative-induced holes, spaces, and voids while under the influence of 4-HO-MET can result in significantly more vivid visuals than dissociatives alone present, along with more intense internal hallucinations, confusion, delusions and chances of a psychotic reaction.
• MDMA - When used in conjunction with MDMA, the physical and cognitive effects of MDMA are amplified. The visual, physical and cognitive effects of 4-HO-MET are also intensified with an overwhelming euphoric pleasure manifested through uniquely pleasurable body highs and headspaces, and uniquely colorful and awe-inspiring visuals. The synergy between these substances is unpredictable, and it is best to start with markedly lower dosages than one would take for both substances individually.
• Alcohol - This interaction is not typically recommended due to alcohol’s ability to cause dehydration, which can negatively affect a trip if taken in high dosages. This combination is, however, reasonably safe in low doses and when used responsibly, this can often "take the edge off the trip" as well as dull its psychedelic effects in a fashion somewhat similar to benzodiazepines, albeit more in a more stressful way on the body.
• Benzodiazepines - When used in combination with benzodiazepines, benzodiazepines can, depending on the dosage, slightly to completely reduce the intensity of the cognitive, physical and visual effects of a 4-HO-MET trip. With higher doses, they are very efficient at stopping "bad trips" at the cost of reduced trip intensity and in the worst case, amnesia and blacking out. Caution is advised when acquiring them for this purpose, however, due to the very high addiction potential that benzodiazepines possess. It is generally advised to refrain from intending to use them at all unless the trip suddenly becomes completely overwhelming.

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe the effects of this compound within our experience index include:

• Experience:4-HO-MET 22mg oral
• Experience:4-HO-MET – 15 mg Insufflated

Additional experience reports can be found here:

• Erowid Experience Vaults: 4-HO-MET

Toxicity and harm potential

The toxicity and long-term health effects of recreational 4-HO-MET use do not seem to have been studied in any scientific context and the exact toxic dose is unknown. This is because 4-HO-MET is a research chemical with very little history of human usage. However, there are reports of very high doses leading to drug induced psychosis.^[5]

Anecdotal evidence from those who have tried 4-HO-MET suggests that there are no negative health effects attributed to simply trying the substance by itself at low to moderate doses and using it very sparingly (but nothing can be completely guaranteed). Independent research should always be done to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe before consumption.

It is strongly recommended that one use harm reduction practices when using this substance.

Tolerance and addiction potential

4-HO-MET is not habit-forming and the desire to use it can actually decrease with use. It is most often self-regulating.

Tolerance to the effects of 4-HO-MET are built almost immediately after ingestion. After that, it takes about 3 days for the tolerance to be reduced to half and 7 days to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). 4-HO-MET presents cross-tolerance with all psychedelics, meaning that after the consumption of 4-HO-MET all psychedelics will have a reduced effect.

Dangerous interactions

Although many psychoactive substances are safe to use on their own, they can quickly become dangerous or even life-threatening when combined with other substances. The following lists some known dangerous combinations, but may not include all of them. A combination that appears to be safe in low doses can still increase the risk of injury or death. Independent research should always be conducted to ensure that a combination of two or more substances is safe to consume.

• Tramadol - Tramadol lowers the seizure threshold^[6] and psychedelics may act as triggers for seizures, particularly in those who are predisposed to them.^{[citation needed]}
• Stimulants - Stimulants affect many parts of the brain. Combined with psychedelics, stimulation can turn into uncontrollable anxiety, panic, thought loops and paranoia. This interaction may cause elevated risk of psychosis.^{[citation needed]}
• Lithium - Lithium is often used as treatment for bipolar disorder. It may possibly cause elevated risk of seizures and psychosis due to its glutaminergic and GABAergic effects.^{[citation needed]}

Legal status

• Austria: 4-HO-MET is illegal to possess, produce and sell under the NPSG (Neue-Psychoaktive-Substanzen-Gesetz Österreich).^{[citation needed]}
• Sweden: Sveriges Riksdag added 4-HO-MET to Schedule I ("substances, plant materials and fungi which normally do not have medical use") as narcotics in Sweden as of May 1, 2012.^[7]
• United Kingdom: 4-HO-MET is a Class A drug in the United Kingdom as a result of the tryptamine catch-all clause.^[8]
• United States: 4-HO-MET is unscheduled in the United States. It may be considered an analogue of psilocin (4-HO-DMT), a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. As such, the sale for human consumption or the use for illicit non-medical or industrial intents and purposes could be prosecuted as crimes under the Federal Analogue Act.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Responsible use
• Research chemical
• Psychedelic
• Tryptamine
• 4-AcO-MET
• 4-AcO-DMT
• 4-HO-DMT

External links

• 4-HO-MET (Wikipedia)
• 4-HO-MET (Erowid Vault)
• 4-HO-MET (TiHKAL / Isomer Design)

Discussion

• The Big & Dandy 4-HO-MET Thread (Bluelight)

References