Bufotenin: Difference between revisions

'''Bufotenin''' ('''5-HO-DMT''', N,N-dimethylserotonin, bufotenine) is a naturally occurring substituted [[Chemical class::tryptamine]] alkaloid and a [[serotonergic psychedelic|serotonergic]] [[Psychoactive class::psychedelic]] drug. Bufotenin is a structural derivative of tryptamine and serotonin. Bufotenin is found in a wide array of flora and fauna, including several species of psychoactive toads, most notably the Colorado River toad. The overall effects of bufotenin are generally described as less pleasant than those of other psychedelics such as [[LSD]].

Bufotenin's [[psychedelic]] effects are primarily believed to come from its efficacy at the [[Serotonin#The 5-HT system|5-HT_2A receptor]] as a [[Agonist#Agonists|partial agonist]]. Specifically, this molecule shows high binding affinity for the 5-HT_2A and 5-HT_1A subtypes.<ref name="Krebs-ThomsonRuiz2006">The roles of 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors in the effects of 5-MeO-DMT on locomotor activity and prepulse inhibition in rats (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17013638</ref> However, the role of these interactions and how they result in the [[psychedelic]] experience continues to remain elusive.

Additional mechanisms of action such as [[reuptake inhibition]] of [[neurotransmitters]] such as [[serotonin]], [[noradrenaline]] and [[dopamine]] are also thought to be involved to an extent.<ref name="pmid17223101">The effects of non-medically used psychoactive drugs on monoamine neurotransmission in rat brain (PubMed.gov / NCBI) | http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17223101

</ref> This can result in bufotenin becoming dangerously toxic when combined with [[MAOIs]], [[RIMA]]s, [[SSRI]]s [[stimulant]]s or any substance which acts as a [[releasing agent]] or [[reuptake inhibitor]] of monoamine [[neurotransmitters]].

*'''[[Visual acuity enhancement|Visual acuity enhancement]] and [[Visual acuity suppression|Visual acuity suppression]]''' - Bufotenin is equally capable of both decreasing and increasing visual acuity. The outcome of which effect will manifest seems to be chosen almost entirely at random and is largely setting dependent.

* [https://erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Bufotenin.shtml Erowid Experience Vaults: Bufotenin]

The toad's primary defense system are glands that produce a poison that may be potent enough to kill a grown dog.<ref name="desertmuseum">Phillips, Steven J. and Wentworth Comus, Patricia, ed. (2000). ''A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert''. University of California Press. p. 537. ISBN 0-520-21980-5.</ref> These parotoid glands also produce the 5-MeO-DMT<ref>http://www.erowid.org/archive/sonoran_desert_toad/erspamer.htm</ref> and bufotenin for which the toad is known. Fresh venom can easily be collected from these glands without harm to the toad. To do this, obtain a flat glass plate or any other smooth, nonporous surface of at least 12-inches square and hold the toad in front of the plate (which is fixed in a vertical position). When the desert toad is stroked near the parotid glands in the neck region, there is a squirting out of this venom. When it is allowed to dry on a hard surface it takes on the texture of rubber cement. It contains up to 15% 5-MeO-DMT, as well as [[N-methyl-5-methoxytryptamine]], [[5-MeO-NMT]] and Bufotenin, which have their own entries. In this manner, the venom can be collected on the glass plate, free of dirt and liquid released when the toad is handled.

Tolerance to the effects of bufotenin are built [[Time to full tolerance::almost immediately after ingestion]]. After that, it takes about [[Time to half tolerance::1 hour]] for the tolerance to be reduced to half and [[Time to zero tolerance::2 hours]] to be back at baseline (in the absence of further consumption). bufotenin does not have a cross-tolerance with other [[psychedelic]]s, meaning that after the consumption of bufotenin psychedelics will not have a reduced effect.

Deaths from bufotenin are rare but, as a powerful [[monoamine]] [[reuptake inhibitor]] (MRI), injury can occur when excessive doses are taken or when taken with drugs such as [[MAOIs]], [[RIMA]]s, [[stimulant]]s and any substance which act as a [[releasing agent]] or [[reuptake inhibitor]] of [[neurotransmitters]] such as [[serotonin]] and [[dopamine]]. This has resulted in well documented deaths<ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15214625</ref><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16356341</ref> that are easily avoidable and could have been otherwise prevented.

==Legal issues==

*'''Germany''': Bufotenin is controlled under the NpSG (New Psychoactive Substances Act) as of July 18, 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bundesgesundheitsministerium.de/fileadmin/Dateien/3_Downloads/Gesetze_und_Verordnungen/GuV/N/NPS_BtM_RegV_Bgbl.pdf|title=Verordnung zur Änderung der Anlage des Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetzes und von Anlagen des Betäubungsmittelgesetzes|publisher=Bundesanzeiger Verlag|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/anlage.html|title=Anlage NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=de}}</ref> Production and import with the aim to place it on the market, administration to another person and trading is punishable. Possession is illegal but not penalized.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/npsg/__4.html|title=§ 4 NpSG|publisher=Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz|access-date=December 10, 2019|language=de}}</ref>

*'''United Kingdom''': Bufotenin is a Class A drug.<ref>Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (Legislation.gov.uk) |http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1971/38/schedule/2/part/I</ref>

*[https://isomerdesign.com/PiHKAL/read.php?domain=tk&id=19 5-HO-DMT (TiHKAL / Isomer Design)]

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[[Category:Substance]]

[[Category:Psychoactive substance]]

[[Category:Hallucinogen]]